Anyone else watching the Bute/Brinkley fight here?

[killersheep]

How is Pavlik considered better than B-level competition at super middle?

[Rantcatrat]

How is Pavlik considered better than B-level competition at super middle?

Killer, that's not a bad point. Pavilk has won one fight at super middleweight when he beat Jermain Taylor, but I guess that doesn't make him A-level competition. I would say he's a step up though and at least a step in the right direction.

But, maybe Pavlik stays at 160. Who does Bute fight?

[amat]

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.

[Rantcatrat]

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.

[amat]

Well honestly if he was focused on earning the ranking he has now then he would have worked to get in the Super 6. I'm sure there is some legal stuff blocking that but yeah that would be ideal. At this point there is no one he can fight that will make everyone happy but that doesn't mean I can't be bitter.

[killersheep]

Well honestly if he was focused on earning the ranking he has now then he would have worked to get in the Super 6. I'm sure there is some legal stuff blocking that but yeah that would be ideal. At this point there is no one he can fight that will make everyone happy but that doesn't mean I can't be bitter.

He skipped the super six to clear the air about the controversial ending to the Andrade fight. (Also the HBO contract he has almost assuredly played a factor too).

The arguments have come out that he should be fighting the ousted fighters too, which would be a waste, who's left that's available?

Jermain Taylor? - Still on his doctor required leave from boxing

Mikkel Kessler? - Still on his doctor required leave from boxing

Andre Dirrell? - Not fighting because of neurological issues

So we have to look elsewhere in the Super Middleweight division

Robert Stieglitz - I wouldn't fault Bute for taking this he's a reasonable opponent and holds the WBO title, the rub is his two losses are to Bute's prior victims Andrade and Berrio.

Dimitri Sartison - Another reasonable opponent, but he really has zero following outside of germany

Jean Paul Mendy - He's probably still trying to recover from the late hit ala Bika

Sakio Bika - Trying to get a stay busy fight against one of the remaining super six

Paul Smith - Going for domestic glory against DeGale

Fighters that would come up from Middleweight

Dimitry Pirog - I think he has a realistic frame to move up in weight and has a pretty amazing skill set

Kelly Pavlik - rumor has it he's fighting Brian Vera on the Pac/Margo undercard

Bute moves up to Light Heavy

Jean Pascal - as stated before Bute's camp wants a few more fights at 168 and then move up to 175, at which point Pascal should still be there

Tavoris Cloud - I think this would be an easy fight for Bute given their styles, but I'm sure Lyle disagrees with me

Zsolt Erdei - Might be interesting

[CFH]

Well honestly if he was focused on earning the ranking he has now then he would have worked to get in the Super 6. I'm sure there is some legal stuff blocking that but yeah that would be ideal. At this point there is no one he can fight that will make everyone happy but that doesn't mean I can't be bitter.

He skipped the super six to clear the air about the controversial ending to the Andrade fight. (Also the HBO contract he has almost assuredly played a factor too).

...

Sakio Bika - Trying to get a stay busy fight against one of the remaining super six

Bute already took Bika to school, a rematch would be meaningless.

[global]

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.