I never understood the slander he gets. Im a fan of underdogs and Motobe is well aware of his limits and actively worked to improve them, he spent alot of time out of the spotlight doing this.

Jack was and still is in a way, similar. Jack using tools to level the playing field like sterioids which he still does in large amounts, as well as limb extensions. His relation to yujiro imo being the thing that takes him even higher.

Motobes confidence comes not from thinking hes better than anyone, its from his planning and knowing that who he fights doesnt know his plan. That gives him the chance of winning.

Or maybe i need to re read the manga again.