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

It’s a factor. There have probably been HoF level talents who didn’t make it that far — or even turn pro at all — due to hand problems or other health issues.

Not far away from the question of whether someone gets a reputation for being tough without having a good chin. Tex Cobb was a tough guy … would he be any less tough if he had a glass jaw and wasn’t able to absorb so much punishment?

 

That goes a long way, especially in the old days when fighters often fought at least once a month. But often fighters just fight through it.

 

James Braddock went 11-20-2 over a period due in large part to frequent reinjuries to his right hand after breaking it in his loss to Tommy Loughran.

Probably a lot of other good fighters never had the bounce-back that Braddock did and thus we don’t know about them and their career downturns owing to injuries, especially hand problems.

Then there are the bleeders, guys who could have been champions or stayed champions longer if not for having a propensity for getting cut.

Genetics plays a part in success or lack thereof, no doubt, as does (in some cases) dumb luck (especially concerning injuries).

 

I believe excuses by boxers that are my favourites. And no I don’t want to think about that to much.

 

I do find it interesting that you never ever ever see professional athletes sneeze during games, or seem to have colds at any point.

 

I don't believe in excuses, excuses are like everybody's behind, everyone has one. Either you are properly prepared or your not. If not, reschedule your fight. Some of my favorite fighters have lost but I never make excuses for them. The other guy was the best fighter in that win.

 

Michael Jordan's flu/food poisoning game.

 

Far and away extraordinarily truthful

 

It’s kind of funny (ironic) the number of excuses made for Duran for the second Leonard fight (when he quit without being debilitated, without being hurt, with no real reason in a fight where he was only narrowly behind) especially centered around his weight loss … but Leonard had to go running on the morning of the day-of-fight weigh-in to make weight.

 

Duran lost fair and square, he did not train for the fight, entered overconfident, his own fault, Leonard was prepared, he was the better fighter that night.

 

You've just proved my point lol. MJ is sick once in his entire career and it's such a rare occurrence that it's become it's own saga in basketball history.

Like at least 1% of all sports interviews should just be people sniffling but you never seem to see it.

 

Believing your favourite fighters or athletes excuses is great. Believing your own personal excuses is the ultimate, you just have to keep saying them till you forget what really happened. That’s why smarter people are sometimes plagued more by anxiety or depression, they are to smart to believe their own excuses.