I don't like the word "duck" either @Ron Swanson . I agree with you there. I shouldn't have used it. I'm sure Marquez would fight anyone. He's a warrior. Same with Adonis Stevenson. It's more accurate to say that Marquez decided to go an easier route for less money so that there was less risk of losing and he could maintain the prospect of another financially lucrative fight in the future.

On the other hand, we're boxing fans. I don't follow Stevenson and Marquez to admire their financial savvy. I watch boxing to see good fights with compelling story lines. I want to see the best fight the best.

Stevenson and Marquez avoided facing other boxers, whether it was a smart business decision or not, we aren't seeing them face the best. Surely, they benefit, but do boxing fans?

With Stevenson, it's a bit different too, because Stevenson-Kovalev was the fight to make at 175. At the end of 2013, when Fat Dan Rafael and the like were putting their lists of must-see fights for 2014, Stevenson-Kovalev topped the list. No one was really clamoring to see a Marquez-Provodnikov.