Boxers Who Died Young

[CubanGuyNYC]

Simiso Buthelezi went viral by throwing punches into the air and died two days later.

Leavander Johnson was a good puncher and died after facing Jesus Chavez.

I was unaware of Simiso’s story — both sad and strange. Just read about it on ESPN’s site: https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id...ue-brain-bleed

Leavander is listed on the opening page to this thread.

[kiaba360]

I've been watching boxing documentaries on YT, and I think I found a boxer that's applicable to the thread.

Ricky Womack, aged 40. Best known as the amateur rival of Evander Holyfield and protege of the Kronk Gym, Womack turned professional in 1984. His pro career wasn't even two years in before he was arrested and convicted of armed robbery. He would serve 15 years. Emmanuel Steward could not understand why Womack decided to commit such a crime when Womack had a support system and access to money. It's presumed that Womack's tumultuous childhood was responsible for his kleptomanic behavior: abusive father and neglectful mother. 7-year old Ricky witnessed his father shoot his mother. Mrs. Womack fled with her nine children to Detroit, where her abusive husband would eventually follow. It is alleged that Mr. Womack murdered one of Ricky's younger brothers. Eventually, the nine children would be placed in the foster care system, where Ricky began to steal food and money.

Ricky would restart his career in 2001, winning four bouts against journeymen before committing suicide via gunshot on January 19, 2002.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I've been watching boxing documentaries on YT, and I think I found a boxer that's applicable to the thread.

Ricky Womack, aged 40. Best known as the amateur rival of Evander Holyfield and protege of the Kronk Gym, Womack turned professional in 1984. His pro career wasn't even two years in before he was arrested and convicted of armed robbery. He would serve 15 years. Emmanuel Steward could not understand why Womack decided to commit such a crime when Womack had a support system and access to money. It's presumed that Womack's tumultuous childhood was responsible for his kleptomanic behavior: abusive father and neglectful mother. 7-year old Ricky witnessed his father shoot his mother. Mrs. Womack fled with her nine children to Detroit, where her abusive husband would eventually follow. It is alleged that Mr. Womack murdered one of Ricky's younger brothers. Eventually, the nine children would be placed in the foster care system, where Ricky began to steal food and money.

Ricky would restart his career in 2001, winning four bouts against journeymen before committing suicide via gunshot on January 19, 2002.

Thanks for profiling Ricky; don’t know if he came up earlier in the thread. As it happens, I read of his sad fate earlier this week when someone posted a link to his story on Facebook. Some people battle demons on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many succumb.

[STREET CLEANER]

I was unaware of Simiso’s story — both sad and strange. Just read about it on ESPN’s site: https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id...ue-brain-bleed

Leavander is listed on the opening page to this thread.

It had gone viral and people were making fun of it. I knew better and it turned bad very quickly. I felt really sad watching the video the first time because I knew the type of distress his body was going through.

[CubanGuyNYC]

It had gone viral and people were making fun of it. I knew better and it turned bad very quickly. I felt really sad watching the video the first time because I knew the type of distress his body was going through.

Just terrible. Way too many heartless people out there. Highly unusual, what happened to him. A damaged brain can make a person respond in bizarre fashion.

[dan_cov]

Darren Sutherland, aged just 27, suicide.

Very good amateur and had a few wins over James DeGale, olympic bronze medallist. 4-0 as a pro winning all by knockout

R.I.P Champ

[kiaba360]

Thanks for profiling Ricky; don’t know if he came up earlier in the thread. As it happens, I read of his sad fate earlier this week when someone posted a link to his story on Facebook. Some people battle demons on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many succumb.

Prior to posting, I checked each page to make sure Womack wasn't already mentioned. He died young, but not from in-ring injuries. The damage he sustained occurred long before he ever stepped in a ring. His career was over before it started. The thing that can make fighters passionate and ferocious in the ring, can lead to self-destructive behavior.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Darren Sutherland, aged just 27, suicide.

Very good amateur and had a few wins over James DeGale, olympic bronze medallist. 4-0 as a pro winning all by knockout

R.I.P Champ

Thanks for bringing light to Darren in this thread, Dan — and for the video as well. I was just reading his Wikipedia page, and DeGale’s comments about his death. Really felt it. The shock of a friend or colleague’s suicide can be terribly unnerving, and reverberate for the length of the survivors’ lives. Perhaps the saddest thing: it leaves an indelible mark.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Prior to posting, I checked each page to make sure Womack wasn't already mentioned. He died young, but not from in-ring injuries. The damage he sustained occurred long before he ever stepped in a ring. His career was over before it started. The thing that can make fighters passionate and ferocious in the ring, can lead to self-destructive behavior.

People carry a ton of weight sometimes; and they’re unable to bear it, despite the later successes life brings.

Thanks for your thoughtful contribution to this thread, brother.

[KidDinamita]

Les Darcy is another that comes to mind, he was 21 years old when he passed away back in 1917.