Tweet
By Thomas Gerbasi - New York City. January, 2004. It was one of those sights you wouldn’t forget – Edwin Valero strutting down Fifth Avenue like a Venezuelan Tony Manero – brash, bold, and looking like he owned the place.
In a way he did, because he knew what was supposed to happen next. 12-0 with 12 knockouts, all in the first round, he was the type of power-punching star that boxing fans crave. On January 29, 2004, he was going to make his New York and HBO debut against Francisco Lorenzo on a Boxeo De Oro telecast, and nothing was ever going to be the same for him or for boxing.
But then came the roadblock – a ban from the New York State Athletic Commission due to a failed MRI stemming from a 2001 motorcycle accident that fractured his skull and forced the removal of a blood clot. Valero claimed that he was cleared by doctors before his 2002 pro debut, and had obviously competed without incident in three California fights. But there would be no fight for Valero in New York that winter night, and maybe not on any other night. [Click Here To Read More]
In a way he did, because he knew what was supposed to happen next. 12-0 with 12 knockouts, all in the first round, he was the type of power-punching star that boxing fans crave. On January 29, 2004, he was going to make his New York and HBO debut against Francisco Lorenzo on a Boxeo De Oro telecast, and nothing was ever going to be the same for him or for boxing.
But then came the roadblock – a ban from the New York State Athletic Commission due to a failed MRI stemming from a 2001 motorcycle accident that fractured his skull and forced the removal of a blood clot. Valero claimed that he was cleared by doctors before his 2002 pro debut, and had obviously competed without incident in three California fights. But there would be no fight for Valero in New York that winter night, and maybe not on any other night. [Click Here To Read More]
Comment