Cases of Mental Illness in Boxers?

Cyclone Workman (Marvin Parley Workman) was active as middleweight boxer and wrestler in Utah and Idaho during the 1910s and 1920s. It appears that he was institutionalized a number of times.

According to a death certificate, one Marvin Workman died at the age of 43 of "Apoplexy" on January 2, 1932 in the the Utah State Hospital in Provo, Utah. The listed contributory cause of his death was "Manic Depressive Psychosis, Manic Type." Note- At the present time, Manic depressive disorder is known as bipolar disorder.

- Chuck Johnston

 

Not a boxer, but I would lay down money that Don King is a clinical psychopath.

Ray Robinson as well to be honest.

 

I've always thought most serious fighters are probably psychopaths. Also just the ups and downs of a sport like boxing could lead to mental problems. Lots of athletes have issues.

 

probably too numerous to list.

 

I was trying to find fighters who were committed to institutions for mental illnesses besides dementia. Before losing his title and having altercation with his manager/trainer, Bruce Curry had shown signs of paranoia, which later turned out to be violent.

On February 2, 1984 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Curry was arrested on a charge that he fired several shots at his manager/trainer, Jesse Reid after an altercation at Golden Gloves Gym. This incident took place after Curry lost his WBC world super lightweight title in a bout with Billy Costello by a TKO in the tenth round on January 29, 1984. He was booked for assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed weapon. Curry was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was involuntarily committed to the Nevada State Hospital, which is located near Reno. He was released during March 1985.

- Chuck Johnston

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7PFFxFFKE8&list=UUAFNH6TPZJDtShi5SfqZQ5A
A few examples.

 

The case of Curley Lee after he fought Cleveland Williams is an interesting one...was it Williams' punches that caused mental illness which led to the terrifying events that unfolded down the road for Lee??

 

The way he's written about Edwin Valero sounded like a psycho\sociopath but I have seen one interview with a Filipino (medical guy I think) who said he was a friendly sincere guy when he first met him but once he started doing drugs was when he started acting cold, distant and moody.

 

She says not.

 

It appears that Cyclone Workman also boxed as "Cowboy Ed Warner," a light-heavyweight who was active mostly in California after having his first known bouts in Idaho. Here is one for the books, one
Ed Warner and one Cyclone Workman fought Jack Dempsey in exhibition bouts.

- Chuck Johnston

 

Yes, the IRS was constantly after him. They finally settled when they realized they couldn't get blood out of a turnip.

I think bad childhoods - lack of $, lack of education, abuse, bad family structure, etc. probably affect a lot of boxer's emotional base and overall mental health. Then, getting hit in the head probably makes it worse. Then, a lot of them get ripped off by managers/promoters/women, or mismanage money themselves. All that can leave you an empty shell of a person.

There are some boxers who end up financially, mentally okay but it does seem to be the minority.

 

Why Robinson?

 

While environment may be a cause for mental illness in many cases, genetic characteristics also play an important part, especially for people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.

- Chuck Johnston

 

It's understandable, who would want to believe that a family member/friend committed suicide?

Arguello had long battled serious issues with depression, substance abuse, and was close to committing suicide before, in front of his son, so I wasn't surprised when I heard the news. Most people have such great things to say about Arguello as a person, and he was certainly one of the more gracious and classy athletes out there, which made it extra sad to hear about his personal demons.

http://assets.espn.go.com/boxing/columns/graham/612133.html
http://deadspin.com/5305779/alexis-arguellos-death-prefigured

 

There are hundreds of choices of available " sports " for people to decide to participate in. Taking up a sport that involves punching someone in the head, and indeed being willing to get punched in the head in return, is quite probably NOT the norm.

So perhaps there is a predilection for mental illness anyway.