Ah, the human ego. It can be a fragile one in many of us. I imagine that it can be especially delicate when a fighter comes up short against another. And that is why I have decided to write this editorial, having selected six of some of the worst excuses that boxers have come up with after they have faced defeat. It needs to be said that this is not an article that intends to ridicule or make fun of any boxer. Boxing for a living is hard work and it doesn’t just begin in the ring. It goes far back when blood and sweat is shed in the gym during training. But with that said, whether they admit it or not, some excuses are either humorous or just plain bizarre.
So, let’s get started.
David Haye
While the injury was legitimate, a Wladimir Klitschko vs David Haye bout had been heavily anticipated for a number of years before finally taking place on July 2nd, 2011. After the complete flop that it turned out to be with Haye stumbling and falling all over the ring, he showed the world the reason for that. A broken toe. Now, we know that having a fractured toe can be immensely painful. But why didn’t Haye go public with the injury before the fight? It probably would have made a little more sense, right?
Deontay Wilder
“He didn’t hurt me at all, but the simple fact is, Kevin, that my uniform was way too heavy for me. I didn’t have no legs from the beginning of the fight.”
You read that right.
After facing his first loss against Tyson Fury in their 22nd February, 2020 rematch Deontay Wilder claimed that the suit he wore while walking to the ring affected his legs by draining him. Now, above is a picture of the suit. It does look heavy, to be fair. But why would you consent to wearing that in the first place? And surely Wilder would have worn it at least a couple of times before to have it fit him correctly.
George Foreman
The still oldest heavyweight champion of the world claimed in his 1995 autobiography that the reason he lost to Muhammad Ali in the famous ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in which Ali shockingly regained the heavyweight championship was because there was apparently somebody outside of the ring who was distracting himwhich caused him to lose in the 8th round. In another book, titled ‘God In My Corner,’ he also stated that a drink of his was spiked with something that made him feel not up to par. George eventually came to terms with the loss and is now of the view that “The Greatest” was just simply the better man on the night. Thank God for that.
Timothy Bradley
Manny Pacquiao rectified his defeat to Timothy Bradley in their rematch, winning a clear points decision and recapturing the WBO welterweight title. Personally, I thought he also won the first fight but that’s another topic. In any case, when asked if there was anything that contributed to coming up second best in the return he said: “I didn’t have the support I needed because I didn’t wear any socks and the ring was very spongy. It was very difficult to sit down (on my punches) and that is why my feet gave out. They were moving around in my shoes.”
So, Bradley was basically saying that his boots were too big for him. I give him credit for originality, at least.
Carl Froch
The Nottingham former super-middleweight boxer was as tough as they came. He never avoided anybody and he took his defeat to Andre Ward with no excuses, simply saying that he was too slick for him. But when after he fought Mikkel Kessler in 2010 in their first fight he decided to put some of the blame not on himself or a person. But a volcano!
Froch said, “There’s nothing more boring than listening to excuses but I should have been better if that volcano hadn’t put up all that ash in the air. My flight was cancelled so I had a barbeque and ate some burgers and fizz pop. But the day before the weigh-in, I found out they’d put a private jet on for me so I thought, ‘Sod it, I’ll go’. So I spent the night before in a red-hot bath trying to sweat off the weight and replicate a sauna. It left me a little bit drained but I went in thinking I could get him with just one shot. This time I’ll be better prepared.”
Did Carl actually get solid confirmation that the fight was going to be called off? With him saying that they organised a private jet it does not sound like it. Otherwise, in all honesty, the thing about having to shift weight so late before a fight makes this excuse not sound as daft as it initially does.
Kermit Cintron
I am surprised that more boxers have not tried the trick of purposely smelling bad one way or another after Kermit Cintron made the ludicrous excuse that the mousse in in Sergio Martinez’s hair was what bothered him during their February 14th, 2009 rematch.
Kermit said, “I’d like to get a rematch against Sergio Martinez. Some people disputed the draw. Look, the guy wore so much hair gel and moose (sic), that the fumes were making me dizzy. And I still managed to put it on him on only 4 weeks notice. Let’s clear the air for good. With an eight week camp, I knock him out. Simple as that!”
The contest ended in a much disputed draw and Cintron never did get that rematch. Perhaps the smell of that mousse turned him off so much that he couldn’t bear to get close to Martinez again.
