"Boxers Box Because of Money, Nothing Else"

"Boxers Box Because of Money, Nothing Else" "I never did anything for personal gain. When I was a boxer, I wanted to be champion of the world, not the richest man in the world. If you can maintain that integrity in whatever you do, you can't go wrong." - George Foreman

It's fair, they should get money for risking their health. What I hate is fighters that only think as businessmen. Where're the fighters that want a legacy, getting to the point of being compared to others ALT?

Why do guys want to play grid iron in the NFL? why do guys want play basketball in the NBA? why do guys want to play baseball in the MLB? for the money of course. why do boxers risk their health and wellbeing? money

I was watching the behind the glory on Larry Holmes, and one of his sparring partners/friends (i cant think of the guys name but he sparred with Frazier,Ali,...etc) made that statement, i dont have the exact quote, but he said if a boxer tells you different, they're lying. He said why else would you want to get beat up or something to that effect, now i was just wondering yall's opinions on that, especially those that love to hate on fighters such as Floyd and Oscar. I think its pretty much true, though im sure most guys want to truly be the best because theyre competitors at heart, if money wasnt involved, how many guys would really go out there and take a beating for fun. His statement just made me think, because people act like the old fighters were just fighting to fight but this guy had a different outlook. Another thing, it said that Cooney and Holmes both made 10mill a piece for their fight, i just thought that was astounding, especially for that time. well some boxers box because they just like fighting.

Amazing they havent tapped into more WARD-GATTI type fights... slightly lesser known or revered guys but ones who will go ALL OUT every time out to give a great show. It's because the head of HBO boxing doesn't know much about boxing, he picks fights mainly by name recognition of the fighters which was why Mosley vs Mayorga was going to be on PPV.

We could get that if companies like HBO would stop over paying or even paying complete bullshit fights. If fighters only got paid for fighting the so called best better fights would get made because that would be the only way a fighter could make really good money. That would also not allow promoters to try and make bullshit fights because they know it wouldn't be televised which would no exposure for their fighter or company. Amazing they havent tapped into more WARD-GATTI type fights... slightly lesser known or revered guys but ones who will go ALL OUT every time out to give a great show.

I'll give another look into this...take myself for example. My last fight was in 2001 (I also fought an exhibition on a pro show in Montreal in 2002). I train boxers now. I will never make a comeback. But guess what? I still spar now more than most professional fighters. I know for a fact I have done more rounds of sparring this year than any of the guys I train. I am at 296 right now. I did 12 rounds with NABF cruiser champion Matt Godfrey two weeks ago. I get no money for sparring. I am not getting ready to fight. So why take abuse, risk my health, when I dont have to (atage 41)??? Because I love boxing, I love to box, and just cannot see NOT sparring if I am still able. I feel like a fighter when I am sparring... thats what I am accustomed to and that's what I like. It's definitely a part of me now and will be until I leave this earth. And I guarantee you that when I am in my 60's and I see guys sparring in the gym... I will feel very anxious and sad that I wont be able to be a part of it

Don't you find this comment a bit dubious and kind of stupid? Take it easy there 'ol wise one. Look, say for example someone designs websites. It probably started out a hobby and it's something this person enjoys doing. However, when it's someone's means of making a living they aren't doing it for free. Period. They want to be appropriately paid for their services. The same thing with boxers particularly when they reach a higher level.

ah thanks for the response ICE interesting bit of info there, as drugs are pretty addictive. and you chose a great example using Sugar Ray Leonard. and Jab get's at what im getting at, outside of the big names who fight on HBO, Showtime, the "overwhelming majority" of boxers doesn't have that luxury of getting top dollar money, im sure there's hundreds, even thousands of Boxers who will never fight on an HBO PPV. but I guess I underestimated the love of the sport, as people will do it regardless of ability be it past prime to having well under sub 500. record I dig it though. **funny how our examples are polar opposites of each other as you use Ray Lenard a sure fire hall of famer coming outta retirement because he loves the sport and I use a fighter I saw on Friday Night fights who I've never heard of with a 7-22 record. still though good points and the response is appreciated.

True.....i think as time passed money changed fighters will as they realized boxing could be so profitable. But i box myself as an amateur and as much as i cant wait to go pro and make some money i truly love boxing and the love of the sport is what keeps me attracted to it and wanting more.....not money Thing is, the overwhelming majority of boxers really don't make much money. Most fighters are like yourself, they love the sport first. They would do it for free just to test themselves.

ive been saying this for the longest, it applies to 99% of pro fighters people wanna criticize floyd but theyd do the same if they were in his shoes. and most likely so would their favorite fighter i.e. calzaghe, dlh, hatton etc once a boxer reaches a certain status its all about the $$$$$$$$$$ De La Hoya had all the $$$$$$$$$$ years ago. He could have retired after the Trinidad fight in 1999. Yet he still went on to fight the best.

thread stealer always got that heavyweight knowledge. i learn alot about the old school from reading his posts.

ive been saying this for the longest, it applies to 99% of pro fighters people wanna criticize floyd but theyd do the same if they were in his shoes. and most likely so would their favorite fighter i.e. calzaghe, dlh, hatton etc once a boxer reaches a certain status its all about the $$$$$$$$$$

