by Richard Cloutier

Before facing IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, former champion Mikkel Kessler could face Renan St-Juste in June. A huge crowd, with hundred of fans came to Place Versailles to watch the open workouts for InterBox's big event on Saturday. The Irishman Brian Magee (34-3-1) was first introduced into the ring to take part in the exercise. He invited a few people from the crowd to climb into the ring with him and even to hit the heavybag.

 

Magee certainly seems to have some peace of mind as he did his homework. In the briefing, he also didn't forget to remember that he had the opportunity to face the WBA champion, but he chose instead to face Bute. "I do not care what people say. I came to beat him and I will offer the performance of my life," he said.

Contrasting with the benefit of his future opponent, Bute (27-0-0) for his part, pushed the machine a little harder, to the delight of spectators. "It's only the third lefty that I faced as a pro, and it goes way back," said Lucian Bute in speaking of the challenge that awaits him. He is the European champion and fought in the Olympics. I do not see how people can predict that he will be easy to overcome. "

 

For its part, the trainer Stephan Larouche added - "When a boxer is facing a lefty, we talk about a completely different dynamic. We can not find the usual strategic points because the battle is completely different. The fact remains that Lucian Bute has prepared very carefully for a duel that will be his first since signing a lucrative contract with Showtime."

Alongside this training, Netbox/BoxingScene.com pursued to secure more information about the anticipated presence in Montreal of Danish boxer Mikkel Kessler. President InterBox Jean Bedard did not hesitate to confirm that the Viking Warrior will happen to be in the city on Friday in anticipation of the Bute-Magee event at the Bell Centre.

"He came to Montreal at the invitation of Showtime. We we're happy to see him and that's what makes a boxing event like the one on Saturday. You have a guy from Denmark, his promoter comes from Germany, then the guy from Showtime, and then we are in Montreal. It's rare that you can make a world meeting like this come together. So a big boxing match is the ideal opportunity to meet. They are coming here for two reasons. As I understand it, and I'll know more on Saturday, that they would like to have a comeback fight. Kessler was injured and he wants a fight before his eventual battle against Lucian. Renan St-Juste would be a very interesting opponent for everybody."

Mikkel Kessler, however, may not have the opportunity to observe St. Just in action. Just announced, the duel between the champion NABO super middleweight Renan St-Juste (22-2) and former world champion Alejandro Berrio (32-5-0), the support of the event on March 19, could be canceled.

"Yes, we are discussing a fight between Kessler and Renan, but first we must see whether or not he will be able to have his fight against Berrio on Saturday. We were told by his manager, Hugh Jean-Claude, that Renan has laryngitis. He is still on antibiotics, and this morning he was still with a fever. We want to speak with the nutritionist to see what could be done to give him some energy. Renan did not put on his gloves since last Tuesday. He remained at home in bed. But this morning, he had five rounds of training, but he no longer felt his legs. He still wants to fight, because he trained intensively for three months."

"In addition, we have to look at the three changes in his opponent with Miranda, Zuniga and Berrio. And in the case of Berrio, we are really talking about a boxer in a class by himself. We will now wait for a few days to see how things evolve, and a decision will be taken. You can not make a mistake, because it is two fights at stake, the winner of Steiglitz and Sartison, who face each other on April 9. And then there is Kessler, he is interested in Renan for June in Denmark. "