what now for bute?

[IamInuit]

He beat decent opposition, but past it opposition and avoided the Super 6. Froch showed that Bute cannot take a shot and that should stay home and fight the likes of Allan Green. I don't think Bute has what it takes and this fight will have destroyed his confidence.

He's nuts if he chooses to waste all our time with a Froch rematch.

He never avoided the S6 and I wish people would quit saying he did. He was not even asked and was in effect froze out. Instead the powers at be invited Taylor and Abraham who had no business being there.

The speed in which people are written off today is hilarious. Of course he is still a top 168 pounder. He simply got beat. And rest assured he will demand a rematch. Froch looked great last night and executed his game plan perfectly with a willing opponent allowing him to do so.Bute right off the get go decided to try to out slug the slugger. He was so worried about his feet that he ended up punching off the front of them. Bute will regroup just as any elite after a loss.

I no he is one of your own,Bute is not finished but it was a very damaging defeat if you are honest
Kessler and Ward would both beat him. As for the rematch forget about it he will just get Ko again
Froch has his number Bute can not handle pressure if you let him get into a rhythm he's hard to beat
but Froch is to much for him the fight was a bit like the old rabbit in the headlights for Bute he froze.

Well we differ. I dont do the if A beat B and B beat C then A beats C calculation. Boxing simply does not work that way. Bute was not himself and fought rather stupid and seems to be echoing what I said today in the press. At any rate Froch beating him does not mean Ward or Kessler does. All three fight nothing alike. I wish modern day boxing would turn their collective back on the notion that because someone undefeated has lost they are done. I mean imagine if Benny Leonard quit after he was knocked cold or Arguello getting stopped in about his tenth fight. A loss is not the end of the world as most all time greats will attest to. Sure its tough to take as a fan of his from the moment he started as a pro. To see him lose in that type of fashion but he will be back imo and the better for it.

I agree with your take. Bute seemed lost.

The point's you have made are correct, Bute having lost in that manner will need to get back on track
Kessler is a very good very hard punching fighter that straight right hand would get to Bute just like Golovkin got him same out come. Ward would bust him up fair or foul.

Fair enough but I cant go along with the conclusion. Its in everyone's best interest to throw a straight right against a southpaw but easier said then done and Kessler in his prime could not make that punch count against Calzaghe.

If Bute is now a none factor then Kessler was a none factor after Calzaghe and even more so after the tourney he prematurely exited. Kessler lost his stones long ago. Tell me you do not believe he would ever go to Nottingham. Shit I'd wager he will never leave Denmark.

Ward/Bute is a completely different fight stylistically then what we watched last night. It might even be a snooze fest.

[Althugz]

He beat decent opposition, but past it opposition and avoided the Super 6. Froch showed that Bute cannot take a shot and that should stay home and fight the likes of Allan Green. I don't think Bute has what it takes and this fight will have destroyed his confidence.

He's nuts if he chooses to waste all our time with a Froch rematch.

He never avoided the S6 and I wish people would quit saying he did. He was not even asked and was in effect froze out. Instead the powers at be invited Taylor and Abraham who had no business being there.

The speed in which people are written off today is hilarious. Of course he is still a top 168 pounder. He simply got beat. And rest assured he will demand a rematch. Froch looked great last night and executed his game plan perfectly with a willing opponent allowing him to do so.Bute right off the get go decided to try to out slug the slugger. He was so worried about his feet that he ended up punching off the front of them. Bute will regroup just as any elite after a loss.

I no he is one of your own,Bute is not finished but it was a very damaging defeat if you are honest
Kessler and Ward would both beat him. As for the rematch forget about it he will just get Ko again
Froch has his number Bute can not handle pressure if you let him get into a rhythm he's hard to beat
but Froch is to much for him the fight was a bit like the old rabbit in the headlights for Bute he froze.

