Photo Credit: Amanda Westcott/Showtime
QUEBEC CITY — IBF super middleweight titlist James DeGale and former title holder Lucian Bute hit weight for their clash on Saturday’s edition of Showtime Championship Boxing. The bout is DeGale’s first defense of the vacant title he won in April against Andre Dirrell. Bute ended a year-plus sabbatical with a fourth round TKO over Andrea Di Luisa in August.
PREDICTION: DeGale is catching the 35 year old Bute on the downside of his career. Although still a capable fighter against B-level opposition, he’s shown tentativeness against elite fighters since getting dispatched in five rounds by Carl Froch back in 2012.
DeGale is a fast starter who throws quick and strong combinations (especially when inside). Bute probably never comes out his shell in this one and gets dominated. 1-2 more fights would have served him well before taking this challenge. DEGALE TKO5.
Also appearing on the card will be a WBC title eliminator in Eleider Alvarez (174.73 lbs) taking on Isaac Chilemba (173.5 lbs). On Sho Extreme starting at 9 p.m. ET, Amir Imam (139.5 lbs) takes on Adrian Granado (139.5 lbs), and Oscar Rivas (240.75 lbs) versus Joey Abell (236.5) in a heavyweight bout.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 