“A bet against a champion is a bad bet”
“A bet against a champion is a bad bet” is an old saying that has long been popular with gamblers. “It is a foolish thing to bet against a champion” was cited in print in 1913. “Never bet against a champion untill he’s been defeated” was cited in print in 1941.
A champion has already proven that he or she can win, while a challenger has not. The saying began in boxing, but has been used in other sports as well; in 1944, the saying was used in politics.
Google News Archive
21 July 1913, Milwaukee (WI) Journal, pg. 5, col. 7
DON’T QUIT CHAMP
TITLE HOLDERS ARE GOOD TO PUT YOUR MONEY ON.
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It is a foolish thing to bet against a champion, even if you don’t like him personally and haven’t such a high opinion of his fistic merits, because, according to Bat Nelson, champions always win a lot of battles in a row after they attain the title and have a big natural shade in all of their contests. The argument is a sound one, because champions, after annexing titles, do not make the kind of matches that they can not win—and they know they can win them when they make them.
24 September 1941, Mansfield (OH) News-Journal, “Tygers Favored to Win SecondGame at Elyria,” pg. 10, col. 2:
There’s an old saying: “Never bet against a champion untill he’s been defeated,” and this continues to hold true with Massillon’s Mighty Tigers until they are beaten.
Google News Archive
27 April 1944, Pittsburgh (PA) Press, “Fans Talk Politics in Turf Terms: Don’t Overlook ‘Big Horse’ in Race” by Joe Williams, pg. 23, cols. 4-5:
He’s won three of things in a row, you know, two in record time, and you haven’t forgotten the old saying, have you: never bet against the champ?
Google News Archive
23 June 1946, Spartanburg (SC) Herald-Journal, “Sportsmen Recall Carnera ‘Fixed’ Fight Mix-Up” by Walter Winchell, pg. A4, col. 3:
As the gambling wiseacres put it: “Never bet against a champion—until he loses.”
21 Octover 1963, Aberdeen (SD) American-News, “Wolves And Huron Set For Showdown” by The Associated Press, pg. 7, col. 2:
We use the rule of thumb maxim—never bet against a champion.
12 October 1966, St. Albans (VT) Messenger, “Ups and Downs of Sports” with Tom Downs, pg. 9, col. 1:
In saying this, I am using an old axiom: NEVER BET AGAINST A CHAMPION.
Consistently great’s Weblog
A bet against a champion is a bad bet
April 15, 2009 — consistentlygreat
“There’s an old saying in performance: A bet against a champion is a bad bet. After interviewing, coaching, and competing against these people for 25 years, I agree with this age old statement. The championship mindset doesn’t know how to quit. You can kick them, beat them, reject and discourage them, and they just keep coming. Just when you think they’re beat they will come back, and at a moment’s notice. These people are unafraid to lose which means they always play to win. When most people are playing it safe they’re going for gold. It’s a mindset, personality style and learned set of world class beliefs, and all it requires is a decision to do it. Anyone with the courage to challenge traditional, middle class thinking has the potential to become a champion. If you’re of them, you already know it. If you’re not, what are you waiting for?”
-Steve Siebold, author, Die Fat or Get Tough
Sparkpeople—Beachgirl76
Sunday, December 19, 2010
FAT PEOPLE EAT FOR PLEASURE, FIT PEOPLE EAT FOR HEALTH
By Steve Siebold
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No one bets against the great achievers. There’s an old saying, ” A bet against a champion is a bad bet.” When it comes to your diet and exercise program, are you thinking like the masses or the champions?
The Huffington Post
Steve Siebold.
Tiger Woods’ Three Words Explain His Greatness
Posted: 05/13/2013 4:18 pm
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The other moral to the story: setbacks are setups for great comebacks. There’s an old saying among the world class: “A bet against a champion is a bad bet.” When Tiger Woods slipped to number 58 in the world, it’s why I went on national television on The Golf Channel and predicted he would regain the number one world ranking again.