By James Slater: As fans have probably read by now, International Boxing Federation (IBF) 168-pound champ Lucian Bute will defend his belt against tough old campaigner and former light-heavyweight ruler Glen Johnson on November 5th – in Canada. The bout will take place in either Montreal or Quebec City.
Johnson, known as “The Road Warrior” is not concerned with where the fight will go down at, but he was annoyed at the initial “low ball” cash offer he was presented with by Bute’s people. Now, after coming to their senses and realizing that the amazing 42-year-old, recent “Super Six” participant, is worth more than they first offered, a new, acceptable offer has been sent to Johnson (Glen is still not getting a ton of money, but his warrior spirit forced him to take the fight – Dan Rafael reports how it’s likely Johnson will end up getting less than $500,000).
Both men are pumped up for the fight – which will almost certainly go out on Showtime on November 5th, as will the Mikkel Kessler-Robert Stieglitz fight that same night – and Bute says he is keen to see if he can become only the second man to stop the Jamaican tough nut.
Bute’s trainer, Stephane Larouche said this:
“Can Lucian do better than [Carl] Froch? Can Lucian stop him [Johnson]? That could be interesting.”
The fight will be interesting all right. Bute, unbeaten at 29-0(24) is on the top of his game right now, with a number of impressive KO’s under his belt. While Johnson, who pushed Froch all the way in his last outing, remains as determined and as hungry as ever. And, to add some further intrigue to the fight, the two men known each other quite well, having sparred a number of rounds together.
Johnson, 51-15-2(35) said he would still believe he would win the fight had he not sparred Bute in the past, but added that the knowledge he did pick up will come in useful.
“I have big respect for Bute; I rate him highly,” Johnson told this writer over the phone. “But I’ve sparred him and I know him a little. He was getting ready for a rematch with the Mexican guy he had a close fight with the first time (Librado Andrade) and I was getting ready for a rematch also, with [Chad] Dawson. We sparred a number of good rounds. He’s a good fighter on the inside as well as on the outside. It will be a good, exciting fight. This is a fight the fans deserve. I am the best fighter he had on his list of potential opponents.”
Can Bute cope with Johnson’s relentless pressure? Will Johnson finally begin to show his age in this fight? How will Johnson cope with Bute’s ferocious body shots if one lands? Will Johnson’s right hand to the head trouble Bute?
These questions and others will be answered in what is likely to be a November 5th to remember in Canada!