Does losing when Past your Prime Damage your legacy?

Let me make a case for retiring near the correct time.

First there is the common sense argument. We would all agree that Evander Holyfield and RJJ should have already retired. Why? Because their abilities have declined and one thing no one can stop is father time. Having the ability to make close to the correct call when considering retirement enhances your status as a boxer. EG Marciano, Lewis, Tyson etc. (There are some exceptions).

Second, fame and popularity effect a boxer's status. We hear time and time again how so cant draw flies to ****. this influences not just casual fans but serious fans as well. We cannot deny that Ali's personality plays a role in determining his ATG status. When a boxer starts losing to journeyman status people it will minify their over all accomplishments even if just by small amount as it decreases their fame and places us more under a pity or empathy view.

Third, How many losses a person acquires effects how a person is perceived historically. Look for instance at Rocky Marciano. He never lost and there is a mystique about him. He was young by most standards when he retired. Had he hung on he would have lost eventually and then he wouldnt be remembered how he is right now. I will call this third point the "mystique" factor.

 

I think a dose of common sense needs to go into any evaluation of a fighter's career. Some fighters face a guy who just has his number. Some hang on too long, etc. That's why I always look at a fighter while prime and his complete resume differently.

 

At the end of the day, I think most of us tend to forgive a fighter for hanging on to long. For example, I'm guessing most of you forgot all about Alexis Argeullo's ill fated attempt at a come back in the mid nineties.

 

i agree there are several atg's who are not judged by the end of their over long careers going shitty.

 

Duran anyone

 

Depends on the circumstances, impossible to answer unless Ive been given a specific fighers career to judge, every fighter is different.

Give me a name n al give you an answer.

 

Yep, very true

 

Perhaps... but he`d have just as many people on the opposite side saying `he should have pushed his extreme ability to its limits in the name of immortality by challenging Lennox Lewis` & to be honest, both arguments have merit... its all just opinion.

Its why we`re here I suppose (ESB I mean, not planet pluto )