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By Michael Swann - The AP reported it last Monday, shockingly straight to the point: “Greg Page, a former heavyweight boxing champion who suffered a severe brain injury in a 2001 fight, has died at his Louisville home. He was 50.”
The AP story went on to report that “The March 9, 2001 fight left Page in a coma for nearly a week. He then had a stroke during post-fight surgery. He was paralyzed on his left side and received intensive physical therapy.”
Page’s wife, Patricia, attributed his death to injuries incurred from that fight.
I suppose in this day of fractured titles, the name of Greg Page may not mean much to younger boxing fans today. But in the early eighties it meant a lot.
In the first place, just being a boxer born in Louisville meant a lot at the time. Muhammad Ali was from there. So was another heavyweight champion, James Ellis. While enjoying a highly successful amateur career, Page sparred with Ali at age 15 and actually fought a three round exhibition with “The Greatest” in 1976. Many knowledgeable boxing people even touted Page as Ali’s successor. [details]
The AP story went on to report that “The March 9, 2001 fight left Page in a coma for nearly a week. He then had a stroke during post-fight surgery. He was paralyzed on his left side and received intensive physical therapy.”
Page’s wife, Patricia, attributed his death to injuries incurred from that fight.
I suppose in this day of fractured titles, the name of Greg Page may not mean much to younger boxing fans today. But in the early eighties it meant a lot.
In the first place, just being a boxer born in Louisville meant a lot at the time. Muhammad Ali was from there. So was another heavyweight champion, James Ellis. While enjoying a highly successful amateur career, Page sparred with Ali at age 15 and actually fought a three round exhibition with “The Greatest” in 1976. Many knowledgeable boxing people even touted Page as Ali’s successor. [details]
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