Should a champion fight bums or multiple rematches to stay busy?

demigawd · 10-19-2011, 04:54 PM

I'll admit I was a little surprised to see all of the blowback Wlad received for fighting Mormeck. Wlad isn't ducking anybody, and he isn't only fighting once a year against a cherry-picked patsy. He simply wishes to stay active whilst waiting for better challengers, and I couldn't understand the negative reaction to doing that.

It wasn't long ago I remember seeing people (respected writers included) lamenting the fact that most top fighters never fight more than 40-50 times anymore. They saw that as one of the biggest reasons nobody in the modern era could ever qualify for GOAT status; they didn't have 100+ fights like they did back then.

The problem is that a lot of those classic hall of famers would fight chaps with records like 7-11 (Jimmy Mandell) 46-26-13 (Izzy Jannazzo) and 30-19-6 (Vic Dellicurti) while in their primes - sometimes 3-4 times, even after knocking them out in previous bouts. Surely Mormeck is a worthier opponent for Wlad than Mandell was for SRR?

I reckon this begs the question: is it better for a top fighter to fight every single challenger without regards to their qualifications or should the top fighter wait for the worthiest opponent to be ready and willing to challenge him even if it means long periods of remaining idle?

The secondary question to this, of course, is does this mean that we're either being too hard on the likes of Wlad, or perhaps not hard enough on some of the questionable opponents chosen by some of these ATGs from the past?

Del Boy · 10-19-2011, 05:23 PM

Id much sooner see a fighter clear out the divison with a bum of the month club then do what Mayweather AND Pacquiao are doing

Boxing Fanatic · 10-19-2011, 05:25 PM

mansour has been calling him out. so, he has no excuses to fight an ordinary fighter like mormeck

RustBelt · 10-19-2011, 05:27 PM

Fight whoever the #1 contender is. UNLESS THEY ARE A BUM!

demigawd · 10-19-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxing Fanatic

mansour has been calling him out. so, he has no excuses to fight an ordinary fighter like mormeck

lol had to google the name to find out whether or not you were serious.

chitownfightfan · 10-19-2011, 05:45 PM

Considering ANY fighter who is ranked by any ABC is definitely NO bum, I'd rather see a Champ who stays busy rather taking on multiple challengers than sitting back waiting for a mandatory.

demigawd · 10-19-2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustBelt

Fight whoever the #1 contender is. UNLESS THEY ARE A BUM!

I'm not sure it's always that simple. What if the #1 contender is your brother, a guy you beat already, or declines the fight? Because that makes up almost the entire top 10 in the division.

Also, I'm not sure Jimmy Mandell was ever a #1 contender at any weight. Should Robinson have been savaged for the decision to fight him?

RustBelt · 10-19-2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demigawd

I'm not sure it's always that simple. What if the #1 contender is your brother, a guy you beat already, or declines the fight? Because that makes up almost the entire top 10 in the division.

Also, I'm not sure Jimmy Mandell was ever a #1 contender at any weight. Should Robinson have been savaged for the decision to fight him?

I understand! But what i do not understand is who makes up these so called rankings? Is it like the BCS in college? Or do these so called "Boxing Experts" Pick? They need to get rid of all these belts and have 1 belt!

demigawd · 10-19-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustBelt

I understand! But what i do not understand is who makes up these so called rankings? Is it like the BCS in college? Or do these so called "Boxing Experts" Pick? They need to get rid of all these belts and have 1 belt!

That's still a huge point of contention for a lot of us! There's no real transparancy in coming up with rankings. On more than one occasion we've seen a champion pick an opponent and THEN the opponent suddenly gets a high ranking. It seems really arbitrary. Hasim Rahman is the WBA's #1 contender, for god's sake!

KO KIDD · 10-19-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Del Boy

Id much sooner see a fighter clear out the divison with a bum of the month club then do what Mayweather AND Pacquiao are doing

agreed i hate when boxers fight 1 fight a year

after Floyd beat Ortiz and Manny beat Hatton was there a need to sit out 6 to 12 months

and to the OP champs fought bums in stay busy fights back then but many of those fights were not for the title

demigawd · 10-19-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KO KIDD

agreed i hate when boxers fight 1 fight a year

after Floyd beat Ortiz and Manny beat Hatton was there a need to sit out 6 to 12 months

and to the OP champs fought bums in stay busy fights back then but many of those fights were not for the title

That's true, but in many ways, that makes it even worse because there's no real element of risk. I'd WANT my champ to put the title up every time. I want him to show supreme confidence even with the possibility that some 27-17 guy will manage to fight the fight of his life or, I dunno, bodyslam me on my shoulder and have it ruled a knock out.

Would it actually make it more acceptable if Wlad fought Mormeck in a non-title bout?

