I can't believe we've all missed this one:

"Ruined his legacy"


Honestly..... who the hell are we to proclaim such a damning statement? Once a legacy is made... it's made. A guy who wins several championships in different weights.... who wins several epic, classic battles that stick in our minds... who conducts himself with the utmost class and respect for the sport of boxing. How do you all of sudden "undo" that?

Let me clarify. There is a way to ruin your legacy. Say a fighter in addition to being a champion has conducted himself with class, the way Alexis Arguello used to do. All of a sudden he takes to cheating.... to taking drugs.... to disparaging his opponents.... to beating women. That, in my mind, is how you ruin your legacy. But the "W's" and "L's" already in your record are going to stay there, no matter what. So what if you fight a bit too long and get knocked out along the way? It may not be in your health's best interests, and it may damage your win percentage a bit. But does that really ruin your legacy? I say no.

It's an overused phrase in boxing by boxing fans.