Photo by Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions
Lucian Bute (32-2, 25 KOs) made a successful return to the ring today with a fourth-round knockout victory over Andrea Di Luisa (17-3, 13 KOs) at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.
The scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight fight was the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card that was televised on NBCSN in the U.S.
Bute, 35, took a few rounds to really find his rhythm, but nevertheless landed his left hand early in the fight.
The Romanian fighter was coming off a decision loss against Jean Pascal–one in which he looked a bit gunshy.
Tonight it seemed that Bute was trying to do away with his tentativeness, though it was against a fighter he was who was far from being a top-ten contender.
Bute KOs Di Luisa in Round 4. Here's the left hand that started the stoppage. #PBConNBCSN pic.twitter.com/Fq9ubtNvDb
— RoundByRoundBoxing (@RBRBoxing) August 16, 2015
In Round 4, Bute landed as solid left hand that seriously hurt Di Luisa.
The Italian 33-year-old got back to his feet, but only to be pummeled with another combination, which prompted De Luisa’s corner to throw in the towel.
In the co-main event, Eleider Alvarez (17-0, 10 KOs) scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Isidro Prieto (24-0-3, 20 KOs) in a 12-round Light Heavyweight fight.
All judges scored the fight 117-111, 117-111 and 117-111 for Alvarez, but don’t let the scorecards fool you.
Alvarez had a tough night and was even hurt in Round 6, a round in which Prieto’s awkward style allowed him to land several bombs on Alvarez.
However, ALvarez remains undefeated, and the 31-year-old Colombian remains undefeated.
As for Bute, what do you think is next?
Bute fought tonight at 170 pounds, but he will likely move back down to Super Middleweight. Does he stand a chance against top-ten 168-pounders?
