Are you allowed to cherry pick if you're not champ?

[Southpaw93]

This is something I remember Sergio Martinez said in the build up to the Chavez Jr fight. He said that Chavez kept ducking him for a long time, Chavez's team said they did not want to fight Martinez yet until Chavez got better and had more experience. Martinez said if Chavez was just a contender then he could keep cherry picking opponents but since he had a championship belt, he had an obligation to fight the best and not duck anyone. Which makes sense.

So do you guys think fighters are allowed to "duck" or "cherry pick opponents" if they are not champions? Like if they are trying to get better before facing a real threat.

[CANELOLUJAH]

NOPE
NOPE
NOPE
NOPE

was you step to prospect status only way and that to the top!

[sicko]

YES, You are allowed to Cherry Pick when you actually OWN THE CHERRY TREE, owning you own Cherry Tree= Being A Draw and Being The A Side, Being Able To Generate Big Money No Matter Who You Fight!

Mayweather, Pacquiao, Cotto, they own their own "Cherry Trees" so yes they can pick and choose the sweetest most juiciest cherries possible from their Trees. Belts don't mean anything to these fighters at this point in their careers! Cotto can drop that WBC Belt right now and still sell out MSG or Barclay fighting who ever the hell he wants.

[Beater_of_ass]

Canelo is doing it, I don't see who is going to tell him not to.

[The Gambler1981]

It might even be more crucial for non champions, because looking bad against the wrong guy coming up or on the comeback trail can really mess up the whole program for a lot of guys.

You always need good management in boxing, even if you are a world beater.