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

[LacedUp]

Haye-Chisora....lol. No just no. It would have been at least on par with Chavez Jr vs Martinez. I think you underestimate how much money Bute was bringing in from Canada.

When has Bute or Ward ever brought home the kind of income that Chisora and Haye made that night? The world wanted the fight so much that everyone completely forgot that Wlad was fighting a couple of weeks before.

It was in no way on pay with Martinez-JCCjr at all.

Neither have ever been on PPV, so what makes you think it could supersede fighters that are regularly on PPV and who draws international television contracts?

All of the fights I mentioned would be richer and draw more money than Ward-Bute. Maybe it's not your personal preference, but that's how it is.

It was a top 10 fight, but certainly wasn't top 3.

[bojangles1987]

Ward broke his hand too. That is conveniently being ignored.

I don't get it. Let's say Ward and Bute sign to fight even though Ward's hand is broken, and they both wait the near year that passed before Ward fought again. Then people would complain that he tried to fight Bute off a layoff. Bute instead fought Froch to call Ward's bluff, and lost.

[Frank Ducketts]

Bute was always a protected fighter. He's never beaten anyone elite.

[LacedUp]

i think you underestimate the drawing power of heavyweights, and david haye.

haye made 3.5 million pounds for that fight, according to a bscene article. it was also fresh off of slapgate, and glassgate. it was a huge, huge fight.

showtime can't come close to paying that much for a single fight. neither can HBO.

Exactly this.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

I see guys still hurt that Kessler and Froch got dominated by Andre Ward. Time heals wounds, hang in there, guys.

Why does it have to do with that? People have simply quoted statements made by Ward as to why he walked away form the biggest and best available fight to him. Are we making these statements up to "hate on" Ward? No....it's all in the public domain.

[BattlingNelson]

Ward had a point tho..So Ward is suppose to fight a who's who of SMW while Bute sits on the sidelines and does nothing??Don't matter who is the biggest fight for Ward,if the dude did not earn it..Ward did not have to fight him..

I agree that it didn't feel right if Bute could stand on the sideline fighting cabbies, while the best SMW's beat up each other and then Bute could waltz in to get a shot at the s6 winner.

But Ward saying that Bute wasn't qualified was utter rubbish.

[Rome-By-Ko]

Who else was there at 168 who had "earned it"? It was the biggest fight to be made and I can almost guarantee that Ward is kicking himself right now for not taking it.

Bute had a chance to earn it..He got destroyed in the process is all..Most people thought(not me)that bute was gonna kill Froch..Which then would have meant he earned it..It also would have made the Ward Bute fight bigger..Bute did not hold up his end..That is really all that happen..

[V.WEBB]

I don't get it. Let's say Ward and Bute sign to fight even though Ward's hand is broken, and they both wait the near year that passed before Ward fought again. Then people would complain that he tried to fight Bute off a layoff. Bute instead fought Froch to call Ward's bluff, and lost.

Trust me, I know. Just more grown men whining that the guy that dominated their favorite fighters and country heros ducked another fighter. They will be alright though.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

When has Bute or Ward ever brought home the kind of income that Chisora and Haye made that night? The world wanted the fight so much that everyone completely forgot that Wlad was fighting a couple of weeks before.

It was in no way on pay with Martinez-JCCjr at all.

Neither have ever been on PPV, so what makes you think it could supersede fighters that are regularly on PPV and who draws international television contracts?

All of the fights I mentioned would be richer and draw more money than Ward-Bute. Maybe it's not your personal preference, but that's how it is.

It was a top 10 fight, but certainly wasn't top 3.

The world wanted Chisora-Haye....lol stop it bro. That fight was on BoxNation - was it even televised in the US?

Martinez was never on PPV. Chavez Jr wasn't either unless you count obscure Top Rank PPVs. Bute's fights were already on PPV in Canada and the fight would have sold out a football stadium there.

[V.WEBB]

Asked a while back on two occasions because I honestly don't know, but what was/is Bute's best win?