No shame in quitting

I read with interest, and somewhat randomly and unexpectedly a degree of happiness earlier this week, that Irish boxer Bernard Dunne is retiring from boxing aged 30. I cannot admit to have closely followed his career as I have with others, especially in the early days, but I have enjoyed watching his fights over the last few years. It took me a touch by surprise that he was retiring given that it was not that long ago that he held a world title, he is only 30 (which I consider extremely young!) and has been fighting at a reasonably high level for a good few years now.

What pleased me however was that Dunne is clearly a guy who has made a reasonable amount of money, compared to the average man, (but far from that of a Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather or Ricky Hatton), but after his knockout loss last time out, has decided the time is right for him to quit. For him, it was the right time to leave the sport, perhaps not having the desire or motivation to continue, not desperately need the money, but most crucially, understanding that further punishment in the last few years of his career could cause damage to his health. As he commented about his decision, he spoke about it now being time to move to his next career, whatever that may be.

It seemed quite refreshing to me – an athlete admitting that his time is up, and being unable to maintain previous levels of performance. How often does that happen?

Maybe it’s just been a recent number of examples that have occurred which made it spring to mind, but there just seem to be so many athletes, past their prime, having earned fortunes, but determined to try to regain past glories. Of course, it may well be that those supposed fortunes have been blown in casinos, women and cars, and that makes a little more sense for them wanting to continue to earn a living.

In April, Roy Jones Jr, 40 years old, fights Bernard Hopkins……44 years old. I read an excellent article by Thomas Hauser last week, highlighting how unnecessary this fight was. Hauser’s article explains the health risks that face both fighters, particularly Jones.

http://www.secondsout.com/columns/thomas-hauser/hopkins-jones-ii-better-never-than-late

Both boxers have made good money, and have involvement in promoting which will almost certainly see them through the rest of their lives. How else can one explain why they are fighting other than stubborn pride, a desire for Hopkins to achieve revenge, and generally to want to prove to themselves, each other and the world that they can still perform at a high level.

Absolutely the same story with Ricky Hatton who plans to fight at least once more.

It happens in so many sports. James Toney has joined the UFC this week – a 41 year old boxer. 47-year-old former NFL star Hershel Walker fights in another mixed martial arts promotion. Brian Westbrook, Clinton Portis…..two veteran running backs in the NFL suffered horrendous concussions last season, both are clearly past their best, and both plan to play next season.

Granted, it does not help that these sports are so physical, but that even more than other sports, should tell them to protect their futures by calling it quits at the right time, without jeopardising their future health. All one needs to do is look at Muhammed Ali to see the tragic effects it can have.

They are all big and bad enough to make their own decisions and live by them. Dunne’s decision took me by surprise, but it is clearly the right thing to do for him. I admire him for his decision, and he seems to be content with it, and within himself – maybe that is what it is all about, I don’t know. I just hope some of the decisions to continue playing or fighting does not return to haunt some of these guys in later life.