"Calling out fighters" needs to be improved

[TitoFan]

This is inspired by the Freedom Deontay thread.

The calling out of fighters needs to be improved. There must be a way to successfully pressure a fighter to fight the best, instead of surviving out on the fringes of the opponents pool. We can argue till we're old and gray, but if someone/something does not pressure Wilder to have to step up and fight the top fighters..... he'll be fighting susceptible bums till he's 40 years old with a 85-0 record and almost as many knockouts. If I want to see that, I'll tune in to Toughman contests at the nearest neighborhood bar.

Yeah.... I know it's a business and it's all about promoters, (bogus) rankings, rival organizations, and MONEY. But public pressure should count for something. After all, it is us poor fans who continue to subsidize these farces, while these guys get rich. Why should we continue to put up with Wilder vs. John Doe, when the guy already has a HW title? I know he's the next great American hope for a HW icon, but this is ridiculous.

Boxers are like any other athlete. Some crave and relish the chance to step up to the plate against the toughest pitchers out there...... others fold up the tent and go home unless they get to face a patsy who poses no danger. I'd rather someone take chances and lose honorably, than continue to skirt danger and use lame excuses to do it. I have a lot more respect for the former.

Freedom's right. Deontay is 30 and has a huge W-L record.
When is he going to fight someone worthy??

BTW..... yet another reason why huge W-L and undefeated records..... nowadays..... are absolutely worthless.

[Britkid]

BTW..... yet another reason why huge W-L and undefeated records..... nowadays..... are absolutely worthless.

I can agree with a lot of what you wrote, because it is merely wishful thinking, that we all sometimes have. But that last statement is silly, and you know it.

That huge undefeated record has made Wilder's team very wealthy. It is very worthwhile, and always has been in Heavyweight boxing. If you can fight four 90/10 fights for a Million Dollars each, why risk the '0' in even a 60/40 fight unless you are going to get paid tens of Millions?!

[TitoFan]

BTW..... yet another reason why huge W-L and undefeated records..... nowadays..... are absolutely worthless.

I can agree with a lot of what you wrote, because it is merely wishful thinking, that we all sometimes have. But that last statement is silly, and you know it.

That huge undefeated record has made Wilder's team very wealthy. It is very worthwhile, and always has been in Heavyweight boxing. If you can fight four 90/10 fights for a Million Dollars each, why risk the '0' in even a 60/40 fight unless you are going to get paid tens of Millions?!

I should have specified "worthless to FANS".

A lot of time and space is devoted on these forums to the fighters' finances. How much they make..... how much they have made.... how much they will make..... etc. I'm among the very small minority that couldn't care less how much a fighter makes or doesn't make. I'm saying Deontay's W-L record is worthless to ME..... because it fails to measure exactly how good Wilder is when compared to past HW champions.

So I stand by my statement, albeit with a clarification for everyone.

[Spicoli]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

[Britkid]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

Getting recognized when are 70 or getting kudos off the Internet is all very nice, great for the ego. But if I was Wilder I would much rather be hated in my mansion, knowing I never need work again after leaving the game...

[IamInuit]

Indeed. Why are all of these guys thanking Haymon? For what? I just cant figure it out. Its almost cult like. Whats Thurman waiting for? One shot my ass.

[Master]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

Getting recognized when are 70 or getting kudos off the Internet is all very nice, great for the ego. But if I was Wilder I would much rather be hated in my mansion, knowing I never need work again after leaving the game...

Wilder is getting away with getting paid a lot but taking very little risk. All good for him but when he gets caught out he will be exposed.

[Britkid]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

Getting recognized when are 70 or getting kudos off the Internet is all very nice, great for the ego. But if I was Wilder I would much rather be hated in my mansion, knowing I never need work again after leaving the game...

Wilder is getting away with getting paid a lot but taking very little risk. All good for him but when he gets caught out he will be exposed.

Agreed; but by then he may not care (financially), and surely that means he is a successful professional boxer in a capitalist society?!

