Former super middleweight champion Lucian Bute has ended his boxing career.
In a press conference held in Canada earlier this week, Bute officially ended his career, saying the birth of his two children helped the former champion understand that he has nothing left to prove in the ring after having one of the longest super middleweight title reigns of the 21st century.
It was previously reported that a retirement announcement was coming this week and Bute confirmed prior reports. Bute's last fight took place in February 2017 when he was knocked out by Eleider Alvarez in the fifth round.
"It's time to turn the page. Today, here, officially, I announce you that I retire. This is forever. If I say, 'It's over,' it's over for real. One week after my fight with Eleider Alvarez, my daughter Ema was born. I took the time to think. A few months later, I did not know what to do. I had doubts. Then I saw her grow up, and I said no, I have nothing more to prove. It's better to stay healthy and take care of this little girl. Then my second (child) came and it was finished for me. I had no doubt. I knew I was not going to get into the ring one last time. It was useless to do another fight," Bute said.
The loss to Alvarez was Bute's third straight, sending his record to 1-5 since 2014 and 32-5 overall. Bute last fought for a world title in 2015 when he lost a 12-round decision to James DeGale with the IBF super middleweight title on the line.
Bute had a lengthy run as the IBF super middleweight champion, winning the title in 2017 when he stopped Alejandro Berrio in the 11th round of their fight. Bute then defended the title nine times, winning seven of those title defenses from inside the distance. Bute's world title reign ended in 2012 when he traveled to Nottingham, England and was stopped by Carl Froch.
Bute also had a highly-successful amateur career, winning the bronze medal in the 1999 World Amateur Boxing Championships and the gold medal in the 2001 Francophone Games. As a pro, Bute sports a 32-5 record with 25 knockout victories.
