Is it OK to quit during a fight?

[tri4ben2]

It is one thing to quit because you don't think you are goin gto win, but in boxing, there is another guy in front of you punching you in the head. Some shots hurt more than others, so if you are getting hit with a lot of shots, and you don't think you have a chance to win, you should have the choice of whether you want to keep fighting.

Sometimes a fighter blatently quits, like Freitas inthe Corrales fight, but other time, the fighter just stops punching so that the ref waives the fight off. Other times after a knockdown a fighter will not show that he is ready to continue after the 8 count.

In the Ebo - Burton fight, the ref looked into Burton's eyes and saw that he could not go on, and then said OK fight. Bruton went on to lose in the next 10 seconds, but that made the fight even more exciting.

[fist-of-fury]

It's really up to the boxer himself. If he thinks or feels he's had it (and not because of injury), and there's no semblance of any pride left in him, then no one can stop him from quitting at any stage of the fight. It's his fight, anyway.

BUT, in doing so, he is risking his reputation, could be branded a chicken and be irreversibly humiliated for life. And lose any following he had before the quitting time.

Of course, he can always make a return and fight another day, but the stain will always be there. It can never be erased. It's like a tattoo. It's there forever. Even if you slice if off, there appears an even uglier scar.

[SweetScience]

I recently read an interesting article in a boxing ****zine, and they explored the subject of fighters who have quit. Let's examine some fighters who have quit:

Acelino Freitas, who quit against Corrales.
Sonny Liston, who quit against Ali.
Willy Pep, who quit against Sandy Saddler.
Genaro Hernandez, who quit against De La Hoya.
Roberto Duran, who quit against Leonard.
Julio Cesar Chavez, who quit against De La Hoya.

Against Corrales, Freitas quit after tiring himself out by running around like an idiot and getting knocked down 3 times. I think it was bad to quit like that. Nothing seemed wrong there. I excuse Pep and Hernandez, as they just couldn't go on with their injuries. But Duran, Chavez, and Liston just couldn't be excused. Chavez' infraction will be overlooked because it was late in his career and was addicted to coke. What do you think?

The guy in your AV quit literally.

Freitis quiting was horrible, he's a young guy just like Corrales in their prime. Duran quiting was bad, he didnt train for that fight, thought he would walk over Leonard. Chavez had no business in the ring with DLH and DLH should be ashame for fighting an old shot fighter to collect an easy payday. People have to realize boxing is not all punching it's mental as well. Chavez was not the same man that fought in his prime, the mindset changes when someone becomes old.

[Floydmayweather]

It is not ok to quit but if u are taking a beating and have a chance of being permenatly hurt there is no shame in throwing and the towel and living to fight another day.

[pimpin2]

if you can't take the pain anymore I don't see why not. It's good for the fighter bad for the fans, but in the end who's gonna take care of the fighter?

[AintGottaClue]

if it saves your career hell ya quit its called being smart not heart less although people dont see it that way with klitschko byrd which they should

[Truth]

It is not ok to quit but if u are taking a beating and have a chance of being permenatly hurt there is no shame in throwing and the towel and living to fight another day.

well said.

[RobbieD]

Personally I think it comes down to the difference between being hurt and being injured.

If you are injured, fighting on is a definate wrong choice. The sport is already dangerous enough when you are 100% fit. Being at a physically disadvantage is taking your life into your own hands further. Classic examples are Steve Collins vs. Nigel Benn and Danny Williams vs. Mark Potter. Benn tried to continue after twisting his ankle but could barely walk. If you aren't mobile, you can't fight. Best to pack it in and live to fight another day. I wouldn't have thought bad of Williams at all if he quit once he separated his shoulder but he, somewhat ******ly, chose to fight on which luckily worked to his advantage since he KO'd his opponent with only his left arm.

If you are hurt, it's mental. You can go on if you are mentally strong enough. If you quit when you are hurt, it's definately a sign of weakness and a total lack of heart.

[masterdirector]

Quitting is never honorable. I'd rather get knocked out than quit. That might be pride screwing with me, but yeah, I'm going out on my shield. Just my mentality. Though, damn getting hit in the stomach can f'n hurt like hell.

[abdiel2k3]

i guess it all depends on circumstances
whats goin on
why ur quiteen n so forth
i guess it can be ok sometimes
but most the times
it just dont seem like the right thing to do