Lucian Bute vs. Librado Andrade - The Rematch - Whom are you Supporting?

If Bute beats Zuniga and Andrade beats Tsypko, Andrade becomes the mandatory challenger to Bute's IBF 168 lbs title and a much anticipated rematch would take place. Whom would you support?

You can vote in the secret poll above and/or if you want everyone to know whom you would support, you can reply in this thread.

 

I am Romanian and I have mixed feelings about this fight.

Bute won the first fight fair and square, so it's not that.

I do like Bute and I am a fan, so it's not that.

I am a fan of Andrade, although not a particularly big fan, so it's not that either.

I did feel bad for Andrade in the first fight, because the referee, whilst allowing Andrade to use his head and elbows on the inside and come in with his head, did seem to side with Bute, at times, and that has a bit to do with it. Also, I disliked the way Bute lifted Andrade's leg on the inside, to keep him off-balance.

I think Bute would become a better fighter long-term if he would be forced to face up to Andrade, and I am not convinced that if he won the rematch just by boxing and moving and avoiding the fight he'd be making the step up. Neither am I convinced that Bute is willing to face up to Andrade in the rematch, but if he lost, he'd be forced to face up to him in a third, decisive fight.

I would very much like to see Bute fight Kessler or Taylor, and that has a bit to do with it too. I think Bute would be involved in more good fights long-term, against better opposition, if he lost to Andrade in the rematch, because he'd be seen as a more beatable opponent and because, from his point of view, he'd have to prove himself more and sell himself less.

I will have mixed feelings about this fight and I'd rather Bute lost than be favoured by the referee or "run" or lift Andrade's leg again, so right at the beginning of the fight, I will be supporting Andrade to a slightly larger extent. If Andrade keeps his belt-line as high as he did last time, I will support him a bit less than otherwise. If he used his head and elbows again, I will support him even less than otherwise. However, if Bute fights with pride and dignity, I will start supporting him even more than otherwise, and if Bute truly rises to the occasion and puts in a strong performance, then I will be very happy if he wins, irrespective of how well and fair Andrade performs.

 

Bute.

If Bute loses to Andrade, it's goodbye to Taylor and Kessler for a long time! :deal

The rematch will be a very hard fight for him, though. I thought his chances in the first fight were 60/40. I think his chances in the rematch would be 50/50.:scaredas:

P.S. I'd support Andrade against anyone but Bute.

 

:verysad

 

BB, are you suggesting Bute might decide to drop the belt rather than defend it against his mandatory challenger, Andrade, if both Bute and Andrade with their next fight, or are you saying Bute should give Andrade a rematch even if Andrade loses against Tsypko?:think

 

:good