By Hugues Brodeur: That’s what Jean Bédard humorously wrote on his Twitter account to describe the enduring task it is to negotiate with Froch and Ward’s teams.
While Ward made it clear on last December 17th, that there won’t be any fight setup against Bute any time soon, Froch side is sort of taking its time with the current negotiation going on for the next IBF mandatory title shot. It seems that both Froch and Bute’s teams are heading for the purse bid unless an arrangement is made very shortly.
In the meantime, and in a turn of event, it was reported in Montreal by Jean-Luc Legendre, writer for one of the of the two Canada French language sports networks, (RDS.ca,) that Ward’s promoter has recently and finally touched base with Interbox for the first time since last December. Ward will be fighting again, at an undetermined date yet, and his team is looking for his next opponent. Nothing concrete with this news, but enough to give hopes for one of the most anticipated Super Middleweight clash in history!
Although, Ward strongly feels that before fighting the IBF champion, Bute should prove himself worthy of the fame and most importantly, the pay! A very defend-able point when we consider the caliber of fighters that Ward had to go through the Super 6 tourney before being crowned the undisputed champion of his division. A prodigious fighter I may add. Whether or not Ward made opposite statements about Bute during the early stage of the S6 tournament, at the end of the tourney, he had deserved the right to speak differently. One thing seems to be clear for many at this time. Until Bute fights Ward and win, Ward will always be considered number 1.
Obviously, such a fight would generate a very generous purse. Which would without a doubt in my mind, have to be split 50-50 if we want to see both of these fighters agreeing with this unification bout. Both unbeaten, both with different abilities, and both with awe-inspiring skills. Well, after all, let’s leave the negotiation to them and make the fight happen!
While the IBF Super Middle Weight champion only asks for the best, he definitely wishes to fight only the most memorable fighters of this era from now on. I for one, feel that it was an injustice that Bute wasn’t invited to the Showtime Super 6 tourney. The original idea of Showtime was to have three top American boxers fighting three top European boxers. Bute is also European, but regrettably for the boxing fans, the IBF title holder was, and is still mainly fighting in a North American country where viewers don’t get Showtime. It was a marketing decision and not a decision based on his abilities to compete among the best. Unfortunately, this decision has damaged not only Bute’s name, but also those he fought during the Showtime tourney. Librado Andrade for example, could have competed and even beat most of the competitors on the tourney! But because Bute wasn’t on the Super 6, many say that he was just an ordinary fighter. But I can guarantee you some thing! Andrade is very far from being average.
Froch for instance, never hesitated to bad mouth Bute. Even when his concentration should have been set to an “iron clad” mode to only focus for his next evening opponents! That is what’s called an obvious statement on what he thinks of Bute. But he’s not the only one. Many boxing writers and fans throughout the world, think that Bute is over rated. Never the less, the IBF champion keeps winning with unforgettable results fight after fight. Bute is more determined than ever to prove the world what he’s made of. Unluckily for Froch, I don’t think he knows what’s coming his way. Bute has committed himself with his next most probable fight against Froch at a very extreme personal level. Like never seen before with the Canadian-Romanian boxer. Bute is even willing to go and fight him on his home turf. That’s bad news for Froch. Well, that’s if my prediction is correct of course. Either way, the results of this fight will be devastating for the loser.
But Froch in the other hand, whether we like him or not, is ranked at number 2 among Super Middle Weights. Right before Bute. In my book, he will be an all of famer some day. I know it was different before the Nineteen Eighties, but how many other boxers have we ever seen fighting only the best after the best for such a stretch? Well, we cannot say that his opponents were all the best, but they were definitely some of the best! Froch has definitely won the world of boxing’s respect after all. What a mighty fighter he is! Froch definitely represents what boxing should be today! His will and commitment to only fight the toughest fights gives him the right to criticize! Even those that we think are the untouchable. If some one has proved himself in this competition, its him. And I mean before and after the tourney. And strangely, now, we become the ones who shouldn’t criticize him for talking so much…
Its obvious to many that Bute wants the same recognition that Froch has. I believe that what Bute really wants more than any thing, is to fight Froch before any other fighters. And luckily for fight fans around the world, and for this once, this is also what Froch wants!
Enjoy the fight.
Hugues Brodeur