If this Valero situation was caused by CTE, does boxing need to do more?(long, sorry)

[Beanflicker]

CTE (the more technical name for being "punchy") is a debilitating condition caused by atrophy in the brain. This causes explosive/irrational behavior, enhanced aggression, extreme paranoia, jealousy, among a host of other things. They've made hugh discoveries over the last few years, and believe that it has lead to the early deaths of numerous former athletes that come from contact sports which involve blows to the head. Many of these athletes showed huge changes in their personalities, hurt loved ones and killed themselves.

Obviously the most blaring incident in recent memory is Chris Benoit. Most people jumped to the conclusion that it was steroids or drugs that caused his behavior, but it turned out that it was caused by the onset of CTE due to the many blows to the head he took over the years.

I'm aware that there is no proof that Valero suffered from CTE, and I'm aware that people murder their wives and others every day without suffering from CTE. I also know about Valero's drug use. But to dismiss Valero as a strong candidate for CTE would be foolish IMO, considering he has fought his full 8 or 9 year pro career already with brain damage from the motorcycle accident.

So hypothetically speaking, if it was shown that the probable cause of these actions was the onset of severe brain atrophy, does boxing need to start tightening its bootlaces and up'ing the regulations against those who are at higher risk?

I remember a short time ago Barry Mcguinan came forward and publicly stated that Edwin Valero should not be licensed to box, due to his condition. The reactions I read were virtually unanimous, that Barry should shut up and mind his own business, that Valero had every right to fight if he wanted to. Would it change peoples' opinions if this incident was shown to be caused by brain damage from Valero's ring exploits?

Its kinda the same thing with Holyfield. They continue to license this near-50 year old legend because he can still draw a buck, and justify it with "well it should be his choice". But really don't think about him or his loved ones, like his wife who I believe took a beating from Holyfield recently because she wanted to turn the heat up in their house because she was cold.

Sorry if this is too long, I'm just kinda venting. No one knows what caused theses events and probably never will. But Pugilistic dementia is still a scary reality. Like most boxing fans I genuinly care about the warriors who put their health and lives on the line for our entertainment and wish them all the best. Its just worrysome to think of the realities of taking all those blows to the head for a living, and the possibility of these "lethal weapon's" becoming a danger to themselves and to society.

[Kev]

I think it's a legitimate argument and a valid point.

[toogood4u]

well iono about his last couple of fights, but how much damage could he have gotten if his first 18 fights ended in the first round.

i think most of the brain damages def came from that accident

what are the affects of CTE?

[Nameless]

I haven't seen this thread before I wrote in the other one, I will simply copy/paste my text here:

Valero doesn't deserve much sympathy for killing his wife but what makes me wonder is all the head trauma he had... I am not saying that it is automatically the cause of his behaviors but living closely to somebody who has had a bad head trauma himself, I can assure that it can totally change the character of somebody in the nick of time. Cerebral lesions are a , believe me. IF he did drink and that it did cause even more problems, it totally makes sense as well as cerebral lesions are strengthening the reactions and confusion that somebody would normally have. It would be interesting to know how he was before his brain lesions and after as well as his reaction to alcohol before and after the incident.

Actually, the trauma thing makes a LOT of sense, not saying that it's the cause of his behaviors but it definitely can be one of the factor. My brother for one has his personality severely modified by his accident, now after almost 10 years and a bit of medication I see a lot more the "old J.P" again but his anxiety and nervousness never got away though. HE used to be a lot violent verbally and physically intimidating after his trauma for a couple of years and after some therapy and after I kind of "sat" him a couple of time it went back to normal but it has been the hell of a job and the meanest of times.

[Nameless]

There are a lot, burst of anger, extra aggressivity, memory problems, frequent headaches, epilepsy, unexpected mood swings, chronic tiredness, sleep troubles, difficulty to speak normally, problems of balance, depends from people to people and from trauma to trauma.

[DaxxKahn]

Not sure...I mean I know he had problems from his accident and the head plate and all but don't know if or how much worse boxing had made it...Are they doing an autopsy?

