How would you feel about Bute if he doesn't do his utmost to fight Kessler in 2009?

As you know, his trainer, Stephane Larouche, has picked Joppy for Bute's first voluntary defence on the 29th of February. Everyone expects Andrade to be Bute's next opponent, in summer. Later in the year, Bute will fight the winner of Tsypko v. Stieglitz in his mandatory defence.

Bute himself has said that he expected to fight a unification fight in 2009. This might include the winner of Froch v. Inkin, who will be the new WBC Champion or most likely, Mikkel Kessler, who will be the new WBO Champion, or, perhaps, both.

So, how would you feel if Lucian Bute DOES NOT do his utmost* to fight Mikkel Kessler in 2009, as long as they both remain unbeaten and able to compete at 168?


*Kessler has done his utmost to fight Calzaghe.

Please vote; you can vote for more than one option.

*"ready or not" means: He is fit and healthy and uninjured

 

Joppy? He has to fight Kessler, whichever way you put it, Kessler is now the man at 168, belts or not, so at some point in 2009 it has to happen for Bute's so called rep, Kessler already schooled andrade, so it would be good to see how they go, did lacy not beat tsypko??? fighting the winner of froch v inkin would be interesting, but the kessler fight has to happen

 

2009 would be the right time for Bute and Kessler to do a unification match.

Bute isn't ready for Kessler yet.

Bute's 2008 schedule, if it comes to fruition, is alright but nothing to get excited about.

Andrade, top 10 tough guy, not a bad defense.

Froch and Inkin is a solid mandatory no complaint here, you gotta fight them mandatories.

Joppy, WTF . Come on now, I've understand the easy keep busy type of fights. This one is beyond easy. Pointless.

Joppy is past shot.

 

Neither Froch nor Inkin will be fighting Bute in 2008. They are not his mandatories. Winner of Tsypko v. Stieglitz is. (Just making sure)

 

Please expand on your feelings, after voting.

I hope to hear from Maxime and sean too, the best Bute fans on ESB.

 

I would be disapointed to be honest. But only if Kessler was trying to make the fight and Bute did not want the fight.

You cannot blame a guy for not fighting somebody if the other guy does not want it.

Bute should have a fight in the summer against a top 10 guy or even if Taylor or Pavlik were to step up.

If he was to win that he should fight Kessler in late 2008.

 

He couldn't fight Kessler late 2008 unless he plans not to defend his mandatory and thus, drop the belt(s), I think. Anyway, he won't be ready by then.

 

Is Joppy a mandatory?

 

One Joppy for 2008 if he fights Kessler is forgivable. But Bute's gonna lose much of my respect if he ends up fighting the same competition or lower than in his contender days.

Bute vs. Kessler - inevitable for both, but money is an issue until HBO or SHO steps in --> that's why Bute has to fight bigger names
Bute vs. Mundine - would be a good fight to rule out one paper champion
Bute vs. Calzaghe - just a dream but I myself would like to see that one day, if Joe finished with Hopkins and maybe Pavlik (unfortunately it's Joe's farewell year)
Bute vs. Froch, Inkin, Brahmer, Lacy, Taylor, Miranda, Green, Andrade, Tsypko, Zuniga - I would respect Lucian even more if he'd fight TWO of these names in 2008.


The most important thing for Bute is to keep up with his good work!

 

No, he is not even ranked at 168

 

Thanks for clearing it up.

I was too lazy to look it up.

Steiglitz and Tsypko are solid guys in the same ballpark as Froch and Inkin. As far as mandatories go theres not too much to criticize there.

Gotta fight them and they are top 10 calibre guys.

Andrade and the mandatory are ok defenses. Not great but passable.
The whole Joppy thing brings down his 2008 schedule if it holds up.

Again, easy defense here and there. Sure, everyone does it. But they atleast need a pulse.

 

Why couldn't Bute fight his mandatory in the summer then?

 

Why would he? If he did, he'd have to defend the next mandatory a couple of months earlier than otherwise. Anyway, these guys probably fancy a couple of easy fights to prepare for their first title shot.

EDIT: in fact, he couldn't. They have to fight each other in the eliminator in summer.

 

I doubt that Froch would want any time to prepare if it was him. Tsypko and Inkin could fight before that also. If the fight was in August/September. They could easliy have a fight in April/May.

Then there would be no reason that Kessler vs Bute could not happen mid/late December.

 

Why not spring?