"Boxers Box Because of Money, Nothing Else"

[Fenom]

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

[Fenom]

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

[ExecutiveOutlaw]

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 $$$$$$$$$$

[El Jesus]

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

[Darkstar]

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.

[JAB5239]

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.

[MJ406]

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.

[βetamax]

Don't you find this comment a bit dubious and kind of ******?

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.

[nycbigdog2]

Its a different time now... America is a different place with different values as opposed to previous generations... People that lived during WWII or had parents that lived at those times learned a sense of sacrifice, principle, and humility which they in turn instilled to their children...

For example, Muhammed Ali, who was arguably the world's most famous athlete of the time, based on his personal principles refused to be inducted into the military, consequently leading to his Championship belt being stripped, jailed, fined, losing prime fighting years, as well as losing millions of dollars in potential fights... He didnt have to refuse the draft and if he joined the military his duties would have been simply to put on boxing exhibitions... But, he stood his ground and payed a heavy price... Now, if there was a draft today, would you think Mayweather Jr (if he wasnt retired), would take a political stand and risk imprisonment, the loss of millions of dollars, and stripping of his belts???

Another example is Micheal Jordan and Magic Johnson...These players already won championships and were future hall of famers at the time, but wanted to win so bad that were willing to take pay cuts in order to acquire better players for their teams... Now, would Kobe, Carmelo Anthony, James do the same today???

[El Dominicano]

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.

Sadly, SRR said he was in it for the money and that he didn't like the sport of boxing. He didn't enjoy it. Sad, coming from the number 1 P4P all time.