Is winning the fight not enough anymore?

It's no different than it's ever been. We're just a hell of a lot more exposed to the minutiae due to the age we live in. Great point. On one hand you can blame fans for being too caught up in what negotiating can mean, some way too far. BUT, as you say, the age we live in means we had about it a lot more. Before the internet and everyone having access to a camera of some kind, people in the boxing game didn't have cameras in their face and online articles hanging on their words 24/7 in the lead up to fights, they did their business and if something needed to be made common knowledge I guess it got took it to the press at some point. It is nowadays an era of much faster and a greater span of news coverage, so we hear all about the little things. Good point. Still, some people in some fan bases hang onto it all way too much and even go to the lengths of arguing the finer points of negotiations in order to make their fighter seem the superior guy, which is pretty sad. You see some people argue about PPV gates, purse % splits etc in order to make their guy sound better rather than letting the fights speak for themselves.

Ducking pays. Big money. Ask Floyd.

Fighters are just returning the favor of what was done to them. "He screwed me over so I'll screw you over"

Actually the two previous fights for Hagler, Mugabi and Hearns were scheduled for 12 rounds. The WBC sanctioned the Leonard bout and they were the first to make title bouts twelve. You know what you are right. I just went back and watched. Good stuff.

I don't recall it happening that way. Hagler was fresh off of a 15 rounder while Leonard hadn't fought in a couple years. Actually the two previous fights for Hagler, Mugabi and Hearns were scheduled for 12 rounds. The WBC sanctioned the Leonard bout and they were the first to make title bouts twelve.

Actually Hagler chose the 12 round distance. In agreement, Leonard chose the ring size. It was a compromise. I guess Hagler figured he didn't need more than twelve rounds and figured the ring size would not save Leonard. I don't recall it happening that way. Hagler was fresh off of a 15 rounder while Leonard hadn't fought in a couple years.

I think it originally started out as psychological warfare, to show the opponent who the dominant side in the equation was. Now its degenerated to nothing but posturing and trying to impose as much of a handicap as possible in order to win. Certain things like catch weights in order to make a fight even in specific circumstances is understandable, but then certain fighters go out of their way to exploit catch weights, imposing ridiculous weigh in limits and/or rehydration clauses, banning Granola bars, can only fap with the right hand if you're a Southpaw, etc. Ugh.

Hagler gave up a lot. He let Leonard get that big ass ring. And going from 15 rounds to 12 was a huge concession at the time. But like you said at least Hagler got the lions share of the cash. These other fighters aren't even getting that. And their having to give up lbs., going to other cities/countries, gloves etc... Actually Hagler chose the 12 round distance. In agreement, Leonard chose the ring size. It was a compromise. I guess Hagler figured he didn't need more than twelve rounds and figured the ring size would not save Leonard.

It's on a different level today,,completely out of control. At least Leonard fought Hagler at 160 after a three year retirement. All Hagler wanted was the money, so he was happy to give certain concessions to Leonard because as he said it, easy fight for him regardless. If that fight happened today...it wouldn't have happened. Hagler gave up a lot. He let Leonard get that big ass ring. And going from 15 rounds to 12 was a huge concession at the time. But like you said at least Hagler got the lions share of the cash. These other fighters aren't even getting that. And their having to give up lbs., going to other cities/countries, gloves etc...

It's no different than it's ever been. We're just a hell of a lot more exposed to the minutiae due to the age we live in.