Well we differ. I dont do the if A beat B and B beat C then A beats C calculation. Boxing simply does not work that way. Bute was not himself and fought rather stupid and seems to be echoing what I said today in the press. At any rate Froch beating him does not mean Ward or Kessler does. All three fight nothing alike. I wish modern day boxing would turn their collective back on the notion that because someone undefeated has lost they are done. I mean imagine if Benny Leonard quit after he was knocked cold or Arguello getting stopped in about his tenth fight. A loss is not the end of the world as most all time greats will attest to. Sure its tough to take as a fan of his from the moment he started as a pro. To see him lose in that type of fashion but he will be back imo and the better for it.

I agree with your take. Bute seemed lost.

The point's you have made are correct, Bute having lost in that manner will need to get back on track
Kessler is a very good very hard punching fighter that straight right hand would get to Bute just like Golovkin got him same out come. Ward would bust him up fair or foul.

Fair enough but I cant go along with the conclusion. Its in everyone's best interest to throw a straight right against a southpaw but easier said then done and Kessler in his prime could not make that punch count against Calzaghe.

If Bute is now a none factor then Kessler was a none factor after Calzaghe and even more so after the tourney he prematurely exited. Kessler lost his stones long ago. Tell me you do not believe he would ever go to Nottingham. Shit I'd wager he will never leave Denmark.

Ward/Bute is a completely different fight stylistically then what we watched last night. It might even be a snooze fest.

Are you serious about Kessler? The guy has left his backyard before to fight Ward and Calzaghe. Maybe you mean he "lost his stones" as in he won't be up for that now..but he doesn't strike me as that kind of guy.

Also the guys who are saying Bute's chin let him down are off...The pressure is what Bute showed he couldn't handle. He took 3 rounds worth of hellacious shots from Froch but didn't know what to do. It was exactly as the British commentator said "You would never see the elite such as Mayweather fold under this kind of pressure" and that is what Bute lacks. He can't keep composed while being attacked. He showed that against Andrade and now it's been confirmed by Carl.

[armin]

He beat decent opposition, but past it opposition and avoided the Super 6. Froch showed that Bute cannot take a shot and that should stay home and fight the likes of Allan Green. I don't think Bute has what it takes and this fight will have destroyed his confidence.

He's nuts if he chooses to waste all our time with a Froch rematch.

He never avoided the S6 and I wish people would quit saying he did. He was not even asked and was in effect froze out. Instead the powers at be invited Taylor and Abraham who had no business being there.

The speed in which people are written off today is hilarious. Of course he is still a top 168 pounder. He simply got beat. And rest assured he will demand a rematch. Froch looked great last night and executed his game plan perfectly with a willing opponent allowing him to do so.Bute right off the get go decided to try to out slug the slugger. He was so worried about his feet that he ended up punching off the front of them. Bute will regroup just as any elite after a loss.

I no he is one of your own,Bute is not finished but it was a very damaging defeat if you are honest
Kessler and Ward would both beat him. As for the rematch forget about it he will just get Ko again
Froch has his number Bute can not handle pressure if you let him get into a rhythm he's hard to beat
but Froch is to much for him the fight was a bit like the old rabbit in the headlights for Bute he froze.

Well we differ. I dont do the if A beat B and B beat C then A beats C calculation. Boxing simply does not work that way. Bute was not himself and fought rather stupid and seems to be echoing what I said today in the press. At any rate Froch beating him does not mean Ward or Kessler does. All three fight nothing alike. I wish modern day boxing would turn their collective back on the notion that because someone undefeated has lost they are done. I mean imagine if Benny Leonard quit after he was knocked cold or Arguello getting stopped in about his tenth fight. A loss is not the end of the world as most all time greats will attest to. Sure its tough to take as a fan of his from the moment he started as a pro. To see him lose in that type of fashion but he will be back imo and the better for it.

I agree with your take. Bute seemed lost.

The point's you have made are correct, Bute having lost in that manner will need to get back on track
Kessler is a very good very hard punching fighter that straight right hand would get to Bute just like Golovkin got him same out come. Ward would bust him up fair or foul.

