"we are working to get the Bute fight in Canada and it seems to me, to be honest, they don't want to fight me. If they get me on the low end, they'll take the fight. No promoter will ever tell you I'm greedy and I don't have a reputation for that. I've never been ridiculous with my prices to price myself out of a fight. They're making an unreasonable offer and it seems that this is their way out of the fight. I don't know if the promoters are confident, but I believe Bute is confident...I think Bute should talk some sense into his promoters and I know he wants the fight. Both fans and media people, and Bute also, should get on the promoter to put some real money on the table," state former light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson, who shared his thoughts to FightHype.com about reports that Lucian Bute's promotional company made him a low-ball offer to fight in Canada. Johnson was none to pleased and you don't want to miss what he had to say. Check it out!
DK: What's going on Glen? I hear Lucian Bute's people made you an offer that you are none too pleased with.
GJ: Well, we are working to get the Bute fight in Canada and it seems to me, to be honest, they don't want to fight me. If they get me on the low end, they'll take the fight. No promoter will ever tell you I'm greedy and I don't have a reputation for that. I've never been ridiculous with my prices to price myself out of a fight. They're making an unreasonable offer and it seems that this is their way out of the fight. I don't know if the promoters are confident, but I believe Bute is confident. The people want it and it would be a great fight, but we don't want to give our services for free. I'm traveling to his hometown where he's protected, so I have to go in there and basically do everything to win a fight where everything is against me winning. So at least pay me what I deserve.
DK: Absolutely. I've never heard anyone say a bad word about you Glen, and I spoke to your promoter, Leon Margules. He told me you would be willing to take a little less than half of what they offered Kelly Pavlik [$1.35 million]. Is there any truth to that?
GJ: Absolutely. I know I'm a better fighter than Pavlik and would bring a better fight to Showtime than Pavlik. Pavlik is more marketable and probably brings a bigger fan base, and I understand that, but I don't think I'm asking for an unreasonable figure.
DK: Glen, you put on a good show every time you fight and you have truly fought the best. Do you still feel a sense of disrespect?
GJ: I know how things are. I've been robbed a few times and sometimes they base a fight on popularity. I've never priced myself out with my market value, and I take the chances I need to take to be successful, but this offer is a poor one and I will not fight for that when they will sell out an arena in Canada.
DK: I know you and Lucian are friends and you spar at Thump Fight Gym together. I've heard the two of you have had some wars.
GJ: He has his good days and I have my good days. Bute knows it's a competitive fight. He's not afraid, but I think his promoters aren't as confident as they should be. If Bute can win this fight, his value goes up. If he loses, he doesn't lose anything because he hasn't been challenged by anyone at my level, so he'll grow either way. I'm the best opponent he'll have faced. Anyone who knows boxing would say the same thing.
DK: I wouldn't disagree with that statement one bit. Glen, it's always a pleasure. Anything else you want to say?
GJ: I think Bute should talk some sense into his promoters and I know he wants the fight. Both fans and media people, and Bute also, should get on the promoter to put some real money on the table and lets get this thing done. I don't care where I fight. I just go to work.
DK: Thanks Glen! Always a pleasure.
GJ: No problem, David.
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