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IBF Champ Lucian Bute: Snubbed by
Showtime? Photo: casino-magazine.ro
Pavlik, Bute, and Pascal shut out! Say it ain't so!
Showtime Network may have pulled off the impossible. They have put together a round robin tournament of what they consider the six best 168 pounders in the world by negotiating with several promoters at the same time that don't like each other.
This story was broken by Rick Reeno of boxingscene.com
Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch, Mikkel Kessler, Andre Ward, Andre Dirrell, and Jermain Taylor all plan to be at a press conference Monday at Madison Square Garden
No Don King and no Bob Arum. We are looking at promoters Dan Goossen, Gary Shaw, Mick Hennessey, Lou DiBella and Sauerland Event. But, plenty of feuding and chaos behind the scenes is apparent.
IBF Super Middleweight Champ Lucian Bute has been left out, as has WBC Light Heavy Champ Jean Pascal. Apparently there was some miscommunication between Showtime and agent / matchmaker Don Majeski, who represents the two Montreal-based champs.
"We were never presented a proposal from Showtime. Bute would have happily entered the tournament," said Majeski. "How is Jermain Taylor in? He has lost three of his last four. What have Dirrell or Ward ever done?
"Bute will fight his mandatory against Librado Andrade and then he and Pascal will fight any and everyone in the tournament," said Majeski.
Sources close to the scene say Bute turned down the Showtime offer because he didn't like the round robin format.
This will get even more interesting. You have to like what Showtime is attempting.
The way most lawsuits are settled in boxing is that the odd man or men out just get in line and get first crack at the winner. In fact, you have to figure one or two will drop out because of injury and be unable to advance.
Hopefully Monday's presser will answer more questions than it raises.
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