IBF Super Middleweight champion Lucian Bute was hoping that HBO would be the network to take him to the next stage of his career, turning him into a household name and marketing him as the next pay-per-view superstar. It seems, however, that Bute will now look to find that opportunity elsewhere as he is reportedly heading to Showtime for a three-fight deal. Although details are scarce at the time, it was clear that HBO didn't have anything big lined up for the Canadian star. Bute had no real interest in heading up to Light Heavyweight, and once Kelly Pavlik fell victim to yet another injury/illness that forced him to withdraw from his own return to the ring on the undercard of Pacquiao vs. Margarito, the undefeated king of the super middleweight division had no other choice but to explore other options.
Bute will soon find himself making his home on Showtime and, more than likely, will face off against the Super Six winner some time next year, a move that does loads more for his career than beating up a fading Pavlik. I'd actually like to see Bute face off against Andre Dirrell whenever Dirrell decides to return to the ring, and then take a fight with say an Allan Green, or any other soft touch, before facing the tournament winner by years end. Best of luck to Bute, who I consider to be the best Super Middleweight in the division.
WBC Sanctions Hopkins-Pascal For Another Useless Trinket
For whatever reason, the morons at the WBC are sanctioning the December clash between champion Jean Pascal and challenger Bernard Hopkins for the WBC diamond belt, a belt they intended to hand out for catchweight fights. The only problem here lies in the fact that Hopkins-Pascal is not a catchweight fight; it is a legitimate Light Heavyweight match. Of course, the real reason why they want to sanction it comes down to the infallible detail that another belt equals another sanctioning fee. They might as well make the fight for the WBC Latino title while they're at it.
I really would hope that Hopkins and Pascal are smart enough to realize that they are just going to waste money out of their own pockets to fight for a useless strap. While I can rant about the WBC and their inconsistent and idiotic practices, I guess the fighters are as much to blame as the organization is since, after all, they do have the power to deny them their sanctioning fees.
David Lemieux Is For Real
If you didn't catch last Friday's fight between prospect David Lemieux and joke Hector Camacho Jr., you may have missed the unveiling of boxing's next big star. The bout ended in a spectacular first round knockout for Lemieux, who clearly punches like a freight train, but also possesses the patience and skill of a technical boxer. It's time for him to make a big step forward because he can take the Middleweight division by surprise if he gets the right fights.
Hopefully next year, Lemieux can be matched up against sterner opposition. A dream fight should be between fellow surprise prospect Dmitry Pirog, who is also an aggressive and hard puncher. Let's hope the networks don't overlook this new talent in favor of dropping millions of dollars on an undercard fight. Lemieux might really be something special.