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Northern Ireland’s Brian Magee looks ahead to challenging Lucian Bute for the IBF super-middleweight title in Montreal on 19 March
Brian Magee is relishing the opportunity of facing unbeaten IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute in Montreal on Saturday.
Magee, 35, will take on the formidable Romanian in his adopted home city and it will be the Belfast man’s first fight outside of Europe.
Bute, 33, has a 100% record, with 22 of his 27 wins coming by knockout, while Magee has lost three of 38 pro bouts.
With strong local support, Bute has not fought outside of Canada in five years.
“Fighting for a world title in front of a huge television audience is something I’ve always dreamed of,” said Magee, who made the first defence of his European title in September, stopping Armenian Roman Aramian at Dublin’s National Stadium.
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There will be a lot of Irish celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Montreal and I want to extend those celebrations by a few days |
“It’s a big achievement to land a shot at one of the best fighters in the world and the very best in this weight division – I’m relishing the chance to get in there and fight for the belt.”
Magee concedes that Bute will be the toughest opponent he has ever faced and wants to “grab his chance with both hands”.
“You couldn’t get a bigger fight than this and I know it’s a big ask but I’m confident I can win,” he said.
“I fought for the European title and pulled that one off, and I’m enjoying training again. It’s not often you get a chance to lift a world title.
“I hear that there will be a lot of Irish celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Montreal and I want to extend those celebrations by a few days.”
Magee’s coach Pat Magee (no relation) added that a victory over the Romanian would “set my fighter up for life”.
“The fight is going out coast to coast across the United States and Canada – Brian has fought his way back up again and he could really make his name here.”
Meanwhile, Bute refused to be diverted by talk of him fighting the winner of the Super Six super-middleweight tournament, which involves Nottingham’s Carl Froch.
He said: “I’m really concentrated on Brian Magee. I really haven’t had time to think of anyone else.
“Once I sign a contract, I concentrate on my opponent and prepare two months in advance. I plan to win every minute of every round. If the knockout comes, it comes.
“But that’s not what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to win fights and so far I’ve been successful and that’s what I will do again on Saturday night.”
More here:
Magee out to take belt from Bute