[Hulk]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

I like Wilder, but a prime Lou Savareese woulda given him trouble at this stage lol

[Master]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

Getting recognized when are 70 or getting kudos off the Internet is all very nice, great for the ego. But if I was Wilder I would much rather be hated in my mansion, knowing I never need work again after leaving the game...

Wilder is getting away with getting paid a lot but taking very little risk. All good for him but when he gets caught out he will be exposed.

Agreed; but by then he may not care (financially), and surely that means he is a successful professional boxer in a capitalist society?!

Money is the primary thing in boxing but you also want to be respected and loved not laughed at.

[Britkid]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

Getting recognized when are 70 or getting kudos off the Internet is all very nice, great for the ego. But if I was Wilder I would much rather be hated in my mansion, knowing I never need work again after leaving the game...

Wilder is getting away with getting paid a lot but taking very little risk. All good for him but when he gets caught out he will be exposed.

Agreed; but by then he may not care (financially), and surely that means he is a successful professional boxer in a capitalist society?!

Money is the primary thing in boxing but you also want to be respected and loved not laughed at.

Good sentiments; but the truth is money does tend to attract jokes. Trump that!

[Spicoli]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

Getting recognized when are 70 or getting kudos off the Internet is all very nice, great for the ego. But if I was Wilder I would much rather be hated in my mansion, knowing I never need work again after leaving the game...

Truth, I can't fault a guy getting in where he fits in. He is skating by and knows its the way. But when do we root for mediocrity and manufacturing? Wilder is on pace to emulate Shannon Briggs 1.5...minus the chin...and he fronts like a guy just happy taking puffed up selfies in all 6 of his bathroom mirrors.

[Britkid]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

Getting recognized when are 70 or getting kudos off the Internet is all very nice, great for the ego. But if I was Wilder I would much rather be hated in my mansion, knowing I never need work again after leaving the game...

Truth, I can't fault a guy getting in where he fits in. He is skating by and knows its the way. But when do we root for mediocrity and manufacturing? Wilder is on pace to emulate Shannon Briggs 1.5...minus the chin...and he fronts like a guy just happy taking puffed up selfies in all 6 of his bathroom mirrors.

I have a soft spot for Wilder. Watching some of his early fights, he looked so inept, almost a joke. I expected to see him fall flat on his face for every step up fight he has had. But he continues to defy this.

His resume is hardly the second coming of Ali/Louis, but he has stepped up and passed each test. But I would concede that even in this poor era of the division, that merely should mean he is a top ten contender, not a title holder and generally recognized number one challenger to the Fury/Wlad rematch.

[beenKOed]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

Getting recognized when are 70 or getting kudos off the Internet is all very nice, great for the ego. But if I was Wilder I would much rather be hated in my mansion, knowing I never need work again after leaving the game...

I can see both sides of this issue, but at the end of the day are you a fighter or not? Money is great and they should get it while they can, but are they fighters or not? Taking care of your family is #1, but after that is taken care of, are you a man or not?
Where is pride if you keep avoiding the best while claiming you are the best?

[Britkid]

If a fighter wants to run up numbers and inflate his bank account against set ups he can count on fans calling him on it, a can man cannot have it both ways. Opponent for opponent and case by case, Wilder has one of the weakest heavyweight records within 35 bouts that I've ever seen, its Lou Savareseville.

Getting recognized when are 70 or getting kudos off the Internet is all very nice, great for the ego. But if I was Wilder I would much rather be hated in my mansion, knowing I never need work again after leaving the game...

I can see both sides of this issue, but at the end of the day are you a fighter or not? Money is great and they should get it while they can, but are they fighters or not? Taking care of your family is #1, but after that is taken care of, are you a man or not?
Where is pride if you keep avoiding the best while claiming you are the best?

If I was the boxer, I would respond: "You are right, so pay me what I want and I will show you I am the best."

I do not know about you, but if I went to work and was asked to do a massive task that will challenge me and may indeed be beyond me, I would want a wage slip that reflects that. So I would be a hypocrite to expect others to do such things without the rewards they too expect.