**Destitude boxers-a well know reality...**

[Orishaman]

Reality for certain boxers could be scary, as they look at their career earning and the money they wasted on frivolous material things…

Unfortunately this reality is well know for many Latino boxers, in particular Puerto Rican boxers…Last night talking with my brother, we started talking about all the great PR boxers that for one reason or another piss their fortune away…bad investment, bad business transactions or crooked partners or the ever present drugs…are a few of the many reasons this has happened. And if that was not enough, many of them are unfortunately suffering from boxer’s dementia.

Wilfred Benitez, we all know his case so very well, from the top to nothing, living with his mom, barely making it, with government subside expenses.
Wilfredo Gomez- even though he has saved a small portion of his fortuned, he is in probation and house arrest, and if he is caught selling drugs again he will be in for a minimum of 15 years.
Esteban Vita de Jesus- died of aids, pissed his fortune, killed someone on a road rage incident, was sentence to life…the governor pardon him so he would died with some dignity, penniless.
Chapo Rosario- died destitute with no money to his name, he was living on the streets before he died, also suffered from boxers dementia.
Samuel Serrano-He is incarcerated, penny less, and suffering from boxers dementia.

All of these guys were great boxers, World Title holders; highly regarded on their prime as great boxers…it is sad to see them just barely making it...…

[LiamE]

A fool and his money are soon parted. Boxers arent ranked on their IQ's and what they start with is often beaten out of them... that and the fact most are surrounded by people trying to grab their cash for their whole careers.

[Sweet Scientist]

A fool and his money are soon parted. Boxers arent ranked on their IQ's and what they start with is often beaten out of them... that and the fact most are surrounded by people trying to grab their cash for their whole careers.

That's a pretty cold conclusion bro, considering you're (I assume) someone who takes great pleasure in the sport.

I'm the first guy to say that boxing needs to be cleaned up...big time.

The more I think about it, the more I'm willing to accept the negatives that would come from one governing body.

The problem is not only like you point out that people are taking advantage of boxers - the same way it always is with talented people - record companies, film studios, etc. The only problem is that boxers are putting their health on the line when there's no net to protect them.

Way too many fights get sanctioned in some form or another that should never be given the go-ahead. Way too many fights aren't regulated properly. And it doesn't help that the AMA has a fascist stand on boxing that is not only a PR black eye that ignores the dangers of other sports like Football, but it also doesn't help to make boxing any safer.

The AMA in effect has been saying (for years) that since we can't make boxing 100% safe, then we won't help make it any safer than it is.

Still, there are people doing good work - like the Retired Boxers Association. The underfunded champions of digity.

[Illstate]

That is the reason why I am appreciative of people like Oscar De Lahoya getting money.
Those guys were victims of everyone outside of the ring involved in the sport realizing it was a business, and they need to look out for their future.
While the people actually fighting insode of the ring thinking it's a only sport, and public oppinion really matters.

[albeziel]

Is so sad seeing Wilfredo Benitez in his current mental and physical state, he suffered an internal bleeding that deteriorates his brain cells, this causes him to move slowly and to not remember recent events. The P.R. government pays him like $7200 a year.

[joito3]

crazy because Benitez never got hit .... but when he was a young boy his father made him spar his older brothers and they used to beat the sh*t out of him which is why he was kinda shot by about 24

[jam26]

It'll never happen but it would be nice to see a pro fighter's union which also offered a pension. Hopefully Tyson doesn't join the list you mentioned but it wouldn't be too surprising.

[Orishaman]

Gergory Benitez was PR's premier trainer for a long time, at one time he had Vita de Jesus and Gregory Jr. and Wilfred an their sparring sessions were legendary...that was boxing at his best..Gregory was by far one of the more technical trainers ever....

[albeziel]

Lo que puedo decir es que Dios bendiga a Wifredo El Radar Benitez

Wilfred's parents are taking care of him but they are old now. I wonder what will happen when they aren't in this world no more?

[stuistylee]

Reality for certain boxers could be scary, as they look at their career earning and the money they wasted on frivolous material things…

Unfortunately this reality is well know for many Latino boxers, in particular Puerto Rican boxers…Last night talking with my brother, we started talking about all the great PR boxers that for one reason or another piss their fortune away…bad investment, bad business transactions or crooked partners or the ever present drugs…are a few of the many reasons this has happened. And if that was not enough, many of them are unfortunately suffering from boxer’s dementia.

Wilfred Benitez, we all know his case so very well, from the top to nothing, living with his mom, barely making it, with government subside expenses.
Wilfredo Gomez- even though he has saved a small portion of his fortuned, he is in probation and house arrest, and if he is caught selling drugs again he will be in for a minimum of 15 years.
Esteban Vita de Jesus- died of aids, pissed his fortune, killed someone on a road rage incident, was sentence to life…the governor pardon him so he would died with some dignity, penniless.
Chapo Rosario- died destitute with no money to his name, he was living on the streets before he died, also suffered from boxers dementia.
Samuel Serrano-He is incarcerated, penny less, and suffering from boxers dementia.

All of these guys were great boxers, World Title holders; highly regarded on their prime as great boxers…it is sad to see them just barely making it...… jeff "the hitman" harding is in the same boat...alcohol and possibly drugs...he looks terrible the photo i saw of him...he was a hero of mine and i hope he can find aa or summin ...he could get back in and try 2 give summin back...:good

[markedwardscott]

Very interesting information. I wondered when I haerd about Benitez since he never seemed to get hit. Is Chapo Rosario the guy who knocked out Livingstone Bramble?

[Chunk]

its an unfortunate reality of the fight game..future boxers should learn from these fighters mistakes

[TRUEBELIEVER 66]

I hope Tyson can get a decent job, since he can't fight anymore, i was never a fan of his but don't want him to end up like Benitez:-(