unfortunately, the chance of reducing the number of belts available is unlikely to change but knowing the difference between the legit champion and paper champions is key
Ok... for a contracted weight of 170, right? If you listen to the two most recent interviews given by Stephan Larouche, he would -very- hardly be able to make 168 now. Quoting your own post to get a reply? Attention *****. Feeling that 'Bute was overhyped' is nothing new around here. It's bad enough the real Scott Gilfoid writes **** articles, you're using his name as an alter ego. You've got way too much time on your hands. Grachev had been hit by kickboxers all over his body, he was kickboxing champ and a Bute body shot likely wouldn't phase him. That was Larouche's assessment, and he was right on the money. Round 12 of that fight gave the fans in Montreal a bit of hope looking forward... Bute looked great in that round, way to close the fight.
I've always thought Bute looked reall big for a SMW and assumed he was going up to LHW because he couldn't make SMW without being weakened. I just read an article in the Ring (not sure if allowed to post a link to there) with the title "Bute, Grachev easily make weight for light heavy showdown" which stated "Lucian Bute and Denis Grachev not only made weight for their light heavyweight showdown on WealthTV tomorrow night, they nearly made the super middleweight limit. Grachev came in light at 168.9, while Bute looked shredded as usual at 169 pounds." Not doubting. Just thought it sounded weird that he would weigh in at 169 for what I (wrongly it seems) assumed was a 175 fight. Didn't realise the limit was 170.
I miss him, but way too overhyped before the Froch fight. Good thing Froch whopped him, but that aside i find it funny that Ward didn't fight him haha
Yes, I'm such a social butterfly. 1400 posts since 2008. atsch Actually, was quite surprised not to catch a broadside from the "Lightining Lucian Bute Battleship" when I compared the torpedoing of said vessel w/the derailment of the Lacey express. But then maybe I have... You the Skipper?
I didn't say you were a social butterfly, I pointed out it was attention-whorish to quote your own post to get a reply. :conf Bute isn't doing as bad now as Lacy did post-Calzaghe. Who's Skipper?
Very good and respectful thread! As a Bute fan and a friend, all I can say is I wish him the best for the Pascal bout. Only then we will see his true injury free/comfortable weight capabilities!
Make it happen, Ward vs. Bute in New York City, if Lucien will somehow return in style (against Pascal)! Ward used peds against Chad.
Ward didn't have to use PEDS, Dawson was weight drained. He ****ed his brain for ever. That is my main concern about Bute. Did the Froch fight cause permanent damage? He seemed hurt a couple of times against Grachev, from shots he would have taken easily before. The injury he had may help his brain to recover, who knows? Another concern is his confidence. Will it be back? I can't wait for this fight. It will be huge here.
I think Bute could be underated. In answer to the thread. I dont think he was protected at all, I read bits where Pavlik decided against him, read bits where Dirrell wouldnt face him in Canada, Ward said he wasnt after Bute, and from what I read Bute was ready and willing. If all that is true then he wasnt protected but was avoided and Bute was fine about travelling to the UK to face Froch which Ward didnt do. Styles make fights and with Butes power, I wouldnt be shocked if he beat Ward, but dont think Bute would do well with someone who could walk through his power to land big shots. As for overated, Bute most of the time looked better against common opponents than Kessler, Ward and Froch. As for protected Bute beat Berrio, Bika and Magee who either were or became SMW champs when Bute beat them. I guess he could be underated due to the Froch loss which was a bad loss