How many times should World Champions fight?

[MMASUX]

I think 2-3 times a year is plenty. I would say 3 is ideal. Most guys train 6 weeks before each fight, so thats 4 1/2 months of training right there. That leaves you with about 2 months or so in between fights to spend time with family and what not, and let their body recover. They most definetley deserve the time off between fights, what they put their body through training and in the ring is crazy.

[Dizaster]

I think 2-3 times a year is plenty. I would say 3 is ideal. Most guys train 6 weeks before each fight, so thats 4 1/2 months of training right there. That leaves you with about 2 months or so in between fights to spend time with family and what not, and let their body recover. They most definetley deserve the time off between fights, what they put their body through training and in the ring is crazy.

100% agree there...

No less than 2, and no more than 3, ideally... A really young champion at lower weights may be able to get away with 4 fights if they don't have many tough 12 rounders, and their bodies are still in really great shape and respond well to dieting and really train year round (obviously harder leading up to fights)...

But 2 or 3 fights a year is about perfect for their health, and gives the fans enough as well...

[Spicoli]

I'd lean towards quality over quanity. If its once, maybe twice against fellow elites and top threats rather then 3 weak "mandatory" types you find bagging groceries at the local A&P on the weekend. Of course...that would ruin the sanctioning bodies day and make the promoters have to work together

[iamasadlittleboy]

Should it depend on the quality of opponents as well?

For example Hugo Fidel Cazares fought 4 world title opponents last year, but 2 of them were pretty poor opponents

[fan johnny]

It depends on his purpose for fighting. If he is only looking for a bog payday then as soon as he gets the one that gives him the financial freedom he is looking for he should quit. If he is after Legacy then as often as his body can take it.

[Spicoli]

Should it depend on the quality of opponents as well?

For example Hugo Fidel Cazares fought 4 world title opponents last year, but 2 of them were pretty poor opponents

Yes. It very much should. Unfortunately governing bodies who hand out some of these trinkets know full well a sanctioning fee is a sanctioning fee.....regardless a guy gets to call himself "Champion". Its really become a watered down label, responsibility of the fans to cut through the mire. Numbers on a record dont mean a thing if they are empty window dressing.

[Gandalf]

2-3-4 times depending on the opponent and the length and toughness of the bouts.

[generalbulldog]

It doesn't really matter how many times he fights, what matters is quality of opposition. Marvin Hagler fought only once per year in his last 4 years in the sport. The names he fought in those 4 years? Hamsho, Hearns, Mugabi, and Leonard.

I'll take quality over quantity anytime. And another thing, you can't expect a champ to fight 3 or 4 tough fights in a year considering no one here has yet talked about recovery from damage from hard fights. The Hearns fight and the Mugabi fights took a lot out of Hagler for instance, those fights take away your longevity and career. That has to be factor in also.

It's easy to sit on the couch and say how many fights a fighter should take, you and I ain't in the ring taking the damage.

[Gandalf]

It doesn't really matter how many times he fights, what matters is quality of opposition. Marvin Hagler fought only once per year in his last 4 years in the sport. The names he fought in those 4 years? Hamsho, Hearns, Mugabi, and Leonard.

I'll take quality over quantity anytime. And another thing, you can't expect a champ to fight 3 or 4 tough fights in a year considering no one here has yet talked about recovery from damage from hard fights. The Hearns fight and the Mugabi fights took a lot out of Hagler for instance, those fights take away your longevity and career. That has to be factor in also.

It's easy to sit on the couch and say how many fights a fighter should take, you and I ain't in the ring taking the damage.

If two of them are Haye/Harrison type debacles with a standard mandatory followed by a legitimate challenge, it is possible.

I would rather go with the quality too, but fighters of the past were more active and most fighters are more than able to fight at least twice a year while still young.

The standard is 2 to 3 times and that sounds reasonable, but if there is a 2 round gimme in there you can probably tack on another 1 without killing yourself.