"He's in it for the money"

[Fenster]

"He's in it for the money"

@Vendettos

I have deep philosophical problems with that phrase my friend. When I say problems I mean my own. Bit of a love hate relationship after 40 years. It starts with the grey matter that rests in between Archie Moore making literally 50 bucks a fight and his massive pay day of 800 dollars for a title fight against Maxim finally after 160 fights and a man that makes 30 million a fight and only fights once every year or two.

That was a rather long sentence.

Moore had to toil in obscurity to get enough money in order to feed himself to pursue legacy. Same goes for the rest of the Murderers row. They had to fight each other over and over. So I suppose in that sense "he was in it for the money"

My issue deep down is how money has taken over legacy. I mean from a puritan standpoint, the twisted interpretation of another phrase namely "risk and reward" is geared to that end. They have it ass backward.

Do you honestly think those old-timers were pursuing legacy over money? They'd laugh their fucking nuts off today (or possibly cry) looking back at what they went through for virtual peanuts compared with modern fighters. And swap places in a heartbeat.

I suppose that would depend on when you asked them. I'm sure when Moore and the gang were fighting for 10 bucks prior to 50 they were not realistically thinking that they would be world champions in. I suppose there was also a time when basic survival and fighting for ones next meal evolved into something else. Moore was pushing 40 by some records and had fought over 160 times before he got a title shot and for that he was paid 800 bucks to Maxims 100 grand. Something pushed him and it certainly was not the money.

I agree they would laugh hysterically at the state of boxing and its Kazillion titles.

Imagine a manager/agent/adviser that cuts you a deal like that these days? That is some sick shit.

As heroic or naive/mental, depending on your view, as Archie was he sure must have loved fighting.