by Richard Cloutier

 

InterBox has confirmed the finalization of a world championship fight in Romania on July 9, involving the IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute (28-0). "It's a dream come true. Romanians have been behind me since the beginning of my career and I wanted to share the excitement of a world title fight with them. I felt their support from afar, but on July 9 they will be very close to me to encourage me! "

Lucian Bute, who already delivered a professional fight in his backyard on April 21, 2005, will be defending his world title against his mandatory, French boxer Jean Paul Mendy (29-0-1).

Mendy, 37, an Olympian (Atlanta 1996) and former champion of France, was especially known on the world stage by getting a draw against American fighter Anthony Hanshaw, as the co-winner of a tournament on "ShoBox: the New Generation." He subsequently became the IBF International champion and beat Jason Naugler and also, Sakio Bika, who was disqualified. If you recall, a different contract related to the management of Mendy had previously threatened to stop the fight with Bute.

Bute vs Mendy will take place at Romexpo Bucharest. The broadcast is excluded from the agreement between Bute and American network Showtime.