What your take on excuses for losses?
-
GordonChen
- Flyweight
- Posts: 417
- Joined: 19 Feb 2024, 21:42
What your take on excuses for losses?
What your take on it and what are excuses you guys heard from that are part of your guys reasoning on it?
-
Controversial
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 9186
- Joined: 13 Jul 2002, 18:29
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
You only ever hear excuses from the loser, never the winner. But the fact is no fighter has a 100% perfect camp especially with injuries as all fighters are likely carrying some sort of issue into a fight. We all have bias though so when a fighter you like has a loss and comes out with excuses we are more likely to believe these over someone we don’t like.
-
Ambling Alp II
- Super Middleweight
- Posts: 15186
- Joined: 04 Nov 2012, 18:31
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
pretty much agree with that. Everyone has personal problems in their lives. Most excuses, are lame. It's always funny how people can make excuses for their fighters, (whether or not the fighter himself made those excuses) but completely ignores the opponents.
i.e, their guy has 17 losses and there is an excuse for almost all of them. However, they just assume that their opponents were all at 100% for every single fight.
Obviously, there are legitimate "excuses". but not usually. The "past his prime" one is sometime legit, often not. The rest are usually lame.
i.e, their guy has 17 losses and there is an excuse for almost all of them. However, they just assume that their opponents were all at 100% for every single fight.
Obviously, there are legitimate "excuses". but not usually. The "past his prime" one is sometime legit, often not. The rest are usually lame.
-
margaret thatcher
- Featherweight
- Posts: 39273
- Joined: 22 Jul 2019, 15:43
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
where do you draw the line between a valid reason that a fighter lost, and an excuse?
like, let's say a fighter really hurt their shoulder, and it stopped them from throwing their best punch. and they think this contributed to their loss. if they are asked why they think they lost, is it an excuse to mention the shoulder?
like, let's say a fighter really hurt their shoulder, and it stopped them from throwing their best punch. and they think this contributed to their loss. if they are asked why they think they lost, is it an excuse to mention the shoulder?
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
I don’t like excuses for anything personally. Ya get beat , shake the guys hand and move on. Ya win, shake the guys hand and move on. Sore hand, personal problems, sick, locust swarm, whatever it is, it’s on you. Own it.
-
margaret thatcher
- Featherweight
- Posts: 39273
- Joined: 22 Jul 2019, 15:43
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
thinking a certain factor contributed to a loss doesn't mean you dont accept the loss, or that you dont move on, or that you dont give the other guy credit
in fact, being able to recognize what things went wrong is a key to improvement
in fact, being able to recognize what things went wrong is a key to improvement
-
pound per pound
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 1605
- Joined: 13 Jan 2005, 14:36
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
GordonChen wrote: ↑25 Jun 2025, 16:46 What your take on it and what are excuses you guys heard from that are part of your guys reasoning on it?
An honest excuse such as I was just too old I can tolerate.
A verifiable ring injury that requires surgery not caused by a punch that floors a man is passable to me.
Most of them are poorly reasoned and laughable, and should be filed under" I slipped on a banana peel walking to the ring."
-
Controversial
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 9186
- Joined: 13 Jul 2002, 18:29
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
I guess it depends, you can often tell when a fighter isn’t using an arm due to an injury. Danny Williams when his shoulder went for example. Haye’s ankle going on him against Bellew clearly had a big impact on him too. But it’s when someone gets beat and starts coming out with various reasons why they lost even though they seemed ok in the fight but just got beat, that’s when it annoys me.margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Jun 2025, 21:32 where do you draw the line between a valid reason that a fighter lost, and an excuse?
like, let's say a fighter really hurt their shoulder, and it stopped them from throwing their best punch. and they think this contributed to their loss. if they are asked why they think they lost, is it an excuse to mention the shoulder?
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
From an individual in life... I think it best to keep it to yourself.
In terms of analysing boxing and boxing history then they are fascinating. Some hold water. Others do not.
In terms of analysing boxing and boxing history then they are fascinating. Some hold water. Others do not.
-
GordonChen
- Flyweight
- Posts: 417
- Joined: 19 Feb 2024, 21:42
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
What are the worst excuses you heard outside of wilder list top 10 for boxers worst excuses excluding wilder since we know where he ranks inControversial wrote: ↑29 Jun 2025, 16:51I guess it depends, you can often tell when a fighter isn’t using an arm due to an injury. Danny Williams when his shoulder went for example. Haye’s ankle going on him against Bellew clearly had a big impact on him too. But it’s when someone gets beat and starts coming out with various reasons why they lost even though they seemed ok in the fight but just got beat, that’s when it annoys me.margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Jun 2025, 21:32 where do you draw the line between a valid reason that a fighter lost, and an excuse?
like, let's say a fighter really hurt their shoulder, and it stopped them from throwing their best punch. and they think this contributed to their loss. if they are asked why they think they lost, is it an excuse to mention the shoulder?
