Boxers fight for MONEY not glory. Fact.

[Fenster]

Can anyone recall a fighter refusing a greater payday to make a more important (as in resume enhancing) fight?

For example - Mosley turned down around $12m for a third fight with Oscar to unify with Wright for about $2m.. but I believe the Oscar fight fell through because Mosley was demanding MORE than $12million. So wasn't really about Mosley looking to enhance his legacy.

For what reason - other than wonga - do pro fighters fight? Money drives every decision, no?

[boozeboxer]

Surely even if Mosely had pissed Oscar off they could have agreed on more than $2 million dollars. Winky was a much riskier fight, so I think that is one example that won't work. Except for that one though, I can't think of any.

[leftylee]

What about Juan Manuel Marquez against Chris John. He went to his hometown and apparently he got a ridiculous low purse.

[RP33]

Boxing is all about marketability.. if you take a lower payday than what you may be able to get, it most likely is with the intent to set up a bigger payday in the future..

Let's face it, in boxing if you're undefeated you're always marketable, but the more losses you have that marketability starts to fade, with the exception of some elite fighters.. With undefeated fighters there is always that excitement factor of, "will he be the first one to beat him?!" which gains interest from a lot of casual fans.

Although, i wouldn't say that they don't fight for glory. Boxers are as competetive as any other sportsman. But, i would say that money comes first, then glory.. but there is plenty of glory.

[Fenster]

Marquez fought John for $30,000 after a 2nd Pac fight fell through. It wasn't a fight to enhance his legacy though, they probably thought John was an easy fight. And all it really highlights is Nacho Beristain is a crap manager.

Booze, I think it was just a case of negotiations breaking down with Oscar, so the fight was scrapped. So probably just Mosley playing the game badly.

RP33, I agree the glory is there, but it's second to the money. The money comes before glory, although it's not portrayed like that.

[boozeboxer]

Marquez fought John for $30,000 after a 2nd Pac fight fell through. It wasn't a fight to enhance his legacy though, they probably thought John was an easy fight. And all it really highlights is Nacho Beristain is a crap manager.

Booze, I think it was just a case of negotiations breaking down with Oscar, so the fight was scrapped. So probably just Mosley playing the game badly.

RP33, I agree the glory is there, but it's second to the money. The money comes before glory, although it's not portrayed like that.

Can we all agree that fighting Chris John at his home for $30,000 is the dumbest fight ever made?

[XaduBoxer]

Marquez fought John for $30,000 after a 2nd Pac fight fell through. It wasn't a fight to enhance his legacy though, they probably thought John was an easy fight. And all it really highlights is Nacho Beristain is a crap manager.

When JMM opted to exchange a $750,000 purse with a $30,000 purse (and a loss), I think that time he was trying to regain his lost glory/legacy... That time, IBF just recently stripped JMM of his featherweight title for failing to have a mandatory fight since no promoter willing to spend a minimum $50,000 purse bid in JMM's mandatory defense (you know JMM's style is boring)... JMM losing his IBF title resulted to WBA withdrawing his "super champion" status... JMM ended without any titles/belts then he's demoted as the mandatory challenger to Chris John's regular WBA featherweight title... JMM tried to regain his legacy/title but failed during that time... It was the lowest point in JMM's career...

But props for JMM for fighting for glory... It's seldom seen in a professional boxer since being a professional boxer, you're expected to choose money over glory anytime...
.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

Marquez fought John for $30,000 after a 2nd Pac fight fell through. It wasn't a fight to enhance his legacy though, they probably thought John was an easy fight. And all it really highlights is Nacho Beristain is a crap manager.

Booze, I think it was just a case of negotiations breaking down with Oscar, so the fight was scrapped. So probably just Mosley playing the game badly.

RP33, I agree the glory is there, but it's second to the money. The money comes before glory, although it's not portrayed like that.

I think most fighters enter the game wanting to become a champion, it's the glory. If you ask kids what they want to do it isn't a case of 'I want to box to get rich', there are much easier ways than getting punched in the head, they do it for the glory.

Along the way the waters get muddy.

