Photo Credit: Manny Montreal/TheFightCity.com
QUEBEC CITY — Lucian Bute’s 14-year career may be over after suffering a one-punch knockout loss to undefeated contender Eleider Alvarez tonight at the Centre Videotron.
Bute, who was making is debut at light-heavyweight, displayed a high activity rate over the first four rounds. An errant head butt benefited Bute dispute a cut nose, as Alvarez received a laceration that streamed blood down his face. The injury seemed to affect Alvarez’s focus and allowed Bute to get off first with straight lefts and inside-out offense.
The success proved to be fool’s gold. Bute lingered too long inside, allowing Alvarez to counter him with an overhand right. The punch froze Bute long enough for Alvarez to floor him with a short right hook. With Bute too dazed to continue, referee Marlon Wright waved the bout off.
As a WBC title-eliminator, the victory puts Alvarez in place to face champion Adonis Stevenson later this year. Stevenson has a voluntary defense against a yet to be determined opponent on April 29.
Insane timing by Eleider Alvarez, possibly ending the career of Bute. What a finish! #ButeAlvarez #GYM #boxe #boxing pic.twitter.com/EEq8oYzYjh
— Joel Arkin (@JArkin770) February 25, 2017
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 