There must be something in the air, because fighters, active and retired, have been sharing bizarre conspiracy theories in recent weeks. In his recently published memoirs, "God in My Corner," heavyweight legend George Foreman says he was drugged just before his 1974 title fight loss to Muhammad Ali in the Congo (formerly Zaire).
A couple of weeks later, Antonio Tarver implied that he was drugged or poisoned leading up to his lopsided points loss to Bernard Hopkins last June for the light heavyweight title of world.
I am not sure if these recent comments are the result of too many blows to the head or simply delusional ramblings by prideful fighters. One thing is clear: boxers rarely admit that their opponent is simply better. It is always something else that that caused them to lose. This kind of bravado and self-confidence makes fighters champions. However, these traits can easily lead to delusion and denial. These flaws are usually on full display when the losing fighter is being interviewed.
Here are the most abused post-fight interview excuses:
"I came to fight, and all he did was run."
Translation: The losing fighter lost a clear-cut decision to a faster opponent, while they failed to successfully cut off the ring.
Most recently: Although he won, Jermain Taylor surprisingly used this excuse after his tepid middleweight title defense against Cory Spinks. Makes you wonder if Jermain really thought he won.
"I had trouble making weight…"
Translation: This may be well be true – but it’s also probably been true the last several fights for the losing fighter. This loss was simply the perfect opportunity to pull out the "I had trouble making weight" card.
Most recently: Edison Miranda used it after getting battered from pillar-to-post by rising middleweight contender Kelly Pavlik.
"I take nothing way from my opponent, but I just couldn’t get off."
Translation: This actually sounds like a romantic date gone awry. In boxing terms, it usually means the loser just got a "good-ole butt-whupping."
Most recently: A longtime offender, Oscar De La Hoya used this excuse after his mega-fight loss to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Specifically, he mentioned that "my jab just wouldn’t come out?" Last time that I checked, Oscar controlled his own jab unless I missed the hidden puppeteer sitting ringside. That comment was a head-scratcher to say the least.
"I hurt my hand…"
Translation: After an unimpressive victory or an embarrassing defeat, a fighter often makes this claim. Hand injuries are common in boxing, and can be mentioned at any time. However, when do you think the injury is typically mentioned? Hint: the fighter isn’t smiling when bringing it up.
Most recently: Floyd Mayweather in his solid, yet unspectacular victory over Carlos Baldomir to capture the welterweight title. I know Floyd legitimately hurts his hands in many fights. However, Floyd also boasts that he has the best hand-wrapper in the business. It appears that Mayweather has all bases covered on this one.
"I just got caught with a good punch…"
Translation: Yes, you did. We saw it, he threw, you caught it, and you got knocked out. Although not really an excuse, it is a sly way of whisking away the knockout blow as luck.
Most recently: It was used by Edison Miranda after Kelly Pavlik knocked him out with a series of right hands. Miranda spoke as if the fight-turning right hand landed by chance in the sixth round, but that was clearly not the case, as Pavlik routinely landed the punch all night. Again, "da-Nile" is not only a river in Egypt.
Next time that you tune in for the next big fight on HBO or Showtime, don’t tune out after the fight has ended and the decision has been declared. Grab a cold brew, sit back on your couch, and watch what has often become the best part of fight program – the post-fight interview.
