by David Greisman
Police investigating the shooting of beloved former journeyman boxer Emanuel Augustus have gotten an arrest warrant for a 21-year-old suspect named Christopher Stills, according to newspaper The Advocate.
“Stills is wanted for attempted second-degree murder, felon in possession of a handgun and illegal use of a weapon,” the article said.
Emanuel Augustus was shot Monday night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, reportedly in the back of the head, and he remains hospitalized.
“As of my contact with his family he was on life support, breathing with the assistance of a machine, with the bullet still lodged in his head,” boxing writer Corey Erdman of Fight Network said in a video posted Wednesday night.
The shooting occurred just blocks from the gym where Augustus sparred.
Augustus, 39, was 38-34-6 in a career where that record was not at all indicative of the talent he had. He often took fights on short notice against all sorts of familiar names, be they prospects, contenders or future titleholders.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. stopped Augustus, then known as Emanuel Burton, in nine rounds in 2000. Mayweather has often said that Augustus was one of his toughest opponents. Augustus also had a fan-friendly war with Micky Ward in 2001, a bout that RING magazine named its Fight of the Year.
His pro career came to a close in January 2011 with a decision loss to Vernon Paris, the fifth defeat in a row for Augustus.
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