What happened to boxers who just wanted to win?

People care more about making money and staying on top rather than to take risks and have legacy, not all but most.

 

"Further built up for you to fight" = more money

It's the only reason I see. A bit weird coming from such a religious man but that's how I see it. Ward also tweeted couple days ago that he was "ready" for a Bute fight. There should be more talk this week, with Interbox & Showtime meeting up on Monday.

 

I agree.

 

In fairness it wasn't quite as difficult to become (and remain) "undisputed" as it was two major titles from the 1920s until the 1980s, the alphabet politics wasn't as ridiculous as it is now, but yeah, we've been missing out on too many meaningful matchups, including the biggest fight in the sport which would bring a shitload of attention to the sport.

 

The fighters who wanted to win are not earning much and or remain unrecognized, there's alot of them out there.

Once they enter the next realm, (P4P status, million dollar purses, backing of a powerful promoter etc.) they begin to take a high risk, higher reward approach or a low risk, high reward. What were the reputation of Money, Pac, Martinez and NonD before winning high profiles fights? It's their fight anyone, anytime mentality. But right now, it's picking who will bring cash while looking good mentality.

 

I know, we can only sigh and hope.

 

honestly i think the floyd/pac thing sort of sets a bad example for the rest of the fighters they see these guys make megamoney without fighting the elite opposition in their weightclass and think they can do the same.the ward one is particularly odd as bute is real big money fight and ward's options aren't great.

 

I agree, way too many politics involved, so much that it has majorly resulted in the decline of the sport. It has evolved from the extreme of fighters brawling it out like animals and almost dying for the enjoyment of people to boxers being hyped up to high heaven and laughing all the way to the bank mugging off everyone who works a 9-5 just to throw away their hard earned cash on some bull**** PPV.

 

OP - would it put a smile on your face if Stephen Espinoza were to come out on Wednesday and announce Ward-Bute @ Staples Center for end of May?

It'd do it for me.

 

That one, or Arum announcing that NonD and Rigo will bring it on June.

 

I don't want to get your hopes up but Interbox's president said he was "waiting on offers to go to Oakland or Nottingham", said he was meeting with Showtime on Monday, and Andre Ward tweeted on Friday that he was "ready" for a Bute fight. Showtime obviously is keen on Ward-Bute, they have been all along. Now that Ward is back in the gym, this **** can happen.

If there's a Boxing God, we're in for a treat. :bbb