when will ward step up

Bute hadnt fought at the the very top but had at the time had won more fights against top 10 rated SMWs, made more defences had, looked better against common opposition and was considered the biggest threat and toughest challenge. Alot of the hype was also due to having an 0, im sure of that.
I think 2 fighters trying not to lose their 0 brings a bit more out in them, but i guess that is open for debate

How was SMW seen as a deep division?
At the time there was Kessler who had been beaten by an old retired champ at the end of his career, and Froch who hadnt beaten a proven top 10 SMW. Pascal wasnt a top SMW and Taylor wasnt who was also on a run of 1-2 going in against Froch.
The division was weaker than it had been for a while and was left void with the previous chanmp not beaten but having moved up and retired.
Look at the S6 going in, there was faded, rusty, unwell Kessler who was and still is Wards best win and that faded version of Kessler beat Froch.
Abraham had no SMW pedigree, neither did Taylor and Froch hadnt at that time beaten a top SMW or SMW champ who was still prime.
The current top 10 is very weak with many unproven SMWs.

Here is an example to say how the division has dipped -
In order for Froch to fight Ward, he had to fight, old faded, drop back in weight G Johnson, who Froch beat by Mdec.
In order for Sheika to fight Calzaghe, he had to fight, prime SMW Johnson, who Sheika beat in a close fight.