Lucian Bute's Team Steamed Over Tournament Overlook

[drivlikejehu]

Showtime pulling this off would be a minor miracle- check that, a bona fide miracle- so I'm not going to get all teary eyed because one big name isn't in it, for whatever reason. As is it, I'll believe it when I see it.

If it does happen, Bute still has plenty of potential opponents... Andrade, Balzsay, Green, Pavlik, Dawson, Pascal, Bika...

If anything, the tournament could help Bute, because if he wins against a couple of those guys, then Bute vs. tournament winner would be a huge, huge fight.

[MANGLER]

They should be.

[dstew]

Exactly Showtime has already had Bute fights, why wouldn't they have made an offer to him for the tournament. I hope Balszay, Green, and Bika can find a way to get involved too.

Exactly.

I have no doubt that Showtime extended an offer to Bute; they've featured him on their network more than any other SMW.

Bute's matchmaker is most likely full of crap. Chances are they laughed at the idea when presented to them because it sounded so far fetched that they thought no fighters would sign on, and now that it's looking somewhat promising they feel like idiots for passing on it.

[Dambala]

Someone screw this badly, besides Kessler and Froch he's the most deserving fighter to be there.

[cottofan2]

First of all, this tournament is a great idea. I got my money on Abraham. Bute deserves to be in the tourney as much as any other fighter in it. To be honest, as much as I may like him, Jermaine Taylor should be the odd man out. All the other fighters either have belts or have a few recent big wins. JT hasn't had a big win in years.

[Ray*]

I was surprise not to see Bute's name in there to be frank, But am sure Showtime would have contact the right people involve with Bute about it and maybe they dont want to be tied down to a robin tourney like that.

[MARKBNLV]

Really i consider jermain to be the frontrunner here he was beating froches ass until the last rd.

[Spray_resistant]

Bute has a legit beef, bum beaters Dirrell and Ward should not be in the title picture at this point....and yeah Taylor should have to prove himself at SMW first.

[Clegg]

Bute has a legit beef, bum beaters Dirrell and Ward should not be in the title picture at this point....and yeah Taylor should have to prove himself at SMW first.

I think Ward's win over Miranda is enough to qualify him as a top 10 guy.

Dirrell...yeah, he should've stepped it up before now, but I'm still pleased to see him in there. If he was fighting a nobody for a vacant title, then I'd have a problem with it, but signing to fight 2/3 of the best guys at the weight takes guts.

Rightly or wrongly, Ward and Dirrell are both mandatory challenges, so they would've gotten a shot with or without this tournament.

It's an American company putting up the money. I don't think people can expect the likes of Balszay and Bika to be given priority over two US olympians who have the potential to become future stars.

[Spray_resistant]

I think Ward's win over Miranda is enough to qualify him as a top 10 guy.

Dirrell...yeah, he should've stepped it up before now, but I'm still pleased to see him in there. If he was fighting a nobody for a vacant title, then I'd have a problem with it, but signing to fight 2/3 of the best guys at the weight takes guts.

Rightly or wrongly, Ward and Dirrell are both mandatory challenges, so they would've gotten a shot with or without this tournament.

It's an American company putting up the money. I don't think people can expect the likes of Balszay and Bika to be given priority over two US olympians who have the potential to become future stars.

I don't know about Ward just for the sole reason that Miranda is a somewhat notable opponent. He certainly should not be considered over Bute.