Bute: "We all thought it would be easy, even me!"

[roe]

Former IBF Super Middleweight World Champion recently joined me on the award winning 'On The Roe' boxing radio show:

"Every athlete has to admit defeat. Great champions need to to know to lose. I have to learn from this defeat. This is not the end of the world. I don't think it's the end of my career. I need to relax, [the loss] was a great mental load. I need time for my return. On Saturday night, Carl Froch was better.

"Any great athlete must have dignity, to be able to congratulate your opponent. I was the favourite, and everyone thought I would win easily. We all thought that, even me. Unfortunately, you saw what happened there. I believe that in five round, I boxed in only one. I was totally dominated. After the first round, I was very sure of myself. I told my coach that he was slow. But things changed in the second round.

"I do not necessarily want the belt back, I want to beat Carl Froch. I want a rematch, even if there will be no belt at stake."



Join us next week for exclusive interviews with Emmanuel Steward, Carl Froch, Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather Snr.

[Chambers2]

Sounds like he wants the rematch, looks like Carl could get another stamp on his passport.

[forcefraser]

So he wants the rematch? I had a feeling he might do.

It might be a different story over there. No matter how much he was dominated in the first fight he will have chance in a rematch at home. He can punch, so you can never write him off.

What examples do we have of a fighter getting smashed to pieces in the first fight and the result being very different in a rematch?

[BoxingAnalyst]

[Superheavy]

Fair play - refreshing not to get the usual (including from Froch after Ward) "a lot of things weren't right in the build up"

[SimonTemplar]

Indeed, great attitude to have. And this rematch might be more interesting than some - it seems likely that Bute underestimated Froch, he admits as much there, and if he found Froch slow after the first round that will have reinforced that impression. So he steamed in a little more from the second on than might have been sensible.

So assuming that he is a little more circumspect in a rematch, that makes for a very interesting fight: either Bute shows his class by changing his approach and overcoming the first fight to score a famous victory, or Froch shows his class by beating a Bute fighting to an entirely different game plan.

That interview has made me more keen on seeing a rematch.

[Bard of Boxrec]

There's nothing he can do in a rematch. Eventually he'll just get caught again, and it's not like he can hope to stop Froch.

[Chambers2]

So he wants the rematch? I had a feeling he might do.

It might be a different story over there. No matter how much he was dominated in the first fight he will have chance in a rematch at home. He can punch, so you can never write him off.

What examples do we have of a fighter getting smashed to pieces in the first fight and the result being very different in a rematch?

Lewis-Rahman was the first that sprung to mind

[Sportofkings]

Indeed, great attitude to have. And this rematch might be more interesting than some - it seems likely that Bute underestimated Froch, he admits as much there, and if he found Froch slow after the first round that will have reinforced that impression. So he steamed in a little more from the second on than might have been sensible.

So assuming that he is a little more circumspect in a rematch, that makes for a very interesting fight: either Bute shows his class by changing his approach and overcoming the first fight to score a famous victory, or Froch shows his class by beating a Bute fighting to an entirely different game plan.

That interview has made me more keen on seeing a rematch.

Imo it doesnt matter a lot that Bute underestimated Froch, or that he can prepare differently, the fact that Froch can hurt Bute whenever he hits him solidly, and Bute cant handle his power. Also Froch seemed to be able to take Bute's punches whenever he was hit hard. This doesnt bode well for Bute. He would probably last more rounds in a rematch, but I dont see the end result being any different than the first fight.

[SimonTemplar]

Imo it doesnt matter a lot that Bute underestimated Froch, or that he can prepare differently, the fact that Froch can hurt Bute whenever he hits him solidly, and Bute cant handle his power. Also Froch seemed to be able to take Bute's punches whenever he was hit hard. This doesnt bode well for Bute. He would probably last more rounds in a rematch, but I dont see the end result being any different than the first fight.

Ftr I agree with you, but I'm still looking forward to it more than I was!

Plus I want Carl to get to him again before someone else fights Bute, stops him and people start diminished Carl's win. Whereas if Carl does a number on him again it does not matter what happens next to Bute as Hearn can peddle the old 'Carl ruined him with back-to-back stoppages' line

[Ketchel]

So he wants the rematch? I had a feeling he might do.

It might be a different story over there. No matter how much he was dominated in the first fight he will have chance in a rematch at home. He can punch, so you can never write him off.

What examples do we have of a fighter getting smashed to pieces in the first fight and the result being very different in a rematch?

Lewis-Rahman was the first that sprung to mind

Simon Brown V Terry Norris

[Sportofkings]

So he wants the rematch? I had a feeling he might do.

