InterBox closes deal with Showtime for Lucian Bute
Mark Vester of boxingscene.com reports that a deal between Showtime and InterBox has been made regarding InterBox breadwinner Lucian Bute. The deal consists of a three-fight arrangement for Bute, 30, the IBF super middleweight champion, and details are
set to be disclosed at a press conference Friday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
According to Vester, an opening bout in the deal could happen in March, and would likely find itself at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Bute, a star fighter in Montreal, has fought his last 16 bouts in the city.
Depending on dates arranged for the fights, it is possible that a final fight with the agreement could see Bute pitted against one of the participants of the ongoing Super Six tournament, also organized and run by Showtime. The tournament features some of
the world’s best super middleweights, including Carl Froch, WBA titlist Andre Ward, Arthur Abraham and Glen Johnson.
At the time of the tournament’s conception, Bute was conspicuously not invited to compete, despite being IBF champion at the time and having previously wowed fans on Showtime. The decision was apparently to utilize Bute afterwards in a potentially lucrative
fight.
In recent bouts, Bute has been selling his status to HBO, who picked up his rematch with Librado Andrade and his fight with Edison Miranda (who he knocked out with a spectacular body shot).
An October defence of his title saw Bute take on the dedicated Jesse Brinkley, who, while game, was simply no match for the champion. The fight was not picked up by HBO.
The network has voiced interest in a Bute-Kelly Pavlik fight, the rumours of which have been swirling around the boxing world. Although nothing has been inked between the two fighters, it is clear that it would be a fantastic fight, and would likely take
place at the 168 pounds.
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