The Most Feared: Mythical Or Factual

Haven't been here for a while, do boxing writers still submit interesting articles like this? Very rare but some still do.

By Michael Herron To compete in a boxing ring one must possess heart, determination, strength, and above all, courage. With that understanding, is it feasible to suggest that any fighter literally fears another? To simply choose prizefighting as a profession denotes a certain degree of fearlessness; and to actually engage in battle is something that only the chosen few can do. Boxing great Joe Frazier once stated, “I respect all men with two hands who steps into the ring.” This statement clearly indicates the mutual respect and natural vigilance shared amongst all fighters; yet even with this general respect established, cynical fans, biased writers, and uninspired promoters can’t help but create a mythical beast known as the most-feared fighter in boxing. Has the most-feared moniker become a credible mythical title? Is this the anti pound-for-pound champion? It seems that whenever there is a fighter who is recognized as the best, a most-feared archetype is created to oppose him. Throughout boxing history the pound-for-pound champions seem to have to deal with this fabrication most often. Sugar Ray Robinson, the man considered the best pound-for-pound fighter of all-time, had to fight the most-feared Jake Lamotta six times, in part, to demonstrate his fearlessness. The self-proclaimed and often proven “Greatest of All-Time” Muhammad Ali, battled the most-feared versions of Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and even Ken Norton and Earnie Shavers. There was no shortage of most-feared opponents during Ali’s reign. Sugar Ray Leonard, heralded as the best fighter of the 1980s, came out of retirement to face the most-feared Marvelous Marvin Hagler in what was the Superfight of 1987. Roy Jones’ most-feared opponent is imagined to have been several European fighters but in particular, Poland born Dariusz Michalczewski, the former WBO light-heavyweight champion. If the name doesn’t ring a bell then “Ya’ll must have forgot!” Presently, no active fighter has more most-feared concoctions surrounding him than the linear welterweight champion and reigning pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Mayweather’s so-called most-feared opponents are a virtual who’s who of the welterweight division: beginning with Antonio Margarito, the title then shifted to Paul Williams who was exposed by Carlos Quintana; the moniker took a detour to Miguel Cotto, who currently shares it with a resurgent Margarito; and finally, in the background lurks the also feared and avoided Joshua Clottey. The fact that all of these guys are marketed, at one time or another, as Mayweather’s most-feared opponent suggests a lack of creativity and imagination on the part of boxing fans, proponents, and promoters. Furthermore, to throw the term around so loosely takes away any legitimacy in the claim. So do the most-feared fighters in boxing only exist where the pound-for-pound champion’s reign? Why is the moniker currently not used in opposition to any fighter not named Mayweather? For example, why is Junior Witter not billed as the most-feared fighter in boxing? It is clear that he is being ducked and dodged by the alleged best junior welterweight, Ricky Hatton. Why is Winky Wright not considered the most-feared, it is obvious Team Pavlik want nothing to do with him. Why isn’t Vernon Forrest considered most-feared, it is clear that Oscar De La Hoya has avoided him since his days as a welterweight. Why isn’t Nate Campbell the most-feared, it is clear Pacquiao intends to skip right past him when he enters the lightweight division. To reiterate, why are the most-feared fighters in boxing relegated to the welterweight division only? And why as part of their media portrayal, they are all infused with “mythical powers” (overrated boxing abilities) designed specifically for beating Mayweather? In theory, the most-feared moniker is pure fantasy. Its flawed logic suggests that any top ranked contender in or around the same weight-class of the pound-for-pound champion is potentially the most-feared fighter in boxing. The reality is that as long as Mayweather or any future pound-for-pound champion remains undefeated there will always be a most-feared opponent created and over-hyped by fans to challenge him. It’s a recurring cycle that many boxing greats have acknowledged “there is always somebody else; always another challenge.” Therefore the real fear is in recognizing when to hang up the gloves not to put them on. Prizefighters live to compete--to test themselves in the ring. What they most fear, in actuality, is the day their careers are truly over, the day when their fight options run dry. In their view, to have a most-feared opponent, whether fantasy or reality, is much better than having no opponent at all. Mayweather is likely quite happy to have all these “feared” options available. It simply means more opportunities, more exposure, and more money. If and when these most-feared creations begin to fade however, that, ironically, is when the real fear begins. Haven't been here for a while, do boxing writers still submit interesting articles like this?

we always agree on things, its just certain posters (not you) continue to make me out to be some ultra biased Floyd hater just because i dont like what he's doing lately. Quite true.

Damn we agreeing on quite a few things today. we always agree on things, its just certain posters (not you) continue to make me out to be some ultra biased Floyd hater just because i dont like what he's doing lately.

i agree with the article to a certain extent. I dont really think a fighter fears another fighter based on what he could do to him physically. but i do believe one can fear another fighter in the sense that he could be a low reward/high risk option. if you dont want to fight someone because you feel there may be a big chance of you losing and not much benefit from you winning, well then, that is SOME kind of fear. i never believed Floyd was scared of Margo. i personally feel Floyd figured Margarito wasnt worth the trouble because even though he could beat him, the win wouldnt had been an attractive one for him. He would had been mostly defensive in a non-fan friendly fight. That would have probably hurt his marketability. Damn we agreeing on quite a few things today.

