Do you think a loss makes for a better fighter? Give a better legecy?

**Spicoli** · 01-02-2008 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by winscomeez

I think a better question is "what's in the average American mind set that likes and admires a loser over a winner?"

You always here about how the guy that loss "fought a great, brave fight"

Now,if the loser fought a so-called great fight what the hell kind of fight did the actual WINNER fight?

Lets open the lid and define Mind Set.The winner WON over tough brave fighter,Speaks for itself.Dont be a simplistic putts and Introuduce Nationalism and broad generalities. we all get knockdown,Its how you comeback to victory and overcome so you Do NOT lose again.

**THE THIRD MAN** · 01-02-2008 06:40 AM

I think Tszyu certainly took his first loss well after his shock loss to Vince Phillips. His record after that loss was exceptional and did not lose again for 8 years, some fighters do not handle it well, Naz for example. Malignaggi lost to the best in his division at the time in Cotto no shame there.
Going back a bit here but Duran's first loss did him no harm in 1972, not losing again until the 2nd Leonard fight and avenging his first defeat twice against De Jesus. You could argue that first losses to Foreman, Holmes and Tyson all had a negative impact on their careers.
Mosley had a bad couple of years after losing to Forrest and RJJ did not take the first Tarver loss very well at all. (Forget the Griffin DQ against him)
Hatton will be interesting to watch in 2008.

**Manju** · 01-02-2008 07:38 AM

yes, how one deals with defeat is a test of character, and the greatest fighters are the ones who overcome it. ali wih frazier for example, or SRL with Duran. In contrast, Chavez ducked whitiaker after he outboxed him but it is prince naseem hamed that takes the cake for falling apart after a loss...a pity b/c he was very aggresive in that fight with Barrera, and he certainly had the skils to pull a SRL (as in duran II) in a second fight.

**Greig** · 01-02-2008 09:39 AM

Well, lets look at Judah a different way. I've always been a hater. I don't like the way he acts, the way he derides people.

The fight of his where I gained respect for him was the Cotto fight, where he suffered a pretty bad beating.

That fight he finally showed the things that had been missing his whole career - heart and discipline. He weathered the storms as best he could and only stopped after giving his all. That made me respect him. I'll never be a fan of his, but that performance earned my respect and so what that he lost the fight?

**donnydarkoIRL** · 01-02-2008 10:37 AM

Well I assume this has already been said, but for me a loss can enhance a career if the fighter reacts well and comes back to redeem himself and if the nature of the loss was not too devastating.

Examples of where losses enhanced careers are available when one considers the cases of Barrera, Jones Jr. and Tszyu. These guys got beaten (Junior Jones, Griffin and Phillips) yet came back to be as good or better than before.