After the changes for weapon skills damage in 1.18a, the hate-holding is much better now, speaking tanking-wise, but the received damage is still spiky and generally huge making it annoying sometimes.
On the other hand, the damage buff is more than welcome for damage dealing, but Pugilists damage is still lower than enough compared to other classes because of being dependent on evading in order to deal good damage.

For the time being i really appreciate the buff and looking forward to see 1.20 changes and the polishing of the Pugilist class alongside all the other classes, and how will jobs change the curve of your character's path.