BUCHAREST, ROMANIA — IBF super middleweight titlist Lucian Bute (29-0, 24 KOs) completed the eighth successful defense of his title with a one-punch KO of contender Jean Paul Mendy (29-1-1, 16 KOs).
Foregoing his normal counterpunching role, Bute pressed the action in round one. Although he only landed one solid straight left, Bute spent most of the opening stanza measuring Mendy behind the jab. In round two, Mendy focused on making it an inside fight and landed several good left uppercuts. Bute responded in kind and incorporated right hooks to catch Mendy coming in.
With less than 20 seconds remaining in the fourth, Mendy slipped a Bute jab only to leave his head exposed for an overhand left. The shot froze Mendy briefly before the 37-year-old collapsed on his face. Referee Marlon Wright stopped the count midway, giving Bute his sixth consecutive knockout victory.
Bute remains in line to step up his competition against potential opponents Mikkel Kessler, Kelly Pavlik and the Andre Ward-Carl Froch winner.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 