WHO do you rate more? Fighters who start strong and finish weak or vice versa ...

[Walterson]

Let me give you one example, Amir Khan vs Marcos Maidana.

It's currently the biggest contender for fight of 2010 and rightly so.

Amir Khan got off to a phenomenally-superb start that saw a body shot hurl his opponent to the floor in the very 1st round. This was a shot that 90% of fighters definitely wouldn't have recovered to however shockingly and in tremendous, award-winning fashion Maidana being the warrior he is, got up and waded forwarded.

Over the next nine rounds and in digression Amir Khan peppered Marcos Maidana with combinations, some hitting the target whist others flashy. Oblivious to many though, Marcos Maidana slowly and successively landed solid shots to the brow, chin and body of Khan in a steady build ...

The 10th round shocked and surprised as all (but the few who saw Maidana's rising punch success in the previous rounds expected this phase) - Maidana battered Khan, and was virtually on the brink of sending him to the floor with an excellent rally. Khan survived, showing exceptional fortitude and courage, most boxers wouldn't have survived the onslaught. This continued onwards for the 11th and 12th rounds but not to the same degree while Khan supposedly 'ran' however threw the occasional punch.

When the final bell sounded, it was clear Khan won the fight, deservedly. He showed what a warrior he was and solid 'chin' he held since his devastating loss to Bredis Prescott.

Did he however finish the fight strongly and as a champion??!!

That's my question to you ...

Of which do you prefer? Fighters who start weak and finish strongly, or the opposite ... fighters who start strong and finish weak?

If it's a case that a fighter wins yet finishes weak, should an immediate rematch be in order? Bit of a brain tussle but I'm sure you'll find an answer ..

[e-low]

Khan won the score cards, but Maidana won the "fight". I think its pretty safe to say (yet biased) everyone likes a strong finisher. Maidana is one of the most exciting fighters in boxing right now. How come? because his ass gets knocked down and comes back with vengence and even stronger. He did it to Ortiz and he did it to Khan. His amount of heart he puts into the fight is undeniable, and being a strong finisher is one of those examples

[Swag Hustla]

A fighter who finishes strong leaves a lasting impression on the judges and the fans. So I'd go with that, but it's not always the case.

If someone starts strong, but fades after 5-6 rounds like Zab Judah or De La Hoya in his later career, then judges and fans tend to forget how much work a fighter put in during the early rounds.

But a fighter needs to find a happy medium. If you're like Abraham going for the KO against Froch in the 12th round, too little too late would be an understatement.