Badou Jack vs. Lucian Bute: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info
Badou Jack (20-1-1, 12 KO) will defend his WBC super middleweight title on Saturday against former champion Lucian Bute (32-3, 25 KO) at the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C.
Jack will be making his second defense of the title, and it will be Bute's second straight chance to win a share of the 168-pound title. He held the IBF title from 2007 to 2012 before losing it to Carl Froch via fifth-round technical knockout.
Here's how you can watch Bute vs. Jack:
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When: Saturday, April 30, at 10 p.m. ET
Where: D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C.
TV: Showtime
Live Stream: Showtime Anytime
Last Time Out
Jack Breaks Down Groves
The 32-year-old from Stockholm, Sweden, has made a habit of gutting out fights. He did it when he won a majority decision over Anthony Dirrell to earn the title in April 2015 and again in his first defense against George Groves last September.
Jack dropped Groves in the first round and then withstood a hard charge from the Englishman to earn the split-decision victory.
Jack's chin, body work and top-level counterpunching earned him the win, and those skills could play a role in his fight with Bute.
Bute Outfought by DeGale
After Bute lost his title to Froch, he fought just once from June 2012 to January 2014. When he returned to the ring that year, he lost a unanimous decision to Jean Pascal at light heavyweight. Bute would return to the 168-pound division with a fourth-round TKO over Andrea Di Luisa last August.
In November, Bute came up short in a hard-fought bout against James "Chunky" DeGale. DeGale won via unanimous decision, but Bute at least gave a decent account of himself.
He showed more toughness than we'd seen from him in his career. The heart he displayed in that fight helped to keep him relevant and passable as a title contender. DeGale will defend his IBF title on the same card against Rogelio Medina.
It's feasible to imagine the winner of Jack-Bute facing the winner of DeGale-Medina to unify the 168-pound titles.
Prediction
Despite the fact Bute (36) is four years Jack's (32) elder, the champion believes he's in for a tough fight.
Per Lem Satterfield of Premier Boxing Champions, Jack said: “This is the toughest fight of my life. I’m a little bit younger and a little bit fresher, but he’s got a lot of experience, and I think he’ll bring out the best in me.”
At his best, Bute is a crafty fighter who goes to the body well. His left hook to the midsection has proved to be a strong weapon for him throughout his career. Jack will have to be on guard for that shot in this fight.
Bute isn't as quick as he once was, and it doesn't appear as though his punches carry the same snap. That will be a problem against a fighter like Jack.
The champion is at his best when he's in pursuit, closing space and countering off his opponent's attempts to maintain distance. In this fight, Jack will wear Bute down with his own body shots and hard counters.
Jack should retain his title. While a stoppage isn't part of this prediction, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jack force the hand of Bute's corner to throw in the towel.
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