Eric Lucas, former WBC champ & owner of Interbox: "Bute by KO in around 4 rounds"

I always knew Bute was big for SMW, but damn he looks big next to Froch, who I ALSO consider to be large for the division.

 

Stylistically Bute is at an advantage, but his boxer/ puncher style is something Froch is accustomed too so I don't see a ko happening. Froch does have that British unorthodox style, but if Bute is coming guns blazing trying to ko Froch then Bute hasn't learned from his near loss to Andrade. Bute turns this into a brawl Froch has better chances. Bute UD or SD maybe, but ko unlikely.

 

I don't think people are giving Bute nearly enough credit for taking this fight. He is going into Froch's HOMETOWN. It's not even like this is a fight in Vegas, where most of the asses in the seats are high rollers without much vested interested in either fighter. This is going to be thousands of screaming Froch fans. I can't see any way for Bute to win this if it goes to a decision, to be honest. Especially if he falls into the role of the counterpuncher, which he likes to.

 

Drozzy are you going to this?

Eric Lucas? The dude Jones whooped after playing a basketball game :hey

 

With all due respect to Mr. Lucas,does he wish to make a wager on his prediction?I take the over of 4 rounds and Lucas can take the under.
I await a reply.

 

:twisted: Lucas was not very talented but he worked hard and became champion in a weak era but still. Tons of courage and determination. Usually, when Lucas makes a prediction, he's spot on. Before the rematch, he said Bute would KO Andrade in less than 5 rounds. He also said it would be a decision against Johnson.

I find him optimistic though. Bute would need to be all over the ring from the first second of the fight, which is not his habit. But since Froch is also a slow starter, it is tough to predict who will try to take control of the fight first.

Who will be the more tensed at the beginning of the fight? Froch because he has the pression to please his fans, plus he knows a loss would set his career back? Or Bute, because he'll have 9 000 people on his back, plus the pression to finally prove he's a real elite fighter?

 

Bute's a LHW fighting at 168, Froch is a proper SMW...in all fairness to Carl, he stays closer to his fight weight between fights and looks bigger come fight night..

 

I have plenty of respect for Eric Lucas :good Tough, limited guy who made the most out of what he had.

Below is what I put in a thread a few months back buddy, mentions the crowd and how I feel they will influence both Bute and Froch.

My take :

First my thoughts on Froch as this point

Nuts and Bolts :

Boxer puncher who shows more discipline now than ever.
Good jab, single and double which offers him a range finder, and a defensive tool. Under-rated wepone when he goes to the body.
Good right hand, capable of shooting it straight and looping it mid flight, this increases it's chance of landing despite a telegraphed look.
Cast Iron chin
Very good Stamina (Age considered)
Uppercuts with both hands, which are sometimes thrown from too far out.
Brilliant trainer and tactician in his corner.


Froch peaked in the Super Six tournament, he had retained his physical tools into his mid to late thirties, and made a mental adjustment to be more of a pugilist than a face first brawler. Factoring in Carl's length, his under-rated jab, brilliant corner, and chin this suited him well and we saw the results.

Froch had always felt he was in the shadow of Joe Calzaghe, the Super Six tournament would be his arena, his stage to prove that he was better than Joe, that he (Froch) had faced the best competition of his era and beat them.

I think Froch put everything he had into that tournament, mentally and physically. The fact is that he's 35 years old and closer to the end of his career than the biggining. The game plan below is suited to the Froch from the Super Six tournament, which may turn out to be different from the man that we see in May.

Nuts and bolts about Bute :

Southpaw
Nice jab, which he is capable of doubling and trippling up on.
Very good body puncher
Improved defense
Sharp and precise puncher
Good punching fluidity
Under-rated corner man, who tells it like it is.

Bute is on the right side of a rising tide right now, he appears more polished everytime he fights (Though opposition is questionable and not on par with Froch's recent fights) and shows more defensive awareness now than he did previously. (Case and point the first Andrade fight) Bute shows good power, and an ability to grind his man down by going to the body. Lateral movement and punching fluidity are key points when it comes to analysing Bute.

His chin may be suspect.
There are questions over his opposition
The fight is away from home
He will be eager to make a statement.

How I would advise Froch to fight :

The crowd in this fight, may be as much of a problem early on for Froch, as they are for Bute. For the first two rounds, I would have Froch fight conservative, pump his jab, doubling up whilst walking forward. Stay behind that jab, and do not put your chin in range of Bute early. It's a new enviroment for the Canadian, don't allow him to land early and gain confidence. Stay composed, and shoot the right hand as warning when Bute gets too close. When shooting the right hand, take half a step to your right, (Back foot, to the right) in order to keep the angle straight, rather than unconventional and suited to a southpaw.

When Bute does get close, establish lead foot position. At a speed dis-advantage as well as from a technical stand point, tactical superiority is vital for Froch.

Do not throw those long looping upper-cuts in the first few rounds, you will leave yourself exposed to either a right hook over the top, or a straight left down the shoot.

There must be a pretence of defence for Froch, if he's jabbing he must pivot to the side and keep his right hand up, Bute is capable of precise fast punching, and it's not good to take too many. Use the jab as a defensive tool, use it to get Bute to concede ground, then occupy that space, in other words establish to the judges that you are in control of the ring.

4th round onwards there must be body work. Froch keeps his left hand low, I'd spend the entire training camp trying to drum that out of him here, especially when he goes to the body. Jab to the pit of the stomach, and bring your left hand back covering your chin, likewise when shooting a straight right to the body. A right hand to the chest of Bute would be a good idea too, shock him; take his breath for a moment, make him uncomftorble in strange surroundings. In terms of Bute's body work, Froch should shoot his straight punches with his elbows tucked in, otherwise he is too exposed. If Bute gets too close, grab him. The referee will break you and restore your advantage with distance.

Froch is in Nottingham, so close rounds are not going to be a bad thing for him, do not go gung ho in the last thirty seconds, it's an un-needed risk.

Press the action later. Froch is an offensive fighter, it's his bread and butter, educated preassure is key, show the judges you are the aggressor, you want to take the title from the Champion, this is your house, you are king here. feint to the body and come upstairs to the head, scoring shots whilst remaining responsible with your own foot movements and head movements.

The crowd don't matter, you're in a do or die situation. Follow the game plan, trust your initiative and don't go getting caught when you don't need too just to impress spectators. Discipline, tactical knowlege and range is where Froch could win this fight.

(Just an estimate, I wouldn't bank on the above)


Edit : I will be ringside for this fight, so Carl can't lose with me shouting technical advice to him :hey

 

Isn't he Canadian? Lucas?