Fighters definitely duck other fighters. I doubt its because they are scared but more likely they are avoiding a hard fight or avoiding a possible loss. One example I always think of is Fury and Price. Price was mandatory for Furys British title and Fury vacated to fight Rogan for the Irish title. There is no doubt in my mind Fury avoided that fight because he though he could lose. He knew he would not lose to Rogan.

Fury gets criticised for this but in fairness it is the more logical move. Price and Fury were both big up and comers. I think Fury was offered 250k for the fight. But if Price had continued ontrack 2 years later after not beating anyone special they could have got a couple of million for the fight. Its really risk v reward most of the time. If I can make 20 mil to fight a washed up name or 30 mil to fight a live dangerous fighter Ill take the 20 mil everytime. Do you really think boxers give a shit about the fans?