“Just because you beat the man it doesn’t make you the man” is a saying in boxing. For example, Ken Norton defeated Muhammad Ali in 1973, but Ali was still “the man”—the boxer with the most fans and the largest purses.
 
“I hate to use [HBO commentator] Larry Merchant, but, like Larry said, just because you beat the man doesn’t make you the man yet,” American boxer Shane Mosley said in 2004. Brooklyn-born sportswriter and commentator Larry Merchant possibly coined or popularized the saying.
 
 
Wikipedia: Larry Merchant
Larry Merchant (born February 11, 1931) is an American former sportswriter, a longtime commentator for HBO Sports presentations of HBO World Championship Boxing, Boxing After Dark and HBO pay-per-view telecasts, and is considered “the greatest television boxing analyst of all time” by ESPN Boxing analyst Dan Rafael.
 
The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Slow-starting Mosley out to make quick work of opponent for undisputed title
March 13, 2004
Shane Mosley isn’t short on self-belief and he’s needed plenty of it, writes Robert Morales
(...)
“I hate to use [HBO commentator] Larry Merchant, but, like Larry said, just because you beat the man doesn’t make you the man yet,” Mosley said.
 
BoxingScene.com—Boxing Forum
The King of 140???
Alpha Male
06-13-2005, 01:48 PM
Right now, there is no King of 140. Yeah, Hatton beat a faded Tszyu, but just because you beat the man doesn’t necessarily make you the man. Until there is a unification bout between all the belt-holders, then there can be a King of 140.
   
San Gabriel Valley (CA) Tribune 
Austin Trout-Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez fight might have to wait
By Robert Morales, Staff Writer
UPDATED: ON 12/06/2012
It would be nice to see Austin Trout get a shot at budding Mexican star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. But according to Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, there is a better chance Alvarez will next defend his junior middleweight title against Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto rather than do a title unification bout with fellow champion Trout.
(...)
“I don’t want to take anything away from his victory,” Schaefer said. “He’s a terrific young man, has been waiting for an opportunity like this and when the opportunity presented itself, he captured the opportunity. He comes across very well, well-spoken, polite, nice.
 
“But just because you beat the man, that doesn’t mean that you are the man.”
 
Twitter   
Q.Cardenas
‏@QuirinoMTI
“just because you beat the man, that doesn’t mean you are the man”-Schaefer on @NoDoubtTrout and Canelos next fight http://bit.ly/YQMPCB
1:31 PM - 6 Dec 2012
 
Boxing Forum 24
01-09-2013, 01:07 AM
Re: Marquez is Greater Than Pacquiao
richie leon
(...)
He should be rewarded, and he is. Everybody acknowledges the fact that he’s a truly great fighter. But he shouldn’t be rewarded to the extent that you’re asking for here. Just because you beat the man, it doesn’t make you the man.
 
Yahoo! Sports
16 April 2015
VanZant-Herrig bout showcases distinct paths to UFC success
Kevin Iole By Kevin Iole
(...)
There is an old saying in combat sports: “Just because you beat the man, it doesn’t make you the man.”