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The Billy Collins Jr Incident
On June 16, 1983 Resto unexpectedly beat undefeated prospect Billy Collins Jr at Madison Square Garden in New York City in a 10-round unanimous decision. The fight was the undercard for a bout between Roberto Duran and Davey Moore.
However, Collins' father and trainer, Billy, Sr., discovered that Resto's gloves were thinner than normal. When Billy, Sr. reached out to shake Resto's hand, he felt only leather over fist. Screaming that he thought the gloves had no padding, Collins, Sr. demanded that the New York State Boxing Commission impound the gloves. An investigation revealed that someone had removed an ounce of padding from each of his gloves. However, it was obvious even before then that the gloves had been altered. Collins' eyes were swollen shut by the end of the 10th round, and the rest of his face was so badly swollen that it was impossible to believe a light puncher could have inflicted such damage.[1]
Collins suffered a torn iris and permanently blurred vision, ending his career. He died only months later when he drove his car into a culvert while intoxicated. Some commentators have speculated that the loss of his livelihood drove him into a downward spiral.[4]
After a month's investigation, the New York State Boxing Commission determined that Resto's trainer, Panama Lewis, had removed the padding from Resto's gloves. It also determined that Resto should have known the gloves were illegal. The commission suspended Resto's boxing license for at least a year. Since most state boxing commissions honor sanctions from other states, this effectively banned Resto from boxing in the United States.[1] Resto's win was subsequently changed to a no contest.[3]
In 1986, Lewis and Resto were both put on trial and found guilty of assault, criminal possession of a weapon (Resto's hands) and conspiracy. Prosecutors charged that the bout amounted to an illegal assault on Collins and that Resto should have known that the padding had been removed from his gloves. Resto served 2.5 years in prison.[1]
At last report, Resto was living rent-free in the basement of the Morris Park Boxing Gym in the Bronx.[5] After 15 years of trying to regain his license, he was finally allowed to work as a cornerman by New York State.[1]
In 2007, Resto apologized to Collins' widow, Andrea Collins-Nile, who is suing the state of New York for not protecting her late husband. Resto also told Collins-Nile that Lewis placed plaster underneath his hand wraps, greatly--and illegally--increasing his punching power. Combined with the removed padding, this meant that Resto had been hitting Collins with rocks for 10 rounds. The hand wraps had never been confiscated. Resto also visited Collins' gravesite and said, "I'm sorry for what I did to you." In 2008, he told the The Tennessean that he'd been burdened by guilt over his involvement in the scheme for almost a quarter century.[6]
At a 2008 press conference, Resto said that he knew Lewis had taken the padding out of his gloves and had done so at least twice before. However, Resto said, he didn't protest at the time even though he knew it was wrong. "At the time, I was young," he said. "I went along." [7]
In 2008, Resto began to coach boxing at Capital Jiu-Jitsu in Sterling, ******ia.
On June 16, 1983 Resto unexpectedly beat undefeated prospect Billy Collins Jr at Madison Square Garden in New York City in a 10-round unanimous decision. The fight was the undercard for a bout between Roberto Duran and Davey Moore.
However, Collins' father and trainer, Billy, Sr., discovered that Resto's gloves were thinner than normal. When Billy, Sr. reached out to shake Resto's hand, he felt only leather over fist. Screaming that he thought the gloves had no padding, Collins, Sr. demanded that the New York State Boxing Commission impound the gloves. An investigation revealed that someone had removed an ounce of padding from each of his gloves. However, it was obvious even before then that the gloves had been altered. Collins' eyes were swollen shut by the end of the 10th round, and the rest of his face was so badly swollen that it was impossible to believe a light puncher could have inflicted such damage.[1]
Collins suffered a torn iris and permanently blurred vision, ending his career. He died only months later when he drove his car into a culvert while intoxicated. Some commentators have speculated that the loss of his livelihood drove him into a downward spiral.[4]
After a month's investigation, the New York State Boxing Commission determined that Resto's trainer, Panama Lewis, had removed the padding from Resto's gloves. It also determined that Resto should have known the gloves were illegal. The commission suspended Resto's boxing license for at least a year. Since most state boxing commissions honor sanctions from other states, this effectively banned Resto from boxing in the United States.[1] Resto's win was subsequently changed to a no contest.[3]
In 1986, Lewis and Resto were both put on trial and found guilty of assault, criminal possession of a weapon (Resto's hands) and conspiracy. Prosecutors charged that the bout amounted to an illegal assault on Collins and that Resto should have known that the padding had been removed from his gloves. Resto served 2.5 years in prison.[1]
At last report, Resto was living rent-free in the basement of the Morris Park Boxing Gym in the Bronx.[5] After 15 years of trying to regain his license, he was finally allowed to work as a cornerman by New York State.[1]
In 2007, Resto apologized to Collins' widow, Andrea Collins-Nile, who is suing the state of New York for not protecting her late husband. Resto also told Collins-Nile that Lewis placed plaster underneath his hand wraps, greatly--and illegally--increasing his punching power. Combined with the removed padding, this meant that Resto had been hitting Collins with rocks for 10 rounds. The hand wraps had never been confiscated. Resto also visited Collins' gravesite and said, "I'm sorry for what I did to you." In 2008, he told the The Tennessean that he'd been burdened by guilt over his involvement in the scheme for almost a quarter century.[6]
At a 2008 press conference, Resto said that he knew Lewis had taken the padding out of his gloves and had done so at least twice before. However, Resto said, he didn't protest at the time even though he knew it was wrong. "At the time, I was young," he said. "I went along." [7]
In 2008, Resto began to coach boxing at Capital Jiu-Jitsu in Sterling, ******ia.
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