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By Michael Swann
On June 16th 1983, a date that will long live in boxing infamy, junior middleweight prospect Billy Collins Jr., 14-0 (11), fought journeyman Luis Resto, 19-7-3 (8), at sold out Madison Square Garden on the Roberto Duran - Davey Moore under card. Collins, promoted by Top Rank and a heavy favorite, took a frightful beating in losing a 10 round decision, after which Collins’ face was simply grotesque, leaving him virtually blind. It was a case of a fighter with too much courage.
After the fight, Billy’s father, Billy Sr., working in his son’s corner, felt Resto’s gloves and discovered that a significant amount of padding had been removed, later determined by the New York State Athletic Commission as two ounces. The padding was removed from small holes made in the palms of each glove. As a consequence, Collins absorbed hundreds of nearly bare knuckle punches.
Subsequently both Resto and his trainer Carlos “Panama” Lewis were convicted of assault, conspiracy, and criminal possession of a deadly weapon. Both were banned from boxing for life. Resto received a sentence of one to three years, Lewis two to six. Both served two and a half years. [details]
On June 16th 1983, a date that will long live in boxing infamy, junior middleweight prospect Billy Collins Jr., 14-0 (11), fought journeyman Luis Resto, 19-7-3 (8), at sold out Madison Square Garden on the Roberto Duran - Davey Moore under card. Collins, promoted by Top Rank and a heavy favorite, took a frightful beating in losing a 10 round decision, after which Collins’ face was simply grotesque, leaving him virtually blind. It was a case of a fighter with too much courage.
After the fight, Billy’s father, Billy Sr., working in his son’s corner, felt Resto’s gloves and discovered that a significant amount of padding had been removed, later determined by the New York State Athletic Commission as two ounces. The padding was removed from small holes made in the palms of each glove. As a consequence, Collins absorbed hundreds of nearly bare knuckle punches.
Subsequently both Resto and his trainer Carlos “Panama” Lewis were convicted of assault, conspiracy, and criminal possession of a deadly weapon. Both were banned from boxing for life. Resto received a sentence of one to three years, Lewis two to six. Both served two and a half years. [details]
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