The ugly ends

[marbleheadmaui]

Perhaps because boxers have historically tended to come from the wrong side of the tracks, or perhaps because the fight game has historically been intertwined with the shadiest elements of society or perhaps because being a fighter necessarily means one must, from time to time at least, be not all that interested in the well being of one's fellow man (or sometimes themselves) or perhaps because fighting damages one's brain in specific ways or perhaps because of some combination of the above, fighters through history seem to come to bad ends, even outside the ring, more often than us regular Joes.

Freddie Mills-175 champion, friend of the Kray Brothers, allegedley killed eight prostitutes, shot himself at 45.

Carlos Monzon-160 champion, threw wife of balcony killing her. Died in car wreck at 51.

Esteban De Jesus-135 champ and first man to defeat Duran. Shot and killed a teenager after a traffic dispute when 30. Died in prison of Aids at 37.

Stanley Ketchell-160 champ. Shot at 24 by a jealous husband.

James Butler-Asshole. Serving 30 years for killing Sam Kellerman.

Zora Folley-Heavyweight contender. Died at 31 under mysterious circumstances of head trauma falling into a swimming pool.

Edwin Valero-Murdered wife and hung himself in prison at 27.

Eddie Machen-Heavyweight contender, jumped out an apartment building window at 40.

Jumbo Cummings-heavyweight. Serving life for repeated offenses.

Bill Brennan-Heavyweight contender. Shot to death by two thieves at 31.

Battling Siki-175 champ. Shot to death while drunk at 28.

Oscar Bonavena-Heavyweight contender. Shot to death at the Mustang Ranch at 33.

Ricky Womack-Promising prospect who twice defeated Holyfield as an amateur. Unbeaten when jailed for armed robbery. Suicide at 40 after winning all four return bouts.

Arturo Gatti-Probably killed self at 37.

Sonny Liston-Heavyweight champ. Died of mysterious drug overdose at 38.


James Scott[/B]-175 contender. Made his name fighting from prison. Serving life for murder.

Vernon Forrest-147 champ. Shot to death at 38.

Michael Nunn-160 champ. Serving time for drug dealing.


Agapito Sanchez-122 contender. Shot to death at 35.

Chico Corrales-130 champ. Drunk motorcycle riding at 29.

Alexis Arguello-Legend. Suicide at 58. Tony Ayala Junior-154 contender. Back in jail again, this time for heroin posession.

Ike IBeabuchi-Heavyweight contender. In prison for rape.


Trevor Berbick-Heavyweight strapholder. Killed by hatchet wielding nephew at 51.

Curtis Sheperd-175 contender. Served 30 years for murder.

Julian Letterlough-Cruiser contender. Shot to death at 35.

Al Bummy Davis-147 contender. Shot to death at 25. [B]

Clifford Ettiene-Heavyweight contender. Serving life for armed robbery.

OK, this is getting pretty damned depressing and I'm pretty sure I have yet to really dent the true list. Little help?

[Dropanuke]

Lol I think u have ur bases covered man!!
Would like to c mike nunn fight again.

[marbleheadmaui]

Lol I think u have ur bases covered man!!
Would like to c mike nunn fight again.

Nunn really was special wasn't he? IIRC he beat Frank Tate, Sumbu Kalambay, The Blade, Juan Roldan, The Cobra and Marlon Starling in a row!

He was dominating James Toney, DOMINATING him, for ten rounds. Then a single left hook...

[generalbulldog]

Billy Collins is another one.

[marbleheadmaui]

Billy Collins is another one.

Geeze, how did I leave Poor Billy out? May God Damn Panama Lewis. I struggle right now to condemn Louis Resto. He has become such a pitiful figure. I think he is serving his time in hell here on earth.

[Mars_ax]

Good work Marble Here's a few of my thoughts:

I remember that Jack Dempsey had 2 championship fights with Bill Brennan, and from reading one of Dempsey's bios, I recall him mourning the death of Brennan, the two had become friends.

I didn't know that Eddie Machen had committed suicide, I can recall him giving Clay/Ali a hell of a test, in one of Clay's early fights as a pro.

In re: Zora Folley, i'd always thought he'd died of cancer or some terminal illness, and was sick when he fought Ali for the HW title in 1967.

I didn't recall Stanley Ketchell being killed at age 24, it's funny, but still tragic that he was shot by a jealous husband, he was still really young, no telling what he could have gone on to accomplish with his boxing career.

Out of all the "ugly ends" you mentioned, the one that affected me most was the death of Arturo Gatti, that got to me, I really liked that kid.

[Dropanuke]

Yeah man nun was special, middleweight division used to b on fire!
I'll always remember been vs eubank and the winner got a contract with don king and the clause didn't say anything about a draw!!!
And mike nunn was ringside b4 the fight talking hype!
Eubank would have been huge in vegas I think