Bute-Johnson didn’t deliver on thrills, but Lucian Bute, 30-0 (24) cemented his status as one of the sport’s rising forces with a near-shutout unanimous decision over Glen Johnson, 54-16-2 (36).
Naysayers would be within reason to point to Johnson’s apparently-depreciated form in this bout. He was off-balance at times, while appearing dried-up and creaky. He didn’t take punches as unflinchingly as in the past.
But in acknowledging the clearest loss of Johnson’s career, or at least since he became a force following a KO of Roy Jones, we must praise his conqueror. Bute unleashed all the punches in his arsenal, slamming Johnson with straight lefts, right hooks, and uppercuts from the southpaw stance.
Round after round, Johnson was reduced to jabbing and the occasional right hand–neither of which sufficiently menaced Bute. As always, Johnson was resolute in absorbing taxing punishment all the way to the final bell. But whereas he was at least competitive with every big-name fighter he has fought from 168-175, he got nowhere with Bute.
A great performance by Bute. It further positions him as the obvious opponent for next month’s Super Six final between Andre Ward and Carl Froch.
On the undercard, Pier-Olivier Cote scored an electrifying 2nd-round stoppage of Jorge Luis Teron. Cote, 18-0 (12) served notice that he is a prospect to watch at 140 pounds.