YOU SAY: right, but still im only guessing, but I wouldn't think boxing's a cheap sport to pick up ... all the equipment for example the hand wraps, training gloves, bag gloves, headgear, fight gloves ... plus you have to pay for a trainer, sparing partners, cutmen etc. I always wondered why Journeymen and boxers with sub 500. records (such as these youtube sensations) took up pro boxing. I recall seeing a 23 year old on Friday Night Fights for example who had a record of 7-22. I mean why? can't he find something to do that he's better at, and less risky on his health? QUOTE] ICE SAYS: Because boxing is the drug of choice...man, you have to understand, when a guy like Sugar Ray Leonard comes back to fight way way after his prime....he's already rich. Boxers love boxing sometimes as much as they did when they were 15 years old boxing in the junior olympics...I remember about eight years ago a former world champion (you definitely know him) came toour gym about 15 years after his last fight..he was in his late 40's and wanted to fight again.... he sparred that day with a novice amateur who had to take it easy on him...he was very disappointed, very down, that his dream of fighting again was over before it started....he wasnt going to make any money at it even if he could have still fought... he wanted to do it for the same reason we enter the Golden Gloves for no money at age 16... because he LOVES the feeling it gives him. Many boxers will tell you what I found out for myself later on in my career. "I never felt more alive than when I was training for a fight." Amen to that bruddah

I'd say that's true for the present day fighters, more and more of them look for the biggest money fight with the least risk, it wasn't like this 20-25 years ago. True.....i think as time passed money changed fighters will as they realized boxing could be so profitable. But i box myself as an amateur and as much as i cant wait to go pro and make some money i truly love boxing and the love of the sport is what keeps me attracted to it and wanting more.....not money

ICE SAYS: Because boxing is the drug of choice...man, you have to understand, when a guy like Sugar Ray Leonard comes back to fight way way after his prime....he's already rich. Boxers love boxing sometimes as much as they did when they were 15 years old boxing in the junior olympics...I remember about eight years ago a former world champion (you definitely know him) came toour gym about 15 years after his last fight..he was in his late 40's and wanted to fight again.... he sparred that day with a novice amateur who had to take it easy on him...he was very disappointed, very down, that his dream of fighting again was over before it started....he wasnt going to make any money at it even if he could have still fought... he wanted to do it for the same reason we enter the Golden Gloves for no money at age 16... because he LOVES the feeling it gives him. Many boxers will tell you what I found out for myself later on in my career. "I never felt more alive than when I was training for a fight." i aggre with you on that....i remember watching that george formen reality show...and he wanted to get back into boxing and start training again.....but his wife talked him out of it. now let remember.....george got all that money from the grills he invested in (which is a good produt by the way) and from boxing.....

YOU SAY: right, but still im only guessing, but I wouldn't think boxing's a cheap sport to pick up ... all the equipment for example the hand wraps, training gloves, bag gloves, headgear, fight gloves ... plus you have to pay for a trainer, sparing partners, cutmen etc. I always wondered why Journeymen and boxers with sub 500. records (such as these youtube sensations) took up pro boxing. I recall seeing a 23 year old on Friday Night Fights for example who had a record of 7-22. I mean why? can't he find something to do that he's better at, and less risky on his health? QUOTE] ICE SAYS: Because boxing is the drug of choice...man, you have to understand, when a guy like Sugar Ray Leonard comes back to fight way way after his prime....he's already rich. Boxers love boxing sometimes as much as they did when they were 15 years old boxing in the junior olympics...I remember about eight years ago a former world champion (you definitely know him) came toour gym about 15 years after his last fight..he was in his late 40's and wanted to fight again.... he sparred that day with a novice amateur who had to take it easy on him...he was very disappointed, very down, that his dream of fighting again was over before it started....he wasnt going to make any money at it even if he could have still fought... he wanted to do it for the same reason we enter the Golden Gloves for no money at age 16... because he LOVES the feeling it gives him. Many boxers will tell you what I found out for myself later on in my career. "I never felt more alive than when I was training for a fight."

can't people do it for both? i mean it's probaly some boxers that love the sport and take pride in it......but at the same time they gotta eat right? right, but still im only guessing, but I wouldn't think boxing's a cheap sport to pick up ... all the equipment for example the hand wraps, training gloves, bag gloves, headgear, fight gloves ... plus you have to pay for a trainer, sparing partners, cutmen etc I always wondered why Journeymen and boxers with sub 500. records (such as these youtube sensations) took up pro boxing I recall seeing a 23 year old on Friday Night Fights for example who had a record of 7-22. I mean why? can't he find something to do that he's better at, and less risky on his health? **anyway to get back on topic, I liked the example of Kelly Pavlik as take his upcoming fight vs Bernard Hopkins, one of the reasons it's being done is Hopkins is the biggest name available and Bob Arum knows it'll make the most money (vs that potential fight with Abraham for example)

can't people do it for both? i mean it's probaly some boxers that love the sport and take pride in it......but at the same time they gotta eat right?

Don't forget Joe Louis donated alot of his purses to the war relief, so in reality he was fighting for free. Also, Rocky fought Ivan Drago for free on Christmas. I don't know if I would say Lewis was fighting for free. Donating his purse to war relief was likely just a tax deduction and from what I understand he a lot of debt. Rocky on the other hand, what can I say...