Isaac Ekpo calls out Lucian Bute

Former world title challenger, Isaac ‘Grenade’ Ekpo is confident he is ready to have another crack at a championship and is eyeing an immediate date against Romanian-born Lucian Bute.

The Nigerian fighter has racked up seven straight victories since his WBO Super Middleweight world title loss to Robert Stieglitz in Germany in October 2013, winning the Commonwealth title as well as regaining the WBO Africa crown he previously vacated.

Ekpo believes he is ready to challenge for a world title once again. Ranked number 11 by the WBA and seventh by the WBO, the hard-hitting slugger is negotiating with former WBA champion Vincent Feingenbutz, who recently lost his strap to Giovanni De Carolis.

In the meantime, Ekpo is calling out top ranked super middleweights Callum Smith, George Groves, Martin Murray, Lucian Bute, of course, as well as the new WBA champ, De Carolis.

“These big names should stand up and fight me,” Ekpo said during an interview in his hometown Accra. “I am in my prime and winning fights so I know I will definitely land a big fight and I am ready for any of these guys.”

On WBC champion and Mayweather Promotions fighter Badou Jack, Ekpo says he wants to conquer the European fighters before taking on the likes of Jack and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on the world stage.

“The fight I’m interested in now is to face Lucian Bute, said a confident Ekpo. “He is my preferred choice for now but challenging for the world title again is my ultimate target.”