Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose?

Addie · 10-30-2011, 04:08 PM

I've always questioned the idea that the likes of Michael Spinks actually went into the Tyson fight knowing he was going to lose. Was he intimidated by Mike Tyson? Perhaps, but that doesn't neccesarily mean he expected to lose the fight. There's also those who supposedly only turn up for a paycheck. Some have even suggested that JMM has only taken the third fight with Pacquiao so that he could maximize his earnings before retiring. Again, I don't believe this.

Journeyman and fixed fights aside, do you think a World Level operator has ever gone into a fight expecting to lose? Specify in the thread.

GlassJawsExist · 10-30-2011, 04:09 PM

Abraham v Ward. You could see it in his eyes.

Leon · 10-30-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addie

I've always questioned the idea that the likes of Michael Spinks actually went into the Tyson fight knowing he was going to lose. Was he intimidated by Mike Tyson? Perhaps, but that doesn't neccesarily mean he expected to lose the fight. There's also those who supposedly only turn up for a pay cheque. Some have even suggested that JMM has only taken the third fight with Pacquiao so that he could maximize his earnings before retiring. Again, I don't believe this.

Journeyman and fixed fights aside, do you think a World Level operator has ever gone into a fight expecting to lose? Specify in the thread.

does Arturo Gatti count was world level?

guncho · 10-30-2011, 04:11 PM

Also it would be interesting if some one expected to lose but won instead?

Addie · 10-30-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

does Arturo Gatti count was world level?

Absolutely. Do you think Gatti knew he was going to lose before he stepped in with Floyd Mayweather Jr? He certainly talked a good fight beforehand.

henrik · 10-30-2011, 04:14 PM

Gatti in the Mayweather fight was the first one that came to me....

Leon · 10-30-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addie

Absolutely. Do you think Gatti knew he was going to lose before he stepped in with Floyd Mayweather Jr? He certainly talked a good fight beforehand.

yep I think Gatti knew what was going to happen

I think it was Brian Kenny doing a split screen interview between Floyd and Gatti before their fight. Anyways, Floyd was saying every and anything he wanted. Gatti just sat there with a passive look of acceptance in his eyes. It was a look of defeat.

Post Box · 10-30-2011, 04:16 PM

Do completely shot fighters count? im sure there's been a few of them at the end of their careers looking for money knowing they haven't got much of a chance

LancsTerrible · 10-30-2011, 04:16 PM

Bruce Seldon against Mike Tyson is a good shout in my opinion. He certainly crumbled incredibly quickly for a guy that possessed some decent fundamentals. Possibly Douglas against Holyfield?

Doc · 10-30-2011, 04:17 PM

Barrera PAC 2... it was only survival in there for one man and not be humiliated.

Ant68 · 10-30-2011, 04:19 PM

Bonecrusher didn't fancy his chances against Mike Tyson.

LancsTerrible · 10-30-2011, 04:20 PM

McCall in the second bout against Lewis.

Addie · 10-30-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

Barrera PAC 2... it was only survival in there for one man and not be humiliated.

A ridiculous shout. I expected nothing less from you, Doc.

Let's discount shot fighters. They'd no longer have been world level operators at the time of the fight.

Quote:

yep I think Gatti knew what was going to happen

I think it was Brian Kenny doing a split screen interview between Floyd and Gatti before their fight. Anyways, Floyd was saying every and anything he wanted. Gatti just sat there with a passive look of acceptance in his eyes. It was a look of defeat.

I don't think it was in Gatti's nature to give it any verbal pre-fight. I watched an interview where he was adament that Floyd had never fought anyone who could punch like him. He certainly convinced me based on that interview alone that he expected to have a good chance at victory against Mayweather Jr.

Doc · 10-30-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addie

A ridiculous shout. I expected nothing less from you, Doc.

Let's discount shot fighters. They'd no longer have been world level operators at the time of the fight.

