By Luke Furman
Former super middleweight champion Lucian Bute is pleased with the way his career played out in 2015, even with last month's twelve round decision loss to IBF world champion James DeGale in Quebec.
Although he lost, it was viewed as one of the Bute's best performances in recent years. He appeared to regain the confidence and aggressive nature that he lost when Carl Froch knocked him out in five rounds in 2012 in Nottingham.
Bute (32-3-0, 25 KOs), now trained by Otis and Howard Grant, is not losing hope on capturing a world title in 2016.
He plans to relax, start training and then return on a date in March or April with a good name across the corner.
"I'm not even thinking about the next fight. I just want to take a break. I will start training in January and I think [I will face a] good boxer in March or April," Bute told TVA Sports.
"I want to be world champion again and it will take the time take. At 35, my physical and psychological health is good and I feel good about myself. I may be older, but the experience [with DeGale] will serve me well."
Bute was happy with his performance against DeGale and wishes there was a few more rounds remaining in the contest.
"I am pleased to have been more aggressive. But in the end I tried to keep some energy in the tank...I should have let myself go a little more. I felt great after my performance and unlike DeGale I could have gone a few more rounds. Unfortunately, there are no more 15 round fights these days," Bute said.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.
