Lucian Bute
Photo by Herby Whyne
Yes, this is a stretch because Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. made it clear after his win over Marcos Reyes that he was more interested in campaigning at 168, but there’s a difference between what Jr. says and what Jr. does.
It’s very possible that Chavez could get a point where he realizes that he isn’t a Super Middleweight, never will be, and starts looking for a respectable and winnable fight at Light Heavyweight.
Lucian Bute hasn’t fought since he was outclassed by Jean Pascal in Montreal back in January 2014, he’s signed with Al Haymon now, and has a comeback fight scheduled against Andrea Di Luisa in Montreal on August 15, 2015, a fight Bute should win.
Looking at Haymon’s stable of Light Heavyweights, Bute makes more sense than throwing Chavez in with Adonis Stevenson or against the up-and-coming monster Artur Beterbiev, both would surely batter him into early retirement.
But a fight with Bute is interesting, it’s a good crossroads fight pitting two boxers who both have a strong following and who are very popular amongst their genre of fight-fans.
The winner you would assume would be first in line to take on Stevenson for his lineal and WBC Light Heavyweight title.
If it’s Bute, just imagine the scene in Montreal, and if Chavez could manage a win over a name like Lucian Bute, that might just be enough to rally the Mexican fan base around a big showdown between Stevenson and Chavez in Texas or Las Vegas.
Who do you think Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. should fight next? Please feel free to discuss in our comments section below.
