Comments Thread For: Ward Rules at 168: Weekend Review and Ratings Update

[Allucard]

Who is more "deserving" at 168 and actually ready to fight Ward right now other then Bute?

He is Wards biggest threat people, stop defending it by saying he doesnt "deserve" it. In boxing money talks.

Weren't you the one crying about Pirog not getting his deserved chance in the US main stage because he wasn't popular enough and then it was a shame money ruled the world?

[LeadUppercut]

Because Johnson had disposed of Green in style and had also given an excellent account of himself against Froch - both at 168.

Bika was ranked 4 or 5. Since dropping down to SMW, Johnson beat a limited Green and then lost to Froch..... how could that put him in the top 5 at 168?

Look I got no problem with Bute/Ward next, I just know who the real champ is, and I dont think that the champ should be expected to fight in Montreal next up, regardless as to how many fans Bute has back at home.

We all saw what happened with Pascal.

[Dave Rado]

Bika was ranked 4 or 5. Since dropping down to SMW, Johnson beat a limited Green and then lost to Froch..... how could that put him in the top 5 at 168?

Look I got no problem with Bute/Ward next, I just know who the real champ is, and I dont think that the champ should be expected to fight in Montreal next up, regardless as to how many fans Bute has back at home.

We all saw what happened with Pascal.

Bute has never asked for the fight to be in Montreal and nor has anyone on these boards that I know of, so why are you making that point?

Bute is keen on it being at MSG but says Oakland is fine as well.

MSG would be best from a neutral fan's point of view, and from the point of view of both fighters' legacies, and from the point of view of divisional clarity, because in the event that it should be a close fight, boxing could do without any claims that it was due to home cooking.

But as long as it happens before the end of 2012, I don't care where it takes place.

[crold1]

Because Johnson had disposed of Green in style and had also given an excellent account of himself against Froch - both at 168.

And it's not like anyone would ignore Johnson's Light Heavyweight recent run either. Some good wins and a close loss to Cloud was better than almost anything anyone had done at 68. Combine that with some solid outings at 68 and he was easily top 5-6 at Super Middle and a much better win than Bika (who, for the record, Bute beat easier than anyone else who has faced him).

This is a market question. On fight merits, there is no reason Bute doesn't deserve a crack and Ward fighting twice a year makes the need for a softie BS. Ant. Dirrell isn't, on merit, deserving, but he's no softie either so if he takes the mando no reason to complain. That's a good fight if/while Froch-Bute goes down. It's a good division. If Ward is sticking, the options being thrown around are all good fights.

A little patience folks...don't let the perfect be the enemy of the really good.

[LeadUppercut]

Bute has never asked for the fight to be in Montreal and nor has anyone on these boards that I know of, so why are you making that point?

Bute is keen on it being at MSG but says Oakland is fine as well.

MSG would be best from a neutral fan's point of view, and from the point of view of both fighters' legacies, and from the point of view of divisional clarity, because in the event that it should be a close fight, boxing could do without any claims that it was due to home cooking.

But as long as it happens before the end of 2012, I don't care where it takes place.

I dont like Oakland, when I mentioned that earlier I was just referring to Bute's options, or lack of. MSG would be great.

Yep, I agree, if that is your bottom line.....

Ward is the man at 168, he calls the shots, he can fight whoever the hell he wants next up, including but not necessarily Bute.....

Bute is relevant by default, as opposed to " deserving ", but should still be regarded as a " must " on Ward's dance-card due to the fact that he is next in line, or very close to it.

In saying that, it wouldn't hurt Bute to rack up a meaningful defence or two now that the top guys are available.

[LeadUppercut]

And it's not like anyone would ignore Johnson's Light Heavyweight recent run either. Some good wins and a close loss to Cloud was better than almost anything anyone had done at 68. Combine that with some solid outings at 68 and he was easily top 5-6 at Super Middle and a much better win than Bika (who, for the record, Bute beat easier than anyone else who has faced him).

This is a market question. On fight merits, there is no reason Bute doesn't deserve a crack and Ward fighting twice a year makes the need for a softie BS. Ant. Dirrell isn't, on merit, deserving, but he's no softie either so if he takes the mando no reason to complain. That's a good fight if/while Froch-Bute goes down. It's a good division. If Ward is sticking, the options being thrown around are all good fights.

A little patience folks...don't let the perfect be the enemy of the really good.

I love Johnson, but I dont know about a clearly faded 42yo Road Warrior at 168 being ranked in the top 5 of damn-near the most loaded division in the sport? Maybe he was more relevant than I thought, and maybe the other guys were rated a little highly based on potential.

Is the Bute/Froch fight a definite? Because if so, that kinda makes his relevance to Ward a moot point. If Bute gets by Froch then Ward/Bute is a must next up.