"Give him problems"

I read this statement way to much,and really I don't understand what it means or it's significance at the end of the day,because the person that gave the other "problems" still comes out a loser ,so the fact that they presented "problems" becomes meaningless. The purpose in any sporting competition is to WIN, and NOTHING else,not to display so-called "heart" be "game" or give your opponent "problems",winning is the only thing that matters otherwise they wouldn't keep score. I'll reverse my views as soon as I see a "gave problems" column next to the W and L and D columns.

Because no one knows the outcome until after.

Mayweather V Witter i guess you are referring to.

Basically Witter switches from south paw to orthadox a lot. Mayweather has never fought an opponent like that.

People will say he may cause him problems.

Just usefull as a point of reference thats all. If you're discussing a matchup between 2guys who lost to the same fighter - the first guy by an early KO and the second guy by a close decision after having "given him problems" you could argue the second guy would win. Not always the case of course but where theres a common opponent credit will always be given to the man who gave him problems.