why are todays boxers only remembered for their losses.

Because people are ******ed and think that undefeated records are somehow directly correlated to your worth as a fighter. A single loss can be incredibly damaging to the career of an up-and-coming fighter these days, which is why cherrypicking and bumslaying is so common. Just look at Khan for example, the man lost to Prescott and he will be haunted throughout his career for it. And so that's why him and other young prospects with noteable talent mostly take fights they know they can win with certainty. It's a damn shame, because fighters only really become better by taking on legitimate challenges, difficult fights.

 

"When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost, and will never lose a war... because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans."
- George C. Scott as PATTON

Despite what he says, this idea is not confined to Americans. It goes far beyond that. It's a vain attempt at an ideal of perfection that has no place in reality. It is a fantasy, given shape through idolatry.

Personally, I don't subscribe to this school of thought. To me, a fighter that triumphs through adversity in the form of a loss is deserving of greater respect. People can hate on Wlad all they want. He is a true champion for perservering after some devastating losses. I'm rooting for Cotto to beat Foreman, despite my mind telling me that it's more likely he will lose. Why? Because I want him to succeed and to prove me wrong. I love Floyd, but it's not because of his "0". It's because he has incredible skill. If he ever loses, I will still be a fan. If he would've taken all comers and defeated them (which I believe is likely), his legacy would be much greater. Taking risks, overcoming adversity, avenging a loss, that's what makes a champion.

Nikolai Valuev vs. The Earth. Valuev KO1

 

Good point. It's interesting to think about. Seems to me that 'time' itself is a major factor in how 'great' a fighter will be remembered. It's only when a great fighter is actually 'working' that you hear the naysayers come out and belittle their on-going accomplishments because of a recent loss or more...

 

Good post :good

imo, ATG's are remembered for something more then the numbers on their record. It's about what they do in the ring, who they fight, and how they carry themselves.

 

Marciano is "clearly not among the best fighters of all time"? :huh

 

Guys in the past are linked together through their fights (Hagler-Hearns, Ali-Frazier, Holyfield-Bowe) in such a way that a legend almost seems impossible without a counterpart. People remember a great fight (Gatti-Ward) more than a guy's record.

Promoters have forgotten that.

 

Because there are always stupid ****ers, who thinks they are being critical...
When one wins, see the flaws into the victory (not only to downplay it) to let this forum know: "We are sooooo smart and boxing experts"
When one loses, they are even harder: "exposed, overrated, blablabla..."

 

Has to do with media coverage and hype. Back then i think alot of the losses were forgiven if you didnt see them, today when fighters lose millions are tuning in.

Also has to do with limited knowledge of boxing by todays fans.

 

Another thought falls in line with a theory on soccer hooliganism: The more socialist societies become the more they expect from those outside the social paradigm. The sociological changes Europed encountered a couple of decades ago are now here in the USSA.

 

He is but not just because of his undefeated record.

 

Sure. This person didn't say that, however. They said he is "clearly not among the best fighters of all time". Marciano was a poor choice to make this particular point.

 

Give it some time. DLH will be remembered for his wins in due time. His losses are just fresher on our minds.

 

It does not matter if you lose fights if you fight the best available opposition.

The people who say it matters when you lose are not true fans of the sport at all, just idiots or Floyd fans.

 

I think because the best boxer and biggest name in the sport is undefeated and everything now a days is about wins and losses. Floyd has set a very high standard for todays boxers and boxing fans. Floyd talks about his record, we talk about his record. People say he is afraid to lose his 0 and what not. This is the new bar set by Mayweather and people are using this bar whether we like it or not.