Showtime Boxing: Bute Survives Controversial Finish To Retain IBF Title On ShoBox

ByBoxing Press

Click for larger image © Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing

It was a controversial finish, yet an unquestionable unanimous decision on Friday’s special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on Showtime.

Hometown hero, Lucian Bute of Montreal, dominated the No. 1-ranked challenger Librado Andrade of La Habra, Calif., en route to a unanimous decision victory and third successful defense of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight world title.

However, it was Bute who appeared to be out on his feet at the end of 12 rounds.

Bute used superior hand speed and excellent footwork to easily handle the rough challenger for most of the fight.

Andrade, who had been clearly battered and beaten through 11-plus rounds, took control only as Bute tired late in the final round. Andrade found a home for a few big punches and had Bute stumbling from pillar to post.

With Bute up against the ropes and seemingly out on his feet, Andrade landed another punishing overhand right that sent Bute down for the first time in his career.

Referee Marlon B. Wright gave what many considered a long count, including a break to instruct Andrade to remain in the neutral corner. When Wright resumed the count, Bute was on his feet, leaning against the ropes. Wright had deemed Bute ready to continue, but since the round had ended, it went to the scorecards.

Judges scored the fight 117-109, 115-110 and 115-111 all in favor of Bute.

“We’ve discussed this before,” said ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood during the telecast. “It is very difficult to win a title on the road. We may have seen an overly dramatic example of that tonight.

“This fight was 30 seconds too long for Bute. He totally collapsed… and basically, the referee cost Andrade the title.”

In the post-fight interview with Farhood, Bute said through a translator, “I think he took advantage of me getting tired. He won the 12th round, and maybe one other round, but I won the fight.

“I am not aware of any controversy but, maybe he was leaving the (neutral) corner. That is not for me to judge.”

“He was completely out,” said Andrade in the ring after the fight. “I didn’t come out of the corner. I don’t know what (Wright) was talking about. It was outrageous.”

Andrade falls to 27-2, 22 KOs. At the post fight press conference, he added, “If he gives me a rematch, we’ll take it. But I didn’t come out to win a decision. I promise you if we have a rematch, I am coming for him.

“It doesn’t matter. I had a job to do and I did it. I knocked him out. But whatever happens, we’ll move forward and whoever I fight next, I am coming to fulfill my dream. Whoever it is, I am coming. I am coming like rain.”

“We said he’d have to walk through fire if he was to win this fight in the last few rounds,” said Nick Charles, ShoBox host and play-by-play announcer. “He did. He came through fire, bullets and smoke. What a gutsy performance from Andrade.

“He leaves the loser, incredibly so, and walks off with tremendous grace.”

A near capacity crowd of 16,000-plus rocked the Bell Centre in favor of Quebec’s favorite fighter. A native of Galat, Romania, Bute has lived in Canada since 2003. He improves his record to 23-0, 18 knockouts.

In the co-feature, “The Chosen One” Ronald Hearns of Detroit, Mich., continued his climb up the 154-pound rankings with an impressive performance over Paul Clavette of New Brunswick, Canada (TKO 6).

Hearns fought effectively on the outside in the opening rounds. In the fifth, he began inflicting damage with a powerful straight right hand. In the sixth, Hearns sent Clavette down twice before forcing the referee to halt the action at 2:37 of the round.

Hearns entered the ring as the No. 11 ranked World Boxing Council (WBC) contender and No. 13 ranked World Boxing Association (WBA). He improves to 20-0, 15 KOs while Clavette drops to 14-2-1, 2 KOs.

The event was promoted by InterBox. Charles called the action from ringside with Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.