When did fighters start to "protect the 0"?

Not sure if I worded it correctly.

Losing has never been a goal for fighters, but clearly, at some point, retaining the 0 became essential. Back in the days, losing fight every now and then didn't matter all that much if you made up for it. Now, even the not-too-talented fighters try to remain unbeaten for as long as possible by hand-picking opponents.

There can be several reasons why this happens, but, IYO, when did it escalate? My guess is that the 0 protection became habitual around 1980s or so?

Also, if you have an idea of WHY the change has happened, feel free.

 

I don’t see much “0” protection outside of European fighters to be honest with you. American and Mexicans fight everyone that’s rated highly from what I can see

 

And even then...calzaghe took on Lacy when Lacy was undefeated and highly touted. Hatton took on Mayweather.

Eubank and was very protected though...at one point he was only fighting British fighters or bums.

 

I think the difference is that European fighters get protected even when they are already champions. Yet it is undeniable that up-and-coming fighters the world over do get protected. It is impossible to think that a guy would lose as often early in his career as Henry Armstrong did, for example.

Also, I am not saying it is necessarily wrong, as giving your fighter confidence and raising the level of opposition gradually is a smart thing to do. But there has been an obvious change compared to the old times. When did it start?

 

Could it have been Tyson? Promoters and TV figured out that "invincible" sells.

 

First time I ever heard of significance to the '0' on a fighters record was in 1994 - Roy Jones Jr vs. James Toney:
"Somebody's '0' Must Go"

 

Nah...it was Tyson vs Spinks in 88 ya cunt

 

Holmes when he was chasing rocky?

 

What was the Jones Jr x Toney tagline?

 

The only boxer that continually boasted of his '0' since he first laced a pair of gloves was that arrogant cunt, Floyd.

 

0's Have Been Protected Since the Days of Rocky Marciano...






REED

 

REED

 

Yeah and Tyson v Spinks was:

(Fuck - a Monday??)


I'm getting confused with Buffer's announcement for Jones v Toney...

 

The question is, when did the public become fixated on the 0 , and it become a major promotional tool?

 

Doub is correct, it is more about the public wanting the fighters to be superheroes. That might have happened in the 1980s.

I believe young Muhammad Ali was portrayed more as phenomenal and great than unbeaten

 

Yes but Spinks famously said in the final press conference “it’s going to be a sad day for anybody; someone’s “0” must go, mine or his”

 

Hagler Leonard was on a Monday too

 

Nah as REED said Marciano is probably the one who started this. A great deal of the hype around the first Ali-Frazier fight was the fact that both were undefeated

 

The “0” has always been important...it was just harder to maintain in the days when people were fighting every week. I know you don’t like the O because the scrubby face First Mexican fighters that you love have a hard time keeping it.

 

Calzaghe was horribly protected. The Lacy fight was basically his 'cash-out' fight: Warren was apparently 'shaking with nerves' in the dressing room prior to that fight.

MTF

 

Come to think of it....was't Hagler v Hearns also?
(Shown the next night on ITV at 8pm!)

 

Easy there. Otherwise I will begin to question whether or not you have an agenda of 'everybody has tried to retain the 0, only few have succeeded'

I think it is obvious that there has been a chance

 

Well...I'm surprised no one has as yet floated the "Sly has a Floyd agenda" in this thread.

I don't think the O is the be all and end all of greatness...for I'm a huge B-Hop fan and he lost his O in his second fight, but a long unbeaten streak (not necessarily undefeated) has always been a factor in measuring a fighter's prowess...as it proves consistency and dominance.

 

I think it’s just been the last twenty or so years where all the big fights take place on Saturday night.

I remember many big fights in the early 90s being in the middle of the week.

 

Miss sunday night fights on USA network. And Fox sports also showed fights on sundays for a while. And I recall espn2 had tuesday night fights.

 

I have this poster.

* insert clapping smiley

(get your shit together Anthony)

 

What about a 72-1 'streak'?
Impressive or no?

 

Much more impressive than 50-0

 

Interestingly enough, I remember reading that the Lacy fight wasn't even a massive pay day for Joe. But not surprising since he was an underdog going into that fight.

 

Yes but do that 72-1 have cars?