A little rivalry doesn't hurt

PityTheFool · 10-30-2011, 04:27 PM

When Hatton made the throat gesture at the weigh in against Floyd something told me there was real doubt in his mind.Bonecrusher Smith more or less said on TV the other night that going into the Tyson fight he knew his work was cut out for him and it wasn't till late in the fight he realised that there was a way to get at Mike.Leonard knew he was in trouble in training for the Camacho debacle.Razor Ruddock looked spooked going in with Lewis IMO as well.Has anyone before Hate went into a title fight with a plan to highlight his excuse in the event of a defeat?

View Poll Results: Has a top level fighter ever gone into a fighter expecting to lose?
Yes (give examples in the thread)	34	94.44%
No	2	5.56%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

10-30-2011, 04:08 PM	#1
Addie MAB. East Side VIP Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: UK, England Posts: 36,388 vCash: 842	Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose? I've always questioned the idea that the likes of Michael Spinks actually went into the Tyson fight knowing he was going to lose. Was he intimidated by Mike Tyson? Perhaps, but that doesn't neccesarily mean he expected to lose the fight. There's also those who supposedly only turn up for a paycheck. Some have even suggested that JMM has only taken the third fight with Pacquiao so that he could maximize his earnings before retiring. Again, I don't believe this. Journeyman and fixed fights aside, do you think a World Level operator has ever gone into a fight expecting to lose? Specify in the thread.
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10-30-2011, 04:09 PM	#2
GlassJawsExist Iron Chinned Warrior ESB Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,607 vCash: 496	Re: Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose? Abraham v Ward. You could see it in his eyes.
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10-30-2011, 04:11 PM	#4
guncho next champion! ESB Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,534 vCash: 1000	Re: Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose? Also it would be interesting if some one expected to lose but won instead?
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10-30-2011, 04:14 PM	#6
henrik fasthands ESB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: viking land-Denmark. Posts: 1,429 vCash: 980	Re: Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose? Gatti in the Mayweather fight was the first one that came to me....
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10-30-2011, 04:16 PM	#8
Post Box I'm back too, bitches East Side VIP Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North London Posts: 10,666 vCash: 75	Re: Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose? Do completely shot fighters count? im sure there's been a few of them at the end of their careers looking for money knowing they haven't got much of a chance
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10-30-2011, 04:16 PM	#9
LancsTerrible Different Forms of Game. East Side VIP Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: King of Mexico. Posts: 10,044 vCash: 2238	Re: Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose? Bruce Seldon against Mike Tyson is a good shout in my opinion. He certainly crumbled incredibly quickly for a guy that possessed some decent fundamentals. Possibly Douglas against Holyfield?
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10-30-2011, 04:17 PM	#10
Doc "Slick White Chocolate" East Side Guru Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The City Of Angels. Posts: 8,980 vCash: 1000	Re: Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose? Barrera PAC 2... it was only survival in there for one man and not be humiliated.
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10-30-2011, 04:19 PM	#11
Ant68 Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Liverpool Posts: 525 vCash: 663	Re: Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose? Bonecrusher didn't fancy his chances against Mike Tyson.
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10-30-2011, 04:20 PM	#12
LancsTerrible Different Forms of Game. East Side VIP Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: King of Mexico. Posts: 10,044 vCash: 2238	Re: Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose? McCall in the second bout against Lewis.
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10-30-2011, 04:27 PM	#15
PityTheFool Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Poorer place without Johnny Tapia Posts: 12,448 vCash: 211	Re: Has a world level fighter ever gone into a fight thinking they'd lose? When Hatton made the throat gesture at the weigh in against Floyd something told me there was real doubt in his mind.Bonecrusher Smith more or less said on TV the other night that going into the Tyson fight he knew his work was cut out for him and it wasn't till late in the fight he realised that there was a way to get at Mike.Leonard knew he was in trouble in training for the Camacho debacle.Razor Ruddock looked spooked going in with Lewis IMO as well.Has anyone before Hate went into a title fight with a plan to highlight his excuse in the event of a defeat?
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