Bute's Forte (and Future)
by Bad Left Hook on Nov 29, 2009 8:46 PM EST
in Features
60 comments
Bad Left Hook would like to welcome veteran boxing writer Ted Sares to the staff with this, his first article. Ted offers a different perspective than we usually have for you, as he's been around the sport for longer.
Along with a great many articles for various publications and web sites, he has written two books: Boxing Is My Sanctuary and Reelin' in the Years: Boxing and More. You can learn more about Ted from his web site.
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It [the Zuniga stoppage] was exactly what he needed, a complete domination with a fabulous power finish. He had his way from beginning to end.
--Nick Charles
We need to settle this. I need to do this and he [Andrade] also deserves it.
--Lucian Bute
No decision this time. I'm coming to finish what I started in our first fight.
--Librado Andrade
Lucian Bute (25-0) has a superb arsenal of weapons, including ring smarts, power, and the rare ability to counterpunch while backing up. However, one thing is beginning to stand out and that's his well-timed shots to the midsection. Both Librado Andrade and Fulgencio Zuniga have been debilitated by the Micky Ward-like laser speed. Ward's, however, were thrown as left hooks to the liver while Bute's shoots his straight in or as combination hook/uppercuts.
Zuniga
Lucien did the same thing to this tough Colombian that he did to Andrade and in the same round. He floored Zuniga with a savage and super fast shot to the solar plexus in the fourth, and quickly mauled his smaller opponent on the ropes forcing a mercy stoppage. While the quick ending went far in restoring the luster and confidence lost in the first Andrade encounter
Andrade
Showing the waxing of Zuniga was no fluke, he destroyed the perceived invincibility of the rugged Andrade by decking him with a short and crisp left hook and then finished him with the body shot to the rib cage in the fourth stanza. It was one of those where as soon as you saw the pain in the Mexican's face, you knew he would not make the count--and so did Bute as he and 16,000 wild fans celebrated even before referee Benjy Esteves Jr. reached ten. When the Romanian-born Bute heard it, the memories of what happened at the Bell Centre in Montreal on October 24 evaporated along with any lingering doubts about this man‘s talent.
It will be extremely interesting to see where Montreal's adopted son goes from here, but he has made one thing clear; namely, that he would be hard for anyone to beat. While an Arthur Abraham-Bute affair would be awesome given the difference in their of respective styles, Lucien's lucrative options are many. One I'd particularly like to see play out involves Kelly Pavlik (who now has a few doubts to erase). If "The Ghost" waxes Miguel Espino in impressive fashion as expected, and then move up in weight, why not take on Bute? The winner would be in line to take on the Super Six winner. Oh my!
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Welcome aboard…. glad to see you contributing to the SBnation and BLH.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Nov 29, 2009 9:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Don From Prov
Missed this fight as I was off on vacation, but I must say that it’s great to see Ted and some of the folks who left ESB to continue great boxing conversations with him.
by Don From Prov on Nov 30, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don from Prov is a Hall of Fame (and sometimes Shame) poster from another site. And a great buddy as well.
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 30, 2009 6:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome Don!
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
by Matt Miller on Nov 30, 2009 8:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to the community Ted. It’s great to have such an experienced voice aboard. Have you read BLH for long? Have you posted under an avatar?
I enjoyed checking out your website, and I’ll have to read your new book when it comes out.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
by Matt Miller on Nov 29, 2009 9:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not really, but JK put me on to it and I liked the boxing banter without the hate. Now I have an avatar.
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 30, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to the site, Ted
I’ve enjoyed reading your work elsewhere.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Nov 29, 2009 9:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, mate
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 30, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Super Six winner
Do you think they will put the SS winner against Bute? He would probably be a large underdog but I don’t know if he will or the winner will make the fight. But to be honest who is he going to fight? I would like to see him move up in weight and start to take on some of the light heavy division (if he can). Bute Dawson sounds pretty awesome!
by waldo47 on Nov 29, 2009 10:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
it only makes sense if bute stays at 168 and keeps winning for him to face the super 6 winner … bute’s already is a huge star, maybe not as much all over the world but in quebec he sells big time. hbo seems like they wanna keep their hands on bute so his profile is just gonna grow. if the super 6 winner truly emerges as a star like showtime is counting on, its all culminating to a huge showdown with bute.
by boxzilla on Nov 29, 2009 10:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if Showtime has a contract stipulation on the winner because the SuperSix is too big of an investment to see the winner just ditch them after it is all over and fight Bute on HBO.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Nov 30, 2009 12:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was wondering the same. Showtime surely wont build up someones name to such a big level and then let him jump to a rival network to get all the profit.
