Lucian Bute

[Rantcatrat]

OK this is just a tale of 2 passing trains here going in different directions but you would honestly be surprised if it went 5 rounds? I don't see how you could be surprised. Bute has only stopped Andrade and Zuniga in that distance. The Andrade kayo came out of nowhere, and it wasn't the result of Bute pressing for a knockout, just a perfect shot. Zuniga was just an average fighter overwhelmed by the atmosphere itself it seemed. Other then that I can't think of anyone he's stopped in 5.

Miranda definitely is an underdog but at least he's a dog with a chance to win the fight, plus he has a few things working to his advantage. It's almost guaranteed that Bute will be fighting from the backfoot where he fights best. The only guys to have beat Miranda in the past have been those that chose to stand up to the bully and try to push the man backwards. Abraham just kind of exploded on him, but Ward and Pavlik systematically broke him down with pressure. Miranda will likely be the one bringing the heat. Bute isn't an inside fighter to say the least. Miranda is going to be able to at least fire off his shots without getting smothered.

Also, perhaps most importantly, if Bute thinks this is a walkover like many here do, then he's playing into Miranda's hands. Miranda is a mean dude in the ring, he is good at playing off a guy's fear and negativity (Allan Green) and maybe gets broken down by confidence. Bute likes to be cute in there sometimes just to show off, he's facing in my opinion the hardest puncher he's ever faced. He better be careful and not take unnecessary chances.

I still think he'll win but it would have to be a perfectly placed shot like against Andrade (who actually was having a better second fight early until the knockdown and knockout) to do it in less then 5 rounds. This is definitely as credible of a fight as any in the division available for Bute right now so I don't know why it would be taken lightly.

Amat,

Bute choosing Miranda was a bit of a letdown to me because he fits the mold of many of Bute's past opponents and no better than most of them. Big punchers lacking a lot of boxing skills (e.g. Berrio, Zuniga, Andrade, Bika, Salem). Bute is an "A" level fighter and I want to see him tested against other "A" level fighters. Don't get me wrong Andrade and Bika are legitimate wins, but I wouldn't place them in elite status. I understand most of his division is locked up in the Super Six and maybe this was the best fight he could make.

That said, I guess you don't think of this as a walk in the park for Bute. Fair enough. I can just see Bute haters, after he wins this fight, using it as an example of Bute not facing good competition. Well, at least you won't be one of them .

What happens if Martinez beats Pavlik this weekend (as many of the British posters predict) and/or Bhop retires? It's far from a remote possibility. Then who does Bute fight?

Just so you know, you said the shot that knocked out Andrade "came out of nowhere." I beg to differ. Bute's accuracy and shot placement isn't a fluke: he's beat 7 of his 25 opponents by perfectly placed body shots (apologizing in advance for self promoting but check an old posting on my blog for video of them). Clearly, at least one thing he's doing correctly is placing his punches to the body.