Former world champion Lucian Bute preparing meticulously for light-heavyweight world title eliminator.
The winner of Eleider Alvarez vs Lucian Bute will have earned a crack at WBC division title holder Adonis Stevenson, so neither man is understandably cutting corners.
Anywhere.
Bute knows plenty about ups and downs in the fight game – having gone from being a long reigning IBF 168lbs champion to losing to Carl Froch by stoppage back in 2012, to then also suffering defeats at the hands of James DeGale and Jean Pascal after that in more recent times.
With all to play for Bute spoke today of his respect for his upcoming opponent who he said was ‘gifted’ – but categorically followed up by saying he believes he’ll win the fight.
This will be Bute’s first time fighting since drawing with Badou Jack in April of 2016.
A result that perhaps doesn’t look too bad now considering Jack’s recent draw with James DeGale from the UK, a fight many felt Jack won.
Certainly one he performed very well in, also considering DeGale was perceived by many as the 168lbs division number one before that fight.
This particular 175lbs fight will be a clash of two big southpaws, so stylistically it could be an intriguing one to watch early on, as both men jostle for position from the same lefty stance and try to work each other out.
Columbia’s Alvarez (21-0-10KO) is undefeated so knows nothing other than winning up to this point.
It will be up to the more experienced Bute to show him otherwise.
Bute still has plenty of fight left yet one suspects. His current professional record is 32-3-1 (25KO).
