Lucian Bute Will Continue To Train Under Freddie Roach

By Jake Donovan

Former super middleweight titlist Lucian Bute will train for his December 6 comeback bout under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, as was confirmed during a press conference held Thursday in Montreal to promote his ring return.

“[W]ith all of the talent we know that (Bute) has, Roach is the perfect man for the job,” said Jean Bédard, president of Interbox. “I am more than enthusiastic when viewing Lucian’s future. He still has great years ahead of him, and this is the opportunity for him to soar to new heights.”  

An opponent has yet to be announced for the December 6 headliner at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Bute (31-2, 24KOs) enters having lost two of his last three, including a points loss to countryman Jean Pascal this past January in one of the most successful box office attractions in Canada’s rich boxing history. 

While Bute remains a viable draw in his adopted homeland—having relocated from his native Romania and boasting dual citizenship—his relevance among the top super middleweights is a long way off from where once was as an unbeaten titlist. A 5^th round knockout loss to Carl Froch in May ’12 on the road in England proved brutal enough to where the rematch option was never exercised, despite the guarantee of such a fight taking place in Canada.

Bute came back later in the year, edging out Denis Grachev in their Nov. ’12 catchweight bout, before taking all of 2013 off to rehab lingering injuries. His ring return versus Pascal marks his lone piece of ring action since then, with December eyed at obtaining his first win in over two years.

Leaving nothing to chance, the decision was made to bring aboard Roach, the legendary trainer who has guided dozens of fighters to world titles. He is best known for his continued efforts with Manny Pacquiao, but his most recent résumé entry came in steering Miguel Cotto towards the history books, with his middleweight championship-winning knockout over Sergio Martinez in June making him the first fighter ever from Puerto Rico to claim titles in four weight classes.

The potential for the two to join forces came earlier this summer, when Bute visited Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California. Both sides were pleased with what the other had to say, leading to their boxing union. 

“It’s an honor for me to benefit from the advice of a renowned trainer,” Bute stated. “I intend to give everything I’ve got to come back strong in the ring for my fans and boxing supporters.”

Bute will join Roach in the Philippines, where he is currently training Pacquiao for his November 22 welterweight title defense versus unbeaten Chris Algieri.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox