Mean machine fought really well against Bud and I think he can match any top welter in thw world right now, would you rank M.Machine in the Top 5 at 147 right now? How was he able to drop Bud and how many other welters could have done that to Crawford?
He had really smart game plan against Bud, and used Bud's strategy to counter against himself in few first rounds. Crawford didnt expect it and had to spend some time to adjust. But thats what Bud does the best. Until Kavaliauskas' strategy was still working he caught Bud with great timing and power. Many people underrated Egis coz of his last fight against Robinson who got home based decision draw. But quickly forgot TKO vs Avanesyan or great KO vs at that time undefeated Arriaza (he will fight for IBO title next) who cut above Egis' eye in first round I think. So Egis had to finish that quickly. And he did. Mean Machine is a decent boxer with real power at 147. Top 10? No doubt. Top 5? Against Spence he would stand same puncher chance as against Bud. But against all other top welters - that would be a war. Hope he will get chances to face fighters from top 10 regularly.
If he's dropping Crawford. What would Ortiz or Ennis do to Crawford. Both would smoke Mean Machine right now.
Bud is really hard to hit without being countered, he throws more counters than any other welter and lands more too.