As time goes on, one can begin to see the telltale signs of trouble in terms of a fighter needing to hang up the gloves. You see the same sad play unfold time and again as fighters are spit out at the bottom of this unforgiving game. Medical suspensions are a bad sign, as is a fighter continuing despite an overwhelming consensus from observers that he should not.
Here are some fighters who should not be fighting for their own good. No one is trying to stop anyone from making a living. The time comes for everyone in boxing where there is more to lose than gain. Let’s hope these guys see the writing on the wall before it’s too late.
Boxers Who Should Retire After 2009
Jermain Taylor: Suffering two of the more spectacular KOs of the year can’t be a good sign. The Abraham knockout, in particular, was horrific. Nice guy. Has a family. It’s all downhill from here. Had a good career.
Jeff Lacy: Hard to imagine both he and Taylor make this list. It wasn’t long ago they were both moving up being projected as future stars.
Evander Holyfield: Sad to see the proud former champion making this list year after year instead of the Fighter of the Year lists he used to meet with regularity. Turned pro in Ronald Reagan’s first term. This can’t be happening.
Roy Jones: Not sure there has been more conclusive evidence that a great fighter should hang them up than this one. Even had me going with his recent revival until getting a one-round smackdown from the decidedly unspectacular Danny Green. When it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
Miguel Cotto: Less clear-cut than the others, but of equal urgency. I sense a little Meldrick Taylor in him in terms of his resistance abilities. Had an absolutely wonderful career. I just don’t want to see him taking punches anymore.
Ricky Hatton: Had a great career, made a bunch of money, and lost to the two best fighters of his era. The hideous nature of the Pacquiao knockout should be more than enough to push the obviously faded Hatton out the door.
Marco Antonio Barrera: Inactive since a resounding loss to Amir Khan. Let’s hope it stays that way. Has no business in a prize ring anymore. 20 years in the ring is enough. Nothing can happen from here but bad things.
Erik Morales: Call this a pre-emptive condemnation. Something tells me he might give it a shot. Please don’t, Erik.
Oscar Larios: Diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, he continues on. Banned in the United States, Larios continues abroad, a tragedy waiting to happen.
Czar Amonsot: Also suffered a subdural hematoma, ironically, on the same card Larios suffered his. The fact that he had three fights this year in the Philippines should be a great cause for alarm.
Hasim Rahman: Since the Lewis win, has just been meandering. Could still make a few bucks lending his name out to rising prospects, but at this juncture, what’s the point?
Monte Barrett: Never a great fighter, but is simply mailing it in now.
Antwun Echols: Horribly shot. Legs are gone. Any promoter using this guy should lose a lot of respect.
Sam Peter: More of a personal choice, not so much based on him being shot, though he seems to have faded. Came into his biggest fights in his worst condition. Then he gets in shape for nothing fights. Boxing fans have enough on their plates without having to deal with this guy.
Jesus Chavez: Had a good career, but his window has passed.
Jose Luis Castillo: If any kind of career revival were supposed to take place, it would have happened before now.
Enzo Maccarinelli: Getting blasted three times resoundingly was more than conclusive enough evidence that his days near the top of the cruiserweight division had ended. Now someone convince him of that.
Kassim Ouma: The epitome of being shot. A loser in 4 of his last 5, he doesn’t have it anymore. Let’s hope he gets wind of this before the “dream” turns into a nightmare.
