Does an unbeaten record hurt a fighter long term?

**larry x** · 10-09-2009, 10:43 AM

its the names on the resume that define a fighters worth

**S.G.** · 10-09-2009, 10:47 AM

Only in that it encourages resentment from the boxing community who love to see the athletes face adversity.

An undefeated record in principal is a pretty spectacular achievement; it's when you delve into the whole "did _________ go out of their way to protect their 0" argument when it can start to taint a boxer's career. However I do think this is a largely fabricated phenomena around here, when discussing our three most noteworthy undefeated fighters - Mayweather, Calzaghe and Marciano - anyway.

**lparm** · 10-09-2009, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by S.G.

Only in that it encourages resentment from the boxing community who love to see the athletes face adversity.

An undefeated record in principal is a pretty spectacular achievement; it's when you delve into the whole "did _________ go out of their way to protect their 0" argument when it can start to taint a boxer's career. However I do think this is a largely fabricated phenomena around here, when discussing our three most noteworthy undefeated fighters - Mayweather, Calzaghe and Marciano - anyway.

Well there are some questions about Rocky like the split decision to LaStarza, or Joe not fighting outside of the UK for most of his career against the best, or Floyd avoiding elite wws. All are true to an extent and I think the worry of the 0 is alot to do with they way they thought/think.

**larry x** · 10-09-2009, 11:11 AM

differance with floyd ,joe,marciano..is floyd gets ****ted on for who he fights in his 4th division....................

**ИATAS** · 10-09-2009, 11:16 AM

Most of the time it can, in rare occasions it doesn't.

Personally, I think its good for young fighters to experience a loss early in their careers. It teaches them the taste of defeat and if coached properly, it will motivate them even more to never have that happen again. It also tells them they do in fact need to continue to improve, work harder and the reality is they are not perfect, not unbeatable.

**Rabbit ♠** · 10-09-2009, 11:22 AM

Faruq Saleem anyone?

**S.G.** · 10-09-2009, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by lparm

Well there are some questions about Rocky like the split decision to LaStarza, or Joe not fighting outside of the UK for most of his career against the best, or Floyd avoiding elite wws. All are true to an extent and I think the worry of the 0 is alot to do with they way they thought/think.

But these niggles exist in 99% of boxer's careers full stop, unbeaten or not.

They are only so focused on for these certain undefeated guys because people love to criticise and don't really have substantial ammunition.

In short I don't think these imperfections in Floyd/Calzaghe/Marciano's careers are necessarily to do with a fear of being beaten, it's just that in boxing sometimes fights don't happen - such is the nature of the beast.

**MANGLER** · 10-09-2009, 11:28 AM

Not as long as they amassed that record against the best comp.

**Bushidō** · 10-09-2009, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by lparm

I know unbeaten fighters like to protect their 0 but in doing so sometimes pick fights that they are sure of winning and avoiding the real challenges. This is not a Floyd attack so huggers take a break. Sean O'Grady's dad said he was in a way happy to see his son's record of wins broken because the pressure was off. Hagler and Hopkins fought with more determination than ever after early losses. Even the brilliant SRL stepped up his game even more after defeat. You could argue guys like Ottke was so concerned with his 0 he avoided any serious threat. Ali seemed more relaxed in there after being beaten. The pressure was off. Does the worry of the 0 hurt a fighter?

I don't think it hurts a fighter when you think about it like 50 years later but what it does it make people find excuses. People will always point out the persons closest fight and say that they lost

Does an unbeaten record hurt a fighter long term?