Has There Been Pessimistic Champion?

[Hulk]

Joe Louis used to often say he "just got lucky" and was very complimentary of his opponents.

[J_Undisputed]

I don't know how many i would call pessimistic vs humble. Even tyson said after beating holmes "When he was at his best, I couldn't stand a chance". It's always nice to throw an opponent a bone after mopping the floor with them. I just think times have changed a lot because noone wants sportsmanship, they want emphatic & confident. "Id like to thank god for this victory... blah blah blah he was a tough guy... who do i want next.. i'll have to discuss it with my promoter and my team... thank you al haymon... etc."

Perhaps its a sign of the times or maybe life/upbringing of the fighter. It always kind of impresses me when someone like golovkin or kovalev say something to the effect of "that's part of boxing.." like they did their best and they're satisfied with that. As if a loss happens, it was meant to happen to them and oh well..." Kostya Tszyu was like that too... Im not sure if its a faith thing, or a cultural thing or whatever...

I mean it could be an act.. boxing has seen it before.. I remember De la hoya bellowing f bombs after the Trinidad fight while pacing before he came to the mic and said with a Disney kind of dead pan.. "i thought i was giving him a boxing lesson, i guess the judges just didn't see it that way.."

On the flipside of that it seems like being a smug bullsh*ttin d0uche is fashionable. Like Thurmans and Wilders.. "I meant to do that, i knew that would happen" PFI's..

[Master]

Oliver McCall coming in crying against Lennox Lewis the first time.