[Nameless]

Not sure...I mean I know he had problems from his accident and the head plate and all but don't know if or how much worse boxing had made it...Are they doing an autopsy?

You just need a good head trauma to see your personality seriously bust your personality, the accident could solely be the cause of it and perhaps boxing did made it worst but just with that accident it could scientifically be explainable.

[DaxxKahn]

Not sure...I mean I know he had problems from his accident and the head plate and all but don't know if or how much worse boxing had made it...Are they doing an autopsy?

You just need a good head trauma to see your personality seriously bust your personality, the accident could solely be the cause of it and perhaps boxing did made it worst but just with that accident it could scientifically be explainable.

I understand that... what I was trying to say I guess is not sure what he was like before rhe accident after and how much did things seem to change while boxing...

[Andre]

Its a great point you have there.

Strange isnt it though how many head trauma cases work the reverse and they are peaceful loving people and some go the opposite way into rage.
Same with drug use, same with most traumas I suppose.

[ArawakWarria]

Glad to see there is some real discussion taking place on this board. What you are all saying is valid especially considering three main points:

1. What was the degree of his head injury--that kept him from fighting in the US for so long?

2. What were the effects of the severe headbutt/gash he took in his last fight (please see this horrendous cut)?

3. Did that play into the effects of the alcohol (and/or drugs) he may have been using?

The problem is this... we would never get a straight answer in the US or the UK, so don't look for on from Chaveland.

(which leads to the other thread... also see "Valero's not Dead")

[ArawakWarria]

Not sure...I mean I know he had problems from his accident and the head plate and all but don't know if or how much worse boxing had made it...Are they doing an autopsy?

You just need a good head trauma to see your personality seriously bust your personality, the accident could solely be the cause of it and perhaps boxing did made it worst but just with that accident it could scientifically be explainable.

Pardon me... it was an elbow, not a headbutt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aScE-y__Cbc

How significant was this injury, considering he fought on?

[Nameless]

Not sure...I mean I know he had problems from his accident and the head plate and all but don't know if or how much worse boxing had made it...Are they doing an autopsy?

You just need a good head trauma to see your personality seriously bust your personality, the accident could solely be the cause of it and perhaps boxing did made it worst but just with that accident it could scientifically be explainable.

Pardon me... it was an elbow, not a headbutt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aScE-y__Cbc
How significant was this injury, considering he fought on?

It is difficult to say because many consequences are shown up quite late after the injury, it really depends. Personally, I don't think that this injury did trigger the whole, I think more that it's the accident he had in 2002 and where they had to put a metal plate in his head or something like that that could have been the major cause of his behaviors, the shot to the heads sustained subsequently not helping the cause, obviously.

[ArawakWarria]

You just need a good head trauma to see your personality seriously bust your personality, the accident could solely be the cause of it and perhaps boxing did made it worst but just with that accident it could scientifically be explainable.

Pardon me... it was an elbow, not a headbutt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aScE-y__CbcHow significant was this injury, considering he fought on?

It is difficult to say because many consequences are shown up quite late after the injury, it really depends. Personally, I don't think that this injury did trigger the whole, I think more that it's the accident he had in 2002 and where they had to put a metal plate in his head or something like that that could have been the major cause of his behaviors, the shot to the heads sustained subsequently not helping the cause, obviously.

Well, clearly things went from bad to worse not long after this fight. It makes you wonder... they stole Joe Mesi's career from him sighting that they were doing it 'for the fighter's safety.' So which way does the cradle rock for whom?

[BoxingGorilla]

There are a lot, burst of anger, extra aggressivity, memory problems, frequent headaches, epilepsy, unexpected mood swings, chronic tiredness, sleep troubles, difficulty to speak normally, problems of balance, depends from people to people and from trauma to trauma.

I have it.

[BoxingGorilla]

Honestly it sounds like Gulf War Syndrome.

Just about anyone whose been in a boxing ring could claim to have it. If they wanted to have it for some reason. I can't see why they would want it unless it was a criminal defense.