Where losses dont hurt their legacy anymore, usually because they are old//shot. In my opinion: - Roy Jones jr - Evander Holyfield - Marco Antonio Barrera - Erik Morales - Shane Mosley - Bernard Hopkins - Ivan Calderon These type of guys can lose fights at this point and their legacy wont suffer because of the way they are viewed in Boxing. They are at the same point where Ali and Duran once were when they had some losses that are not hold against them but also some wins that help their legacy. This is great news for Hopkins and Morales who are still having some success at this point. Mosley is probably also still capable of winning a belt vs a guy like Berto. There also some guys that are almost at this position: - Juan Manuel Marquez - Vitali Klitschko - Glen Johnson - Paul Williams - Antonio Margarito Can you name some more guys that probably should retire but are at the point where they can only increase their legacy?
Interesting. I wonder though if Hopkins really is in that category...:think, it would depend on who would beat him I suppose. And Ivan Caldron, maybe. most of the guys in that first category, by now we have gotten used to seeing them lose, almost expect it, even to the point a win would be a surprise. Tarver could be in there too, if Roy still counts. With Juan Marquez, I don't expect him to lose (normally), but the circumstances of the Floyd fight....size, weight, the fact it was Floyd Mayweather....yeah, that one doesn't hurt him.
yep tarver as well:thumbsup thing with b-hop is he hasnt been clearly beaten since 93, maybe a few close fights based on how you score it. But if for example dawson beats him up to a clear decision he will not get much credit because people will say "so what? Hopkins was 46 years old...." thats why I think he belongs in that category as well, only he is in the best position compared to the rest of the guys.
Good point....because that's exactly what they'll say. :think come to think of it though, I can't think of hardly any cases with modern boxing fans where a fighter gets credit due for winning, unless maybe that fighter was a sizeable underdog coming in.
I would say Marquez is already at that point. Fighting above his prime weight, still going strong at his age (especially as he is in the lower weight classes). Fighting bigger men and winning. Losing to Pacquiao doesn't affect his legacy whatsoever IMO, nor does losing to someone like Khan.
I still don't think it hurts his legacy at all. He has not fought at 140lbs, the Pacquiao bout will only be his 2nd trip above 135lbs...said bouts being against the very best. Maidana is a natural Light Welter, heavy-handed, and Marquez goes horizontal a lot of the time from clean, hard shots...being dropped by inferior opposition at 135lbs being an example. Morales has fought at 140lbs, and has done so effectively...so far. Seems to be having a very good second wind in his career when many thought he was finished. I believe Pacquiao will beat Marquez, and afterwards, I feel he will be 'at that point'.
Well while those fighters are at the point where taking a loss won't hurt them, it's also a point where they will be avoided more often. Losing to these fighters can only dilute an upcoming fighter's resume in the eyes of boxing fans (not casuals since the name is all that counts most of the time) since they can just say "oh well you lost to an old washed up champion, you must've never been much to begin with." This can dilute whole divisions as well (albeit while glorifying the legends); when Morales went toe to toe with Maidana people began to think Maidana wasn't that good after all, and the fact is that Maidana stopped Ortiz, managed to be competitive with Khan, who might be competitive with Bradley or Floyd. Chain reactions
probably right:thumbsup I still see marquez being capable of giving several guys at 140 a very tough fight.
Indeed if Holyfield managed to make it even remotely competitive, then everyone would be harping on nothing but- "prime holyfield would have KTFO this bum," hell people even said that for lewis which is one of the reasons the division is perceived at an all time low