Should fighters take the blame for decisions their promoters make?

[Ray*]

No, because a lot of these fighters don’t really have a say, some don’t have the name to make them have a say. Some are bind by a contract which gives their promoters, managers or advisers the rights. And to be honest most of these boxers are NOT educated (Business-wise), some would spend years in the game without even picking up the basics.

[Curt Henning]

once you reach a certain level yes absolutely

obviously there are stages of a guys career where the promoter/matchmakers are in more control.....but i think we all here know the difference....when youre canelo/golovkin/crawford/loma etc level its on you

[Boxing_1013]

In the end , the fighter has a voice
Sometimes it’s much easier to decide not to have your voice heard

Well said...

[aboutfkntime]

If we be honest... Most of these fighters 99% will fight anyone. These guys are too prideful to back down from a fight no matter how dangerous.

Look at all the examples of fighters ready to fight but there promoter comes along and stall the fight or never make it at all.

Perfect example: I know for a fact Canelo would have fought GGG as soon as he got the 160lb strap. I know for a fact he was angry at the public reaction he was getting at the time while Oscar prolonged the fight.

Of course fighters have a say so to a certain extent but we know a promoter especially these big time guys like Arum, Oscar, Haymon will find a way to get their fighter on board.

So should these guys take the blame for obvious moves made by their promoter?

at the end of the day... all fighters take 100% responsibility - therefore 100% accountability - for their careers

PLENTY of fighters have taken legal action or sat out a contract

every fighter has the last word on opponent selection... even club fighters turn down opponents, it is ridiculous to suggest that a world champion, star, or even contender, does not have the final word on their opponent/career path

Canelo/Golovkin had THREE official negotiations, they ALL broke down over weight... Canelo wanted that fight at a weight that suited him, and Golovkin wanted that fight at a weight that suited him... but neither were prepared to budge

BOTH fighters are 100% responsible/accountable for those decisions... you cannot blame weight on the promoter... PLENTY of fighters go up/down in weight, it happens all the time

who was really at fault, is not really the point in question... but the final decision definitely came from the fighters

my suggestion would be... the guy who ran around for YEARS promising the fans that he would fight "anyone from 154-168"... and who stated that he was willing and able to fight at 154 AFTER refusing to negotiate on weight for that fight... could have done more, and should have been expected to do more... than the superstar who had never fought above 155 and never faced a middleweight opponent

you have to hold the fighters accountable, and there is no reason not to

[aboutfkntime]

I don’t particularly like the ducking conversation
But in the end the fighter always has last say

of course they do

fighters of ALL levels turn down fights all the time

from club level to superstar

[aboutfkntime]

It isn't and they make mistakes but think about all the guys that were shelved because they signed contracts they later didn't like.

Ward lost in court to Goosen three times. Garcia was on the shelf because he wanted to get out of his. Mayweather, Pac, Cotto all had to fight to get out of their contracts.

I am saying once they sign, they don't always have choices as the contracts can give promoter a lot of power in who they fight.

hold on...

BOTH of those fighters sat out their contract

BOTH of those fighters had 100% control on their opponent selection, and on the direction of their career

I do not believe any fighter signed over the right to select his opponent

who would do that... that would be insane... ?

[QballLobo]

Most fighters act like they work for their promoter when it is the other way around.
If both fighters want the fight it will get made.
A promoter often times chooses to take the heat as they feel its part of their job so yes if a big fight doesn’t get made the fighter does deserve blame.

[aboutfkntime]

No, because a lot of these fighters don’t really have a say, some don’t have the name to make them have a say. Some are bind by a contract which gives their promoters, managers or advisers the rights. And to be honest most of these boxers are NOT educated (Business-wise), some would spend years in the game without even picking up the basics.

that is nonsense Ray... provide one example

even UFC fighters have the final say on their opponent selection... just like in boxing, you hear about MMA fighters rejecting fights all the time

the manager represents the fighter, he is an employee

[aboutfkntime]

Most fighters act like they work for their promoter when it is the other way around.
If both fighters want the fight it will get made.
A promoter often times chooses to take the heat as they feel its part of their job so yes if a big fight doesn’t get made the fighter does deserve blame.

great post, the most accurate so far... esp the bold

[KillaMane26]

that is nonsense Ray... provide one example

even UFC fighters have the final say on their opponent selection... just like in boxing, you hear about MMA fighters rejecting fights all the time

the manager represents the fighter, he is an employee

But this aint 100% true.... At then end of the day the promoter puts up money for the fight and decides who and who not to do business with