You'll fight for the pay, because it's winnable, good for your career/exposure etc. You'll argue you're worth so much £$ because you think you're worth it.

I think it also depends on the boxer and who they are fighting. Does having a shed load of money from a fight ease a loss? Does it matter if you're fighting someone you don't like? I'd say so.

[awdleyfuturehalloffamer]

What about Juan Manuel Marquez against Chris John. He went to his hometown and apparently he got a ridiculous low purse.

Not only a low purse but a ridiculously home cookin decision against him. From what i say, marquez won that fight.

[LEGION]

Can anyone recall a fighter refusing a greater payday to make a more important (as in resume enhancing) fight?

For example - Mosley turned down around $12m for a third fight with Oscar to unify with Wright for about $2m.. but I believe the Oscar fight fell through because Mosley was demanding MORE than $12million. So wasn't really about Mosley looking to enhance his legacy.

For what reason - other than wonga - do pro fighters fight? Money drives every decision, no?

Kid Thunder......................... so I disagree Fen'

[XaduBoxer]

If PAC fights one of the 147 belt holders for his 7th division title instead of waiting for the huge money fighting the winner of PBF-JMM then PAC is fighting for legacy over money...
.

[Mr140]

Well then tell me why Evander Keeps fight i heard alot about his money problems but he should of retired long before that i mean my god. He fights for glory and the sad part is it going to hurt him some time i am a huge Evander Holyfeild fan i just wish they would of gave him the win he deserved and let him have his happy ending but i guess they could not.

[JazMerkin]

Well then tell me why Evander Keeps fight i heard alot about his money problems but he should of retired long before that i mean my god. He fights for glory and the sad part is it going to hurt him some time i am a huge Evander Holyfeild fan i just wish they would of gave him the win he deserved and let him have his happy ending but i guess they could not.

He's only fighting because of his money problems and because he can't stop having kids. Probably the best example of someone fighting for money. All these guys only fight on for money, the only possible (and I say this because I'm not sure) exception I can think of is Roy Jones.

[Fenster]

Well then tell me why Evander Keeps fight i heard alot about his money problems but he should of retired long before that i mean my god. He fights for glory and the sad part is it going to hurt him some time i am a huge Evander Holyfeild fan i just wish they would of gave him the win he deserved and let him have his happy ending but i guess they could not.

He's only fighting because of his money problems and because he can't stop having kids. Probably the best example of someone fighting for money. All these guys only fight on for money, the only possible (and I say this because I'm not sure) exception I can think of is Roy Jones.

Sorry for the repeat but I like this quote

"Fighters want to fight for titles, but not as much as we want to fight for MONEY." Roy Jones jr

[Fenster]

Evander chases glory, like most of them, but money is still his no.1 priority. If the money wasn't there he wouldn't fight. Simple as.

I'll let Evander explain it...

on Wlad Klitschko - "I’m trying to get Klitchsko to understand that if you go out there and entertain, you’ll make a lot of money. When you entertain somebody, you’re doing what they like, not necessarily what you like all the time. You’re entertaining them and they’re paying the money. You win and then your next payday is going to be even bigger because that’s what entertainment is. That’s boxing. That’s what the sport is all about.

on a 3rd Tyson fight - “You have to consider anything if the price is right and the timing is right. Last time we met, I earned $35million for nine minutes work.

People always say ‘Tyson bit you’. They never say ‘hey, you made $35m dollars’. They look at the negative part and say ‘you got bit on the ear, that gotta hurt’. Well I was saying to myself ‘he can bite this one for $35m too’.

“I prayed straight after and God reminded me, ‘You won, you had a good attitude and you made $35m and the whole world loves you and says you’re so respectful’."

more Evander on Wlad and Foreman - I know how boxing works. Realistically there ain't no reason for him (Wlad) to fight me - besides the money. Look at me and George Foreman. I didn't want to fight him [in 1991] because he was the same age I am now. I wanted to fight Tyson but my manager pointed out I'd get $22m to beat George first. I saw the sense in that."

Big interview: Evander Holyfield talks to Donald McRae | Sport | The Guardian

It's all about the money!!!