-
Ambling Alp II
- Super Middleweight
- Posts: 15186
- Joined: 04 Nov 2012, 18:31
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
A few to consider:
A guy losing because he wore contacts and couldn't see well after being hit.
Other guys trunks were too high.
Only had 5 months to train.
Trainer should not have stopped the fight even though there was no chance of winning.
Of course, there have been countless cases of a bad decision that really was fair.
A guy losing because he wore contacts and couldn't see well after being hit.
Other guys trunks were too high.
Only had 5 months to train.
Trainer should not have stopped the fight even though there was no chance of winning.
Of course, there have been countless cases of a bad decision that really was fair.
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
Was it Tommy hurricane Jackson who said he inhaled too much oxygen doing roadwork after losing to somebody? Maybe Floyd? I think Manny Steward was terrific, but he went on a little after Hearns lost to Ray.
The important thing to really remember about excuses in boxing and life. Nobody gives a f..k.
The important thing to really remember about excuses in boxing and life. Nobody gives a f..k.
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
I think excuses are important for these guys' psyche. They have to think something was off, and they could've done something better, and changed the result otherwise they'd just have to accept that they're not as good as this other guy, and it would likely be a major blow to their confidence.
This is especially true for Championship caliber fighters. You may see guys make less excuses if they're a journeyman with many losses, and they've come to accept they're gonna win some and lose some. Championship fighters often have a hard time accepting that though.
This is especially true for Championship caliber fighters. You may see guys make less excuses if they're a journeyman with many losses, and they've come to accept they're gonna win some and lose some. Championship fighters often have a hard time accepting that though.
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
Great insight. 100 percent true. And you’re right about journeymen. They seem to be honest with themselves too. I saw that fighting on cards with guys like Reggie Strickland. A journeyman can keep a fighter being honest about himself too. Last fight I had I fought one and ate countless punches. I was lucky to escape with a draw. Came on in the last round. I could’ve used the excuse that I ran my bakery route that morning and fought that night. But, the truth was , I didn’t have it like I thought I did. That guy made me be honest with myself.gilgamesh wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025, 13:30 I think excuses are important for these guys' psyche. They have to think something was off, and they could've done something better, and changed the result otherwise they'd just have to accept that they're not as good as this other guy, and it would likely be a major blow to their confidence.
This is especially true for Championship caliber fighters. You may see guys make less excuses if they're a journeyman with many losses, and they've come to accept they're gonna win some and lose some. Championship fighters often have a hard time accepting that though.
-
Controversial
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 9186
- Joined: 13 Jul 2002, 18:29
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
Making excuses is common for anyone, you don’t have to be a sportsmen. Invariably when stuff goes wrong people look to blame others, not many people own it, put their hands up and say they screwed up, most will look to make excuses / blame something else.
-
Controversial
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 9186
- Joined: 13 Jul 2002, 18:29
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
I don’t know about worst excuse but there’s been plenty over the years, Haye blaming his big toe was cringy.GordonChen wrote: ↑06 Jul 2025, 11:34What are the worst excuses you heard outside of wilder list top 10 for boxers worst excuses excluding wilder since we know where he ranks inControversial wrote: ↑29 Jun 2025, 16:51I guess it depends, you can often tell when a fighter isn’t using an arm due to an injury. Danny Williams when his shoulder went for example. Haye’s ankle going on him against Bellew clearly had a big impact on him too. But it’s when someone gets beat and starts coming out with various reasons why they lost even though they seemed ok in the fight but just got beat, that’s when it annoys me.margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Jun 2025, 21:32 where do you draw the line between a valid reason that a fighter lost, and an excuse?
like, let's say a fighter really hurt their shoulder, and it stopped them from throwing their best punch. and they think this contributed to their loss. if they are asked why they think they lost, is it an excuse to mention the shoulder?
-
Ambling Alp II
- Super Middleweight
- Posts: 15186
- Joined: 04 Nov 2012, 18:31
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
Don't be knocking Haye. He is one of the best Mythical Fighters of all time.
I think all of us (to varying degrees) tend to make excuses for our favorites and ignore stuff form our favorites opponents and guys we don't like.