It might be a different story over there. No matter how much he was dominated in the first fight he will have chance in a rematch at home. He can punch, so you can never write him off.

What examples do we have of a fighter getting smashed to pieces in the first fight and the result being very different in a rematch?

Lewis-Rahman was the first that sprung to mind

Different kettle of fish to this fight though, as unlikely as it seemed at the time, there were murmours of Lewis being under prepared and not focused coming into the fight, with him coming to South Africa late because of a part in Oceans eleven and with him being over weight for the fight. Bute was in excellent shape and looked prepared. Even with that Lewis still took the first four rounds with ease against Rahman, before being sparked. Bute was just dominated from the off. Most people were Backing Lewis to win the rematch anyways, cant see that happening with Bute-Froch 2.

Not trying to be a smartass, just pointing put a few differences

[Lenny]

I'd say Mayorga v Forrest, but the judges disagreed with me

[TheCobra]

Froch still will get to him any time, any place. Froch only struggles against speedy slicksters (Dirrell, Ward, Taylor) or people who can take his power in a war (Kessler, Pascal).

Bute is neither of those 2 types. Bute is too slow to get out of the way, but can't take the power, so there's only one way the rematch goes, as we all saw Froch could take Bute's shots and walk through them.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I wouldn't say he struggles against the people who can take his power, as much as guys like Kessler can match him for guts and workrate and make it close. Although I do think Froch takes Kessler in a rematch now.

[stujones]

Neither were outclassed in fight 1 like Bute was.... but Leonard vs Duran, Honeyghan vs Vacca, both had scenerio's in which the loser of fight one outclassed the guy in fight 2.

Holyfield vs Bowe was quite a turn around also.

[Chambers2]

So he wants the rematch? I had a feeling he might do.

It might be a different story over there. No matter how much he was dominated in the first fight he will have chance in a rematch at home. He can punch, so you can never write him off.

What examples do we have of a fighter getting smashed to pieces in the first fight and the result being very different in a rematch?

Lewis-Rahman was the first that sprung to mind

Different kettle of fish to this fight though, as unlikely as it seemed at the time, there were murmours of Lewis being under prepared and not focused coming into the fight, with him coming to South Africa late because of a part in Oceans eleven and with him being over weight for the fight. Bute was in excellent shape and looked prepared. Even with that Lewis still took the first four rounds with ease against Rahman, before being sparked. Bute was just dominated from the off. Most people were Backing Lewis to win the rematch anyways, cant see that happening with Bute-Froch 2.

Not trying to be a smartass, just pointing put a few differences

Yeah there are obviously numerous differences between the fights, I was just answering Frasers question

[Old bones Ian]

I have alot of respect for Bute, he has shown class throughout the buildup and in defeat.
It's so much better than trying to start a punch-up at the weigh in. Or complaining after a loss.

Haye and Chisora take note!

[CheckHook]

One thing I would point out (based only on the quotes in the OP) is that he didnt say he wanted an immediate rematch or specifically say he planned to exercise the rematch clause. I don't think this necessarily means there will be a rematch anytime soon, even if there is one at all. Besides, I think it would be unlikely for him to come out so soon after defeat and say 'I dont ever want any part of Froch again'. I think this fight might happen but I'm not sure they'll be looking for a rematch any time soon.

[Adamj1987]

Got to respect bute for taking it after that beat down

[jameswilson]

Neither were outclassed in fight 1 like Bute was.... but Leonard vs Duran, Honeyghan vs Vacca, both had scenerio's in which the loser of fight one outclassed the guy in fight 2.

Holyfield vs Bowe was quite a turn around also.

Suprised nobody mentioned Ali v Frazier. Yeah Frazier didn't comletely outclass Ali in their first fight but he did (I thought) beat him fairly handily, before going on to lose the second and third fights.

[safeerah]

Sounds like he wants the rematch, looks like Carl could get another stamp on his passport.

Got caught, like a cat in the headlights, defense was really slack, could be different in Canada ?

[Old bones Ian]

Most famous one would have to be Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling, in the first match Schmeling really beat Louis bad, the return was completly different.

and of course Rocky v Clubber Lang

[safeerah]

Most famous one would have to be Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling, in the first match Schmeling really beat Louis bad, the return was completly different.

and of course Rocky v Clubber Lang

Not quite the same Rocky had Apollo creed, master of disaster, king of sting lol

[rhino222]

when the enormity of the defeat sinks in, he will not want to be 'mullered' in front of his home fans by froch!...no way