Kovalev in a year or so is the only guy from 168-175 who has the tools to really make a fight out of it, in my opinion. Bernard Hopkins, too, if he can hold off Father Time another 10-15 years and cherry-pick a past-his-prime or shot Ward.
At the time it would have been. Bute was heavily favoured over Froch, don't forget. Ward missed a golden opportunity.