I think a lot of people fail to acknowledge how long a lot of boxers have been active for.... some of the higher tier boxers have fought since they were little kids into Olympics into amateurs into professionals and i think by the time some of these guys hit their 30's they are probably entering anywhere from 400-500 matches of boxing... some fighters that jump immediately to my mind are oscar & floyd.... A lot of boxing in such a small amount of time and im sure into their 30's they get tired of fighting for a living....were not talking about basketball baseball or football.... were talking about full contact, emotionally draining one on one fighting.... which im sure takes a huge toll on a fighters body & mind.... I just think its unfair to criticize some of these guys when they have fought more fights & more rounds then a lot of us have even watched let a lone participate in....
Also in boxing its not bout the age, its the mileage. Thats why we see some people in their 30's just entering their prime where others are already way past it. After fighting for so long i would imagine you get tired as hell of doing it and just want to chill out and do nothing.
yeah thats what im saying..i couldnt imagine having to get emotionally motivated after all those years of boxing... especially when you dont need it any more..... if your financially well off... whats the point.. a guy like oscar or floyd have already proved a lot.... there isnt much more to prove...
Exactly. And its very hard to keep going when you know whatever you do will not be enough to hush the critics.
Oscar and Floyd are so comfortable financially, that in the situation they are in, its gonna get difficult to wake up early to do your roadwork, diet to make weight, spar a ton of rounds etc. **** i think Calzaghe was already feeling like that. i really felt in the buildup to the hopkins fight and RJJ fight, that Calzaghe was getting fed up and bored with boxing and just wanted the payday so he can just relax and get fat or whatever he wants to do.
joe calzaghe is kind of old.... but @ the same time how many rough & tumble matches can we say he has been in ? & how set off financially is he? boxing must really be tough because its such an sport determined on the hunger of the fighter.... i honestly wouldnt fight any more if i got comfortable in my life style because the second you set your foot in the ring with a fighter who wants it more than you do... you might be in for a long or very short & ugly night
True Calzaghe is kind of on the back nine but i have no doubt he retired financially well. He defended that crappy belt for ten years under frank warren and im guessing he got good paydays with him as his promoter. But yeah its what you said if you continue to fight when the hunger is gone, then your finished.
are fighters of this.... floyd oscar & calzaghe could definitely go on if they wanted........ evander holyfield is the complete opposite.... but i think he is broke(honestly)
I agree with most of what is said above. It also makes me recognize how Hopkins is a true gem in the sport fighting at his age, especially with his recent performances.
yeah hopkins is a beast... i was just reading his bio on wiki... he started boxing so late in his life... he started in his early 20's boxing for the first time.... body has a little less wear & tear then some of these other guys.... shane is pretty impressive to ... he boxed since he was little... i know that for sure.. not 100% if he did olympics tho
i think thats why his prime was so late. You can consider him peak in the trinidad fight and he was already like 36 in that fight. Hopkins is amazing and the type of person that has a work ethic to admire.
That is why I never judge Mayweather's decision for retiring. The dude has money and probably just wants to enjoy it.
