MONTREAL (AP) — Boxing champion Lucian Bute has become a Canadian citizen.
The 32-year-old fighter from Romania was sworn in along with 30 other new Canadians before a citizenship judge in a ceremony Monday at an elementary school gym. He has been a permanent resident since 2007.
Bute moved to Canada in 2003 to begin his professional career. The left-hander has won all 30 of his pro fights. He won the IBF super-middleweight title in 2007. He will be making his 10th title defense May 26 when he fights Carl Froch in Nottingham, England.
Bute and his fellow new Canadians recited the citizenship oath and sang “O Canada” before friends and a media throng. And then his plans included something typically Canadian — flying to Florida.
