He was in many ways the first "modern" athlete. And that was both good and bad. He was an important figure in so many ways, even as he aged by drawing attention to the dangers of excessive blows to the head. Boxing is a lot safer now, in part because of him. (Aside: I don't know how MMA gets away with the extreme violence in that sport. It's only a matter of time until someone dies from a head blow in the U.S. I guess the sport won't come under fire until then.)
Art by Maritsa Patrinos.