Can a fighter damage their legacy if they miss one fight?

By James Sexton - 02/15/2015 - Comments

Over the years there has been much speculation as to what extent Floyd Mayweather’s reputation and legacy will be tarnished should he retire without facing Manny Pacquiao. The fans are split between two opinions, the Mayweather fans claim it will have no meaning and what he has already accomplished is enough to support his claim as a true all time great.

The critics respond by saying it will leave doubt and at the end of the day he will be remembered more for missing this fight than he will be for what he has done in the ring. Similarly some say a similar effect will take place when trying to establish Pacman’s place in history once he hangs up the gloves.

Whilst this has been going on for some time between the two pound for pound stars, it is now starting to happen more and more frequently. It seems as though if any big fight isn’t made immediately someone’s ‘career and reputation’ are on the line.

For example I see reports and statements from fans and writers claiming Miguel Cotto is the most recent fighter to have his legacy on the line because he has not made a fight with Golovkin yet. Is that fair? In his first defence of his title he is expected to take on the most violent, dangerous and avoided fighter in the sport?

Hardly fitting a man who’s career has lead him to fight the best fighters in three weight classes already. Then I hear it about Froch. If he doesn’t fight so and so before he retires it means some drastic effect will take place on his reputation. I have seen this from Hopkins, DeGale and Dirrell, hardly fair to expect him to fight them all?

What was originally a statement discussing the ridiculous saga between Floyd and Pacquiao is now being used in relation to any older fighter who doesn’t take on whoever the youngest and most dangerous challenger at the time is. The problem here is that it fighters like Cotto and Froch are in completely different situations when compared to the current May/Pac scene.