Lucian Bute defends his title against Edison Miranda
IBF Super Middleweight Champion Lucian Bute might be the odd man out of the Super Six Boxing Tournament, but that does not mean he is not duking it out with some of the world’s top 168 lbs. contenders. On April 17th in Montreal, Bute will face a hard-punching thug from Colombia, Edison Miranda, in a fight to be broadcast live on HBO.
Bute vs. Miranda Preview – Meet the Fighters
Edison Miranda (33-4 29 KOs)
5’10”, 77 1/2″ reach, 29 years old
Colombian, living in Puerto Rico
Miranda comes into the ring with an exciting style meant to make the most of the considerable wallop he packs in both hands. His big fight record consists of a knockout victory over British technician Howard Eastman, waging and losing a war with Kelly Pavlik, going 0-2 with Arthur Abraham, and being easily out-boxed by Andre Ward. No one should ever doubt or underestimate Miranda’s punching power, but past that his boxing ability is strictly average and he has shown a bully’s personality. When the going gets tough, Miranda gets discouraged and crumples.
Lucian Bute (25-0, 20 KOs)
6’2″, 70″ reach, 29 years old
IBF 168 lbs. champion
Canadian-Romanian
A southpaw boxer-puncher, Bute owns some good wins on his undefeated record. He is 2-0 over the rugged Librado Andrade, beat the tough Sakio Bika, and knocked out the top-ranked Fulgencio Zuniga and former two-time 160 lbs. champ William Joppy. However, in terms of quality of opposition, this list is deceptive. All of these fighters are on the same tier as Howard Eastman – Bute might be undefeated, but he also has never been in the ring with guys like Pavlik, Abraham or Ward.
Bute vs. Miranda Prediction and Analysis
Ironically, this is a fight that Miranda could win, but won’t. The truth is that Bute has never tasted power like Miranda’s. Andrade and Bika, while tough as nails, aren’t one-shot knockout artists like Miranda. If Miranda hangs in there, applies pressure and hurts Bute where he can, he can grind him down and knock him out late.
Yet at the press conference, Miranda said “I will prepare myself. I may not win, but I guarantee you will all be very happy [with my performance].” A boxer who talks like that has already lost. Miranda seems reconciled to his role as an “opponent,” and I would not be surprised to see him relegated to the role of gatekeeper in the near future. Barring getting lucky and catching Bute early on, Miranda cannot win because doesn’t have the psychological fortitude to doggedly pursue a long-haul strategy of attrition. It was never in Miranda’s character before, and it sure isn’t part of it now.
For his part, Bute is a smart customer who knows that Miranda has game-changing artillery. Unless he sees a sure opportunity, he will use his speed, mobility and skill to score points and stay safe.
Prediction: Bute UD12.
