Really interesting story, I've not heard of the guy before if i'm honest but he's due to have his first pro fight at the age of 52 on the undercard of hopkins vs dawson. He was in jail for 26 years for a murder he didn't commit. He found boxing in prison and was the undefeated light heavyweight champ in prison. Seems to have had a really harsh upbringing. Here he is collecting a award.. and if you keep watching when that's done there is a documentary on him. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AsxLuvHepk[/ame]
the documentary is interesting, great story. I'll be routing for him. He's handled it all really well.
Yea it's crazy, just put up the link to the documentary at the top. His life really has been like something from a movie. How he's managed to stay that positive is beyond me.
making his pro debut on the undercard of bhop/dawson http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=583595&cat=boxer
On his youth lost to incarceration: "When I was young, I was bitter because I never thought I’d get out of there [prison].I thought I’d die in there." On being released from prison: "It’s just like getting out of prison. It is a new experience. I always thought I had a chance to get out. I knew I was getting out of prison. "People said, ‘Ah, it’ll never happen, it’ll never happen.' But it did happen. Either I was going to die in there and go out in a box, or I was going to walk out of there." On earning bachelor's and master’s degrees in prison: "I always said, 'How can I give something back to society if I have nothing to offer?" On his being approved to fight and training with Hopkins: "I came to Bernard Hopkins’ camp and I was approved to fight. Thank God for that. I worked hard and it paid off." On being in the ring on Oct. 15: "I’m not going out to lie down; I’m going out to fight. I’m not going to let this guy come and whip my butt." On his plans beyond the fight: "I want to get this fight over with and then I want to open my own gym. My goal is to help young kids as well as adults. I want to help them turn their lives around and keep out of trouble. "My gym is going to be for whoever comes in. But it’s going to be for the kids. I am a professional fighter. I’m here." This content is protected
His acceptance speech for the award is beautiful. How someone can spend so long incarcerated for a crime they didn't commit and come out as not only a positive human being but as someone who wants to give back to society is truly heartwarming. What an example he can set to the kids that come into his gym! I hope he whups whoever he fights and props to BHop for training with him...