Not the prettiest subject to raise, but out of curiosity what fights have really effected a boxers career or health to the point where they were just not the same. For example some people say Tito really wrecked some guys. Reid and Vargas were never the same after he beat them.
Boxing is a damaging business, these guys risk their careers and health everytime they get in the ring. The obvious answer and the main case in point in recent years is Meldrick Taylor. He lost his prime in one fight. That said, I really don't see the point in rambling off a big list here of guys that have taken ring punishment. It's a part of the sport, granted, but these guys deserve respect rather than some voyeurish roll call. Just my opinion.
Taylor and Lacy could be possible ones, especially Lacy. I hope they put each of their losses behind them though and come back strong.
Gatti or Ward were never the same after their trilogy, McClellan and Watson are obvious ones for very tragic reasons.
Competative rematches helped him cope with those losses better, Vargas helped him gain his confidence back. Hamed on the other hand was realy ****ed up after barrera.
As good as Shane is right now, he's no where near where he used to be before the Forrest fight. He was an unstoppable beast at 135 and 147.
Bernard Hopkins's defeat of Felix Trinidad really affected Tito mentally, IMO. I don't think Tito ever fully recovered that fire and desire. Davey Moore was never the same after Roberto Duran was through with him. Meldrick Taylor and Fernando Vargas were never quite the same after their 12 round stoppage losses to Julio Cesar Chavez and Felix Trinidad, but I don't think it was merely those 2 fights that ruined them. It was just being in too many tough fights all around and taking too much punishment in general (I would think Taylor was in many Philly gym wars). Both of them went on to win titles later on and fight at a high level, they just weren't quite what they used to be.
I agree about him being unstoppable beast at 135 but 147 is a different story or Forrest wouldn't have beat him.