Bute versus one of the Dirrell brothers being considered

RingTV.com has learned that serious talks are ongoing for a super middleweight clash between IBF titleholder Lucian Bute and either of the Dirrell brothers, Andre or Anthony, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

The 31-year-old Bute (29-0, 24 knockouts) has scored six straight knockouts and was being considered for a November bout against Kelly Pavlik until the latter decided against it over a disagreement about the money being offered.

"There's talk of Lucian Bute fighting either Andre Dirrell or possibly Anthony Dirrell," said the  source. "Both sides are considering it and going back and forth right now."

Leon Lawson Jr., the uncle and co-trainer of the Dirrells and President of Team Dirrell Promotions, would neither confirm nor deny that talks are taking place between the camps.

Lawson, however, did offer his opinion of Bute.

"For Bute to be considered a credible champion, he would have to come to the states and fight some credible opposition," said Lawson. "But he's spent a lot of time in Canada beating up on chumps, so right now, it stands that he's just a world chumpian."

Anthony Dirrell (23-0, 20 KOs) is coming off of last month's second-round stoppage of Kevin Engel, which was the 26-year-old's eighth straight knockout win, his second fight within a 20-day period and his fifth ring appearance within a 10-month stretch.

A former Olympic bronze medalist, the 27-year-old Andre Dirrell (19-1, 13 KOs) was last in the ring against Arthur Abraham in March of last year. That bout ended in controversy when Abraham punched Dirrell, who was far ahead on the cards, while he was down in the 11th round and was disqualified.

Andre Dirrell would take a tune up fight and would not face Bute until early next year, according to the source. Anthony Dirrell, meanwhile, could meet Bute in the fall.