Atlanta · 10-19-2011, 06:46 PM

In yesteryear when a champion literally was fighting to put food on the table, sure. But in this day and age there really isn't a reason to rematch bums and fight cans when you are a champion. Clear out your division, rematch everyone that you weren't beating handily and wait for the next contender to step up but don't do an Anthony Mundine and fight the 6th ranked welterweight of Argentina.

KO KIDD · 10-19-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demigawd

That's true, but in many ways, that makes it even worse because there's no real element of risk. I'd WANT my champ to put the title up every time. I want him to show supreme confidence even with the possibility that some 27-17 guy will manage to fight the fight of his life or, I dunno, bodyslam me on my shoulder and have it ruled a knock out.

Would it actually make it more acceptable if Wlad fought Mormeck in a non-title bout?

most of the non title bouts were fought over the limit like sugar ray was 160 champ fight was at say 65

i mean its good for activity and allows champs to stay sharp n fresh

And Mormeck Wlad is title worthy as Mormeck is ranked and unbeaten at the weight not the best challenger but worthy enough of title fight

itsa huge bitch · 10-20-2011, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxing Fanatic

mansour has been calling him out. so, he has no excuses to fight an ordinary fighter like mormeck

mansour who has he beatin???would he even beat mormeck???please take your face for a shite i called wlad out aswell hes ducking me too...geezooo

View Poll Results: Which behaviour do you prefer from your champions?
Champions who take on all comers, even when they're clearly overmatched	22	78.57%
Champions who wait for only the worthiest opponents, even if it means time inactive	6	21.43%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

10-19-2011, 04:54 PM	#1
demigawd Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,519 vCash: 1000	Should a champion fight bums or multiple rematches to stay busy? I'll admit I was a little surprised to see all of the blowback Wlad received for fighting Mormeck. Wlad isn't ducking anybody, and he isn't only fighting once a year against a cherry-picked patsy. He simply wishes to stay active whilst waiting for better challengers, and I couldn't understand the negative reaction to doing that. It wasn't long ago I remember seeing people (respected writers included) lamenting the fact that most top fighters never fight more than 40-50 times anymore. They saw that as one of the biggest reasons nobody in the modern era could ever qualify for GOAT status; they didn't have 100+ fights like they did back then. The problem is that a lot of those classic hall of famers would fight chaps with records like 7-11 (Jimmy Mandell) 46-26-13 (Izzy Jannazzo) and 30-19-6 (Vic Dellicurti) while in their primes - sometimes 3-4 times, even after knocking them out in previous bouts. Surely Mormeck is a worthier opponent for Wlad than Mandell was for SRR? I reckon this begs the question: is it better for a top fighter to fight every single challenger without regards to their qualifications or should the top fighter wait for the worthiest opponent to be ready and willing to challenge him even if it means long periods of remaining idle? The secondary question to this, of course, is does this mean that we're either being too hard on the likes of Wlad, or perhaps not hard enough on some of the questionable opponents chosen by some of these ATGs from the past?
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10-19-2011, 05:23 PM	#2
Del Boy R.I.P Darren Sutherland ESB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Limerick, Ireland Posts: 1,452 vCash: 75	Re: Should a champion fight bums or multiple rematches to stay busy? Id much sooner see a fighter clear out the divison with a bum of the month club then do what Mayweather AND Pacquiao are doing
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10-19-2011, 05:25 PM	#3
Boxing Fanatic P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dominican Republic Posts: 26,737 vCash: 1000	Re: Should a champion fight bums or multiple rematches to stay busy? mansour has been calling him out. so, he has no excuses to fight an ordinary fighter like mormeck
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10-19-2011, 05:27 PM	#4
RustBelt The Pride Of Youngstown ESB Addict Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 2,451 vCash: 88	Re: Should a champion fight bums or multiple rematches to stay busy? Fight whoever the #1 contender is. UNLESS THEY ARE A BUM!
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10-19-2011, 05:45 PM	#6
chitownfightfan Champion East Side Guru Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 8,612 vCash: 0	Re: Should a champion fight bums or multiple rematches to stay busy? Considering ANY fighter who is ranked by any ABC is definitely NO bum, I'd rather see a Champ who stays busy rather taking on multiple challengers than sitting back waiting for a mandatory.
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10-19-2011, 06:46 PM	#12
Atlanta P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 18,504 vCash: 528	Re: Should a champion fight bums or multiple rematches to stay busy? In yesteryear when a champion literally was fighting to put food on the table, sure. But in this day and age there really isn't a reason to rematch bums and fight cans when you are a champion. Clear out your division, rematch everyone that you weren't beating handily and wait for the next contender to step up but don't do an Anthony Mundine and fight the 6th ranked welterweight of Argentina.
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