Lucian Bute - Dennis Grachev thread

[Rantcatrat]

People are being too harsh on Bute. Grachev was a tough opponent to pick after suffering the first defeat of his career, and a bad knockout at that. Grachev is a big puncher with a strong chin. He's also a natural light heavyweight.

What did we learn about Bute? Start off with the negatives: recently, he has had a lot of trouble with distance. I don't really undestand it. Everyone forgets that Bute kept Sakio Bika at bay with little trouble, less trouble than Andre Ward had. He also dominated Librado Andrade for two fights. I understand Andrade caught up with him at the end of the first fight, but Bute had the distance mastered for almost every single round. Something is off about his ring generalship. Maybe age has caught up with him; his reflexes have slipped, which has affected his ability to gauge distance. Here, he let Grachev close the distance at will and he was content to hang around on the ropes, which he should have learned from Froch, is bad news for him.

Also, negative, where's the jab?

On a positive note, he went the distance with a tough guy and finished arguably stronger than he started. He took some big punches from Grachev and never went down. That has to have a good effect for a guy who suffered a dehabilitating knockout last time out.

I don't see the point in not fighting Froch next, even if Bute loses. Bute has shown that he beats B-level fighters. Why do we need to see him do more of that? This is as good as a time as any to face Froch again. It's a big money fight and it'll be in Montreal. He'll have his fans behind him. If he's going to lose, lose to the best.

[Hulk]

People are being too harsh on Bute. Grachev was a tough opponent to pick after suffering the first defeat of his career, and a bad knockout at that. Grachev is a big puncher with a strong chin. He's also a natural light heavyweight.

What did we learn about Bute? Start off with the negatives: recently, he has had a lot of trouble with distance. I don't really undestand it. Everyone forgets that Bute kept Sakio Bika at bay with little trouble, less trouble than Andre Ward had. He also dominated Librado Andrade for two fights. I understand Andrade caught up with him at the end of the first fight, but Bute had the distance mastered for almost every single round. Something is off about his ring generalship. Maybe age has caught up with him; his reflexes have slipped, which has affected his ability to gauge distance. Here, he let Grachev close the distance at will and he was content to hang around on the ropes, which he should have learned from Froch, is bad news for him.

Also, negative, where's the jab?

On a positive note, he went the distance with a tough guy and finished arguably stronger than he started. He took some big punches from Grachev and never went down. That has to have a good effect for a guy who suffered a dehabilitating knockout last time out.

I don't see the point in not fighting Froch next, even if Bute loses. Bute has shown that he beats B-level fighters. Why do we need to see him do more of that? This is as good as a time as any to face Froch again. It's a big money fight and it'll be in Montreal. He'll have his fans behind him. If he's going to lose, lose to the best.

You have a refreshing take on Bute and make some good points I didn't think of.

People are quick to write a fighter off and question his whole career as a fraud after one KO loss at the elite level.

It is true that Bute handled Bika with ease like no one before or since which is quite an accomplishment, also KO'd dangerous brawlers like Miranda and Andrade with body shots.

I don't think Bute will beat Froch in the rematch, as Froch is a hell of a boxer/fighter and in the zone right now.

I do think he can do a lot better than he did in the first match tho when he just froze up and got a beating.

[Tam Seddon]

People are being too harsh on Bute. Grachev was a tough opponent to pick after suffering the first defeat of his career, and a bad knockout at that. Grachev is a big puncher with a strong chin. He's also a natural light heavyweight.

What did we learn about Bute? Start off with the negatives: recently, he has had a lot of trouble with distance. I don't really undestand it. Everyone forgets that Bute kept Sakio Bika at bay with little trouble, less trouble than Andre Ward had. He also dominated Librado Andrade for two fights. I understand Andrade caught up with him at the end of the first fight, but Bute had the distance mastered for almost every single round. Something is off about his ring generalship. Maybe age has caught up with him; his reflexes have slipped, which has affected his ability to gauge distance. Here, he let Grachev close the distance at will and he was content to hang around on the ropes, which he should have learned from Froch, is bad news for him.

Also, negative, where's the jab?

On a positive note, he went the distance with a tough guy and finished arguably stronger than he started. He took some big punches from Grachev and never went down. That has to have a good effect for a guy who suffered a dehabilitating knockout last time out.

I don't see the point in not fighting Froch next, even if Bute loses. Bute has shown that he beats B-level fighters. Why do we need to see him do more of that? This is as good as a time as any to face Froch again. It's a big money fight and it'll be in Montreal. He'll have his fans behind him. If he's going to lose, lose to the best.

You have a refreshing take on Bute and make some good points I didn't think of.

People are quick to write a fighter off and question his whole career as a fraud after one KO loss at the elite level.

It is true that Bute handled Bika with ease like no one before or since which is quite an accomplishment, also KO'd dangerous brawlers like Miranda and Andrade with body shots.

I don't think Bute will beat Froch in the rematch, as Froch is a hell of a boxer/fighter and in the zone right now.

I do think he can do a lot better than he did in the first match tho when he just froze up and got a beating.

I do respect Bute for coming back and a win is a win. I do give Grachev credit too because he wasnt coming there to be turned over. It could have been a lot worse for Bute, I guess some people were expecting fireworks but I dont think any top fighter would have an easy nights work with Grachev. I was expecting Bute to turn up the heat a little and he did show that towards the end of the fight and to give Bute credit he did stand up to Grachevs punches.

Only Bute knows if he can compete with Froch in the rematch, if it does happen next that really could be the end for Bute though. After the Grachev performance I think Bute needs maybe one more fight of confidence building before a Froch fight. But it probably wouldnt happen like that, so we will have to wait and see.

[Rantcatrat]

@tamseddon - Tam - good comment. Here is what Jean Pascal had to say: Jean Pascal Defends Lucian Bute Against The Critics - Boxing News

He makes the point about Bute's reflexes: they weren't there for the first 11 rounds, he was rusty, and that we saw the real Bute in the final round.