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A few examples of the changed careers of fighters involed in ring deaths.
Ezzard Charles-Once a vicious puncher at 175 who stopped Archie Moore, later to pull punches and lose his killer instinct after killing man
Emile Griffith-Never really a big puncher but a great finisher, after Paret he just wasn't the same.
Gabe Ruelas-Was starting to live up to the early career comparison to Duran and was on his way to cleaning up Jr Lightweight and making his mark. Close loss to Nelson, Great win over Prime undefeated Leija, a couple of vicious defenses. Then fights Garcia and loses it overnight, the fire was gone. He later lost badly to an old Nelson, then to Gatti which I believe he would have dominated before the Garcia fight. He was done after showing great potential.
Barry McGuigan-After he killed a man in the ring he seemed to be more intense and vicious. Maybe he realized he could be killed and didn't want it to happen to him.
Nigel Benn- Quit against Collins twice after beating McClellan and was hardly a Destroyer after that fight.
Max Baer-Never lost his killer instinct and desire to hurt a man in the ring after his opponent died.(edited for a mistake in lack of research, I based this entirely on seeing Baer fights a few before and some after he lost the title) I made him out to be an uncaring brute and I apologize. I can't imagine how fierce he was before someone was killed in the ring with him though.
Ray Mancini-Was quickly becoming a star until the death of Kim. He had so much potential but should have retired when he first planned to.
Lupe Pintor-Was done being world class after the death of Johnny Owens, who knows how good he could have been.
Maybe when you kill someone in the ring you no longer have the heart to hurt someone anymore. Not only does it take all of your opponent away, a part of you goes with him I think.
Ezzard Charles-Once a vicious puncher at 175 who stopped Archie Moore, later to pull punches and lose his killer instinct after killing man
Emile Griffith-Never really a big puncher but a great finisher, after Paret he just wasn't the same.
Gabe Ruelas-Was starting to live up to the early career comparison to Duran and was on his way to cleaning up Jr Lightweight and making his mark. Close loss to Nelson, Great win over Prime undefeated Leija, a couple of vicious defenses. Then fights Garcia and loses it overnight, the fire was gone. He later lost badly to an old Nelson, then to Gatti which I believe he would have dominated before the Garcia fight. He was done after showing great potential.
Barry McGuigan-After he killed a man in the ring he seemed to be more intense and vicious. Maybe he realized he could be killed and didn't want it to happen to him.
Nigel Benn- Quit against Collins twice after beating McClellan and was hardly a Destroyer after that fight.
Max Baer-Never lost his killer instinct and desire to hurt a man in the ring after his opponent died.(edited for a mistake in lack of research, I based this entirely on seeing Baer fights a few before and some after he lost the title) I made him out to be an uncaring brute and I apologize. I can't imagine how fierce he was before someone was killed in the ring with him though.
Ray Mancini-Was quickly becoming a star until the death of Kim. He had so much potential but should have retired when he first planned to.
Lupe Pintor-Was done being world class after the death of Johnny Owens, who knows how good he could have been.
Maybe when you kill someone in the ring you no longer have the heart to hurt someone anymore. Not only does it take all of your opponent away, a part of you goes with him I think.
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