Diego Corrales, who has died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 29, was a throwback fighter who scorned the notion that boxing greatness is measured by unbeaten records and alphabet belts.
Corrales was thrown from the bike he was riding, reportedly at high speed, through a suburb of Las Vegas late last night. At least one other vehicle is believed to have been involved in the accident.
Corrales' death came on the second anniversary of his career-defining victory over Jose Luis Castillo, when he twice clambered off the canvas in round 10 to score a sensational knockout in the same round.
Many astute boxing judges have described that 10th round as the equal to any other in the history of their sport, and it is one which will hasten Corrales' posthumous entry into the Hall of Fame.
Ricky Hatton, who was often linked with a projected fight against Corrales, told PA Sport: "You think of Hagler-Hearns and Ali-Frazier, but that was one of the most sensational fights of any era.
"There are other fighters with unbeaten records, more world titles and more talent. But not many of them are going to be remembered as fondly as Diego Corrales will be."
Corrales told the Las Vegas Review-Journal: "I'm only young once, and unless someone hasn't told me something yet, I only get to live once. If I couldn't do this stuff now, I would never get a chance to do it."
Corrales' career will always be defined by his rivalry with Castillo, by whom he was crushingly beaten in a second meeting after accepting the fight despite Castillo hitting the scales three-and-a-half pounds overweight.
Corrales was born in Columbia, South Carolina on August 25 1977. He endured a violent childhood and was involved in street gangs where he grew up in Sacramento.
After a successful amateur career, Corrales turned professional in March 1996. He won his first world title by claiming the IBF super-featherweight belt from Roberto Garcia three years later.
Corrales, whose 40-5 record spanned 11 years, leaves his wife Michelle, who is six months pregnant, four children and one step-daughter.
PA