Ward by 7-5 UD.. Bute could trouble Ward at points in the early fight and midway through.. But his ability to adjust, his better defense, accurate and fast punching would be too much for Bute to handle... This is an elite fighter at his peak, he is focused and confident.. Bute has not seen anything near this... Same could be argued for Bute, but i have more faith in Ward..
There is no damn way Sergio is better than Ward. I like watching Sergio fight but he is so damn overrated its pathetic.
Did you see the Green and kessler fights (certainly the Green fight)? And if you wanna be an international superstar and be concidered P4P #1 as the guy implied, you gotta show you can handle yourself outside your country nowadays. He never will be concidered the #1 P4P if he keeps fighting like he does, he would get too much stick from the non US boxfans for that.
Obviously it makes a big difference whether it's in Oakland or Montreal (or a neutral venue). Neither is stopping the other. On a level playing field I'd have to lean towards Ward to just be busier, more aggressive, and force Bute to do some of the inside work he has so little taste for.
international superstar where do you come up with this ****? How Many times has Mayweather the number 1 pfp fought overseas in his career? He is not worried about what the non US fans feel about him. He is beating the best Europeans.
Ward's biggest advantage is on the inside, IF he can take there I'd pick him by close UD, although would not rule out being downed when coming in, but he can adapt and adjust so he'd overcome that. Now if he's unable or by game plan unwilling to get inside, I say he's 50-50 at best, Bute, having the great combination of speed, power, slickness and accuracy, could keep Ward honest and economical to a close UD.
Let's think about how Wards inside work really works... that's the whole issue here. He either clamps one of his opponents arms (usually the strong one) and hits you with his free one, or pushes his opponent against the ropes and starts his work there. So I believe the place of the fight makes a even bigger difference in Ward case as any other fighter. But that's my way of looking at it.
bute has no inside game....keep thinking that and your in for an unplesent suprise. the closer you get the less visabilaty you have on coming punches and that is one of bute's weapons, close proximaty upercuts and liver punches from close quarters. he protects himself very well with his sholer in side position a bit like floyed does and rolls with punches and has a nice side step witch opens up the side body of opponent. i believe the way ward fights with his bending low and sticking his arm out to gage distance will be met by a swift upercut or and quick hook around extended arm. (only if ref permits the bending below wayst line or the stiff arm)... BUTE by KO or TKO 10th or 11th round. and once all this is done, we will understand why he was not invited in the super 6.
What's laughable about it? I pick Ward to win but Bute knocking out Ward isn't beyond the realms of possibility.
Ward W12, but I would be rooting for Bute. I love Bute and can't stand Ward. The man has little to no personality.
Of course it's not, but it's very, very unlikely. Ward is a guy who hasn't lost since he was like 13. The guy wins. He didn't win a gold medal by accident. He is the real deal. I can see him possibly losing a tight decision but him getting KTFO is very, very unlikely given his skill level.