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Cloutier’s Canada Corner
Lucian Bute: "No
Doubt In My Mind, Alvarez Is Worried"
By Daniel Cloutier
QUÉBEC CITY - When a boxing writer asked him if he will
confirm the end of his boxing career if he loses this WBC
elimination bout against Eleider Alvarez Friday evening in
the ring of the Videotron Centre, Lucian Bute grimaced.
”Lose this fight? It’s absolutely out of question,” said
Bute. “At a few days before this important bout, I am
positive I have the experience, the determination and the
weapons to beat Alvarez, and I will do it.”
Former IBF super middleweight (168 pounds) champion of the
world, Bute, a Montrealer Romanian, smiled when Alvarez
(21-0-0), a Montrealer Colombian, said: “I am expecting to
stop Bute before the end of sixth round.”
“No doubt in my mind, Alvarez is worried at few days of our
match up, said Bute. I have known him for long time, and I
know he is not used to make prediction of this amplitude.
Then, I got to believe he is nervous to face me. Alvarez is
a very good fighter, but he has not my experience,
especially in significant bouts. As you know, I have been
involved in 13 world championships fights (he won 10), him
zero. I am sure I will be more confident than him when we
will hear the first bell Friday evening.”
Bute is rejecting the hypothesis that he is declining
considering he will be 37 years in few days. Bute compiled a
record of 1-2-1 at his last four bouts. “Howard and Otis
Grant can tell you, I am training with the same intensity
and the same determination than when I was 25 years old,”
said Bute. “It’s certainly not a coincidence that I got
solid performances against James DeGale (2015) and Badou
Jack (2016). It’s clear in my mind, I still have the weapons
to win major fights on the international boxing scene, and I
will prove it here in Québec City in few days. I have the
conviction I still have the tools necessaries to become back
world champion this year.”
Bute is right, he got very good offensive performances
against the IBF super middleweight champion of the world,
the British James DeGale (23-1-1) in Québec City, and the
WBC super middleweight champion of the world, the Swedish
Badou Jack (21-1-3) in Washington, D.C.. DeGale won by
unanimous decision, and the fight Bute-Jack finished by a
draw.
Bute (32-3-1) said he accepted with ho hesitation this match
up with Alvarez when his promoter, Yvon Michel, offered him
this fight. “When Yvon told me he could organize a WBC
elimination bout between Alvarez and me, I told him: “It’s
absolutely perfect, Yvon”, said Bute. “I love significant
bouts, and as you know, this WBC elimination fight is a
springboard to another world championship fight. I really
want to face Adonis Stevenson in a WBC light heavyweight
(175 pounds) championship fight this year. I want so much to
become light heavyweight champion of the world before ended
my boxing career. If a lot of fighters are afraid to face
Adonis, it’s not my case.”
Bute believes the crowd will support him February 24th at
the Videotron Centre. “I fought six times in Québec City,
then; I am expecting to get the support of the crowd Friday
evening. As you know, I live in Montréal since 2003, Alvarez
only since 2009. However, when the fight will start, I will
be totally concentrated on the work to achieve to win the
bout. And I will do it. I am more and more impatient to face
this challenge. As you know, boxing still a real passion for
me. And it’s always special for me to fight on the Province
of Québec territory. It’s my home now.”
Otis Grant is sure that Bute is gonna win Friday evening. “I
am still persuaded that Alvarez is scared to face Lucian,”
said Otis. “Alvarez predicted publicly his win in less than
six rounds, and for me, it’s a clear sign that he is scared.
He is trying to de-concentrate and intimidate Lucian. His
strategy will fail. Bute lost two of his last four bouts,
but don’t forget that his last three fights, he offered us
great performances. DeGale and Jack have been obliged to
fight like hell against Lucian to keep their world titles.
Friday evening, you will see in action a Lucian Bute
energetic, determinate and extremely confident. No doubt in
my mind, Lucian will win this fight and become the
Stevenson’s mandatory challenger. Lucian is perfectly
prepared mentally, physically and strategically for this WBC
elimination bout.”
Bute, Alvarez and their trainers will meet the press Tuesday
afternoon at the Château Bonne Entente hotel in Québec City.
It will be the final press conference for the main event.
Wednesday, the GYM Group will organize the final press
conference for the undercard.
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