Quote Originally Posted by Rantcatrat View Post
Quote Originally Posted by amat View Post
Pavlik is probably be written off a little to fast against Bute. I mean if Pavlik can get his 1,2 goin again without bein so damn hesitant and gunshy then he might have a decent shot. Unfortunately for Pavlik, he's been in some wars and he's had his struggles (allegedly) outside the ring that have probably taken there toll. As fairly crude as he might be, when he's at his best then Pavlik has the best offensive attack Bute would have ever faced. The Brinkley fight left a bad taste in my mouth for Bute I guess, but Brinkley wasn't afraid to throw punches and Bute seemed annoyed by this to me. Supremely talented but he's got to step up the competition before he gets stale.
Amat I agree. But, it's easier said than done. Who should Bute fight?

Bilbo gets all worked up about Bute in the way he does about Donaire, but the situations aren't the same. Donaire has had quite a few options over the last couple of years, but Bute hasn't. Bilbo can't even suggest a good available opponent for Bute now.
Looking at Super Middle and seeing who isn't tied up already the choices really are thin. After Pavlik my second guess for an opponent would be Stieglitz maybe? I doubt that fight would actually get signed or that there is much interest in it. What are the real choices outside of it though, Geale, Magee? Bute is in a bit of a rough spot to try and build on his quality of competition at the moment.