Can Quitters Ever Be Forgiven Or Is It "Once a Quitter Always A Quitter"?

[F!x]

Quitting during a boxing match is generally considered taboo and usually frowned upon by the audience, the critics and even the boxers own team. It is a decision which often lingers with a fighter for much, if not all, of his career.

A few examples include Devon Alexander who quit against Bradley, Vitali Klitschko who quit against Byrd, Chad Dawson quitting against Ward and, perhaps the most prolific in recent times, Victor Ortiz quitting against Maidana. The list goes on, quitting isn't the most uncommon act in the ring, this is a brutal sport.

But can quitters ever be forgiven and can they eradicate the label of being a "quitter" or is it something that is permanently engraved onto their legacy and in fact has a direct impact when considering that fighters resume and historical status? Is it "Once a quitter, always a quitter" or do certain fighters remove the "quitter" label through their subsequent achievements?

[US Dirk Killer]

Don't forget Mike Alvarado then

[Doctor_Tenma]

Depends, I don't hold it against Cotto when he quit against Margarito as he was taking too much punishment, same goes for Alvarado against Provodnikov or DLH against Pacquiao. When the fighter doesn't have anything left to offer whilst taking a serious beating, I don't see why I should hold it against them.

[PiXelElite]

Quitting during a boxing match is generally considered taboo and usually frowned upon by the audience, the critics and even the boxers own team. It is a decision which often lingers with a fighter for much, if not all, of his career.

A few examples include Devon Alexander who quit against Bradley, Vitali Klitschko who quit against Byrd, Chad Dawson quitting against Ward and, perhaps the most prolific in recent times, Victor Ortiz quitting against Maidana. The list goes on, quitting isn't the most uncommon act in the ring, this is a brutal sport.

But can quitters ever be forgiven and can they eradicate the label of being a "quitter" or is it something that is permanently engraved onto their legacy and in fact has a direct impact when considering that fighters resume and historical status? Is it "Once a quitter, always a quitter" or do certain fighters remove the "quitter" label through their subsequent achievements?

I respect a fighters decision if he goes that route... they have families too... also, who are we to judge another human being... I would like to see the keyboard warriors here get into the ring & start feeling some real pain than typing in the comforts of their home.

[WilkinsOlajuwon]

The word quit is thrown around to cavalierly. When you are getting battered, calling an end to the fight isn't quitting. Quitting is when you are not hurt and you choose to stop (Tor Hamer, Facelube)

[Rapid Counter]

Nothing wrong with holding your hands up and admitting that you have been bested by a better man on the night.

Didnt do Duran's legacy any harm.

[Doctor_Tenma]

The word quit is thrown around to cavalierly. When you are getting battered, calling an end to the fight isn't quitting. Quitting is when you are not hurt and you choose to stop (Tor Hamer, Facelube)

It's still quitting but that's a different debate, it's just that it's different levels to it, you can justifiably quit and unjustifiably. The issue here is that quitting is quickly seen as something negative when that's not always the case.

[Ray Corso]

Retire is not quiting! Dawson tried his best to get on track and be competitive but he had nothing to give! He retired! Cotto also, theres a time to loose the fight but try and come back to right the wrong.

I agree what someone else said about people here getting in the ring and actually experiencing when things turn "red" and your breathing is interupted and your arms become heavy beyond belief! This sport isn't soccer or tennis the consequences in boxing are life threatening! Ray

[The Big Dunn]

Depends on what the agenda of the poster is.

[Weltschmerz]

I'm sure fighters don't worry about whether or not NSB keyboard warriors can forgive them.