By T.K. Stewart While the rest of the boxing world is somewhat enthralled with Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic super middleweight tournament, IBF 168-pound titlist Lucian Bute is content to be on the outside looking in. Bute would have been a natural to be included in the tournament with other big name European stars such as Mikkel Kessler, Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham. But Bute is the one glaring omission from the tourney and the Montreal-based Romanian is fine with his career choice to refrain from the tournament and he is instead looking forward to a Nov. 28 rematch with Librado Andrade. The World Boxing Classic was the brainchild of Sr. Vice President of Showtime Sports, Ken Hershman, who has said in the past that Bute was "not invited to participate" in tournament without elaborating as to why. Bute, undefeated at 24-0, 19 KOs is the biggest draw in Canadian professional boxing. His bouts have sold out the Bell Centre in Montreal which holds over 20,000 for boxing. His rematch against Andrade will likely sell out the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City on a card to be televised by HBO. Bute was ringside in Connecticut for Froch's big win over Jermain Taylor and the first fight between Bute and Andrade was televised by Showtime. Hershman appeared to have been grooming Bute for a long future with his network before the fighter's 11th hour defection to HBO. Some have made the claim that Bute and his promoters are simply trying to avoid the toughest competition while continuing to collect big paydays in Canada. Whatever the case, Stephan Larouche, Director of Operations for Interbox, Bute's promoter, says that aside from hockey Bute and the sport of boxing in Montreal is the hottest ticket in town - which could be one reason they are reluctant to leave Quebec. There are two big things in Montreal right now, says Larouche. Montreal Canadiens hockey and boxing and I'll tell you that boxing and Lucian Bute are not far behind hockey. Trying to find out why Bute was left out of the Super Six has been more challenging that trying to find the Lost Ark of the Covenant. It appears as though Golden Boy Promotions and HBO stepped in with some money to woo Bute away from the Showtime route to instead match him against their man, Andrade. When the Bute vs. Andrade rematch was officially announced in August, Interbox CEO Jean Bedard was positively beaming. His praise of HBO was a clear shot across the bow at the Showtime network. Its an honor for us to welcome HBO to Canada for the first time in over 30 years, he said. We look forward to collaborating with one of the greatest U.S. television networks. This will be a great opportunity for Lucian to get the highest visibility possible in his sport and to showcase all his skills to prove hes a world class champion. Interbox took another dig at the Showtime tournament when they released the following statement: ...with the rematch scheduled, each [Bute and Andrade] hopes to leave everything in the ring on November 28th to settle fans curiosity over who is the true champion. Meanwhile, Larouche says that all the efforts they are putting behind Bute are paying off. Our goal is simple for Lucian; that's to bring a major television channel to Canada every time he fights. Our hope is that he will develop into the same attraction here that Ricky Hatton became in England.
He can't do much right according to some:think People moaned he was a nobody who beat nobodys, now he is fighting the best in his division and still getting **** because he ain't the most gifted athlete in the world, he talks **** or he has no class......etc He always comes to fight and will fight anyone, anywhere toe to toe. He is exciting as **** againsed the right opposition.
I agree Froch always comes to fight. But i got a problem with (anywhere) cause he wants to fight Kessler in nottingham instead of denmark. In which to me shows he's showing lack of respect to the other 5 fighters and showtime for asking that. Froch already fought in nottingham and Kessler is about to fight Ward in Wards backyard so if Froch is smart he should have keep his big mouth shut and be fair by fighting Kessler in denmark.
He's said he's happy to fight Kessler in Denmark, said Copenhagen is a beautiful city and Kessler is due a fight there.
Then why him and his promoter saying they going to talk to Kessler people about fighting in nottingham? Sounds to me that Froch wants another gift decision if it goes to the judges scorecard against Kessler.
I dont agree about him being the perfect fighter,but the guy always comes to fight and will fight anybody and for me thats the most important things.
===================================================== Career choice my ass! KEN HERSHMAN: Throughout my career, I have been involved with some of the most major and historic events in the sport, including the legendary Corrales vs. Castillo fight which in my opinion is the best fight in history, the Tyson/Holyfield ear biting incident, and the Tyson-Lewis fight. But never have I been more proud then I am of this tournament or prouder of the work we have done. Getting five promoters together is a herculean task in itself -- plus six of the best fighters in the division. That is a staggering accomplishment. (IBF champion) Lucien Bute was not invited (to participate). Hes a great champion but this tournament works. Not one promoter or fighter objected to the first-round draw. They all said put me in front of anyone. Each promoter feels their guy is ready to take this tournament. I know who I'd rather believe and it's the guy who organised the tournie, not Bute's PR people :good Yep - Easy as pie EDIT : Nice try Valdez but you can't save him from the sad truth. Bute got KO'd. Bute ducked Froch. and Bute wasn't invited. :hi:
None of you post is wrong but your forgot that its called BOXING, not fighting and froch cant box worth a **** and is gonna get KOed real soon.
If you can fight at home, of course you're going to try. But lets not pretend he's holding Kessler to random or something, he's more than happy to fight in Denmark.
you asked for a source.. I gave you one.. I didn't say anything about believing anything.. because honestly I don't care about Froch or Bute..
Sorry, I meant a legitimate independent and knowledgable source. ie not Bute or his people or from an interview with Bute.