"Mister KO" Lucian Bute Will Again Defeat Librado Andrade by Unanimous Decision

Colin LinneweberNov 27, 2009

IBF Super Middleweight champion Lucian "Mister KO" Bute will again defend his title against Mexican boxer Librado Andrade Saturday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.

Bute (24-0, 19 KOs) defeated Andrade (28-2, 21 KOs) in their initial matchup in October 2008 in a highly controversial fashion.

Bute, 29, a Romanian national who has long resided in Montreal, dominated Andrade, 31, for the majority of the fight by utilizing an effective jab that allowed him to amass a large advantage on the three judges' scorecards entering the 12th and final round.

However, Andrade demonstrated tremendous grit and determination throughout the contest, and his perseverance eventually began to tire Bute.

In the waning moments of the fight, Andrade blasted Bute with a powerful combination that forced the southpaw titlist to the canvas.

To most onlookers, there is little question that Bute would not have been able to make it to his feet in time to beat referee Marlon Wrong's count.

Unfortunately for Andrade, Wrong declared that the Mexican scrapper illegally vacated his assigned neutral corner while Bute was on the canvas, and he halted his count.

The delay enabled Bute to regain his footing, and he was literally saved by the bell.

Bute was ultimately awarded a unanimous decision victory over Andrade, and he retained his title.

"Bute was clearly out," Andrade complained at the conclusion of the contest. "It was outrageous! If this is the way to lose a fight, then this is the way I want to lose. I know I won the fight because I came with the intent to knock him out, and I did."

Andrade revealed that he will fight Bute with more urgency from the outset, and he is confident that he will score a knockout victory in their rematch tomorrow night.

"That's the plan, to start much faster this time," Andrade said. "But I know Bute will be prepared, and I have a feeling he will try to outbox me this time, that he may run and not stand with me. We are working very hard on how to deal with that if that's the case. I will break him down little by little, and this time I will not let the opportunity of getting a knockout go by."

Bute, who won a bronze medal at the World Amateur Championships in Houston in 1999, is overall a more skilled fighter than Andrade, and his southpaw stance should again fluster the Mexican pugilist.

It is imperative for Bute that he does not again prematurely expend all of his energy in their impending second encounter.

If Bute becomes exhausted, Andrade will inevitably capitalize on his fatigue, and it is evident that he has the power to smack "Mister KO" to queer street.

Still, expect Bute to be energized once more fighting in front of his supporters this weekend.

Bute will likely again outbox Andrade and better reserve his stamina for the later rounds on this occasion.

"Mister KO" will not knock out Andrade.

But Bute will emerge victorious and earn another decision victory over Andrade to maintain his unblemished record as a professional in the ring.