I can surely agree with that. Did you read the article I posted? If you did what did you think of it? Regardless of the other articles he has done. i agree with the article to a certain extent. I dont really think a fighter fears another fighter based on what he could do to him physically. but i do believe one can fear another fighter in the sense that he could be a low reward/high risk option. if you dont want to fight someone because you feel there may be a big chance of you losing and not much benefit from you winning, well then, that is SOME kind of fear. i never believed Floyd was scared of Margo. i personally feel Floyd figured Margarito wasnt worth the trouble because even though he could beat him, the win wouldnt had been an attractive one for him. He would had been mostly defensive in a non-fan friendly fight. That would have probably hurt his marketability.

there would if a MAJORITY actually felt the way he claims the fans do. but there isnt. the MAJORITY would rather these fights not happen. and he isnt saying SOME blame should go to ricky and Oscar, he's saying ALL the blame. that is pure idiocy. I can surely agree with that. Did you read the article I posted? If you did what did you think of it? Regardless of the other articles he has done.

There is some truth to what that dude wrote in the article that you posted. there would if a MAJORITY actually felt the way he claims the fans do. but there isnt. the MAJORITY would rather these fights not happen. and he isnt saying SOME blame should go to ricky and Oscar, he's saying ALL the blame. that is pure idiocy.

i like how he points out "biased writers". i guess he doesnt consider himself one regardless of of his PRO PBF articles justifying many of his decisions. Take this one for example, according to him, its not Floyd's fault that he is fighting DLH and possibly Hatton again, but its Oscar, Ricky and the FAN's fault for supposedly wanting these fights to happen? not much objectivity to elude to much credibility. There is some truth to what that dude wrote in the article that you posted.

for the most part I would say no.. but there is an exception to every rule. a lot of times fighters could be scared because a fighter is dominating the division and because there is too much at risk or they dont want to lose their status. I would say the most feared thing is a myth. I don't think fighters fear other fighters. I think as you said they fear losing their hard earned status with a loss no matter how they perform. Also I think money is the biggest issue as to why certain fights aren't made. I feel fighters should be well paid for fights that are supposed to be the hardest or most punishing of their careers.

By Michael Herron yet even with this general respect established, cynical fans, biased writers, and uninspired promoters can’t help but create a mythical beast known as the most-feared fighter in boxing. i like how he points out "biased writers". i guess he doesnt consider himself one regardless of of his PRO PBF articles justifying many of his decisions. Take this one for example, according to him, its not Floyd's fault that he is fighting DLH and possibly Hatton again, but its Oscar, Ricky and the FAN's fault for supposedly wanting these fights to happen? By Michael Herron: It appears that De La Hoya and Hatton just can't get enough of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Oscar calls him out and gets beat; Ricky calls him out and gets KTFO. What’s surprising is that both of them have excuses, and both claim they want to fight him again. What’s with these guys? Did Mayweather do such a number on them mentally that their pride is hurt? It’s obvious they both want retribution. Hatton blamed the ref, the weight, the water, and global warming for his loss; and De La Hoya is convinced that if he would have listened to his corner and jabbed more, he would have won. Let’s go back for a moment. Mayweather gave up every term to De La Hoya—ring, and glove size, weight, fight location, everything--and still won. Hatton had the promotion in his favor; he was the clear fan favorite and media darling both at ringside and in the build-up to the event--and still loss. Many fans often point out Oscar's strengths: his size, skills, speed, big left hook, etc. –but in facing Mayweather, his weaknesses are overlooked. For one, Oscar can’t take body shots; secondly, his stamina is less than perfect; and lastly, he does not use the Mayweather defensive style very well. Even Fernando Vargas was able to break through his so-called improved defense. Ricky’s defense, on the other hand, is likely to see no vital improvement in regards to a Mayweather rematch. As expected, these weaknesses were clearly shown in the original match-ups. Mayweather effectively landed body shots that froze Oscar, and a flurry of indefensible combinations set up the knockout of Hatton. Now what’s the point of this article? Mayweather’s got De La Hoya II coming up, and based on recent interviews with Ricky’s team, Hatton II may be a possibility as well. So while many detest Mayweather for taking these fights, it’s not him that’s making it happen. It’s these two revenge- seeking, pride- suffering, self-centered attractions who can't accept that they loss to Lil Floyd. At least Judah was able to admit he loss to Mayweather, with no excuses. What is mind-boggling is that many fans have accepted and internalized these excuses. Its devotees like these that make such rematches possible. Ironically, their support of intrigues like this is what gives rise to what they complain about later; non competitive matches, forgone conclusions, and Pay-Per-View scams of the boxing public. But oh no; fanatics have sympathy for the vanquished, convincing themselves that their hero didn't really lose, it was the referee, it was the jab, it was the weather, it was the weight, it was the . . . . not much objectivity to elude to much credibility.

LMAO good reply for the most part I would say no.. but there is an exception to every rule. a lot of times fighters could be scared because a fighter is dominating the division and because there is too much at risk or they dont want to lose their status.

ask niccas who faught Mike Tyson... lol LMAO good reply

ask niccas who faught Mike Tyson... lol