The Dreaded First Loss in Boxing
There has only been a hand full of boxers to have retired with a clean record –Rocky Mariano, Ricardo Lopez and Sven Ottke to name a few. More recently Joe Calzaghe has added his name to the list, and although Floyd Mayweather also falls into the same category, I would not be surprised to see him make a return if the money is right.
With that aside, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik and Miguel Cotto both seemed to have the necessary “it” factor and the potential to maintain a perfect record. However on July 26th 2008 (Cotto) and October 18th 2008 (Pavlik) the perfect record became intangible for both fighters.
In boxing, when an undefeated fighter suffers his first loss, many questions begin to surface. Some speculate if a fighter can recuperate in order to return to original form. Others wonder if the fighter has enough fortitude to overcome the emotions of a first defeat, and if not, will it affect their personal lives. We have seen this happen with fighters who at one point seem invincible, until they suffer that damaging first loss, and never recaptured the same momentum they once had.
One of the more famous examples comes from Mike Tyson’s career. Throughout the 1980’s, Tyson cemented his legacy with long streak of knockouts and becoming WBC WBA and IBF heavyweight champion. On February 11th 1990, “the baddest man on the planet” suffered his first loss at the hands of James “Buster” Douglas. Although Tyson racked up some wins, it was the first loss that would skew Tyson’s career and especially his personal life. Tyson was convicted of rape and was incarcerated for three years. Upon his return to the ring, he was still a major draw and even captured titles, however he would not return to his original dynamic form. At a post fight conference, following a knockout loss to Kevin McBride (June 11th 2005), Tyson reflected upon his career and stated, “My career has been over since 1990,” thus making reference to his first loss.
On the other hand, several fighters also bounce back from a first loss and recapture the limelight. Oscar De La Hoya’s first defeat came at the hands of Felix Trinidad, however he re-established his focus and went on to record wins over Felix Strum and Ricardo Mayorga; while capturing his tenth world title in the process. Bernard Hopkins is another great example of a fighter who had the right composure to rebound from a crumbling defeat; after all he did start his career with a loss. It was after his second loss to Roy Jones Jr. that he went on to have a ten year reign as IBF Middleweight champion (later captured WBC/WBA). Furthermore he handed Felix Trinidad his first loss and more recently did the same to Kelly Pavlik.
In any case, we can see the significance of the first loss and how this can affect a fighter in a positive or negative way. There is obviously only two ways to go after a defeat (move forward or move backward), but it is interesting to observe how each fighter reacts.
Going back to the February 21st bouts, how would Cotto and Pavlik fair coming off their first losses; and which trajectory would their careers follow? The evening started with Miguel Cotto trying to get back in the win column after being defeated by Mr. loaded gloves himself, Antonio Margarito. Cotto faced Michael Jennings for the vacant WBO welterweight title at Madison Square Garden. After the first round, Cotto’s pace quickened and in the third, he turned up the heat as most of his jabs and hooks connected. Cotto dropped Jennings twice in the fourth and again in the fifth. From here, he backed Jennings in a corner and unloaded to drop him for a third time. Cotto had won his second welterweight title in impressive fashion (TKO). The 28 year old Puerto Rican proved he had gotten over his first loss as he looked remarkable in his return.
The second major fight of the night took place in Youngstown Ohio, as the hometown hero and WBO / WBC Middleweight Champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik took on mandatory challenger Marco Antonio Rubio. First loss jitters did not seem to faze Pavilk on that night, as the crowd was on his side. Pavlik got the advantage and maintained his tempo. In what mimicked a sparing session, Pavlik easily picked Rubio apart and it wasn’t until the fifth round that Rubio would mount spurts of offence, however he could not capitalize. Pavlik continued to pour on the pressure and truly damaged Rubio in the eighth round. The ninth round was target practice for Pavlik and as a result, Rubio could not continue for the tenth –Pavlik had prevailed. While Rubio may not have been at his level, Pavlik’s dominate performance proved he was able to get over his first loss and continue his career in the right direction.
With Cotto and Pavlik retaliating from their first losses, they look to solidify their status once again. It has been rumored that Cotto wants the winner of Hatton versus Pacquiao; while there have been talks that Pavlik will face Arthur Abraham in a tilt to unify titles. While titles have their significance and make great trophies, there are too many of them in boxing. It seems that victories over established boxers are more reputable when it comes to defining who the best fighter is. It’s nice to see that Cotto and Pavlik are getting back in the mix as they look to face top tier talent. I’m glad to see them get over their loss, and participate in fights that mean something instead of just knocking off a few tomato cans and build confidence with a mediocre win streak.
All Content © 2011 by Fight Media Inc. | Site Developed by Nautical Progressions