I think all of us (to varying degrees) tend to make excuses for our favorites and ignore stuff form our favorites opponents and guys we don't like.
-
Jeff_lacy_ko
- Super Featherweight
- Posts: 5713
- Joined: 06 Sep 2018, 14:15
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
Hey sometimes you need the right socks
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
I wonder if Haye regrets that performance. Wlad was a great fighter with a welk known achilles heel. Haye was a fantastic puncher with speed and accuracy.Controversial wrote: ↑08 Jul 2025, 13:41I don’t know about worst excuse but there’s been plenty over the years, Haye blaming his big toe was cringy.GordonChen wrote: ↑06 Jul 2025, 11:34What are the worst excuses you heard outside of wilder list top 10 for boxers worst excuses excluding wilder since we know where he ranks inControversial wrote: ↑29 Jun 2025, 16:51
I guess it depends, you can often tell when a fighter isn’t using an arm due to an injury. Danny Williams when his shoulder went for example. Haye’s ankle going on him against Bellew clearly had a big impact on him too. But it’s when someone gets beat and starts coming out with various reasons why they lost even though they seemed ok in the fight but just got beat, that’s when it annoys me.
He just didn't roll the dice.
-
Controversial
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 9186
- Joined: 13 Jul 2002, 18:29
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
I guess so, it was a bit of cautious effort after all his big talkEzzard wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025, 09:09I wonder if Haye regrets that performance. Wlad was a great fighter with a welk known achilles heel. Haye was a fantastic puncher with speed and accuracy.Controversial wrote: ↑08 Jul 2025, 13:41I don’t know about worst excuse but there’s been plenty over the years, Haye blaming his big toe was cringy.GordonChen wrote: ↑06 Jul 2025, 11:34
What are the worst excuses you heard outside of wilder list top 10 for boxers worst excuses excluding wilder since we know where he ranks in
He just didn't roll the dice.
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
There was no way he could win a decision against Wlad without at least scoring a knockdown or two. He just sort of allowed himself to be edged out round after round.Controversial wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025, 11:11I guess so, it was a bit of cautious effort after all his big talkEzzard wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025, 09:09I wonder if Haye regrets that performance. Wlad was a great fighter with a welk known achilles heel. Haye was a fantastic puncher with speed and accuracy.Controversial wrote: ↑08 Jul 2025, 13:41
I don’t know about worst excuse but there’s been plenty over the years, Haye blaming his big toe was cringy.
He just didn't roll the dice.
I remember the build up where he wouldn't be inthe same room as Wlad. He sort of psyched himself out of the fight.
-
GordonChen
- Flyweight
- Posts: 417
- Joined: 19 Feb 2024, 21:42
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
List of boxers names of excuses
-
GordonChen
- Flyweight
- Posts: 417
- Joined: 19 Feb 2024, 21:42
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
.gilgamesh wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025, 13:30 I think excuses are important for these guys' psyche. They have to think something was off, and they could've done something better, and changed the result otherwise they'd just have to accept that they're not as good as this other guy, and it would likely be a major blow to their confidence.
This is especially true for Championship caliber fighters. You may see guys make less excuses if they're a journeyman with many losses, and they've come to accept they're gonna win some and lose some. Championship fighters often have a hard time accepting that though.
-
GordonChen
- Flyweight
- Posts: 417
- Joined: 19 Feb 2024, 21:42
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
What are you list of the excuses that someone seems okay but just got beat could you also link the YouTube videos of them just because I like to see the comment section reaction to those excuses to see if they were ratio in the comments or not?Controversial wrote: ↑29 Jun 2025, 16:51I guess it depends, you can often tell when a fighter isn’t using an arm due to an injury. Danny Williams when his shoulder went for example. Haye’s ankle going on him against Bellew clearly had a big impact on him too. But it’s when someone gets beat and starts coming out with various reasons why they lost even though they seemed ok in the fight but just got beat, that’s when it annoys me.margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Jun 2025, 21:32 where do you draw the line between a valid reason that a fighter lost, and an excuse?
like, let's say a fighter really hurt their shoulder, and it stopped them from throwing their best punch. and they think this contributed to their loss. if they are asked why they think they lost, is it an excuse to mention the shoulder?
Re: What your take on excuses for losses?
Lots of guys that get outboxed. Especially back in the day would say stuff like "The guy ran like a chicken" or he "Wouldn't fight like a man" which basically is the equivalent of a grown man whining because his opponent wouldn't stand still and allow him to punch him.