QUEBEC CITY, Canada (Nov. 6, 2011) – Lucian Bute passed the toughest test of his thriving career with a dominant unanimous decision win over Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson to defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight title for the ninth time. The championship bout was scored 120-108 twice and 119-109. In the co-feature, rising Canadian prospect Pier-Olivier Cote demolished Jorge Teron via knockout only 33 seconds into round two of the junior welterweight bout on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, Canada on SHOWTIME.”
The Romanian-born Bute (30-0, 24 KOs) proved too much for the oft-dubbed “ageless” Johnson who finally showed his age. Despite Johnson’s tendency to make fight’s exciting by coming forward and applying pressure, the fighters kept their distance for the first several rounds. By the middle of the bout, it was Bute who closed the gap and attempted to engage his former sparring partner. The 31-year-old Bute, of Montreal, began to land power shots with both hands, taking chances by staying in close in an attempt to close the show via knockout – to no avail – for the 15,306 fans in attendance.
When asked if he was disappointed that he was unable to close out his seventh straight title defense via stoppage, Bute responded, “No, I’m very happy. This is a great experience. Fighting Glen Johnson is an honor for me. I needed a fight like this.”
Bute cruised to victory in a fight where Johnson (51-16-2, 35 KOs) refused to pull the trigger. Johnson, of Miami, Fla., only connected with 47 power shots as opposed to Bute’s 123. Bute was also the busier fighter outlanding Johnson 306 to 128.
Johnson felt the bout was closer than the statistics or the scorecards indicated. “I thought I won the fight. I don’t think he was landing anything.”
Regarding his hesitation to throw more power shots, Johnson said, “My right arm swelled up in about the fourth round so I couldn’t throw my big right hand. I basically beat him with one hand.” Johnson displayed the swelling on his upper right forearm to the SHOWTIME cameras to help support his claim.
Canadian judges Benoit Roussel and Pasquale Procopio scored the bout 120-108 and 119-109, respectively. “It’s tough winning the fights on the road in these guys’ hometowns,” said Johnson after the bout. However, even American judge Jerry Roth scored a 120-108 shutout for Bute.
With the looming Dec. 17 showdown between Super Six World Boxing Classic finalists Andre Ward and Carl Froch, Bute told SHOWTIME ringside reporter Jim Gray that he plans to attend the fight and predicted that Ward would win by decision. When asked if he wants to fight the tournament’s victor, Bute said, “Of course. It’s my dream.”
In an explosive first round of the night’s co-feature, Cote (18-0, 12 KOs), of Quebec City, pressed the action against Teron (25-3-1, 17 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of the Bronx. Cote landed his punches with speed from every angle. Hooks, rights and uppercuts all connected on a defenseless Teron as Cote dominated the opening round. In the final minute, Cote attempted to finish the fight but was staggered – and nearly floored – when Teron fought back and caught him with a sneaky right hand.
To start the second round, the 26-year-old Cote shot out of his corner to floor his opponent with a powerful one-two to the head. A bloodied Teron rose back to his feet before Cote finished his night with a left hook to the face that sent Teron crashing to the canvas to end the scheduled 12 rounder.
Saturday’s fights were promoted by Interbox, DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing.
The telecast will replay on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME On Demand from Nov. 8 through Nov. 21.
Steve Albert called the action with Al Bernstein and Antonio Tarver providing color commentary and Gray serving as ringside reporter. David Dinkins Jr. is the executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.
MORE TICKETS RELEASED FOR INVERNESS BOXING SPECTACULAR
Huge public interest in the Highlands’ first professional boxing show has led to extra tables being released.
Local heroes Gary Cornish, Andrew Young and Alastair Chisholm will headline the event at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Friday, December 2.
And promoter Chris Gilmour has revealed that unprecedented demand for tickets has forced him to put extra tables up for sale after the original allocation sold-out.
Gilmour said: “I’ve always found it hard to believe that the Highlands has never hosted a professional boxing show before now.
“And after the demand we’ve had for tickets since I announced the show I’m even more astonished because there is certainly a market for boxing!
“Despite the original allocation having sold out, there are still a huge number of people coming on looking for tickets and rather than disappoint them I’ve managed to release another 50.
“I can’t thank John Simpson, banqueting manager at the Drumossie Hotel, and his team enough because they’ve worked miracles to reshape the original plan in order to safely and comfortably accommodate the extra tables.
“I’m certainly looking forward to the show and I’m sure there will an absolutely cracking atmosphere with the Drumossie packed to capacity.”
Six foot seven inch heavyweight hope Cornish has already racked up three victories (two by knockout) since turning professional earlier this year and impressed fans and pundits alike when beating Lithuanian Rolandas Cesna in Aberdeen in September.
Former Commonwealth games bronze medallist Young returns to ring for the first time two years at cruiserweight looking for a third win in four fights, whilst welterweight Chisholm will be aiming to keep his 100% record in his second contest.
Gilmour added: “Training has gone very well so far for all three of the boys and we’ll hopefully be in a position to announce their opponents shortly.
“We’re currently scouring Europe looking for suitable opponents to test all three and let them experience a different type of challenge from what we’re used to.
“But with the backing of a capacity crowd and a proper Highland welcome with pipes and drums their opponents will be left in no doubt about whose backyard they’re in!”
Tickets are priced at £1000 for a table of ten or £100 per person and include a champagne reception and three-course dinner. Contact Laura on 07769 697899 / laura@ictst.co.uk for further information.
Michael Grant vs. Francois Botha on November 19th
With the boxing world firmly focused on the upcoming Pacquiao fight there is an underlying heavyweight clash brewing.
Michael Grant and Francois ‘THE WHITE BUFFALO’ Botha come face to face in Botha’s backyard – Sunny South Africa is Hosting URBAN WAR, November 19, five world title fights in one evening! These two heavyweights have been on a collision course for some time now with Botha stating publically that the heavyweight division deserves better!
“Gaining the no 1 ranked African heavyweight position allows me a World Boxing Council (WBC) top 10 opportunity and once again prove I am an exciting heavyweight. Michael Grant needs to talk to Briggs and get some advice and how to handle my right hand because if he doesn’t, its going to be a short night for a tall man”
“Holyfield has had a firm financial offer from my promoters at SHOWPONY PROMOTIONS and he has found any excuse not to fight me again” .The USA and the rest of the world is in for a real ‘African’ treat come fight night-Michael Buffer is announcing and will be going on Safari post fight night”
Boxing globally might rely on these two giants to mix it up and spice up the heavyweight division again. They say the African buffalo is very territorial…but then again so is the American Bison!
Showpony promotions