Fair enough but I cant go along with the conclusion. Its in everyone's best interest to throw a straight right against a southpaw but easier said then done and Kessler in his prime could not make that punch count against Calzaghe.

If Bute is now a none factor then Kessler was a none factor after Calzaghe and even more so after the tourney he prematurely exited. Kessler lost his stones long ago. Tell me you do not believe he would ever go to Nottingham. Shit I'd wager he will never leave Denmark.

Ward/Bute is a completely different fight stylistically then what we watched last night. It might even be a snooze fest.

Are you serious about Kessler? The guy has left his backyard before to fight Ward and Calzaghe. Maybe you mean he "lost his stones" as in he won't be up for that now..but he doesn't strike me as that kind of guy.

Also the guys who are saying Bute's chin let him down are off...The pressure is what Bute showed he couldn't handle. He took 3 rounds worth of hellacious shots from Froch but didn't know what to do. It was exactly as the British commentator said "You would never see the elite such as Mayweather fold under this kind of pressure" and that is what Bute lacks. He can't keep composed while being attacked. He showed that against Andrade and now it's been confirmed by Carl.

Nothin but respect to froch, but kess was leavin denmark to fight dudes in their backyard before anyone but one dude on this forum were even payin attention to froch, and hell do it again if the offer is right.

[IamInuit]

He beat decent opposition, but past it opposition and avoided the Super 6. Froch showed that Bute cannot take a shot and that should stay home and fight the likes of Allan Green. I don't think Bute has what it takes and this fight will have destroyed his confidence.

He's nuts if he chooses to waste all our time with a Froch rematch.

He never avoided the S6 and I wish people would quit saying he did. He was not even asked and was in effect froze out. Instead the powers at be invited Taylor and Abraham who had no business being there.

The speed in which people are written off today is hilarious. Of course he is still a top 168 pounder. He simply got beat. And rest assured he will demand a rematch. Froch looked great last night and executed his game plan perfectly with a willing opponent allowing him to do so.Bute right off the get go decided to try to out slug the slugger. He was so worried about his feet that he ended up punching off the front of them. Bute will regroup just as any elite after a loss.

I no he is one of your own,Bute is not finished but it was a very damaging defeat if you are honest
Kessler and Ward would both beat him. As for the rematch forget about it he will just get Ko again
Froch has his number Bute can not handle pressure if you let him get into a rhythm he's hard to beat
but Froch is to much for him the fight was a bit like the old rabbit in the headlights for Bute he froze.

Well we differ. I dont do the if A beat B and B beat C then A beats C calculation. Boxing simply does not work that way. Bute was not himself and fought rather stupid and seems to be echoing what I said today in the press. At any rate Froch beating him does not mean Ward or Kessler does. All three fight nothing alike. I wish modern day boxing would turn their collective back on the notion that because someone undefeated has lost they are done. I mean imagine if Benny Leonard quit after he was knocked cold or Arguello getting stopped in about his tenth fight. A loss is not the end of the world as most all time greats will attest to. Sure its tough to take as a fan of his from the moment he started as a pro. To see him lose in that type of fashion but he will be back imo and the better for it.

I agree with your take. Bute seemed lost.

The point's you have made are correct, Bute having lost in that manner will need to get back on track
Kessler is a very good very hard punching fighter that straight right hand would get to Bute just like Golovkin got him same out come. Ward would bust him up fair or foul.

Fair enough but I cant go along with the conclusion. Its in everyone's best interest to throw a straight right against a southpaw but easier said then done and Kessler in his prime could not make that punch count against Calzaghe.

If Bute is now a none factor then Kessler was a none factor after Calzaghe and even more so after the tourney he prematurely exited. Kessler lost his stones long ago. Tell me you do not believe he would ever go to Nottingham. Shit I'd wager he will never leave Denmark.

Ward/Bute is a completely different fight stylistically then what we watched last night. It might even be a snooze fest.

