Comments Thread For: Team Bute: Hopkins a Good "Plan B" if No Ward, Froch

[BattleAxePurist]

I've never denied the fact that Bute is #1. But he's #1 by default, not because he earned it. You shouldn't get a chance to fight the SS winner by default. You should earn it. What's wrong with Bute fighting a few solid fighters before getting his shot?

Why is that so bad?

That makes no sense by "default" so IF Ward faces Dirrell is he "deserving" bcse of some obscure rankings.

Bute is #1 bcse of his body of work. He's no less deserving than Dirrell

[BoxingGenius27]

That makes no sense by "default" so IF Ward faces Dirrell is he "deserving" bcse of some obscure rankings.

Bute is #1 bcse of his body of work. He's no less deserving than Dirrell

Re-read the thread.... Regarding your question, I've stated my point clearly.

[LeadUppercut]

The only people who don't want Ward-Bute are either:

1) afraid of their guy losing
2) hate Bute

Ward is the champ. Bute is the #1 contender. Period. Of course, I would be absolutely fine with Bute-Froch (one fight, not two) and Ward-Anthony Dirrell or whoever, and winner's fight each other. I won't complain about that. But anybody who thinks that Ward and Bute *shouldn't* fight has an agenda.

I have not seen one person make that comment.

[LeadUppercut]

Ward is the Ring Magazine Champ. Bute is the Ring Magazine #1 contender. Period.

Ring Magazine rankings:

Champion: Ward
1) Bute
2) Kessler
3) Froch
4) Stieglitz
5) Bika
6) Oosthuizen
7) Groves
8) Johnson
9) Abraham
10) Degale

Ward has already beat 2, 3, 5. Nobody else is anywhere close to being as worthy as Bute. This is a practical matter. Call it the top choice by default, if you want. But he's the top choice nonetheless.

That is exactly right, that is exactly what Bute is. He is "the top choice by default".

He gets to walk-around all of the Super-6 competitors straight into a shot at the champ.

Ward is the man at 168, and he should not be "required" to do anything except fight his mandatory. Bute next would be fine, and that fight has to happen if Bute remains relevant, but it aint gonna hurt Bute to get a notable defense on his resume' in the meantime, because he aint done ***-all to date.

[LeadUppercut]

I've never denied the fact that Bute is #1. But he's #1 by default, not because he earned it. You shouldn't get a chance to fight the SS winner by default. You should earn it. What's wrong with Bute fighting a few solid fighters before getting his shot?

Why is that so bad?

Yep, thats how I see it. Ward/Bute could be a great fight, and should happen if Bute remains relevant, but lets get a grip here and not mandate Ward to a guy who has never beaten anyone of note.

Ward is the man, and if Bute can get by Froch, then I am sure that he will get his shot at Ward, if not before.

[jrosales13]

How is Bute the #1 contender by default? Because, he earned the position? How did he surpass the likes of Kessler, Steiglitz, the Dirrell brothers? Why aren't them one of them the #1 contender? If Bute hadn't earned how did he jump over them?

[BattleAxePurist]

That is exactly right, that is exactly what Bute is. He is "the top choice by default".

He gets to walk-around all of the Super-6 competitors straight into a shot at the champ.

Ward is the man at 168, and he should not be "required" to do anything except fight his mandatory. Bute next would be fine, and that fight has to happen if Bute remains relevant, but it aint gonna hurt Bute to get a notable defense on his resume' in the meantime, because he aint done ***-all to date.

So every fighter in his division that's #2 is that by default bcse they haven't faced the #1.

Ward doesn't have to face Bute in his next outing but to make some claim that he doesn't deserve this opportunity bcse he wasn't included in the S6 is quite laughable

[BoxingGenius27]

How is Bute the #1 contender by default? Because, he earned the position? How did he surpass the likes of Kessler, Steiglitz, the Dirrell brothers? Why aren't them one of them the #1 contender? If Bute hadn't earned how did he jump over them?

You're right Rosales, even though you've already admitted that Bute's resume has gotten weaker in the last few years while the SS was going on. Tell me how a fighter isn't the #1 contender by default when they have a resume that got weaker, while the toughest tourny in the world was going on. How's that possible unless a fighter is #1 by default?

Also, tell me how you defend Bute, but critisize Chavez Jr all the time.... Mr. Biased himself.

[jrosales13]

You're right Rosales, even though you've already admitted that Bute's resume has gotten weaker in the last few years while the SS was going on. Tell me how a fighter isn't the #1 contender by default when they have a resume that got weaker, while to toughest tourny in the world was going on. How's that possible?

Also, tell me how you defend Bute, but critisize Chavez Jr all the time.... Mr. Biased himself.

Are you insinuating the JCC Jr and Bute have similar resumes?

And, I already said a resume doesn't get weaker. And, mentioned that Johnson is still a solid win. But, the wins over Berrio, Bika, and Andrade are better than the wins you gave him.

[BoxingGenius27]

Yep, thats how I see it. Ward/Bute could be a great fight, and should happen if Bute remains relevant, but lets get a grip here and not mandate Ward to a guy who has never beaten anyone of note.

Ward is the man, and if Bute can get by Froch, then I am sure that he will get his shot at Ward, if not before.

I just don't understand how Bute can fight such weak opposition over the last few years and people not realize this dude is #1 by default.

Heck, even Jro admitted that Bute's best wins came years ago and not within the last few years during the SS. That in itself should tell someone that Bute has been floating under the radar while the SS contestants have been going at it.