When do you believe a fighter's excuse for a loss?

When it's undeniable. If you broke your hand before the fight, and we have proof that you broke your hand before the fight, then it isn't an excuse. It's just a fact.

 

Tyson isent my favorite fighter but the first thing that comes to mind is " My back is broken, spinal" when he lost to Lewis. I remember thinking - bizarre -

 

I believe the excuse if he wins the rematch

 

I actually think excuses are good for the fighter …they have to believe in themselves…they have to believe it was a fluke …confidence is a necessity

 

Huh? That was against Etienne and he won that fight.

 

Strange that we normally only hear of the injury after the loss !
Might believe if the fighter limps to the scales, or is coughing and sneezing , ever seen it ?

 

I buy it if the reason given corresponds with the performance; is corroborated by a truckload of casual witnesses, or medical practitioner/s, or members of the opposing corner.

Bonus credibility points if the reason/excuse is not given as an immediate reaction to the loss or, quite oppositely, has been actively hidden from the press/public.

 

It’s weird- Jack Johnson fought Jim Johnson with or broke his arm in the fight and yet it’s occasionally a talking point that Jim did well. Liston quits on his stool after cheating and yet…

 

I like how Sean O’Grady put it on commentary during one of the Tuesday Night Fights on USA Network: “When you lose, you’re never at your best … because if you were at your best, how could you lose?”

 

When Larry Holmes is noted by commentators for looking weak and sweating in extraordinary excess throughout a fight...so much his boxing trunks are falling off, then mentions in a thick, snotty voice afterward he has a terrible cold...yeah, I believe him.

 

Ah man your right! I think I'm losing my memory. Thanks for the correction

 

Which fight?

 

Azumah Nelson said he was sick in the 1st Fenech fight. He utterly destroyed Jeff in the rematch so I have a tendency to believe him.