Bute Seduces Quebec City
Many boxers over the years have become cult-like regional heroes in their home countries. A world title win has elevated the status of many great fighters like Marcel Cerdan, Ingemar Johansson, Nino Benvenuti and Barry McGuigan in their homelands. It is a far rarer occurance for a foreign boxer like Lucian Bute to be accepted/adopted in a new market as if he were a native son. The only comparible examples in recent memory might be Vito Antuofermo and Arturo Gatti. Antuofermo moved to New York in the mid-seventies and packed Madison Square Garden en route to becoming middleweight champion. Italian-Canadian Arturo Gatti, who joined his older brother Joe in New Jersey, became a beloved son who could pack Atlantic City Casinos and Halls with his rabid fans. The adoption of Romanian Lucian Bute by the Montreal boxing faithful began shortly after he arrived six years ago. At the time Bute was an accomplished amateur looking for a better life, and was lured to Canada by his friend and former lightweight titlist Leonard Dorin.
Lucian Bute came into his rematch with Librado Andrade as a man on a mission. Many scribes and non-Canadians viewed the first victory as a hometown robbery. What had occured that evening in Montreal was,more accurately, a tired champion running out of gas in the last round. Bute was miles ahead on the scorecards and tried for the knock-out late. Andrade sensed his foe was gassed and chased Bute and suceeded in knocking him down. Ultimately, Bute rose at the count of eight and was saved by the bell. The controversy only made the rematch more lucrative,and drew HBO to the party. The rabid fans in Quebec bought all the tickets at the Pepsi Colisee in under 60 minutes. A Cher concert during "Pride Week" couldn't hope to sell tickets as fast. Bute entered the ring to the loudest roar of any event that I have been present (NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, and CFL included), and was in the best shape of his career. Andrade was sullen at a dinner meeting the night previous,and appeared dried out. Once the hostilities commenced, Bute established his right jab and was a step ahead of his challenger. Andrade only caught Lucian a few times before the fateful fourth round. A beauty of a short left caught Andrade and sent him to the canvas, stunned but not deeply hurt. The arena's volume had jumped to nine as Bute stalked his prey. The end came as Andrade chased Bute in a more wreckless manner. The body shot was surgically effective and dropped Andrade near the ropes. A booming crescendo of noise erupted in the Pepsi Colisee and provided the Quebec faithful with the climactic result that just seemed fitting. The next top super-middleweight on earth will have to come to Canada at some point,as M. Bute rules!
Bawdy Shots:
The (draw) result in the lightweight title fight between Ali Funeka and Joan Guzman was obviously a result of some trickerations. The two (Canadian) judges that called it a draw should have their licenses revoked immediately...
Interestingly,the IBF representative in the house was Larry Hazzard. He was also present in New York a decade ago when the (IBF) judge he provided for the Lennox Lewis - Holyfield (1) draw scored Evander the winner!!!
I told all the fight fraternity at the Bute fight that Roy Jones would get clipped by Danny Green and was vindicated. Jones must retire now!
Paul Williams should outpoint Sergio Martinez this weekend, but he is facing a crafty lefty who can crack a little.
