IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute made a statement moments ago in Quebec, Canada with a crippling body shot stoppage over the ultra durable Librado Andrade. It was a fight and a punch that put the world on notice that not all the best super middleweights are currently involved in the “Super Six” tournament. After dominating nearly every round of their first encounter before being dropped late in Round 12, Bute was a man on a mission in the rematch and came out quickly at the opening bell. Much like their first fight, Bute’s quicker hands and sharper punches gave him an edge in the early rounds. Andrade was relentless, but Bute’s superior work rate and accuracy won him the first three rounds as far as points were concerned.
In the middle of Round 4 Bute rocked Andrade with a short left hand the normally durable challenger did not see coming. The courageous Mexican went down hard but beat the count. Just as it looked like he had his wits back, Bute caught Andrade with a sudden and unexpected left to the liver that folded him in half. Andrade sunk to the canvas in serious pain and was subsequently counted out. The official time was 2:57 of Round 4. It was an emphatic knockout for Bute who roared to the frenzied crowd like a beast after landing the punch. With one single blow Bute erased the questions their first encounter brought about and underlined his status as one of the very best super middleweights in the world.
“That was the plan to perfection,” an elated Bute told HBO post fight. “We planned to bring a few surprises and that (body shot) was one of them. I am the best super middleweight in the world!”
Bute retained his IBF super middleweight title with the victory and improved to 25-0 (20 KOs).
