Is Bute clearly the best at 168?

Bute is unproven against top opposition. Froch, Ward and to a lesser degree Kessler hold superior wins so in my book should be ranked higher. Even a decent win against Mirrander should not improve this situation too much.

 

Bute must fight Pavlik, Dawson, or Pascal after Miranda or else he'll be largely irrelevant for the next year or so.

 

I would say Bute is the best. But he must fight the supersix winner to prove it.

 

Clearly the best? Not a chance.

People not so long ago were discrediting Kessler by saying his best win was over a "punching bag" in Andrade. Bute beats him and suddenly he's the best?

Ward is the #1 for me. Although Bute is a better boxer than Froch, I would rank Froch above him. Beating Pascal, Taylor and Dirrell easily over-shadows anything Bute has done. Dirrell beating Abraham is better than any Bute victory.

 

Surely by that rational you should rank Froch over Ward since Ward only holds one decent win over Kessler?

 

so true ... but when it comes to love nothin' is rational anymore:rofl

 

You just said Miranda would be a decent win for Bute. Ward beat him.

 

Ward beat the man, Ward is no1

 

no1= no one ?

 

Nope, of course not. He's up there but he not the best, and he has nothing on his record yet to argue otherwise.

 

I rank Ward #1 because he emphatically defeated Kessler who, at the time, was the top fighter in the division.

I would rank Froch above Bute because his victories over Pascal, Taylor and Dirrell are far superior to anything Bute has done.

I rank Bute over Dirrell at the moment. I said his win over AA is better than any single Bute victory to illustrate that, despite his talent, Bute hasn't done very much. Certainly not enough to be ranked as the divisions best fighter.

 

Bute easy

 

I said the exact opposite I said a win against Mirrander would not change anything. Read my post!!!

 

I agree with the rest but I didn't feel there was a 'man' at SMW so Ward just hold one decent win for me. People will say I'm bias but based on his last three fights I find it hard to justify anyone bar Froch being at 1.

 

based solely on his body of work, both who he fought and how he did he isnt quite there yet. he did drop zuniga and andrade w/ body shots which is very impressive. both are very tough men.

you could argue he has the most upside based on what you've seen so far. i'm not saying i'm convinced he does but you could certainly make the argument. pretty subjective though.