Bute and Larouche were giving an interview on a Montreal channel a few minutes ago. Larouche said he asked Bute to switch to a higher level, just before the 9th round. Bute had practiced that in training: 2 rounds at a normal tempo, then 2 rounds at a higher pace. Larouche always wants to be sure Bute has the same energy at the end of a bout, so he holds Lucian for the first rounds.
In the Romanian press, Bute was saying he didn't particularly look for the stoppage. This was confirmed in the post fight conference given by Bute and Larouche. Bute didn't even know Taylor was moving to 168. http://www.rds.ca/boxe/ - click on: This content is protected
That date for his mandatory title defense is only suggestive. When was the last time you heard a champion champion making his mandatory title defense on the date he was suppose to? Bute -vs- Andrade/Stieglitz won't happen until August or september at the earliest.
Like Decebal posted earlier Bute gained 14.6 lbs between the weight in and the fight. He is a big 168 lbs.
Yes, I agree. Maybe that's what Larouche wants him to do. Both Bute and Diaconu were going out trying to blow everyone out as soon as possible and Larouche made them chance their style, making them work on their defence, making them get rounds under their belt, to gain experience. Supposedly, this was going to help them when the going really went tough, against top opposition. Still, it was frustrating to see Bute let Joppy out of the corner, particularly when Joppy decided to go back in the corner agains and Bute had to let him out again...talk about cat and mouse!...but maybe they wanted rounds, not a quick stoppage, which would have made Joppy look even worse on paper, and which would not have provided the good workout Bute needs if he is to develop enough to have a decent shot at Kessler next year... One of the things Bute supposedly worked hard in the gym on was his jab...I guess he wanted to test it for a good couple of rounds...I didn't see a great jab from Bute though; he mostly didn't box tall, but looked to counterpunch instead...Oh well... Who knows...:conf I'll give Larouche and Bute the benefit of the doubt. When he fights Andrade, we'll get a good indication whether this approach has born fruit. When he fights Kessler, we'll know for sure. Anyway, Bute himself said he wasn't looking for a stoppage in the fight. He wanted to take no unnecessary risks and still beat Joppy up badly. This is what he did. I don't see why people want Bute to take risks beating up poor opposition when he should save himself for the big blows to the head when he really needs to, against more dangerous opponents. To me, it proves he is intelligent, not that he lacks heart. He has not had to prove his heart yet, so there's no reason to suppose he has none. Here's some more pics: This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected At the post-fight party: This content is protected Bute apparently made $CAD 700,000 from this fight. Joppy made $CAD 300,000. Larouche was quoted in the Romanian press as saying that Bute has made around $CAD 1.5 million so far in his career. Also, in the Romanian press: Since he has been in Canada, September 2003, Lucian Bute has never failed to respect his routine and training regime. He trains twice a day, including on Sunday. He is always in bed by 22:30. "I couldn't afford to disrespect my effort and waste my nights away. I left for Canada to achieve something; otherwise, I have have stayed at home in Romania and I wouldn't have had to struggled on my own in Montreal." Before fights and every Sunday, Bute goes to Church - there is one very close to his apartment. =========== Not surprising, then, that Bute's motto is: "Avec le travail viennent les résultats"/"With hard work, you get results"
So...is he fighting on the 15/17/23 May in Montreal...or on the 31st of May against Lacy on the HBO PPV card? And if he fights another optional in May...whom does he fight? And if he fights Andrade, his probable mandatory, only in September, and not by the 19th of July...that means he's only fighting three times this year...:verysad
Lacy is definitely not finished, he'd be one hell of a matchup against Bute. Test out those whiskers for sure.
Why? Are those whiskers untested? Bute took Berrio's punches flush and didn't blink. Or is Lacy a harder puncher than Berrio? In that case, why couldn't he take Manfredo out, for chrissake? Because Manfredo has a granite superchin?:huh Lucky punch? Forget it...wouldn't come from Lacy, particularly not against Bute, who doesn't take unnecessary risks. The only chin that'd get tested in that fight is Lacy's chin, mate.
Id say Lacy is a harder puncher and has a way better chin than Berrio. Hasnt he been KO'd 3,4 5 times? Lacy when on would apply alot more pressure than Berrio did, of course Bute would test his whiskers but he would be taken out of his comfort zone alot more than he has been use to. To totally dismiss Lacy as a viable opponent is a bit silly especially when they could meet for real this year :good
What does Berrio's chin have anything to do with how hard he can punch? He had 10 and a half rounds to stop Bute. He hit him flush quite a couple of times, and very hard in round 3...gave him a swollen eye. Lacy is not going to test Bute's chin, mate. He doesn't hit harder than Berrio. Nor is he a more dangerous puncher. Not now, not at his best. And Lacy is not what he was at his best anymore. Only reason I'd want this fight to happen is because 95% + of American fans only respect non-American fighters after they've beaten a hyped-up American name...even one past their best, who was beaten before. :good