How long should a fighter wait before taking a championship match?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Cableaddict, Aug 24, 2011.


  1. Cableaddict

    Cableaddict Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Many recent threads about the sad state of the HW division.

    IMO, not one of the main contenders has any chance at all of beating K2, nor of ever becoming an ATG. So, talk often turns to the "prospects," such as Bogdan Dinu, Denis Boytsov, etc. Then our collective heads explode, wondering why some trainers wait so long before signing for a major fight. (OK, it's not always up to the trainers, but you know....)

    So I was curious, and did a little checking:

    Ali: Became champ on his 20th pro fight.

    Lennox Lewis: Became champ on his 23rd pro fight.

    Vitali Klitschko: Became champ on his 25th pro fight.

    Mike Tyson: Became champ on his 26th pro fight. (longer than I remember, somehow.)


    -and they all fought their share of bums on the way up.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------

    Now for some semi-rambling thoughts / questions:

    Bogdan Dinu has only had six pro fights, but if you can't see his potential, even against semi-good opponents, you don't know nuthin' 'bout no boxin'.
    OK, too soon to fight for a belt, (unless the WBA creates an even more meaningless one) but how long should they wait to throw him into the fire? Wait until he starts to lose speed? I just don't get it.

    With the fighters above, you knew they were going to be ATG's long before they won their belts. They could easily have won their titles earlier. I feel that way (mostly) about Denis Boytsov. Boytsov is soon to have his 29th pro fight, on an undercard & probably against another nobody. What are they waiting for?

    Is there some magical number that trainers & promoters think they must wait for? If they took an early chance against a top contender, and added one loss to their record, would that be so bad? Wouldn't it give the fighter valuable experience that you can't get by winning every time?

    And just for kicks: Which fighter in history, in each division, became champion with the fewest pro fights under his belt?
     
    Cableaddict, Aug 24, 2011
    Cableaddict, Aug 24, 2011
    #1
  2. cesare-borgia

    cesare-borgia Übermensch in fieri Full Member

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    I think boytsov is waiting for vitali to retire to try and capture that belt, or for wlad to slow down
     
    cesare-borgia, Aug 24, 2011
    cesare-borgia, Aug 24, 2011
    #2
  3. DLSC

    DLSC Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Shumenov- light heavy champ- less than a dozen pro fights, I think.
     
    DLSC, Aug 24, 2011
    DLSC, Aug 24, 2011
    #3
  4. cesare-borgia

    cesare-borgia Übermensch in fieri Full Member

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    Ioka at strawweight and spinks at heavyweight
     
    cesare-borgia, Aug 24, 2011
    cesare-borgia, Aug 24, 2011
    #4
  5. Baldwin

    Baldwin Boxing Addict banned

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    Micheal benn was i think under 15 fights when he destroy morrison
     
    Baldwin, Aug 24, 2011
    Baldwin, Aug 24, 2011
    #5
  6. Cableaddict

    Cableaddict Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    There you go.

    So let's say a trainer has a hot young prospect, but waits 20 fights before signing with a strong contender. Is he protecting his fighter, or is he just protecting his fighter's record, hoping for a bigger payday later on?

    I know, there's no answer, but I think that in many cases this hurts the fighter. It costs him valuable experience, and several of his best (fastest) years.

    It also frustrates the heck out of ME. :lol:
     
    Cableaddict, Aug 24, 2011
    Cableaddict, Aug 24, 2011
    #6
  7. Hank

    Hank Well-Known Member Full Member

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    It all depends on the individual boxer, and his competition. Joe Louis was pro one Year when he won title, in a time when guys waited years for title shot. Tyson was a quick developer physically, and had a lot of experience by age 19. Some guys, especialy heavier weights, mature later, like age 26-30.
     
    Hank, Aug 24, 2011
    Hank, Aug 24, 2011
    #7
  8. Englund

    Englund Warrior Full Member

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    Jeff Fenech won the Bantamweight title with only seven pro fights.
    Leon Spinks won the Heavyweight title with only eight pro fights.
     
    Englund, Aug 24, 2011
    Englund, Aug 24, 2011
    #8
  9. Nonito Smoak

    Nonito Smoak Ioka>Lomo, sorry my dudes Full Member

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    It all depends. With an extensive amateur career, I see no reason why they cannot fight for a title around 10-20 fights into their career. Clearly completely depends on the fighter physically, mentally, style, opportunity, among others.

    Ioka's a gangster for what he did, to throw that in there... Oleydong was no joke.
     
    Nonito Smoak, Aug 24, 2011
    Nonito Smoak, Aug 24, 2011
    #9
  10. igor_otsky

    igor_otsky Undefeated Full Member

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    Floyd!!! FTW
     
    igor_otsky, Aug 25, 2011
    igor_otsky, Aug 25, 2011
    #10
  11. punk

    punk Well-Known Member Full Member

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    It depends how competetive the early fights are, and how good the fighter is himself. If it's a weak champ, it can easily be done in under 10. I think 25 is a good yardstick in general though.
     
    punk, Aug 25, 2011
    punk, Aug 25, 2011
    #11