How much weight do you give early-career losses?

It all depends.

How early, to whom (not only "were they a big deal", as they don't have to be for the loss to have been no great shame: ie, were they significantly more experienced? Did they have a size or styles edge? Was this before the boxer in question 'found their self' in the ring, either by linking up with the right coach or figuring out themselves what style best suits their attributes, etc.), how competitively, and how far did they come afterward demonstrably not losing to similar opponents.

In the case of Sergio Martinez getting worn down by Antonio Margarito, no that shouldn't detract from his legacy (founded mostly on latter-day career exploits) whatsoever, and Martinez ought to rank well above Margarito in anyone's book despite never avenging it.

In most cases, I think you're right, if they established themselves at the highest level, the stumbles along the way are less meaningful than what happens once they reach that level.

 

I think it depends on the nature of the loss, ie. Who it was against, how competitive the fight was, the circumstances etc.. Floyd Patterson losing a controversial decision to Joey Maxim at the age of 18 and with something like 8 or 9 pro fights can hardly be held against him. Bernard Hopkins lost his first pro fight, but that has been all but forgotten. On the flip side, Buster Douglas being 5-0, showing up a grotesque 243 lbs and getting dropped in two rounds by a debuting David Bey who was an even more grotesque 270 lbs was embarrassing and not something he should be let off the hook for.. I guess the only time I really factor in early career losses, is when comparing the resumes of two evenly accomplished all time greats and using those early losses as "tie breakers." But again it all depends on the variables and factors involved.

 

It all depends. Walcott is a guy being discussed alot recently, and his earlier losses should not weigh all that much because we know he was ill managed, trained, and was simply making a traditional journeyman living of it before he turned his career around with new management after a 4 year absence from the sport.

edit- lol..."it all depends" I think we posted at the same time.

 

:good

 

You guys are too kind.

 

Much depends on who " Fighter A " lost to, how he lost, and his over all experience when he lost.

If its a short fight that " Fighter A " lost on points that was later avenged, I don't hold it against him as much as say an early KO loss that was not avenged.

Bernard Hopkins lost his debut on points via Marjory Decision n 4 rounds, but it was his first fight so no one cares.

 

For 'alltime' arguments, I mostly look at the period in which the boxer is competitive against good competition.

 

I would have to give that fighter more credit over the one who took the safe route, although he would still have to do a bit more than just have gallant losing efforts. Boxing is full of such men. Taking a modern example, look at Derek Chisora. His record is somewhat ugly looking when contrasted to Deontay Wilder's, but who would most consider as the more accomplished fighter? I know who I'd pick.

 

I do not weigh them too heavily if the fighter in question was not yet operating at world level.

 

V v v little

 

Even less than late career losses to be honest, it should all be part of the learning experience. It should be taken in to account at times, but much better for a fighter to test himself early than fight can after can. As a modern example, how much should the mayweather loss affect canelo? Canelo may never really do anything but he deserves respect for stepping up against the best p4p fighter in the world at the time, at only 23.

 

I agree with most posters that an early loss isn't really a big deal in a lot of cases, especially if they faced capable opposition. Fidel Labarba dropped two early decisions to Jimmy McLarnin. No big deal, since by all accounts he also performed well. Arguello dropped a a couple of early decisions. Obviously, Lomachenko received some flack for getting a title shot so early; but taking a crafty vet like Salido to a close, either-way SD defeat shouldn't really hurt his standing.

That said, sometimes fighters lose fights early and continue to display the same deficiencies that led to those early losses. Norris got DQ'd for hitting a guy when he was down...and continued to exhibit the same lack of restraint at points once he hit the championship level. Bojado suffered an early loss, and never recovered.

To answer Sal's question...it depends on a fighter acquits himself during the fight, and how he acquits himself going forward.