When is it ok for a boxer to start being able to pick and choose who they fight? Furthermore when they are able to pick and choose, when is it acceptable for them to only pick fights that are highly profitable? Overall when is it acceptable for boxers to stop being a human spectacle for little to no pay, at the expense of their own health.... And start thinking for themselves and in their own self interest? It seems like the athletes that get criticized for being all about the money, are the ones that are involved in the most dangerous sports. Why shouldn't fighters be able to make as much money as a basketball player, or soccer player, when they take way more health risk...Why do we criticize fighters that reach a level in the sport, in which they have power over their own destiny, and are unwilling to suffer for the gratitude of us fans unless the price is right... Many boxers come out of poverty and fighting is an avenue out of poverty, NOT THE IDEAL PATH (I WOULD ASSUME).... The twisted part is that the typical boxing fan has this fascination with the meek, humble, broke, fight your heart out for pennies boxer, and instead of demanding that those fighters get paid more, they complain about fighters that get paid way more for "less risk". As if to suggest that they want those high paid fighters to stop getting paid as much...When is it ok for a boxer to stop being your cheap thrill? And in a fight, whether in the ring or out, there is no such thing as less risk. I have no problem with fighting a muah****a if I have too, but I can honestly admit that I don't have the guts to step my ass in a boxing ring and fight someone that I have no problem with.. With any fight you accept the infinite possibilities of that fight possibly being your last. You never know... So when is a fight really less risky, especially after you've been getting your body pounded for the last 20 years. So cats need to kill that less risk bull****!
When is acceptable for a boxer to squat on his belts/Ring status/linear credentials and obstruct up and coming fighters from getting their dues? Someone gave them their chance in the first place.
:good It's never acceptable. But it's human nature to take more money for less work. Unless they are the type of fighter who is more interested in testing themselves than making $$$$.
Good counter question for real?:good Well It's actually the same question with a different perspective.. If your fighting anyone big or small and putting up the belt and ring status in the process... It can't be called squatting.....Besides a boxer has no control over who is made their mandatory challenger. So I'm sure if the person or persons that your thinking of, was forced to defend their title or relinquish it that they would, in more cases than one, defend the title. The way you framed the question, eludes to this idea of a fighter taking on opposition other than the ones that are, by general consensus, challenging. Thats were I disagree I think that every fight is a challenge in one way or another. And for a superior boxer to lose to an inferior boxer will damage his career more so than, if that same boxer was to loose to a fighter of equal skill..Feel me?
Testing themselves for what? To test there pain tolerance, endurance, strength, how long it takes for them to develop punch drunk syndrome..... Basically I don't think there is such thing... Find me a self proclaimed Sado Masochistic boxer who isn't in the ring to earn a living. I wouldn't even put Vladimir or Vitali in that boat and they are wealthy Doctored intellectuals.. I honestly don't think they would do this sport for free at this age and level of opposition. To just test themselves.
Life is not all about money. Look at someone like Jose luis ramirez. He was a wealthy Mexican who fought because he liked it not because he needed to. Not everyone is sherely money driven.
To use an example Junior Witter offering to fight Ricky Hatton for free, instead of calling out lesser fighters for more money. A fighter like that when he looks back at his career will probably have less regrets than someone who takes the easy option.