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. . .for stepping up to the middleweight division (albeit one at a catch weight) and taking on fights that the majority of observers gave/give them virtually no chance of winning? Specifically how that relates to bravery.
Khan was commended by many as having a 'big set of balls' for taking the Alvarez fight. The same narrative is now starting to be used to frame Brook's decision to fight Golovkin.
I'm in no way decided on this one but I'd question whether that holds up to scrutiny. There's a bravery involved of course but is it any more so than that of Dominic Wade or Liam Smith? There's a long precession of fighters who had virtually no chance against Golovkin and Alvarez who stepped through the ropes and weren't particularly lauded for their bravery. Often they were derided.
I'd lean towards stating that those fighters, contrary to popular oppinion, showed more bravery than Khan or Brook. After all, they weren't equipped with an ego salving excuse. Most fighters aren't afraid of being beat, nor are they afraid of being hurt. The fear comes from the thought of being embarrassed. From being shown to be a lesser fighter and man than they professed to be, to themselves and others. From coming second best to a legitimate rival.
That wasn't/isn't a concern in either of these cases. Both will have jumped up two weight divisions for the opportunity to be involved in a big fight experience, against a big named opponent for a big payday, without the risk of damaging their sense of self or their reputation. Surely that's more of a business decision than a brave one? Granted there's the chance of getting hurt but fighters disavow that, it's rarely a factor in their decision making process if it's even acknowledge at all.
So essentially what we have is a business fight from both sides. From one side it's easy on the ego, from the other it's an easier nights work and both get a big payday. And in lieu of a competitive fight we're left with another spectacle.
Khan was commended by many as having a 'big set of balls' for taking the Alvarez fight. The same narrative is now starting to be used to frame Brook's decision to fight Golovkin.
I'm in no way decided on this one but I'd question whether that holds up to scrutiny. There's a bravery involved of course but is it any more so than that of Dominic Wade or Liam Smith? There's a long precession of fighters who had virtually no chance against Golovkin and Alvarez who stepped through the ropes and weren't particularly lauded for their bravery. Often they were derided.
I'd lean towards stating that those fighters, contrary to popular oppinion, showed more bravery than Khan or Brook. After all, they weren't equipped with an ego salving excuse. Most fighters aren't afraid of being beat, nor are they afraid of being hurt. The fear comes from the thought of being embarrassed. From being shown to be a lesser fighter and man than they professed to be, to themselves and others. From coming second best to a legitimate rival.
That wasn't/isn't a concern in either of these cases. Both will have jumped up two weight divisions for the opportunity to be involved in a big fight experience, against a big named opponent for a big payday, without the risk of damaging their sense of self or their reputation. Surely that's more of a business decision than a brave one? Granted there's the chance of getting hurt but fighters disavow that, it's rarely a factor in their decision making process if it's even acknowledge at all.
So essentially what we have is a business fight from both sides. From one side it's easy on the ego, from the other it's an easier nights work and both get a big payday. And in lieu of a competitive fight we're left with another spectacle.
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