Who ever wins the tourny will have alomst cleaned out the division and other than a rematch or fighting someone else in the tourny that he didnt fight, Bute/Pavlik are the only other choices but they are different networks so an instant speed bump in cashing in on some big time fame
"Good, so it can’t go any deeper." - Arturo Gatti after being told he was cut to the bone
by sigidy on Nov 30, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It might go the Lewis/Tyson route…
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Nov 30, 2009 1:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Showtime surely wont build up someones name to such a big level and then let him jump to a rival network to get all the profit.
What can they do? HBO can afford to pay way more than they can. They didn’t want Chad Dawson to become “an HBO fighter,” but they couldn’t pay him what HBO offered. HBO doesn’t even have to go as high as they do most of the time.
Bad Left Hook
"If bulls**t was poetry, Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini's name would be Shakespeare." -- Dennis Rappaport
by SC on Nov 30, 2009 1:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What they can do;
is pre-emptively tie ‘him’ (whoever it is) up to a contract. Which is what was asked.
“I wonder if Showtime has a contract stipulation on the winner because the SuperSix is too big of an investment to see the winner just ditch them after it is all over and fight Bute on HBO.” (Zocalo)
Boxing is the beginning of all sports. I'm willing to bet that the first sport was a man against another man in a fight. (Omar Epps)
by Chaos100 on Nov 30, 2009 4:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How long can they keep him? Two more fights? Then what? Showtime operates at a constant disadvantage in matters like this. And anyway, who can they have him fight? The same guys he’s been fighting? Hope there’s an emerged new star in the division?
My point is really more that Showtime can obligate guys with contracts, but they’re pretty much always going to be short term and I don’t imagine any of the promoters bent over backwards to cut them some rate in a proposed deal with the winner. They’ve already sacrificed plenty for these dudes (even if they really haven’t, the promoters think that way) to be in this tournament.
Bad Left Hook
"If bulls**t was poetry, Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini's name would be Shakespeare." -- Dennis Rappaport
by SC on Nov 30, 2009 10:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A lot depends s on who it is. He would do very well against some like Froch, but might have some trouble with Ward and Abraham (for different reasons). Mikkel Kessler is well suited for him, IMO.
Cheers,
Ted
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 29, 2009 10:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
By the way, it’s great to be on board.
Ted
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 29, 2009 10:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
welcome Ted i`m really looking forward to reading your articles!
by boxzilla on Nov 29, 2009 10:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Zilla!
Ted aka The Midnight Rambler aka The Bull
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 29, 2009 11:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Welcome Ted
"Good, so it can’t go any deeper." - Arturo Gatti after being told he was cut to the bone
by sigidy on Nov 30, 2009 12:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Midnight Rambler??
Hi, Ted, Good to see you again so soon!
by Randy Loathsome on Nov 30, 2009 3:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ted, Hola amigo. I have to say I have not seen too much of Brute but i did catch the knock out and peach of a body shot. How would he do against the likes of Froch etc?
by es milano on Nov 30, 2009 3:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bute-Froch: Imagine the beating Ward put on Kessler except with more power
Bute-Dres: Absolutely great match-ups. Power and Speed vs. Ridiculous Speed. Literally have no idea who would win either of these matchups but that won’t stop me from salivating all over them…
Bute -Taylor: 12th round KO (Sorry Taylor)
Bute – Abraham: I think Bute will tag the sh*t out of that body. If the ref allows it I like Bute a lot in this matchup.
