Bute vs Pavlik Discussed For March, at 166-Pounds

By Mark Vester

According to Canadian outlet RDS, there have been discussions for a possible fight between IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute and former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Bute is likely going to return to HBO in March. He defends the title on Friday night against mandatory Jesse Brinkley and Pavlik meets Brian Vera on the Pacquiao-Margarito undercard on November 13 at Cowboys Staduim in Texas.

InterBox, who promote Bute, advised the paper that HBO is very interested in a Monteal doubleheader for the month of March, with former light heavyweight champion Adrian Diaconu as the possible co-feature (if he does well against Omar Sheika on Friday). Interbox head Jean Bedard told the paper that his company received an offer for a fight against Pavlik at a catch-weight of 166-pounds with Lucian's belt at stake. Pavlik's fight against Vera will be at 164-pounds. Bedard says Bute is still capable of getting down to 166 but nothing is for sure for the next couple of weeks.