08.09.07 – By Ted Sares: Most never seem to know when the timing is right and fight on only to see their boxing legacies tarnished, though in many cases it’s a matter of making more money.
Rocky Marciano, 49-0, knew when the time was right and he stayed retired. But for every Marciano, there are ten like Ivan Robinson, Art Jimmerson, Matthew Saad Mohammed or “contender” Norberto Bravo who seem to stay on beyond their time.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler was one who knew. Maybe, like Dave Tiberi, it was out of disgust, or maybe he knew that the Mugabi fight had taken something out of him.
Whatever the reason, retiring when he did took nothing away from his marvelous legacy. Talented Vinnie Curto, 62-10-3, quit at the right time but super-talented Wilfred Benitez did not. For every Marlon Starling who never suffered a “bad” defeat or Alfredo “Freddy” Cuevas, there are too many Simon Browns’ who took too many unnecessary beat downs at the end. For every Richie Melito, 27-1, there are way too many Frankie Swindell’s or Darroll “Doin’ Damage” Wilson’s. Michael Nunn, 58-4, knew when it was time, but too many simply did not.
After suffering a second frustrating TD because of cuts, Dana Rosenblatt, who was notable for being one of the few Jewish boxers active in the 1990s, retired with a fine slate of 37-1-2. His transition to a business career after boxing was seamless and highly successful. Classy Ricardo “Finito” Lopez retired with a 50-0-1 record ands an amazing championship record of 25-0-1. Enough said.
In 1987, heavyweight Lee Canalito TKOd one Mike Jones in the first round and then walked away with a 21-0 record and 19 KOs (most coming in the first round). About the same time, Terry Marsh retired as IBF light welterweight title holder with a 26-0 record. They must have known something. Michael Spinks did not stay around long either, but his brother tragically did. Even Tex Cobb went undefeated in his last 20 fights and then retired a winner over winless Andre Smiley (0-25).
The Asian immortals Fighting Harada, Yoko Gushiken, Jiro Watanabe and Khaosai Galaxy all knew when the time was right. Galaxy was 49-1 and on top when he said goodbye.
Eder Jofre, “The Golden Bantam” managed to bookend his career in a uniquely positive way….50 in front and 25at the end. Even the great Sugar Ray Robinson, to whom Jofre is often compared when pound-for-pound discussions take place, did not have such an auspicious start. His final record was 72-2-4 with 50 KO’s
There are many others, like Carlos Monzon, who left boxing at the top of their game. More importantly, they stayed retired. That’s the key; they stayed retired.
Of course, the list of those who could not walk away or who did but then came back is both legion and, at times, tragic. Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard., Ali and Tyson all stayed on too long, and so did Matthew Saad Mohammed who lost 12 fights after his first loss to Dwight Muhammad Qawi in 1981. Even Pernell Whitaker lingered as he was winless in his last four fights. There was no need for the great Nigel Benn to fight on after the depleting war with Gerald McClellan. And Teddy Reid should leave right now.
This list could go on for pages. Suffice it to say that the list of those who quit at the right time (at least for them) is much shorter. In all this, Evander Holyfield remains an enigma. The jury is still out, but the verdict will be rendered at Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow on October 13, 2007.
As for Tito Trinidad, he too risks tarnish on an otherwise pristine legacy as he fights Roy Jones Junior on January 19, 2008 at Madison Square Garden. Heck, even Oscar De La Hoya (like Tito. a slam dunk for induction into the Hall), is losing some luster having lost 3 of his last 5 fights.
Is it money, fame, legacy, warrior spirit, or something else? What do you think?