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What you're saying is not wrong, but I don't think most fighters truly care about legacy. They care about making money to be financially set. Once they no longer have the hunger, it's dangerous to stick around to build a legacy against younger/more hungry fighters. He's a hof'er, but I agree he can't be considered a GOAT candidate.Comment
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He doesn't have to be Ali, Pacman or Leonard. I think he's perfectly happy with what he's done and can retire without beatings, slurred speech and simply be healthy to enjoy his money young with his wife and family.
That sounds like a BIG win for a Boxer in a sport where fans and writers want you to keep on keeping on until you've got nothing left.
There will ALWAYS be another challenger. Always another threat. Always another foreign puncher. Always another skilled man at your weight. Always another huge money name at the weight below you. Always another mountain to climb in the weight above you. Always another title to collect to continue to unify. Always another lineal champ. Always another #1 contender.
It can go on and on until Boxing retires you. Everyone's motivation isn't always to fight and take beatings until the majority of internet forum fans begin to accept you. Life is much bigger than Boxing for him.
It's refreshing to see a great fighter (while not ATG) of his generation be able to retire in his 30's after accomplishing a lot, undefeated, doing well with his money and have upside in his life to enjoy the hard work he's put in.Comment
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He had a very good career but it still feels like it could have been better. His legacy rests heavily on the shoulders of Froch and Kessler, who were good but not great fighters, and Kovalev, who currently has a few question marks above him that need to be resolved. With just a couple more wins of that calibre his place in history would be much firmer. I was really hoping he'd face Adonis and then at least one of the strong LHW contenders coming through (Jack, Beterbiev, Gvozdyk, etc.)Comment
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Yeah man he's finally the undisputed #1 p4p fighter and he retires. He could've beaten alot of top names still. I thought Kovalev 2 was the best he has ever looked, sharp and strong as hell. I was just beginning to be a fan of him and then he retires... he could've become undisputed at 175 tooComment
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I wanted to see him fight Stevenson too. Fighting those other top fighters would be great too.
However I can't help but to feel this is that ol "ok honey, just work ONE more year and we'll be good"..."ok, just hold out ONE more year and I'll pay you back"
There will always be more fighters to enhance your legacy. At some point you have to decide when it's your time to stop. I think that as long as you're happy with what you've done and look forward to life after Boxing while young, that's what matters. Some will never give you credit for your accomplishments and some will. Can't please everybody. So why not focus on pleasing your own self and those important to you.
I can't imagine that Boxing is everything to him.Comment
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