I think he is telling the story of anyone growing up early, or young. leaving home and making it, sure they were poor, often times lonely, but pushing on. and life happens and you are older, but we all know you can never go home. the last verse is the meaning, the boxer may be leaving, meaning you can quit doing something or change careers, but what you are or are made of stays, hence the fighter still remains. That is what the elusive 4 verse means with, after changes upon changes we are more or less the same.
I think he is telling the story of anyone growing up early, or young. leaving home and making it, sure they were poor, often times lonely, but pushing on. and life happens and you are older, but we all know you can never go home. the last verse is the meaning, the boxer may be leaving, meaning you can quit doing something or change careers, but what you are or are made of stays, hence the fighter still remains. That is what the elusive 4 verse means with, after changes upon changes we are more or less the same.