Bute – Kessler: Bute is way too versatile for Kessler. Ward proved he can’t make changes on the fly. Bute by 8th round KO (The words ‘accumulation of punishment’ will be popular for this fight).
by waldo47 on Nov 30, 2009 4:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bute-Arthur
An intriguing point. It’s the only place Abraham is really vulnerable since he basically gives it up, and Bute has shown he can be devastating to the body. I get the feeling Abraham gives that up because he’s confident he can take body shots, but Andrade was probably confident of it too.
And I agree about Bute and the Andres. Everyone is already talking about Bute-Ward like it would be a pick’em, but I think Dirrell would be a tough one for Bute too. Then again I like Dirrell more than most, and might be overlooking the fact that like him or not, it’s pretty obvious he’s not big on getting hit…
Bad Left Hook
"If bulls**t was poetry, Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini's name would be Shakespeare." -- Dennis Rappaport
by SC on Nov 30, 2009 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bute’s persistence and output would be too much for Dirrell, methinks. Sure Froch was “persistent,” but Froch is a lumbering Frankenslugger compared to Bute, so the point is irrelevant. Bute would keep Dirrell backing up and outpoint him, even if he didn’t fully catch him and KO him.
But I would favor Ward to beat Bute. Smarter. Faster. Needs to work on his D a bit for the Bute fight, sure, but I think he’s the kind of guy that can learn and adjust. I haven’t fully thought it through, but my impression is that we saw a glimpse of brilliance in Ward that night. I hope I’m not disappointed, because I’ll admit that I have my hopes up for him.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
by Matt Miller on Nov 30, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bute Dirrell
One thing I noticed during the Bute fight is that he really likes to keep the lead right hand low. I think both of the dres are fast enough to make him pay for that style. Dirrell still feels very raw to me, lots of talent but not so much direction. If he can get his ego under control I would love to see him train with Nazim Richardson. Slick enough to ‘swim without getting wet’ just needs a little learnin’.
by waldo47 on Dec 1, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
G'Day Midnight Rambler
Cool site Ted. Two VERY NICE punches from Bute on the back foot. Stopped on a dime and let Andrade’s momentum carry him right onto that short left hand. And the rip/uppercut to the solar plexus that ended it, very tasty!
by Goatsnake on Nov 30, 2009 5:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, Kyle
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 30, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Greetings Goatsnake, Randy Loathsome and anyone else who might have jumped ESB’s ship in favor of BadLeftHook. And, of course, welcome to Ted The Bull Sares, whose presence will make a great Boxing website even greater.
"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb
by jrok on Nov 30, 2009 9:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
By the way, here is my favorite photo of The Bull, who was clearly conducting a two-man version of the “Scotch & Cigar Club” with a certain tenacious Philly pugilist:
Here’s hoping the scotch will flow again at Bad Left Hook, amid Cohíba plumes and the darting jabs of a tenor sax.
Cheers,
jrok (a.k.a “jk”)
"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb
by jrok on Nov 30, 2009 10:01 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
awesome shot
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
by Matt Miller on Nov 30, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To Goatsnake, Loathsome and all my other former gang, a big hello, mates.
Ted
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 30, 2009 11:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
welcome all the new users
Glad to have you here.
Bad Left Hook
"If bulls**t was poetry, Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini's name would be Shakespeare." -- Dennis Rappaport
by SC on Nov 30, 2009 11:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hi to Ted, Goatsnake and JK. Nice site here, ain’t it? Very comfortable. Maybe the rest will follow…..
by Randy Loathsome on Nov 30, 2009 11:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’ve been coming here for years, and frankly it’s the best site for commentary, analysis and for just plain Talking Boxing around. Comments threads are more like live discussions thanks to the auto-comment updates. The members are almost all knowledgeable guys with good insights, and the arguments are all boxing-related, with none of the poisonous garbage you would see on other boards.
"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb
by jrok on Nov 30, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the auto-update is a welcome feature. I enjoyed the ESB banter but, as you say, there were some toxic juveniles over at ESB messing up a nice thread.
by Randy Loathsome on Nov 30, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A few rotten apples will destoy any barrel
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 30, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Man, it’s great to be welcomed by new mates and see some old mates as well. ES, how are you, amigo? I think Bute beats Froch with a ounter as Froch comes in with his leaft hand too far down. I also think he beats Kessler who does not know how to adjust. AA would be awsome. Dirrell would be a borefest, but Ward is tough for anyone. Again, I’d love to see him wax Pavlik—if Pavlik moved up.
