Do boxers care about their records and legacies as much as the fans?

[Controversial]

When you see guys like Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr and others fighting way past their best years and getting beat by guys they wouldn't have ordinarily lost to, do you think they care anymore? Often I think fans read a lot more into these things than the actual fighters. So do you think they are aware they are past it and purely looking to get money or really think they can recapture their youth?

[margaret thatcher]

boxers get paid to fight, fans dont, so i doubt it

[DrDuke]

They do care, but money is the most desicive factor.

[maverick23]

I think the bulk of top tier boxers really do care about their records and legacies but they also want to try and keep a nice lifestyle and need to pay the bills.

When they’ve got a big tax bill to pay or lose a chunk of money in a divorce the need to get money outweighs the desire to protect their record.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Just gives something the fans to talk about and discuss.

[Controversial]

The amount of time some of us spend dissecting fighters, how they would match up against someone else, how they got dropped in sparring or were wobbled in a fight etc, I bet the fighters themselves would laugh at these discussions. So many of the old timers didn't even know how many fights they had and even today some modern fighters can't even remember how many amateur fights they had. I also think as fighters they know the dirty side to the sport too, the dodgy practices that go on, how some fighters are protected, how journeyman earn a living etc, hometown decisions, it must make them view it in a different way.

[Riddick Bowie]

Yes they do, and it's ruined boxing. The sport is far too obsessed with 'legacy' now, and manufacturing it.

[Controversial]

I guess this applies to Amir Khan too, is he happy to go into a rematch with Brook just for the cash and not really care if he loses again.

[Wee Tommy]

The amount of time some of us spend dissecting fighters, how they would match up against someone else, how they got dropped in sparring or were wobbled in a fight etc, I bet the fighters themselves would laugh at these discussions. So many of the old timers didn't even know how many fights they had and even today some modern fighters can't even remember how many amateur fights they had. I also think as fighters they know the dirty side to the sport too, the dodgy practices that go on, how some fighters are protected, how journeyman earn a living etc, hometown decisions, it must make them view it in a different way.

Absolutely right.

[Bercli]

I guess this applies to Amir Khan too, is he happy to go into a rematch with Brook just for the cash and not really care if he loses again.

My concern is to the damage to his health. He should not fight again,end of.

[Controversial]

I guess this applies to Amir Khan too, is he happy to go into a rematch with Brook just for the cash and not really care if he loses again.

My concern is to the damage to his health. He should not fight again,end of.

I agree, hopefully he won't but the lure of more money often tempts them back

[The Docker]

I think once they've lost their unbeaten record probably not. The longer they have an unbeaten record the more inclined they are to protect it.

I simply feel the reason boxers come back for that last fight is the emptiness from being out of the limelight, and getting up training for a fight etc is also alls they've ever known. It's hard to adjust for a guy retired off from a behind a desk job, nevermind someone driven by the public eye. Lots of sports folk hit the skids and fall into depression and substance abuse etc when they're not up to the task they previously once were, boxers are no different and taking that last fight prolongs the inevitable.

[KiwiRider]

I guess this applies to Amir Khan too, is he happy to go into a rematch with Brook just for the cash and not really care if he loses again.

My concern is to the damage to his health. He should not fight again,end of.

X2
Money ain't no good when your drooling into your cereal in a care home, and your wife has made off with it all.

[margaret thatcher]

i dont think they protect unbeaten records because they have legacy in mind , more because they see that as a big blow to their earnings. look at floyd, as great as he was............he constantly stressed day 0 being part of his big money appeal

[gregregegg]

People care about legacy, Money and health. But the order and scale of each varies dramatically by individual personality but also by individual circumstance.

What always surprises me is people making big money often become even more about the money.... IF i have 20 million im almost all about health and legacy... But i guess thats where the last component comes in... Ego. People refuse to be underpaid relitive to there opponent, even if it means giving up a dream and making less money.

I was really surprised when AJ vs wilder didnt get made. I thought AJ was rich enough and backed himself enough to give wilder more than he is worth. But ego wouldent allow it. Never know what would of happened but AJ could of gone undisputed in one of the biggest heavyweight fights ever.

[mickey1975]

I've known a lot of boxers and none have been bothered in the long run about an L. They've moaned about purses, though.

[Frostieballs]

Losing when you are past your prime generally only damages your record, not your boxing legacy.

Do any of us view Roy Jones or Holyfield’s prime achievements differently because they went on too long?