Lucian Bute and Librado Andrade meet this Saturday on HBO in a rematch of their thrilling super middleweight bout, won by Bute in October of last year. The action begins at 10 pm ET and also includes an undercard bout pitting Joan Guzman against Ali Funeka for the IBF Lightweight title.
Lucian Bute vs. Librado Andrade
IBF Super Middleweight Title
Bute earned the unanimous decision in his previous fight with Andrade, but it wasn’t without some drama. Bute was in control of the fight and even knocked Andrade down in the 10th. Not willing to coast to a win on points, Bute stepped on the gas even more in the final round as he went for the KO. Andrade surprised Bute with less than ten seconds to go in the round and sent him to the canvas. Bute beat the count, although Andrade’s team argued that he was given a long count, and went on to get the decision.
Things may not be so dramatic this time and one would think Bute has learned from this mistake. Expect Bute to put in a more workman-like performance. Andrade knows he has the power to put Bute down, however, and should make a more concerted effort to do so before the final round. The good news for fight fans is that their first fight contained good action before the dramatic final round.
Joan Guzman vs. Ali Funeka
IBF Lightweight Title
Joan Guzman flashed those “must see” moments as a fighter a few years ago but he has been on a rocky road ever since. Complications making weight led to him canceling a fight with Nate Campbell and losing the buzz he had created. He gets the opportunity to make a second, and hopefully better, impression this Saturday against Ali Funeka. Guzman still sports an unblemished record and it will be interesting to see if he fights with the same intensity he had when he was climbing the ranks. Funeka would score the biggest win of his career if he were to come out with a lightweight title. This matchup is an excellent compliment to the main event and makes for a fun doubleheader.
