In the csialsc 70s manga Ashita no Joe , or titular boxer, Joe, has been told by the doctor to not step in the ring again. One more hard punch to the skull will kill him.But boxing is his life. SO he goes in, fights and wins his last bout. After the cheers, everything seems okay. He then takes off his gloves, hands them to his love-interest, sits down, and dies.What I'm saying is, the ending worked well back then, works well today, and I'm surprised it doesn't get used more often.