In History Has There Ever Been A fighter who

[TheGR8TESTOAT]

In history has there ever been a top elite fighter who clearly ducked another top elite fighter for the prime of their career only to finally have to be forced to fight that fighter later on while still in their respected primes?

If so what was the outcome?


Some examples I heard that were similar to this was Roy Jones vs Tarver, I don't think this is really a good example as I personally think Roy going up to heavyweight and then trying to come back down to 175 right after at age 36 is not really a good example.

Others bring up Leonard vs Hagler as well but I think most can agree both were already past their prime when they finally met.

[Thaim]

I don't think Jones ducked Tarver. He fought Harding after Harding defeated Tarver and he did not need to drop back to light heavyweight to fight him. He could have fought anybody and made more money. I also don't think Jones was prime when he lost to Tarver, he was extremely weight drained.

But in reference to the question, Chavez did not want to fight Whitaker until forced to and James Toney did not want to fight Roy Jones Jr until he had no choice.

[In Motion]

Chavez Jr ducked Martinez for a very long time.

[ElMeroChingon]

Have to give it up to Canelo, he put his foot down on May, FLoyd was cornered in, no where to hide.

[TheGR8TESTOAT]

I don't think Jones ducked Tarver. He fought Harding after Harding defeated Tarver and he did not need to drop back to light heavyweight to fight him. He could have fought anybody and made more money. I also don't think Jones was prime when he lost to Tarver, he was extremely weight drained.

But in reference to the question, Chavez did not want to fight Whitaker until forced to and James Toney did not want to fight Roy Jones Jr until he had no choice.

i personally never thought Roy ducked Tarver it was more so Tarver calling out and chasing Roy and enough fans and media bought into it.

Well if what u say is true chavez ducked Pea and we all know Pea got robbed in the outcome.

i never knew Toney didnt want to fight RJJ tho? why though?

[TheGR8TESTOAT]

Chavez Jr ducked Martinez for a very long time.

this is a pretty good example Jr ducked Maravilla for a long time i agree it was also a combo of Top Rank protecting him too though but yeah same thing.

[TheGR8TESTOAT]

Oh I just remembered Big George was scared of Frazier.

He saw how Frazier knocked down Ali and thought man they are gonna make me fight this guy.

He admitted in interviews he was scared ****less to fight Smoking Joe thats why he beat his arse quick like that out of fear. Crazy huh?

[Dr Rumack]

Leonard did wait out Hagler, but he also beat Benitez, Duran, and Hearns in less than two years, which was quite good.

[TheGR8TESTOAT]

Leonard did wait out Hagler, but he also beat Benitez, Duran, and Hearns in less than two years, which was quite good.

yeah i rank Leonard as one of the all time greats even higher than Floyd due to his era of opposition and how he beat them all.