By Luke Furman

Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada - Lucian Bute (31-2, 24KOs) was unable to let his hands go for much of his contest with Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17KOs) - but in the twelfth and final round he finally started throwing and had Pascal in some trouble. But it was too late, as Pascal won on scores of 116-112, 118-110, 117-111.

"Jean Pascal was better than me tonight. He deserved the victory. I want to give respect for his performance. I'm wondering myself, I do not know why I did not let my hands go earlier in the fight. I'm disappointed. I was hesitant at first. He surprised me a few times with his attacks. Other times I was waiting [for the right time to strike] and while I was doing this he was winning the rounds," Bute said.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org