What examples are there of the old legend beating the upcoming new king and then retiring soon after? The 'new king' also has to have dominated for a fair while after. I can think of two off the top of my head, Lennox Lewis vs Vitali Klitschko and Floyd Mayweather vs Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. Any others come to mind?
Jhonny Gonzales vs Abner Mares? Oh! Jorge Arce vs Wilfredo Vazquez Jr and Michael Carbajal. Carbajal, even tho only 31, had clearly seen his better days. But the old warrior had one more fight left in him and retired on top. Funnily enough, Arce himself was seen as someone who was nearing the end at 31, when he upset Puerto Rico´s lates young star; Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.
Calzaghe beating Kessler Calzaghe was the top SMW, Kessler took over as top SMW for a time after Froch beating Groves Ward wasn't fighting and Froch had claim to being the top SMW. Groves had claim to being the top SMW for a time after