How much significance do you place on a fighter "coming off a loss"?

You're really taking it there? Do you not see his point? At a championship level, confidence and the mental aspect of the sport are as important as anything. To deny this is foolish.

 

There is no definite answer to the question because every single situation is different. I would say though that the opponent has an advantage facing a guy coming off a loss. The win shouldn't be completely discounted though, but should be put in perspective since he has the advantage.

A fighter's weaknesses that were hidden in his wins could become exposed with a loss. Hopkins vs Kelly Pavlik is a good example. There are also guys who become a little gun shy after getting brutally beaten. There are also guys who learn from there flaws after losses improve them and become better but that usually goes with younger up and coming fighters.

The mental part of boxing is more then just confidence as well. The work ethic and determination that Mayweather and Pacquiao have become legendary for in there training in order to be in such the great shape they are in is mental. Judah has the same athletic ability as those guys yet isn't known to have there type of work ethic. When Pac gets hit with a good punch then raises his hands and looks to throw a 4 punch combo in retaliation that is part of his mentality.

 

Good read. And I agree. :deal The whole idea that coming off a loss ruins a fighter had been overplayed by the simple minded idiots of the board. But I expect that type of behavior from kids who just got into boxing a few years ago.

 

imo it's a balance between mental and physical, but in some cases it's really more of mental than physical, but to say it's 90%..

 

This.