Lucian Bute Mulling Over Decision - Ring Return or Retirement

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lucian Bute is still in the process of making a decision on whether or not he intends to fight again.

The former IBF super middleweight champion is in good shape, but he hasn't donned the gloves since the birth of his daughter Ema, seven and a half months ago.

At one time, Bute (32-5, 25 KOs) was viewed as one of the best boxers in the world. That was a long time ago. Bute has lost his last three fights and has gone 2-5 in his last seven ring appearances. His last win came in August 2015.

Bute realizes that his career is coming to a close, but he's still getting that itch.

"I'm 37 years old, I know that I'm near the end. In the coming weeks, I'll make a decision. For now, I'm spending time with my wife and my daughter. The priorities have changed, and I'll think twice when I make my decision. [My daughter] Ema is the priority," Bute told La Presse.

Bute admits that there is no need to fight again. He is independently wealthy, and he believes that he already left his mark in the ring.

"I've been a champion for five years, I have defended my belt nine times. I have nothing to prove. I also love the love of Quebecers, they remember the good times we had together," Bute said.

Bute was never the same fighter after traveling to Nottingham in 2012 and getting demolished by Carl Froch. After getting a quick later that year, he didn't fight again until January 2014 when he lost a decision to Jean Pascal.

He then got another quick win in 2015 - and went on to lose his next three - to James DeGale, Badou Jack and Eleider Alvarez.

The fight with Jack was initially scored a controversial draw, but later changed to a disqualification loss after the Bute tested positive for a banned substance.

His last bout, against Alvarez, took place in February and saw Bute get knocked out for only the second time.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He says he is independantly wealthy.. So he doesn't need to fight. If he wants to go out on a win, he could go for a nice easy win and retire on a win, rather than a loss, and he would do that in his home town. He's mentioned his priority is his daughter, so looks like his mind is made up.

[chinarich]

No need to mull, he's done...

[greg]

..he's 37, he's "independently wealthy", he wants to spend time with his family, he's lost more fights than he's won over the last 5 years, etc..is there one single reason why he shouldn't retire?

[Ossyrules]

Hope he stays retired. Don’t rate him never have and think he should stay away from any decent 175er

[gilgamesh]

If he simply wants to go out on a win I'm sure they could find somebody for him to get a big KO win over in front of his home crowd. Other than that I wouldn't suggest he go on any more, and even the "going out on a win" thing certainly isn't necessary.

[jamamb]

froch-loosh has to be the definition of a 'sonning'

[Lackeos]

He is certainly right on the precipice of retirement, considering 3 straight defeats (sort of, in the case of the Badou Jack fight) and aged 37 years. If he decides to fight on, I think he should fight an evenly-matched, younger, feather-fisted opponent with some name recognition; like Blake Caparello. If he loses, at least it won't be by brutal KO, and he's putting-over a younger dude and sort of passing the torch (the final embers of the torch). If he wins, then he gets to go out on a win (which would be impossible if matched against a top 10 opponent).

[victor-romeo]

Good Idea , quit get out with your health...

[ElJefe]

As soon as fighters start openly considering retirement, it's probably best that they don't fight again imo. He's not getting any younger, won't win another world title so if he doesn't need the money, call it a day. He's had a good career.