So can we agree letting a fight "marinate" is dumb af?

Always despised that phrase in boxing. As mentioned, It’s just sugar-coding it when one side wants to wait until the other looks more beatable.

 

So many of the biggest draws, including AJ, have losses.

The promoters have to see that, right? That their undefeated/untested belt holder doesn't bring in 1/5 of what Canelo, AJ, or Pacquiao do.

My guess is it's about regularity. You can make plans as a businessman if you know your stable of A-sides will knock over two opponents a year. You can't predict how much time they'll need to recover from a beatdown though, or if they might retire early or come back a shell of themselves, so you keep the gravy train flowing and don't take any risks you don't have to.

 

I would say, not all losses are equal. Some losses are just bad luck, inexperience, or bad strategy. AJ could change his strategy to beat Ruiz. Canelo was pretty green when he lost to TBE. Pac always had a high-risk-high-reward style. Others losses are more fundamental. If Usyk schools AJ in the rematch, that will be difficult to come back from.