Remember when Ward didn't want to fight bute and said hes going to 175?

[Dirk Diggler UK]

He broke his hand during the Froch fight and that was the injury he was recovering from when Bute and Froch signed to fight.

He never said I can't fight Bute because of my hand injury.

[bojangles1987]

He never said I can't fight Bute because of my hand injury.

I don't care what he said. He could have said, "I will retire rather than fight Bute, I'm scared of him," and it wouldn't change that the fight never had a window to happen. Ward was injured, Bute fought Froch, and Bute lost. If Ward had fought sometime within the same time frame as Froch beat Bute, people would have a point, but he didn't.

Maybe Ward would have ducked Bute, but he didn't, because he never had a chance to.

[Cobra_]

Why does anyone even care about Bute anymore. Froch destroyed that guys career.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

I don't care what he said. He could have said, "I will retire rather than fight Bute, I'm scared of him," and it wouldn't change that the fight never had a window to happen. Ward was injured, Bute fought Froch, and Bute lost. If Ward had fought sometime within the same time frame as Froch beat Bute, people would have a point, but he didn't.

Maybe Ward would have ducked Bute, but he didn't, because he never had a chance to.

They could have still agreed the fight while Ward recovered from his injury. They didn't because Ward wasn't willing to.

[Tom Cruise]

He broke his hand during the Froch fight and that was the injury he was recovering from when Bute and Froch signed to fight.

Sorry to be a google warrior here but Ward didn't say the hand was stopping the fight from happening.

http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/13835-andre-ward-talks-about-injured-hand-butemarkarian

RM: So about your next opponent, Kessler and Bute are names being thrown out there. Virgil and I have talked about a possible Kessler rematch for you even before the Froch fight. Some people want to see you fight Lucian Bute. He was in Atlantic City to watch and seems thirsting to get you in the ring. Is there anyone in particular that you want to fight next?

AW: No, I am not going to call anyone out, Ray. I meant what I said about the Bute situation. I think Bute is a great talent. Obviously he is a great draw in Quebec. I also feel, actually collectively everyone that has been in the Super Six can say that he has laid back. I think Bute needs to beat some significant fighters before he could demand a unification bout.

His problem with fighting Bute was that he hadnt proved himself. I'm sorry but to my mind he should have fought him. A broken hand takes what, a few months to heal? Not that long in the grand scheme of things

As it was he told Bute to go prove himself, and he proceeded to get the piss kicked out of him by Froch. It would/should have been another name on Wards resume, instead Froch gets all the credit.

[New England]

bute had two opportunities to enter the SS. he was approached to join the tournament before it started. he was again approached to replace jermain taylor.


he wanted to wait out the tournament for a free shot at the winner.

i have no doubt that ward would have fought him if he actually beat froch.

[Tom Cruise]

bute had two opportunities to enter the SS. he was approached to join the tournament before it started. he was again approached to replace jermain taylor.


he wanted to wait out the tournament for a free shot at the winner.

i have no doubt that ward would have fought him if he actually beat froch.

Why not just fight him first?

Bute already had a name, a belt, fans, what more could he want?

[New England]

Why not just fight him first?

Bute already had a name, a belt, fans, what more could he want?

he wanted him to enter the tournament. that tournament ended some careers. there's value in not having to go through it. it lengthens your career. his people didn't want to reward a fighter they don't control with a free shot at the winner of a tournament he didn't enter.

why would bute be the defacto winner of a tournament [getting free shot at the winner,] he didn't enter?



why is it ignored that bute turned down the SS twice in exchange for a focus on ward not wanting to give him a free shot after the tournament?

[daggum]

No wonder he waited until Sir Joe retired!

sir joe would have given him a royal thrashing!

[Tom Cruise]

he wanted him to enter the tournament. that tournament ended some careers. there's value in not having to go through it. it lengthens your career. his people didn't want to reward a fighter they don't control with a free shot at the winner of a tournament he didn't enter.

why would bute be the defacto winner of a tournament [getting free shot at the winner,] he didn't enter?



why is it ignored that bute turned down the SS twice in exchange for a focus on ward not wanting to give him a free shot after the tournament?

So who was on the radar for Ward other than Bute then? thats what i dont get. You call it a 'free shot' I just say Bute was the best available contender.

I dont really care that Bute turned down SS, i'm not a fan of his and i'm not defending him for that. Doesnt change the fact he was the best Ward could face at the time. Someone who he would have made money off, won a belt, got even more credit for taking on all challengers. Poor decision from Ward imo