Are you serious about Kessler? The guy has left his backyard before to fight Ward and Calzaghe. Maybe you mean he "lost his stones" as in he won't be up for that now..but he doesn't strike me as that kind of guy.

Also the guys who are saying Bute's chin let him down are off...The pressure is what Bute showed he couldn't handle. He took 3 rounds worth of hellacious shots from Froch but didn't know what to do. It was exactly as the British commentator said "You would never see the elite such as Mayweather fold under this kind of pressure" and that is what Bute lacks. He can't keep composed while being attacked. He showed that against Andrade and now it's been confirmed by Carl.

Nothin but respect to froch, but kess was leavin denmark to fight dudes in their backyard before anyone but one dude on this forum were even payin attention to froch, and hell do it again if the offer is right.

Whose this dude and tell me about all these backyard visits? 2 in a tourney and??

[armin]

He beat decent opposition, but past it opposition and avoided the Super 6. Froch showed that Bute cannot take a shot and that should stay home and fight the likes of Allan Green. I don't think Bute has what it takes and this fight will have destroyed his confidence.

He's nuts if he chooses to waste all our time with a Froch rematch.

He never avoided the S6 and I wish people would quit saying he did. He was not even asked and was in effect froze out. Instead the powers at be invited Taylor and Abraham who had no business being there.

The speed in which people are written off today is hilarious. Of course he is still a top 168 pounder. He simply got beat. And rest assured he will demand a rematch. Froch looked great last night and executed his game plan perfectly with a willing opponent allowing him to do so.Bute right off the get go decided to try to out slug the slugger. He was so worried about his feet that he ended up punching off the front of them. Bute will regroup just as any elite after a loss.

I no he is one of your own,Bute is not finished but it was a very damaging defeat if you are honest
Kessler and Ward would both beat him. As for the rematch forget about it he will just get Ko again
Froch has his number Bute can not handle pressure if you let him get into a rhythm he's hard to beat
but Froch is to much for him the fight was a bit like the old rabbit in the headlights for Bute he froze.

Well we differ. I dont do the if A beat B and B beat C then A beats C calculation. Boxing simply does not work that way. Bute was not himself and fought rather stupid and seems to be echoing what I said today in the press. At any rate Froch beating him does not mean Ward or Kessler does. All three fight nothing alike. I wish modern day boxing would turn their collective back on the notion that because someone undefeated has lost they are done. I mean imagine if Benny Leonard quit after he was knocked cold or Arguello getting stopped in about his tenth fight. A loss is not the end of the world as most all time greats will attest to. Sure its tough to take as a fan of his from the moment he started as a pro. To see him lose in that type of fashion but he will be back imo and the better for it.

I agree with your take. Bute seemed lost.

The point's you have made are correct, Bute having lost in that manner will need to get back on track
Kessler is a very good very hard punching fighter that straight right hand would get to Bute just like Golovkin got him same out come. Ward would bust him up fair or foul.

Fair enough but I cant go along with the conclusion. Its in everyone's best interest to throw a straight right against a southpaw but easier said then done and Kessler in his prime could not make that punch count against Calzaghe.

If Bute is now a none factor then Kessler was a none factor after Calzaghe and even more so after the tourney he prematurely exited. Kessler lost his stones long ago. Tell me you do not believe he would ever go to Nottingham. Shit I'd wager he will never leave Denmark.

Ward/Bute is a completely different fight stylistically then what we watched last night. It might even be a snooze fest.

Are you serious about Kessler? The guy has left his backyard before to fight Ward and Calzaghe. Maybe you mean he "lost his stones" as in he won't be up for that now..but he doesn't strike me as that kind of guy.

Also the guys who are saying Bute's chin let him down are off...The pressure is what Bute showed he couldn't handle. He took 3 rounds worth of hellacious shots from Froch but didn't know what to do. It was exactly as the British commentator said "You would never see the elite such as Mayweather fold under this kind of pressure" and that is what Bute lacks. He can't keep composed while being attacked. He showed that against Andrade and now it's been confirmed by Carl.

