Bute-Magee Set: Edison Miranda-Renan St-Juste Added

By Richard Cloutier

It's now official, Lucian Bute will defend his IBF super middleweight title against European champion Brian Magee on March 19 at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Magee is still ranked # 1 by the WBA, # 2 by the WBC and # 8 by the IBF. The deal was negotiated as Bute was about to face Dimitri Sartison who holds the WBA's "regular" world title. Sartison rejected the offer, and then Magee took the Bute deal offered by InterBox. The reasons are many for Magee taking the deal. First there is the IBF world title. Then there's Showtime and the exposure it will bring him to America. Finally, if victorious, Magee will replace Bute in a fight against the winner of the Super Six.

Jean Bédard of  InterBox explained at length the choice of this rival, introduced as the best Super Middleweight currently available. Taking advantage of this weekend's presence of British promoter Mick Hennessy in Quebec, Netboxe.com/BoxingScene.com questioned him about Magee.

"He's a warrior. It has a very big heart. Above all, he is a hungry fighter. This is certainly a very good fight and it will not be easy for Lucian," Hennessy said.

If that recall it was Carl Froch, who is promoted by Hennessy, and the last to defeat Magee. A defeat back in 2006.

Moreover, the NABO champion at super middleweight and 4th ranked under the WBO, Renan St-Juste (22-2-1), will face Colombia's Edison Miranda (33-5-0). In his last fight, Miranda was stopped by Lucian Bute in three rounds. As for St-Juste, who has also been NABA champion and WBC Continental Americas, he knocked out Sebastien Demers in two rounds on December 3.

A second world title fight will be presented on thecard. Carl Moretti, the Vice-President of the firm Top Rank Promotions, was actually in Montreal to confirm the fight invoving Ontarian Steve Molitor (33-1-0), who is the IBF super bantamweight champion. Molitor will face his mandatory Takalani Ndlovu (31-6-0).

Regarding the undercard, no information was leaked out of the formal meeting to announce the event. British heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (13-0-0), however, told Netboxe.com/BoxingScene.com that he planned to fight at the Bell Centre on March 19. His likely rival is the Canadian champion Pajkic Neven. Fury has been in America (Canada and U.S.) for over a month, and should return soon to the United Kingdom. Fury recorded a win by unanimous decision at the expense of American Zack Page this past Saturday at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec, which was part of the undercard to the bout between Bernard Hopkins Jean Pascal.