Fights that forever changed a fighter

Hector Camacho went from being a highly aggressive slick assassain and merciless finisher to being a reluctant, passive runner after Edwin Rosario nearly decapitated him in the fifth round of their fight. That was one of the few instances where you can see a single PUNCH, which didn't even score a knockdown, change a fighter's entire identity.

Same thing for Felix Cora Jr who got badly wobbled a number of times against Darnell Wilson. He survived but Cora's fathe always insisted Jr. was damaged goods after that win. That was the definition of Pyrich (sp?) Victory.

 

i would take foreman-ali off the list. foreman was devastated for years but 20 years later regained the title. just amazing.

 

Ray Mancini - Duk Koo Kim. Ray was never the same after killing Kim. Made it worse when 2 others (Kim's mother and ref Richard Green) committed suicide.

 

Tyson/Holyfield 2, Tyson ruined his own legacy and lost any desire he had left in ever becoming champ again

 

Victor Galindez never fully recovered from his hellacious last second knockout win over Richie Kates.

Was Wilfred Benitez already shot when he stepped into the ring against Hamsho or did Hamsho make him shot? Who knows? Either way Benitez was never the same after this one.

Mauricio Pastrana was the Tex Cobb at 118 and below until Rafa Marquez got to him. Pastrana lasted 12 in their first fight but after the fight rumors circulated that Pastrana fainted in his dressing room and later urinated blood. After that the tungsten chin began vanishing bit by bit.

Jose Luis Castillo nearly killed Cesar Bazan. In the process he took Bazan, who was a damned good fighter (with the tools to be a great one) and ruined him, turning him into cannon fodder.

Jesse Feliciano was a mid level journeyman with a win over Vince Philips and a win, lose, and draw against Alfonso Gomez. But his proudest hour probably came when he gave Kermit Cintron ten rounds of hell before the fight was stopped. Feliciano never came close to contending again.

 

Meldrick Taylor against Chavez is the famous one. This example is usually overstated since Taylor went on to score several excellent wins and it was actually Terry Norris who ruined Taylor, its still true that Taylor was never really the same after facing Chavez.

I think Winky Wright clearly lost his desire after he drew against Taylor.

 

Mac Foster versus Jerry Quarry

Mac lost all confidence in himself after that devastating KO loss.

He thought he was 'invicible'.

 

Oh,if only that Rosario fight never happened...or at least that Camacho's reaction to it never happened...Hector was one badass dude..he was an electric fighter..like you say, a real assasin..what a shame for boxing that he was changed from that.

 

Quarry was a real badass that night..I saw the fight live.

 

Duran deserves a mention. 73-1 going into No Mas. 30-15 after.

 

Vargas vs Trinidad

Mosley vs Forrest

 

Jesse Jame Leija was an outstanding champion at 130 but after De La Hoya stretched him he turned into a fragile, gun shy bleeder who lost violently to every A or B level fighter he met and struggled mightily against even ordinary opposition.

 

Lou Nova Vs Tony Gelanto.
Jeff Lacy Vs Joe Calzaghe.
Riddick Bowe Vs Holyfield III.