Isn’t strange how when a fighter gets an unpopular decision he is the villain

[2fast2strong]

Even though we know it’s not the fault of the fighter

That said fighter becomes vilified by fans, and sometimes the media for something out of their control

I know I am guilty of this also

[Smash]

maybe its the smug smirkey faces boasting about their 0 or their great results and slagging off the rival who got shafted

[crimsonfalcon07]

A lot of it depends on how the fighter responds.

Do they admit it was a close fight and immediately run it back and win it clear? Examples in recent history would be Juan Francisco Estrada having gotten a controversial decision vs Chocolatito in their second fight, ran it back and got a clear win in the rubber match. Kazuto Ioka got a controversial draw vs Joshua Franco, rematched him and beat him clear and retired him. Both had to drop belts to right the wrong too.

Or do they make all kinds of excuses and avoid the rematch at all costs? Recent examples would be Josh Taylor v Catterall, where Josh made noises about rematching, dropped almost every belt, then fought Teo instead. Or Haney v Loma, where Haney made all kinds of excuses and unequivocally refused a rematch. Both of them knew they lost the fight and likely wouldn't win a rematch, so avoided it at all costs. Heck, even Teo refused to give Loma a rematch, and his win was way less controversial. Or Rolly v Barroso. You see Rolly saying, "sure, let's run it back and I'll beat you clearly again?"

They don't just arbitrarily become villains through matters outside their control. Only the ones who duck like cowards do. I could name several other fighters who aren't vilified because they took the rematch and fought to prove they are better. Even if they lose the rematch, they don't lose credit. Take Gabe Rosado pulling the upset vs Bek the Bully. Lost the rematch, but neither really gets vilified. Zhang beat Joyce, then took him on again to prove it wasn't a fluke. Meanwhile you've got Hrgovic running from a rematch with Zhang after his controversial win. Leigh Wood is taking on Josh Warrington to prove his win wasn't a fluke, since Josh was beating him until the comeback KO. People gave Inoue flak for the first Donaire fight, and then Inoue destroyed him in the rematch, so he actually gets more credit for making the adjustments, unless it's one of the hardcore Inoue haters on here. Etc.

Villains take their fake win and then run from the rematch at all costs. That's their choice.

[The Big Dunn]

Well not always. Does happen when a popular NSB boxer loses.

Take Haney v Loma. Everyone knew before the fight Haney was having issues making 135.

He beats Loma in a close fight, not a robbery, and then became a villain because the judges scored the fight for him and then he went to 140, to take on the best available opponent, instead of starving himself back down to 135 for a rematch.

I think it’s this kind of misplaced anger that causes posters to make boxers villains.

[El_Mero]

All depends on the response from said fighter. In the end that's all that matters. You either rematch or stfu about your gift and move on.

[Bullrider]

Been that way since time immemorial. Bradley got vilified in the Manny fight. Manny himself got vilified in 3 of the Marquez fights. There was Taylor in the Caterrall fight. Canelo in the GGG 1 fight. It's nothing new in this sport.

[ColdBlooded]

When you defiantly defend a decision or refuse a rematch for a fight you clearly lost (see Josh Taylor and Devin Haney), it makes you come across as dishonest, cowardly, arrogant, and dishonorable.

[Hustle]

A lot of it depends on how the fighter responds.

Do they admit it was a close fight and immediately run it back and win it clear? Examples in recent history would be Juan Francisco Estrada having gotten a controversial decision vs Chocolatito in their second fight, ran it back and got a clear win in the rubber match. Kazuto Ioka got a controversial draw vs Joshua Franco, rematched him and beat him clear and retired him. Both had to drop belts to right the wrong too.

Or do they make all kinds of excuses and avoid the rematch at all costs? Recent examples would be Josh Taylor v Catterall, where Josh made noises about rematching, dropped almost every belt, then fought Teo instead. Or Haney v Loma, where Haney made all kinds of excuses and unequivocally refused a rematch. Both of them knew they lost the fight and likely wouldn't win a rematch, so avoided it at all costs. Heck, even Teo refused to give Loma a rematch, and his win was way less controversial. Or Rolly v Barroso. You see Rolly saying, "sure, let's run it back and I'll beat you clearly again?"

They don't just arbitrarily become villains through matters outside their control. Only the ones who duck like cowards do. I could name several other fighters who aren't vilified because they took the rematch and fought to prove they are better. Even if they lose the rematch, they don't lose credit. Take Gabe Rosado pulling the upset vs Bek the Bully. Lost the rematch, but neither really gets vilified. Zhang beat Joyce, then took him on again to prove it wasn't a fluke. Meanwhile you've got Hrgovic running from a rematch with Zhang after his controversial win. Leigh Wood is taking on Josh Warrington to prove his win wasn't a fluke, since Josh was beating him until the comeback KO. People gave Inoue flak for the first Donaire fight, and then Inoue destroyed him in the rematch, so he actually gets more credit for making the adjustments, unless it's one of the hardcore Inoue haters on here. Etc.

Villains take their fake win and then run from the rematch at all costs. That's their choice.

Like Canelo never giving Lara a rematch?

[Marchegiano]

JMM beat Pac more than once.

[Combat Talk Radio]

Well not always. Does happen when a popular NSB boxer loses.

Take Haney v Loma. Everyone knew before the fight Haney was having issues making 135.

He beats Loma in a close fight, not a robbery, and then became a villain because the judges scored the fight for him and then he went to 140, to take on the best available opponent, instead of starving himself back down to 135 for a rematch.

I think it’s this kind of misplaced anger that causes posters to make boxers villains.

This is the correct answer.

Jeff Horn got it too. Then Horn told Manny to call the rematch that was in the contract, run it back if you think you can beat me, and Manny ducked it.