Quote Originally Posted by amat View Post
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