Is Ward scared to face Bute?

[Dave Rado]

I believe Kessler was offered 750,000 to fight Bute. At least that's what I read in an article.

I've also read 3 million. But Kessler and Sauerland have both refused to say what they were offered. So both figures are just rumours.

[BoxingGenius27]

If Ward wants a break from top level competition, I have no problem with that, as long as he fights Bute by the end of the year, assuming Bute beats Froch in the meantime. But to claim that anyone deserves a fight with Ward more than Bute does is just ******.

Froch being the warrior that he is, wants the fight with Bute.

But let's be realistic; Froch is coming off a loss himself.

What is it with Bute fighting guys coming off losses (i.e Mendy, Johnson, and now Froch)?

Froch beat AA after he lost to Kessler, yes. But AA was coming off a loss himself against Dirrel.

[Dave Rado]

Here it is:

http://www.boxingscene.com/kesslers-...ks-info--42266

Kessler was offered 750k. If that's not low balling, I don't know what is.

According to that article: "Besides the 750K, Kessler would have also received a fee from Showtime and 100% of the money from Danish television. Kessler, who turned the offer down, would have made a lucrative amount of money from Danish television."

No way is that a lowball. All put together, he'd probably have made the $3 million.

Plus Kessler and Sauerland have refused to confirm or deny it.

Plus they never made a counter-offer, which means they weren't serious about the fight.

[Dave Rado]

Froch being the warrior that he is, wants the fight with Bute.

But let's be realistic; Froch is coming off a loss himself.

What is it with Bute fighting guys coming off losses (i.e Mendy, Johnson, and now Froch)?

Froch beat AA after he lost to Kessler, yes. But AA was coming off a loss himself against Dirrel.

Who at 168 would you rather see him fight? Froch is easily the best possible opponent after Ward. And what's the problem with Froch coming off a loss? Froch wasn't in a war. He wasn't hurt. He'll just be doubly fired up to win, and super-motivated. He'll be at his most dangerous precisely because he's coming off a loss and wants to redeem himself.

[The Hammer]

LMAO! So let's get this straight-The best in SMW have been avoiding Bute by fighting in the Super 6 tournament??? If Bute wanted to enter this tourney,why was he "waiting around for an invitation"? Why wouldn't he raise his hand or ask for a slot like Green and Johnson did????

Kessler has avoided him, and Ward is avoiding him now.

Bute tried to get in the Super Six but was turned down.

[Mr. Invincible]

I'm glad this poll has a healthy turnout and it hasn't been too hostile. I will say this, I don't think Ward is downright scared to fight Bute, but making the excuse that he needs to fight somebody is kind of weak. He should have just said that he just needs a well deserved rest from his crazy schedule he's been on since te super six. That being said, I still slightly favor Andre over Bute, but it would not be a cake walk like some people on here think. It's not easy to route Glen Johnson like that.

[Mr. Invincible]

Who at 168 would you rather see him fight? Froch is easily the best possible opponent after Ward. And what's the problem with Froch coming off a loss? Froch wasn't in a war. He wasn't hurt. He'll just be doubly fired up to win, and super-motivated. He'll be at his most dangerous precisely because he's coming off a loss and wants to redeem himself.

It goes like this.

Ward
Kessler or Froch.
Dirrell (either)
Pavlik

[BoxingGenius27]

Who at 168 would you rather see him fight? Froch is easily the best possible opponent after Ward. And what's the problem with Froch coming off a loss? Froch wasn't in a war. He wasn't hurt. He'll just be doubly fired up to win, and super-motivated. He'll be at his most dangerous precisely because he's coming off a loss and wants to redeem himself.

It's just something about fighters that are coming off losses that I don't like. Regardless if Froch was in a war with Ward or not. When fighters are coming off losses, I think it does something to them mentally. Not all the time, but the majority of time in the history of boxing, I think when a fighter fights high opposition in his next fight after coming off a loss, they're just not the same.

Regarding who I think would be a solid opponent for Bute at the moment, I would have to say Pavlik, Hopkins or Cloud. If Bute wants to better his resume, those are fights he can make happen, regardless if Cloud and Hopkins are at 175. Both Cloud and Hopkins expressed interest in these fights.

[Dave Rado]

Kessler has avoided him, and Ward is avoiding him now.

Bute tried to get in the Super Six but was turned down.

Ward will fight Bute once Bute has beaten Froch.

As long as the fight happens by the end of 2012 I don't see the problem.

All the "Bute doesn't deserve a shot yet" posturing is silly though. But it's just posturing and means nothing.

Beating Froch in style will make Bute a bigger draw in the US and in Europe. That will help sell the showdown between Ward and Bute. It'll all work out for the best in the long run, and in the meantime, Froch-Bute should make for a very entertaining fight or fights.

[Dave Rado]

It's just something about fighters that are coming off losses that I don't like. Regardless if Froch was in a war with Ward or not. When fighters are coming off losses, I think it does something to them mentally. Not all the time, but the majority of time in the history of boxing, I think when a fighter fights high opposition in his next fight after coming off a loss, they're just not the same.

I don't agree at all. Many times fighters coming off losses are super-motivated to redeem themselves and up their game. If they're knocked out or were in a real war it's different, but otherwise, more often than not, it just motivates them to do better.

Even if they were knocked out, they often come back better than before, as was the case with both Pacquiao and Lewis.

Regarding who I think would be a solid opponent for Bute at the moment, I would have to say Pavlik, Hopkins or Cloud. If Bute wants to better his resume, those are fights he can make happen, regardless if Cloud and Hopkins are at 175. Both Cloud and Hopkins expressed interest in these fights.

Pavlik turned the fight down and is probably shot. I don't want Bute or Ward to move up to Light Heavyweight until they've settled who's the best at 168. And Froch is probably better than Cloud, though obviously not better than Hopkins. And entertainment-wise, Bute-Froch is likely to be much better to watch than Bute-Hopkins, and is a much more relevant fight in terms of his own division.