Whose fault is it?

[Master]

I think the fighter has the biggest responsibility to know when to quit. Then in order is his trainer, manager, team, family, authorities and then lastly the fans. Even if they are medically fit there is a time when a fighter is so shot that he will get hurt. James Toney comes to mind.

[J_Undisputed]

Its the fighters fault. You can deny him a license, refuse to train him, refuse to manage him, refuse to speak to support him. He will apply somewhere else, get another trainer, another manager, and a different circle of friends that will support him. There will always be someone willing to twist someone with a name and make some money off them.

"Protect yourself at all times...." Words to live by...

[Beanflicker]

I think the boxing commission has to take the blame.

Boxer's are usually very macho, A-type personalities who are not going to be convinced that they need to hang it up by friends or family. And too often, these fighters fight way past their expiration date to solve financial problems.

The commissions need to step in and regulate more, because these guys are too tough for their own good. For instance, James Toney. The guy is talking with marbles in his mouth and has DOCUMENTED, PROVEN brain damage dating back as early as 2005, yet the commissions still give him a license. It's INSANITY.

You can blame the promoters and managers for being greedy and squeezing every last dollar out of the former greats at the expense of their health, but in the end it's the commissions who run the show. It's their mess, they need to clean it up.

[beenKOed]

You have to blame the people who have the power to stop or slow him down.

Fighter
Promoter
Boxing commission
Licensing board

I'm all for everyone having the freedom to do what they want with their lives, but in no fucking way do I want my entertainment to lead to someone's death or life as a zombie, especially if it can be prevented.
Will I watch motor sports, skydiving, bungee jumping, bull riding and some knucklehead going over the falls in a barrel? Hell yes, but these people are operating without diminished capacity or an otherwise damaged brain.