With Wards departure at 168, who's the best SMW in the World?

James DeGale is probably the best, but Arthur Abraham is rightfully rated #1.

Right now, it is:

1. Arthur Abraham
2. James DeGale

DeGale needs to beat the king in order to be #1.

 

yeah sure.

 

I think that high guard, walk forward and not throw punches style of Abraham would be target practice for DeGale.
Abe can still punch, but I don't think he would be able to land what he needs to on DeGale.

 

Why is this thread still active??? It's easily Degale at the moment.

 

If Bute manages to regain more confidence, Degale will have a tough night on November the 28th.

Degale is not so good. Dirrell has been shot for years now. I don't consider that as a good win. Degale's resume is pretty weak when you put Dirrell aside.

I think the division is wide open. Fights have to be made to know who is the best man.

 

Kessler comeback to regain the throne!!

 

Well, yeah, but who would you pick if they were to meet?

It does go to show how much the division has slipped in the past 3 or 4 years. While historically it has not been a strong division, young as it is, it went from its most loaded(Kessler, Froch, AA, Ward, Bute) to very weak in short time.

 

Yes and no. AA is rightfully rated #1 by default. But I could see Degale should he beat Bute, and if he meets and beats Jack, leapfrogging AA.

 

none of these guys are, you need to earn the right.

AA has the most accomplishments at mo at the weight, although there may well be some horrible ottke-like fakery at work in his resume.

 

Right now? Maybe Dirrell. In 2 years, Chudinov.

 

I thought it was better a few years previously when you had undefeated wbo champ calzaghe undefeated wba champ kessler undefeated ibf champ lacy 3 time wbc champ beyer with mundine around a several other good smws

 

Calzaghe and Kessler were class, the rest are below the others from the group from 3 or 4 years ago. AA vs Lacy would be a pick em fight, the rest I'd go with the group from 3 or 4 years ago.

Either wat, it is weaker now than either of those points in time.

 

Which Dirrell? The one that lost to Jack or the one that lost to DeGale?

 

Everyone is picking DeGale (including me) because of his recent victories, but I think Ramirez has the most potential of them all.

He matches up well against anyone and if he keep progressing at this rate, he could rule 168 in a couple years.