Given that Ward has beaten Froch and Kessler, then its the only viable opponent left for him in terms of proving his supremacy (Andre Dirrell aint gona happen anytime soon). Plus Bute looks really good whenever he fights so people are high on him.

But I take your point on the number 2 thing. His number 2 position is purely theoretical and has no basis in fact. He should be number 4. If I made a list thats where I would put him. I would base rankings purely on results, facts and competition faced rather than conjecture. Whether you think he would beat Froch or Kessler should be irrelevant imo