Interbox president Jean Bedard and super middleweight titleholder Lucian Bute held a conference call this afternoon to discuss Bute’s next bout. There have been plenty of rumors and speculation about his next opponent, with most signs indicating that it would be Carl Froch, fresh off his Super Six defeat to Andre Ward. Now though, it appears like Bute could be headed in a different direction – Andre Dirrell.
Dirrell just fought for the first time after taking nearly two years away from the sport, following his fight against Arthur Abraham, which of course ended in controversial and dramatic fashion. He made quick work out of the overmatched Darryl Cunningham, and has appeared eager to land another big-time fight.
On the surface, it’s a somewhat odd choice of opposition. Froch beat Dirrell head-to-head, and has been fighting on a consistently high level in the Super Six over the past two years, while Dirrell has been on the shelf. During that time, he’s also made himself into a bigger, more recognizable name.
The unsavory portion of the proposed Bute vs. Froch fight though was that the promoters were attempting to create a two-fight, home and home, series. It’s one thing to have a rematch clause, it’s another thing to basically guarantee two fights ahead of time, when the second could end up being completely unwarranted, uninteresting or ill-advised.
Meanwhile, Bute’s team may be looking at Andre Dirrell as a way to prepare for Andre Ward, who is currently healing his broken hand.
Froch is likely a sterner challenge and bigger name for Bute, but Dirrell’s speed and style could be an interesting match-up for team Bute before squaring off against the S.O.G. Further, securing a one fight deal would more easily clear the way for Ward vs. Bute in the fall, as opposed to a two-fight series with Froch.
At this time though, it’s unclear how this will all play out. Ward vs. Bute is the top fight to make in all of boxing, save for a certain proposed content between a Mr. Mayweather and a Mr. Pacquiao. Any course of action that gets us to that destination sooner rather than later is a good one.
In the latest ProBoxing-Fans.com super middleweight division top 10 rankings, Ward is number 1, Bute is number 2, Froch is number 4 and Dirrell is number 8.