Nothin but respect to froch, but kess was leavin denmark to fight dudes in their backyard before anyone but one dude on this forum were even payin attention to froch, and hell do it again if the offer is right.

Whose this dude and tell me about all these backyard visits? 2 in a tourney and??

He fought in wales, australia, germany, the us....4 more trips than most champs out there, let's not pretend he's scarred to travel when he's clearly not.

[ruthless rocco]

rematch in montreal.

[IamInuit]

He beat decent opposition, but past it opposition and avoided the Super 6. Froch showed that Bute cannot take a shot and that should stay home and fight the likes of Allan Green. I don't think Bute has what it takes and this fight will have destroyed his confidence.

He's nuts if he chooses to waste all our time with a Froch rematch.

He never avoided the S6 and I wish people would quit saying he did. He was not even asked and was in effect froze out. Instead the powers at be invited Taylor and Abraham who had no business being there.

The speed in which people are written off today is hilarious. Of course he is still a top 168 pounder. He simply got beat. And rest assured he will demand a rematch. Froch looked great last night and executed his game plan perfectly with a willing opponent allowing him to do so.Bute right off the get go decided to try to out slug the slugger. He was so worried about his feet that he ended up punching off the front of them. Bute will regroup just as any elite after a loss.

I no he is one of your own,Bute is not finished but it was a very damaging defeat if you are honest
Kessler and Ward would both beat him. As for the rematch forget about it he will just get Ko again
Froch has his number Bute can not handle pressure if you let him get into a rhythm he's hard to beat
but Froch is to much for him the fight was a bit like the old rabbit in the headlights for Bute he froze.

Well we differ. I dont do the if A beat B and B beat C then A beats C calculation. Boxing simply does not work that way. Bute was not himself and fought rather stupid and seems to be echoing what I said today in the press. At any rate Froch beating him does not mean Ward or Kessler does. All three fight nothing alike. I wish modern day boxing would turn their collective back on the notion that because someone undefeated has lost they are done. I mean imagine if Benny Leonard quit after he was knocked cold or Arguello getting stopped in about his tenth fight. A loss is not the end of the world as most all time greats will attest to. Sure its tough to take as a fan of his from the moment he started as a pro. To see him lose in that type of fashion but he will be back imo and the better for it.

I agree with your take. Bute seemed lost.

The point's you have made are correct, Bute having lost in that manner will need to get back on track
Kessler is a very good very hard punching fighter that straight right hand would get to Bute just like Golovkin got him same out come. Ward would bust him up fair or foul.

Fair enough but I cant go along with the conclusion. Its in everyone's best interest to throw a straight right against a southpaw but easier said then done and Kessler in his prime could not make that punch count against Calzaghe.

If Bute is now a none factor then Kessler was a none factor after Calzaghe and even more so after the tourney he prematurely exited. Kessler lost his stones long ago. Tell me you do not believe he would ever go to Nottingham. Shit I'd wager he will never leave Denmark.

Ward/Bute is a completely different fight stylistically then what we watched last night. It might even be a snooze fest.

Are you serious about Kessler? The guy has left his backyard before to fight Ward and Calzaghe. Maybe you mean he "lost his stones" as in he won't be up for that now..but he doesn't strike me as that kind of guy.

Also the guys who are saying Bute's chin let him down are off...The pressure is what Bute showed he couldn't handle. He took 3 rounds worth of hellacious shots from Froch but didn't know what to do. It was exactly as the British commentator said "You would never see the elite such as Mayweather fold under this kind of pressure" and that is what Bute lacks. He can't keep composed while being attacked. He showed that against Andrade and now it's been confirmed by Carl.

I'm talking a post tourney Kessler. He had a chance to fight Bute and accused him of low balling him. And then who did he fight? He was forced to travel because of the tourney so please? Once in the Uk prior to that for Cal.

