Lucian Bute Calls Badou Jack Bout ‘Most Important Fight of My Life’

Lucian Bute was once at the pinnacle of the super middleweight division – or at least pretty close to it.

The Romanian burst into the pro ranks after a terrific amateur career and won his first 30 bouts, with only six foes able to survive until the final bell.There were talks of “Le Tombeur” unifying his titles against the other elite at 168 pounds, but his ascent was cut short by British buzz saw Carl Froch in 2012, losing his IBF title in the process. After bouncing back with a win over Denis Grachev, the Quebec resident dropped a lopsided decision to Jean Pascal.

Again, Bute had to climb out of the proverbial hole and was triumphant against Andrea Di Luisa almost 18 months later. Some pundits were skeptical as to whether Lucian would ever return to his former glory and when he came up short against James DeGale for his old IBF title in November, the boxing world collectively seemed to turned its back on him. Now that he’s fighting the younger Badou Jack on Saturday, not many people are giving him a chance to win.

“I had some physical and psychological issues going on during that time (of the losses),” Bute told Sherdog.com in a recent interview. “I wasn’t myself. But I got past those obstacles and I’ve been so focused on this fight. I want to prove to everybody who doesn’t believe in me that they are wrong. I haven’t felt this good in a long time.”

If he is to conquer Jack (20-1-1, 12 KOs), a Swede now living in Las Vegas, he’ll have to be on his A-game. Jack won the WBC super middleweight crown by edging Anthony Dirrell via majority decision and then successfully defended it against George Groves with a split nod. While Bute acknowledges the skill and talent of his foe, he knows he can beat him.

“He’s very good. He has a nice, quick jab and he moves well,” he stated. “I think this will be a great for both of us but I think I have what it takes to beat him. He had a good amateur background and he won a world title but he doesn’t do anything exceptionally well. I think I am faster and I’m a southpaw. I think he’s only fought one southpaw [in the pros] so I think I have the advantages.”

Some fickle boxing writers have shown their displeasure for Jack and how he hasn’t been obliterating his competition, with his two razor-thin margins of victory in his last two bouts. Bute scoffs at the notion, citing that “The Ripper” has been fighting elite opposition.

“Well, you can’t always get the knockout,” he reasoned. “He was knocked out a few years ago by [Derek] Edwards but Badou bounced back with some wins and won the world title. It’s not always how you win but that you win. He beat a great fighter in [Anthony] Dirrell and then he defended his title against George Groves. I think those wins show how great of a fighter he is.”

Some expect the younger Jack will box circles around Bute, who is 36 years old. However, experience is on Bute’s side. Though he acknowledges his somewhat advanced age for a prizefighter, he says he hasn’t felt this good since when he was the champ.

“I am older but I don’t think that will be a big deal,” he said. “He is younger but he doesn’t have the kind of experience that I have. And he’s 32, so it’s not like he that much younger [than me]. I have fought much better competition and was already a world champion. I’ve been on the biggest stages and he hasn’t been there as much as me. I have no pressure going in because I am the underdog. I’ve trained very hard for this fight and I intend on stopping Badou Jack to become a two-time champion.”

But feeling good and fighting great are two different things. Bute (32-3, 25 KOs) knows he can ill-afford to slip up against Badou and that time is indeed running out on the hourglass of his career. He has a golden opportunity to win another world title and if he is triumphant, it’ll open up an incredible second chapter to his career.

“I have to win this,” he declared. “I know I can win. This is the most important fight of my life because of all that has happened those past three years. I know what is at stake against Badou and I know I have to win this. I want to win another world title and this might be my last chance. I have to win and I will.”