Undefeated IBF super middleweight champion, Lucian Bute was on a mission Saturday
night before the sold out crowd at the Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City, Canada.
His task was to prove that the knockdown and near stoppage in the final round at the hands of the dangerous Librado Andrade in October of 2008, was just a fluke. That the controversial win was justified.
Bute, now 25-0 (22kos), entered the rematch tonight with a cautious stance, boxing from a distance, not taking many chances for the first two rounds. In the third Bute continued until the midway point of the round and then started throwing left hands that scored well and drove Librado Andrade back.
In the fourth, Andrade, now 28-3(21kos), took advantage, trading with the champion. Then Bute landed a beautiful left hand dropping Andrade face down on the canvas. Bute beat the count and the fighters traded again until Bute landed a body punch that put the tough challenger down again. Andrade stayed down and could not beat the count. The time was 2:57 of the fourth round.
Lucian Bute turns in his most impressive performance in the fourth defence of his title with this victory.
The undercard was not as impressive as two divisional champion Joan Guzman 29-0-1(17) attempted to win his third title and was outboxed by the taller Ali Funeka 30-2-3(25) for twelve rounds. Funeka who was making his second try for the title, had Guzman bleeding and busted up at the end.
By all means it seemed that Funeka had won without doubt, but somehow two of the judges scorecards ended with the fight even. The result a majority draw! The judges had the questionable scoring as follows, judges Alan Davis and Benoit Roussel had it even at 114-114. While Joseph Pasquale who actually watched the fight had it 116-112, rightfully for Funeka. The IBF lightweight title is still vacant.