Bute met Froch at the entryway and refused to budge. Like I said, a deer in the headlights. I agree on this notion of bad chin. Same people would say Tito and Hearns had a bad chin.

They had no game plan and believed in the odds and hype by fans like me. I picked Bute by wide ud or late stoppage. We just need to show up attitude and beat this guy starched from a tourney and ready to call it quits. No wonder lots of fighters do not watch tape. A different fighter shows up.

[p4pking]

Are you serious about Kessler? The guy has left his backyard before to fight Ward and Calzaghe. Maybe you mean he "lost his stones" as in he won't be up for that now..but he doesn't strike me as that kind of guy.

Also the guys who are saying Bute's chin let him down are off...The pressure is what Bute showed he couldn't handle. He took 3 rounds worth of hellacious shots from Froch but didn't know what to do. It was exactly as the British commentator said "You would never see the elite such as Mayweather fold under this kind of pressure" and that is what Bute lacks. He can't keep composed while being attacked. He showed that against Andrade and now it's been confirmed by Carl.

I think you're bang on with the last bit, and it won't bode well for Bute in the future. People were billing him as a "slick boxer" in the build up to this fight, which isn't close to the case really. Bute is slick in a large sense, he is very athletic and offensively does great things. His problem is he doesn't really do anything well off the backfoot, only jabs to set up power shots rather than control distance etc. He has quick feet but doesn't move as a pure boxer ever would, everything he does well is from a distance while still coming forward. Froch had no trouble selling out to get inside, where Bute can't really do anything. He basically needs an opponent who will respect his power and let him keep them on a leash so to speak.

[ruthless rocco]

no. i disagree completely. when you get knocked down, you get back you and try again.
bute will learn from this and adjust his plan.

that's what champions do. none of this rebuilding with crap fighters.

that's a big part of what's wrong with boxing right now. protecting the fighters, trying to shield them from losses. a loss isn't the end of the world. its something to learn from.

[p4pking]

It's not rebuilding if there was no real foundation in place to begin with. This was by far the toughest test Bute had faced, and he was completely destroyed, don't kid yourselves. The idea that he would be well served to just fight another top guy at 168 is crazy, he'll need to be matched up very carefully in his next few fights if he wants to make waves in the near future. There is nothing unfair about writing him off as a legitimate top guy for the meantime, it's not as though he is a young fighter who got caught.. This is a guy who has been milked and brought up carefully for years now, gradually increasing his level of opposition and taking a steady climb to the elite level. There is really no positive to take from this fight at all, he was absolutely hopeless against a guy who could take his punches and get inside on him. In theory he could have given Kessler a decent fight as that would probably be fought at a distance, but Ward would beat him up like he stole something.

[ruthless rocco]

It's not rebuilding if there was no real foundation in place to begin with. This was by far the toughest test Bute had faced, and he was completely destroyed, don't kid yourselves. The idea that he would be well served to just fight another top guy at 168 is crazy, he'll need to be matched up very carefully in his next few fights if he wants to make waves in the near future. There is nothing unfair about writing him off as a legitimate top guy for the meantime, it's not as though he is a young fighter who got caught.. This is a guy who has been milked and brought up carefully for years now, gradually increasing his level of opposition and taking a steady climb to the elite level. There is really no positive to take from this fight at all, he was absolutely hopeless against a guy who could take his punches and get inside on him. In theory he could have given Kessler a decent fight as that would probably be fought at a distance, but Ward would beat him up like he stole something.

your assessment that bute has "no real foundation" and that he should be carefully matched up over the next few fights is moronic.

there are alot of things to learn from his failure in this fight. running from froch and fighting a bunch of c level fighters isn't the solution. froch is a great fighter. he's shown it in his past fights and he showed it again against bute. bute needs to analyze his performance and make adjustments in training and take froch on again in the fall. thats how you learn. whats fighting a bunch of bums gonna do to help bute learn how to fight the elite? you seem to think he's only fought bums and it got him "no real foundation" so how is that gonna help him get better?

boxing is about taking chances, not coddling and hand holding.

we'll see what happens in the rematch.

