Why don't young fighters accept that they have to pay their dues anymore?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by tinman, Dec 5, 2017.


  1. tinman

    tinman Loyal Member Full Member

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    Think about it, very few fighters today actually have the nuts to take hard fights and big risks. Some of them do, like Lomachenko (who I'm not even a fan of) and Shawn Porter who I'm a big fan of. These guys will pretty much fight anybody, at any venue, not really make a big fuss about weight, purse, gloves, etc. The only issue is will the other guy have the cajones to match them. It's what fighters have always done to build their fanbase and name. Then you have guys like Deontay Wilder, crusher of cans and fatbodies. His resume is an absolute joke and he's pointing to Joshua saying 50-50 or no fight. Despite that Joshua took part in the most entertaining HW fight in a decade. So his entertainment stock went way up. Despite the fact that Wlad was 41. People actually want to see Joshua fight and deliver the TV friendly goods again.

    Think about how much work fighters have put in to build their names. Look at Manny Pacquiao for example.

    He beat the best flyweight in the world by KO. He beat the best SBW in the world by KO on 10 days notice. Fought 3 ATG's and was a 3 weight champion and made concessions on gloves and blood testing. All the while delivering vicious beatdowns, wars and fight of the year candidates.

    What's my point? He did all this before he ever even headlined his first PPV. Now you have fighters who win a single paper title off a shot fighter or weak champion. And it's "gimme mah cash brahhh."

    The hell is going on with guys?
     
    tinman, Dec 5, 2017
    tinman, Dec 5, 2017
    #1
  2. GolovKing

    GolovKing ESB Since 2006 Full Member

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    I think you are correct about fighters (people in general) not wanting to "pay their dues". I think it is becoming more and more prevalent in our society with each generation. However, I will never blame someone for trying to make the most amount of money doing the least amount of work. That's just smart business most of the time.
    I say most of the time because there are instances when taking short money to fight (or take a job) can lead to bigger money faster and for a longer period of time. Mikey Garcia is a prime example regarding the offer made to him to fight Cotto.
     
    GolovKing, Dec 5, 2017
    GolovKing, Dec 5, 2017
    #2
  3. J Jones

    J Jones Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I think the blame lies more with the promoters than the fighters. Fighters have to have a sense of invincibility to do what they do. In some cases their invincibility borders on stupidity. For instance, what made Gatti think he had any business in the ring with Mayweather, same with Pazienza and a prime RJJ.
    One solution would be 50/50 purses. Why 50/50? Because it takes 2 to tango. Joshua may be the draw, but he makes more money fighting legitimate perceived threats than he does tomato cans. There should be a clause in the contract that adjusts the contract to 60/40, in favor of a winner by T/KO. If the loser of a 50/50 fight wants a rematch, then they do so at 40/60 if they lost by decision or 35/65 if they lost by T/KO. This way, they have to “pay” for the opportunity to seek redemption.
     
    J Jones, Dec 5, 2017
    J Jones, Dec 5, 2017
    #3
  4. Brighton bomber

    Brighton bomber Loyal Member Full Member

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    It just human nature for people to get as much as they can for doing as little as they can.

    It doesn't help that the proliferation of titles has meant some very ordinary fighters can now call themselves world champions, look at Charr winning the WBA belt. By lowering the quality of what is required to be called a champion it means fighters don't have to work as hard as they once did to win a belt.

    Then you have promoters and managers who over protect fighters all the way to a title shot, once again lowering the standard of what is required to get a shot.

    Even Joshua himself found an easy route to a title, but unlike Wilder he didn't become complacent and stepped up to unify after a few easy defences when another opportunity presented itself and that's why he's the huge draw and huge star he is now.
     
    Brighton bomber, Dec 5, 2017
    Brighton bomber, Dec 5, 2017
    #4