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 30, 2009 12:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
AA would be awsome. Dirrell would be a borefest
That’s pretty much the story of the division right now: Abraham sounds like an exciting matchup against anyone, whereas “Dirrell-Kessler” isn’t something you should watch while operating heavy machinery.
"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb
by jrok on Nov 30, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome Ted
Great post Ted! I’ve read both of your books and have followed your work
Dollarbond
by dollarbond on Nov 30, 2009 1:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good to see you on a grown up boxing site, Mr Bull!
by FrankinDallas on Nov 30, 2009 4:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow. Good to see you FranklinDallas and you too Dollar Bond aka Dollar Bill
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 30, 2009 6:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ted, jrok, Randy, SC, Kyle — Thanks for the warm welcome fellas! Yeah, very cool site, great layout. Looks like Ted’s Scotch & Cigar Club has a rockin’ new venue here at Bad Left Hook. Cheers!
by Goatsnake on Nov 30, 2009 6:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I hope they allow me to have it. I have not yet asked. First, I must have a Gloria Series R Maduro 60 ring and a taste of Glenlevet
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 30, 2009 6:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
There's gotta be a dirty joke in this lineup somewhere
A doctor, a lawyer and a college professor walk into a bar…
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Nov 30, 2009 7:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
hah!
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
by Matt Miller on Nov 30, 2009 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What’s the punch line (pardon the pun).
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Dec 1, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“But I would favor Ward to beat Bute. Smarter. Faster.” HHhmmmm. That would be an interesting matchup, but given their styles, maybe a snoozer. Maybe Bute can snuff out Alan Green while waiting for bigger game.
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Nov 30, 2009 9:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If only it hadn't fallen through twice before
They never got pen to paper either time, but Bute’s first defense was supposed to be against Green, and ended up being against Joppy instead because that’s the best they could get on one month’s notice. If I remember correctly, Green double-booked the Bute fight and a fight against someone on ESPN, then said he wouldn’t sign the Bute fight because he wanted to honor his ESPN contract, and then flaked out on ESPN, just completely disappearing a few days before his scheduled ESPN fight which also had to get canceled.
I realize Green has been on his best behavior since signing with DiBella, but I’m leery that Green-Bute will ever happen. And after watching him struggle with limited but awkward southpaw Tarvis Simms, it’s not hard to see why Bute is the titlist he’d least like to face.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Dec 1, 2009 8:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the info, mate. It makes full sense. Speaking of Joppy, Bute should have finished him in one round. That was a surprise.
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Dec 1, 2009 10:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sir Ted, Bute amazied me on Saturday, he took buddy apart in no time,the body shot was amazing-To bad he never got into the super six,maybe one of the winners will give him a shot—PEACE
by IronMIke01 on Dec 1, 2009 3:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Iron Mike, Bute has improved greatly and will be a load for any fighter out there. The problem is who does he fight next. Pavlik would want no part of him IMO. Green is there, but that means no money. So the qiestion is who? Heck, Bika is out there and he is one tough customer.
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Dec 1, 2009 3:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
lol everyone always forgets he already fought and beat bika in an ibf eliminator to face berrio … dunno who he will face now
by boxzilla on Dec 1, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Point taken
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Dec 1, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
First off Bute should have a loss on his record he was smoked twice in fight #1 made me sick to my stomach.. ain’t buying that body shot in fight #2 sorry Fellas. Cool sight, Ted.
by AndroidMullen on Dec 2, 2009 1:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
he was smoked twice in fight #1
No, he wasn’t. Kellerman BS. The fact that Wright’s count took 21 seconds is irrelevant. What matters is that Bute got up in 9 seconds. The fact that he was out on his feet when he got up is also irrelevant. The bell had already rung.
by taco pal on Dec 2, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Man, I’m staying clear of this one.
"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant"
---Vernon Forrest 2006
by The Midnight Rambler on Dec 2, 2009 7:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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