Should we want to see the big fights or fighters make money?

[markp]

This is a topic I have been thinking about.

Fighters are in the hurt game. They are putting their lives on the line. Look at the heavyweights from the 1970's and how they ended up, even when they seemingly retired with their health intact. They deteriorated in their later years and some died early. Look at the Quarry brothers. Boxers are putting themselves on the line and taking punishment. However they are being very very well paid for it at that level.

I've seen fans on boards excuse fighters from fighting certain other fighters because it's too much risk for no reward. Fans are actually wanting fighters to duck other fighters. Examples of this are Hatton vs Witter and Haye vs Klitschko. Fans of Hatton and Haye will tell you that the fights shouldn't happen. In the case of Haye, the fans will excuse the fact that Haye is not fighting Wlad and actually want him to fight a Harrison or a lower ranked fighter. This is because they want him to "make money" before fighting Wlad. Are we promotors or boxing fans here?

I think the best should fight the best.

Unfortunately it doesn't happen that way for business reasons. However I think every fan should want the best fighters to fight the best. No fan should sit there and excuse Haye from fighting Wlad for example. But still it happens and it does baffle me at times.

[JamesH]

There is a difference between wanting something to happen, and understanding why it doesn't.

[markp]

There is a difference between wanting something to happen, and understanding why it doesn't.

What I'm talking about is actually WANTING it not to happen and CONDONING it.