BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Lucian Bute of Canada retained his IBF super middleweight title Saturday by knocking out Jean-Paul Mendy of France in the fourth round at the Romexpo.
Romanian-born Bute’s left jab sent Mendy flying face down to the canvas, where the Frenchman was counted out by referee Marlon Wright at 2:48 in the fourth.
Bute (29-0) dominated the fight between the southpaws, handing Mendy (29-1-1) his first loss.
It was Bute’s eighth defense of the title he won in 2007, but the first time he fought in Romania since 2005.
Bute said he is “proud I made Romania happy.”
