Which losses enhanced a fighter's legacy?

A win is always better than loss. There are times when a loss can raise a fighter's stock depending on the circumstances though. We just saw it with Maidana against Floyd.

Roy jones' loss in 1988 olympic gold medal match

you make some excellent points but way more people know of thrilla in manilla than his wins against ellis, mathis and bob foster. Are we talking about popularity of win/loses or what they actually mean to that man's career? the Thrilla is without a doubt one of the most famous fights ever but anyone looking at Frazier, as a boxing fan will know that his wins over Ali, Mathis, Foster and co are more important to his legacy, Manilla just makes it shine that little bit brighter.

I agree that there are honourable losses but they are never better than a win. Frazier's win over Ali and his run as champion are greater achievements than the Thrilla in Manilla but that fight does enhance his legacy, how ever it is not better than any of his wins against men like Ellis and Mathis and Foster. Honourable losses can also be used to excuse some of the mistakes of the past, for example, Duran's losses to Hagler and Hearns went a long way to healing the damage done when he quit against Leonard but it was ultimately winning the middleweight championship off Barkley that truly guided him back into our good books. The only occasion on which an honourable loss is better than a win is when fighters take on insurmountable odds, lose against the best, rather than fighting lesser opponents. Take Frazier rematching Foreman or Holyfield moving up to heavyweight and losing to the likes of Bowe or Hatton's two losses to the greatest fighters of his generation. you make some excellent points but way more people know of thrilla in manilla than his wins against ellis, mathis and bob foster.

My question is how the hell is Pacman number 2 on your pfp list?? pacman was 4th but he has moved up 2 places because of ward and rigo's inactivity. my list is based on this critera: my criteria from most important to least important: 1) current overall skill level 2) recent wins 3) stature in own Division. Extra points for being top fighters of competitive divisions 4) career accomplishments 5) activity 6) least important is excitement pacquaio scores very high in 1, 4 and 6.. in terms of 3 - he would be favourite against anyone at welter other than floyd. in terms of 2, he beat bradley 2 years ago, that just about qualifies as recent.

In boxing history, "honourable losses" or "special losses" are sometimes given more credit than wins. it may even be controversial decisions. e.g. frazier - ali in thrilla in manilla. that fight did more for fraziers legacy than his wins over fellow hall of fame fighters jimmy ellis and bob foster I agree that there are honourable losses but they are never better than a win. Frazier's win over Ali and his run as champion are greater achievements than the Thrilla in Manilla but that fight does enhance his legacy, how ever it is not better than any of his wins against men like Ellis and Mathis and Foster. Honourable losses can also be used to excuse some of the mistakes of the past, for example, Duran's losses to Hagler and Hearns went a long way to healing the damage done when he quit against Leonard but it was ultimately winning the middleweight championship off Barkley that truly guided him back into our good books. The only occasion on which an honourable loss is better than a win is when fighters take on insurmountable odds, lose against the best, rather than fighting lesser opponents. Take Frazier rematching Foreman or Holyfield moving up to heavyweight and losing to the likes of Bowe or Hatton's two losses to the greatest fighters of his generation.

In boxing history, "honourable losses" or "special losses" are sometimes given more credit than wins. it may even be controversial decisions. e.g. frazier - ali in thrilla in manilla. that fight did more for fraziers legacy than his wins over fellow hall of fame fighters jimmy ellis and bob foster My question is how the hell is Pacman number 2 on your pfp list??

the trilogy...? did you see the second fight? the first fight was the true classic. the third fight was sweet as well, but it was nowhere near the level of the first. dying young certainly didn't hurt, but there was talk of gatti getting into the hall of fame before his death. No question the second fight wasn't as good. Obviously the first one was clearly the best, but bloody hell the 3rd fight was good as well. I was watching the 1st fight on a plane to london yesterday, and holy crap - you forget how intense it was. But that's how it is with most trillies to be honest. one of them is usually less good than the others. Yeah I remember. I think his death caused it in the end however, and was like a fitting tribute to him. Even though undeserved.

the trilogy...? did you see the second fight? the first fight was the true classic. the third fight was sweet as well, but it was nowhere near the level of the first. dying young certainly didn't hurt, but there was talk of gatti getting into the hall of fame before his death. I'm sure he would rather be alive than be in the Hall of Fame. I'm pretty disgusted by the undertone you've engaged regarding Gatti. Arturo and Andre Ward were close friends just in case you didn't know.

Well more like the trilogy I suppose, and the fact that he died so young, nobody likes to say it, but that's what it is. the trilogy...? did you see the second fight? the first fight was the true classic. the third fight was sweet as well, but it was nowhere near the level of the first. dying young certainly didn't hurt, but there was talk of gatti getting into the hall of fame before his death.

he shouldn't be in, but gatti's loss to ward is probably what got him into the hall of fame. Well more like the trilogy I suppose, and the fact that he died so young, nobody likes to say it, but that's what it is.

he shouldn't be in, but gatti's loss to ward is probably what got him into the hall of fame.

whitaker-chavez

Haye vs Wladimir... jk

Vitali's loss to Lennox Lewis.

Malik Scott vs Deontay Wilder Paul Briggs vs Danny Green Bruce Seldon vs Mike Tyson

Marquez vs Pacquiao Marquez losing made him more hungry to beat Pacquiao and he made the adjustments by studying the previous fights to beat him.

Johnny Nelson lost his first 5 fights. Orlando Salido was 6-5-1. Specifically speaking id say Marquez-Pac.

Lara v Williams.

pacquiao is definitely one. his ealier loses made him a monster in the ring Posted from Boxingscene.com App for Android