how much do over-the-hill losses affect a fighters legacy?

[kenso]

specific cases:
roy jones jr.
evander
barrera...

the list goes on

the question is, if roy would have stopped once he beat ruiz, how much higher all time would he be? in 5 years, once the dust has settled - are we going to hold these losses against roy? do we hold them against him now?

same case with all fighters. is it circumstantial? once a fighter is completely done, but they keep fighting and losing - do they tarnish their previous glory? or does it remain constant forever? at what point does it hurt their legacy and at one point does it not make a difference?

[cupocity303]

specific cases:
roy jones jr.
evander
barrera...

the list goes on

the question is, if roy would have stopped once he beat ruiz, how much higher all time would he be? in 5 years, once the dust has settled - are we going to hold these losses against roy? do we hold them against him now?

same case with all fighters. is it circumstantial? once a fighter is completely done, but they keep fighting and losing - do they tarnish their previous glory? or does it remain constant forever? at what point does it hurt their legacy and at one point does it not make a difference?

IMO, yes it affects their legacy to an extent.

The mystique factor is gone. Sometimes part of judging someone's career is not just accomplishments but the mystique of the fighter. Using Michael Jordan as an example, when he retired in 1998, he left on top with the Chicago Bulls. The Mystique was at an all-time high, people were wondering how much more could he have done? What if he comes back, etc, etc,. Of course he then did comeback and he ruined his own mystique although he did pretty good for a older MJ. In retrospect it didn't hurt him as much because he still had his accolades to fall back on, which were Top-Notch.

Not with Roy, his mystique was a important part of his legacy IMO. He looked like Mr. Untouchable. Some fans considered him a ATG-talent, others argued that he was a cherry picker, it didn't matter. The debates were gonna continue had he left out on top, BUT now his place in history is pretty much set.