How are your preparations for Lucien Bute on Saturday?
Iโm always trained by Jim McDonnell. [Lucien Bute] is a tall southpaw. Heโs got weird movement. Weโve been working on that in the gym. Heโs got a good left hand. He likes to box at his own pace, if you give him his own space thatโs when heโs good. But stick him on his toes, close the gap quick, he donโt like it. All of his fights, look at [Carl] Froch exposed him, heโs still a good fighter, a very good fighter, but it shows you how to beat him. [Against Librado] Andrade you got little glimpses of him under pressure and he didnโt really like it. Even against [Jean] Pascal, he got outboxed really by Pascal for the first 10 rounds.
He says heโs injury free and whatever โ Iโm too young, Iโm too fresh, Iโve just come off the best win of my career [against Andre Dirrell to win the IBF super-middleweight crown], winning a world title and making history. Iโm confident, Iโve chosen to go to Canada. It just shows you how confident I am and how winning the world title, making history, itโs made me a different fighter. Jim says it makes you a different fighter, it makes you a better fighter.
Were you nervous during the Dirrell fight?
It was a bit nerve-wracking then. But if you listen to the American commentary, Sugar Ray Leonard, he was giving me ratings I couldnโt believe it and, if you listen, they said James DeGale finished stronger, he wants it more. After six they had me up. Itโs only seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, I did let him in…ย I think Al Haymonโs PBC shows are fair.
Do you feel like you need to stop Bute?
I need to stop him. If I win a points victory, people are going to go, โCarl Froch stopped him.’ Heโs been stopped. If I donโt stop him and look good itโs going to be a bit like a loss, because people are going to expect it. Really, I donโt have to take this. Heโs had a right touch, hasnโt he? Because Iโm giving him the chance. I didnโt have to do this for him. Itโs only because I think itโs a good name on paper, he was world champion for a long time.
Iโm going over to Canada.ย Heโs never been stopped in Canada. Heโs only lost once [there] to Pascal but heโs never lost in Quebec. I keep watching that Froch fight and I watch his last fight, he didnโt look too good. He doesnโt throw too many punches, if you give him space, he looks alright, he looks good and if I do that I will let him into the fight. Iโm not going to do that. Iโm going to start fast and throw a lot of shots. But be clever with it. I canโt be stupid and wild. Iโll do it intelligently.