He's been suffering from advancing dementia the last 8 or 9 years. Currently involved in a protracted legal battle between his new wife and kids over his legal guardianship.
In an interview over the past few years he said that Tyson can come back from his defeat to Buster Douglas, he thinks they recently fought
His decline seemed to come out of nowhere. He was always so on the ball and well spoken into his 70's.
I don't know a ton about dementia but I know it doesn't happen overnight. But when it does happen it seems to be pretty rapid. It almost seems like the brain just starts closing tabs on a computer while you're working on stuff. Really sad disease. I pray he doesn't hurt himself and can go out peacefully.
Considering all of the men who have died this year (20+ and there's still a few months to go), it's amazing George is still here, and not in the level of decline that some of these others were in. I've seen interview of his the last two decades and he looked and sounded great. Not the slurred speech that so many boxers have when they retire. Sad to hear that his health is declining. Does anyone know when he stopped doing his anti-drug speeches, or does he still do them?
This is new information to me. I am very sorry to hear it. I always thought he talked pretty fast in the interviews I've seen of him during the past 20-25 years or so. I wonder whether that was his normal way of speaking or whether it was a form of early dementia. I know a fighter around my area who also speaks at hyper speed, almost like he articulates every thought his brain is thinking. Does anybody have any insight into this, or am I all wet? I'm sorry about his legal and family problems too. Seems like it's the last thing he needs right now.
This fellow has battled so much in his life. Happy birthday George and I hope you find peace one way or another.
