A, B, C, D, F? And of course the -/+ addition. If Pavlik is a solid B and Taylor is a B-, where does Lucian Bute fall? I pick C+.:good
C+ yet I know you picked Bute to beat both Pavlik and Taylor the other day. :huh Is this C+ based on accomplishments ?
if you are saying pavlik is a B as a criteria i would put bute at the same talent level B in fact bute has more variation and is a little faster but pavlik has the more proven resume. but 2 fighters i enjoy watching, bringing passion/commitment and both fans favourites. long may they both reign.
Ok... But I'm with Sean. Bute is definately better then a C+, espacially if you rate by category. Bute is definately top 5 at SMW, so I would have to say A-. (Joe C being A+ and Kessler being A)
God damn it Amsterdam, you would think the middle B was just a B, not a B+. I would say he is a B level fighter. :good
No, we rate on the rigorous scale. Joe is an A currently at 36, not a +, Kessler is an A- and Bute is 2 levels below Kessler in a bad way.
Joe C as an A+ is a bit of a stretch, as too is Kessler at a straight up A. That's not to down grade them at all... But Floyd would be the only one close to an A+ today, and that is arguable in itself. Roy in his prime was an A+. B Hop, for me, only an "A" (not that that's bad). ... Maybe I just have a higher standard :huh
Bute is a too-soon-to-tell, IMHO. I kind of look at him as a Paul Williams (pre-Quintana) for lack of a better example. Someone who could become a major player in multiple divisions or just not make the mark. Let him fight Kessler, Pavlik, Miranda or Taylor and you'll have a much more accurate picture.
How so? The only thing A level he has is his chin. Speed is just good, offensive skill is just good, but he's way too tenative. Defence is subpar, stamina is workable, power is average, mentality is average and his foot movement is crude. Sorry, doesn't sound like a P4P quality A level to me and he's already in his late 20's.