If you feel you can, justify a top 3 ranking for Bute.

Isn't any argument really. Its kessler, froch, ward any day of the week. I think froch is the only one style wise he could be close against- I see him losing to the others as well as Hopkins if they fought

 

I think Dirrell out boxes him to be honest. It's all about levels, he hasn't beat anyone of the calibre of the s6 fighters, therefore he shouldn't be considered a top 3 SMW.

Ward
Froch
Kessler
Bute
Dirrell (even tho I think he beats Bute)

 

I think the Ring have him ranked at number 2.

 

He is definitly one of the best 4 in the World.

O.k. he hasn't fought any of the big names as Ward, Kessler and Froch have done but he is still doing what he should be doing against inferior opposition if he is to be regarded as their peer.

Its his lack of a win against a big name which means he can't be considered number one and, of course, all of the above have one on their CV.

 

Will do we include Kessler & Dirrell?

 

He is certainly one of the top 3 Romanian/Canadian boxers above middle weight that I can think of right now.

 

Dirrell, no.

Kessler, yes. His win against Froch means that he is definitly top 3...

I think Bute should be ranked 4th.

 

If you include Kessler & Dirrell he is 5th
If you include Kessler or Dirrell he is 4th
Without them he is 3rd and its no difficult to justify that.

 

Dirrell only has one decent win on his CV and that was a DQ...

I think Dirrell actually beats Bute by the way... but, for the moment, should be ranked 5th.

 

Dirrels DQ win (where he was well on his way to winning) and his SD loss/robbery agaisnt Froch is far better than anything Bute has done.

 

Bute looks a lot worse than he is. Bit like Eubank in that sense. He still has his 100% record and no one else has shown better power at world level. When his body shots land they leave a mark. Not contraversial to have him top 3 imo.

 

of course if you include Kessler he is not top 3. even a romanian/canadian couldnt dispute that.