[p4pking]

Your writing style is moronic, so there. Is your shift key broken or something? My point was simply that Bute hadn't established that he could compete on this level beforehand, it was a major step up in class and he was absolutely blasted out. Froch is obviously great, but he hasn't taken anyone else out in that fashion recently has he? Bute isn't durable and can't fight on the inside to save his life. If you think this isn't something he should work on, or that he would be able to improve enough in one training camp to beat any of the belt holders at SMW, I want your drugs. If he rematches Froch he will get KO'ed again, and it's certainly not a smart career move. I understand that you want to see top fights all the time, I'm just thinking about what is realistic.

[Rantcatrat]

I was a big fan of Bute and I'm absolutely gutted. I give Bute all the credit in the world for traveling to Nottingham to take on Froch, even though it back-fired in the worst possible way. He clearly came to Nottingham brimming with confidence and left literally on a stretcher. I feel horrible for the guy.

I'm not completely writing Bute off, but it's going to be a lot to come back from. If asked whether I see him taking a win at the top level ever, I would answer definitively in the negative. We have to be realistic. Bute showed after Bika, Andrade and Johnson that he could handle decent preassure. This is a chin issue. Froch is a decent puncher, but not a murderous puncher. He hadn't had a knockout in three years. He hit Kessler and Abraham with bigger punches, and they didn't fold. Did Bute ever throw his patented uppercut? How many real punches did he actually land? 3-4? It appeared that once he felt a single punch from Froch, he folded, and his whole fight plan went out the window. In my opinion, Bute takes on Froch at home in the rematch in September, makes a lot of money on Showtime, loses badly again, and then retires. One more night of 7 figures would probably be worth it.

He's made enough money that there is no reason to put his life in danger further. He's given me many great fights and his uppercut is still a classic. I hope he gets out of the game with his facilities intact and money in the bank.

[ono]

[IamInuit]

I was a big fan of Bute and I'm absolutely gutted. I give Bute all the credit in the world for traveling to Nottingham to take on Froch, even though it back-fired in the worst possible way. He clearly came to Nottingham brimming with confidence and left literally on a stretcher. I feel horrible for the guy.

I'm not completely writing Bute off, but it's going to be a lot to come back from. If asked whether I see him taking a win at the top level ever, I would answer definitively in the negative. We have to be realistic. Bute showed after Bika, Andrade and Johnson that he could handle decent preassure. This is a chin issue. Froch is a decent puncher, but not a murderous puncher. He hadn't had a knockout in three years. He hit Kessler and Abraham with bigger punches, and they didn't fold. Did Bute ever throw his patented uppercut? How many real punches did he actually land? 3-4? It appeared that once he felt a single punch from Froch, he folded, and his whole fight plan went out the window. In my opinion, Bute takes on Froch at home in the rematch in September, makes a lot of money on Showtime, loses badly again, and then retires. One more night of 7 figures would probably be worth it.

He's made enough money that there is no reason to put his life in danger further. He's given me many great fights and his uppercut is still a classic. I hope he gets out of the game with his facilities intact and money in the bank.

As a fellow Bute fan I cannot agree. Fighters lose both good and great fighters get beat down. Now he lost fair and square and Froch deserves all the credit that he gets but that was not Lucian Bute on Saturday but some photo shopped version that had a lobotomy prior to the ring walk. It certainly was not the Bute I have watched since he turned pro.

He was mentally taken out of the fight by the elements long before the bell rang. He fought stupidly and should have asked for a ten foot ring. He stood right in front of Froch like his feet were nailed to the floor. He needs a sports psychiatrist because sooner or later he was going to have to leave Quebec anyway. This crushing loss could also serve as a catalyst for improvement. The great ones battle through adversity. Armstrong was knocked out in his first fight and then lost two of the next three.

I'll remain optimistic.