Undefeated: The Big Zero?

[nuggetdotcom]

Apart from Joe Calzaghe who is the only other british world champion to retire undefeated?

[TitoFan]

To me it depends totally on how you've achieved your Big Zero.

If you've gone about your career without perceptibly ducking anybody and happen to finish undefeated....... more power to you.

If you, however, have picked-and-chosen.... carefully picking your way through your career.... preying on smaller, older, more inferior opposition, while ducking or letting big fights "marinate"..... then your Zero is worth squat.

Mexican Ricardo "Finito" Lopez was a great example of the former. He finished undefeated, and took on all comers during his career.

Mexican Saul "Ginger" Alvarez is on the opposite end of the spectrum. His Zero ain't worth shit. He's also a previously suspended cheater and weight manipulator to boot.

[Dark Lord Al]

Apart from Joe Calzaghe who is the only other british world champion to retire undefeated?

Terry Marsh although he did draw one fight with Lloyd Christie.

[Alpha]

I personally think there is too much focus on undefeated records. To me it's more about who you are fighting and how you are performing.

[powerpuncher]

I personally think there is too much focus on undefeated records. To me it's more about who you are fighting and how you are performing.

Agreed. It definitely helps, but absolutely nobody has all easy fights. You will have a bad day or a bad style match up. The tougher your competition, the more likely you will be to lose. To real boxing fans, a loss isn’t a huge deal as long as you come back from it.

[Primo Carnera]

an "0" is something that is protected and used as a negotiating chip to get up the ladder and get a shot . There's much less chance now of losing a few early fights and getting back in contention, mainly because guys don't fight as often, hence less opportunities to set the record straight.
When the Boxer arrives at the top table and gets his chance, people can then see his true worth and the "0" will be less relevant and it'll be about how he fares.
Once they get to the top level, a loss isn't the end of the World because they'll get a chance to redeem themselves.
This is why almost all of the perceived ATG's have a loss on their record .

[Alpha]

Look at guys like Farmer or Salido, their records started of terribly. But they learned their trade and reached the world level.

[Primo Carnera]

Look at guys like Farmer or Salido, their records started of terribly. But they learned their trade and reached the world level.

These are exceptions rather than the norm. Salido has taken a long road to get back over a much longer period of time than most Boxers careers.