For the Record: Ducking

[travestyny]

Question: If a fighter's manager or promoter avoids a logical fight on behalf of a champion, should that be considered a duck on the fighter's part?

Or is a fighter allowed to simply say, "It's up to my promoter," and bear no blame for the fight being avoided?



Also, can anyone give a clear example of a fighter that ducked another fighter? Or a clear definition of what ducking is? We have lots of conversations about ducking but I think part of the disagreement here is that we don't have clear parameters for what ducking is.

[JohnCastellanos]

Yeah true but I feel Jermall Charlo is probably the most blatant offender of someone who barks really loud only when he knows there is zero possibility of making a fight but when the fights become available he’s very tame and quiet. If I can call anyone a sucker I’d start with him

[Willie Pep 229]

It's nebulous . . but . . . mainly it's when a fighter walks away from a fight that is in his best interest.

Some of the things to look for: if the fight would have allowed the fighter to advance to a title shot; if the fighter takes considerably less money for a different fight; a fighter who does not defend his title in a reasonable amount of time; if a champion consistently avoids tough opponents.

Some things that don't count: the rantings of a sanctioning bodies, media, or fans.

[travestyny]

Yeah true but I feel Jermall Charlo is probably the most blatant offender of someone who barks really loud only when he knows there is zero possibility of making a fight but when the fights become available he’s very tame and quiet. If I can call anyone a sucker I’d start with him

hahaha. I've been hearing more and more from people saying this about the Charlos (can't remember if it is one or both).

[travestyny]

It's nebulous . . but . . . mainly it's when a fighter walks away from a fight that is in his best interest.

Some of the things to look for: if the fight would have allowed the fighter to advance to a title shot; if the fighter takes considerably less money for a different fight; a fighter who does not defend his title in a reasonable amount of time; if a champion consistently avoids tough opponents.

Some things that don't count: the rantings of a sanctioning bodies, media, or fans.

I think this is a fair assessment.


What would you say is a clear instance of a duck. It's kinda hard to say sometimes. Especially since most of us, me included, don't really believe boxers are afraid of other boxers. The "fear" might stem from promoters or managers fearing they will lose their gravy train or something else, but usually not boxer A is afraid of boxer B type scenario. I also assume the right money would eliminate any fear that may be there.

[kushking]

I think this is a fair assessment.


What would you say is a clear instance of a duck. It's kinda hard to say sometimes. Especially since most of us, me included, don't really believe boxers are afraid of other boxers. The "fear" might stem from promoters or managers fearing they will lose their gravy train or something else, but usually not boxer A is afraid of boxer B type scenario. I also assume the right money would eliminate any fear that may be there.

A CLEAR instance of a duck is Saunders ducking Canelo with bs excuses, same goes for Charlo & Plant imho. BJS/Plant both ducked highest payday offers as well as ability to become huge stars/money if they won,they both are only interested in bums,they both claimed 10 weeks isn't enough despite fighting bums on short notice & not taking punishment whatsoever in Plants case. Another lesser instance is ggg whos aging himself(despite crying Jacobs wasted several mos of reverse BenGGGamin button Gs time as a elite)but insists on fighting F lists like Rolls/Szeremeta instead of cashing out & solidifying his legacy before hes seen as a cherrypick & nobody will offer as much

[Gamer30168]

To me the most obvious reason to duck a fight is for fear of taking a loss. Some fighters might "duck" a fight because they don't feel like there is enough money in a particular fight. Or perhaps you're a belt holder and you don't want to fight anyone who isn't also a beltholder....

[kushking]

To me the most obvious reason to duck a fight is for fear of taking a loss. Some fighters might "duck" a fight because they don't feel like there is enough money in a particular fight. Or perhaps you're a belt holder and you don't want to fight anyone who isn't also a beltholder....

I think thats more of being shook, being shook is worse than a duck,but most ducks have an element of not wanting to risk losing. I think Plant/Charlo are shook of the best because they don't wanna be 5 min wonders who never make as much money

[Ben Bolt]

is a fighter allowed to simply say, "It's up to my promoter," and bear no blame for the fight being avoided?

As long as he doesn’t wear a lineal World Champion belt. A lineal World Champion cannot make any excuses for not taking the most logical fight.

With all these ‘world’ alphabet belts, champs can pick their fights. And still call themselves ‘world’ champs.
Sadly, most of them will only have a brief time in limelight, and face a ruthless reality after their careers’ have peaked. They, and their titles, will rapidly fall into oblivion as the boxing world moves on.

[The Old LefHook]

Let's see, you mean like Robinson ducked Burley, Duran ducked Buchanan, Leonard ducked Hearns and Dempsey ducked Wills? Meanwhile, Rocky only ducked his manager Al Weil, the grasping ***.