I don't think it is entirely the fans to blame for the excuses, because the fighters come up with a fair repertoire of their own reasons when they've lost, and I must confess I like to see a fighter just saying: "I turned up with my A-game and he was just the better fighter." But the problem is that the loser usually only says that if it was a mismatch from the start.

When fighters criticise scoring, refs in general and factors outside of the ring, they are giving their fans ammunition to argue their corner on forums like these. And anyway, I hope I don't make too many excuses for fighters I like, and if a guy gets beat, I'll admit that, even if I offset it with other factors.