Cool wee article on Esteban De Jesus

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by McGrain, Nov 19, 2012.

  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    http://www.boxing.com/a_picture_is_worth_a_thousand_words.html

    De Jesus was pardoned by Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon to spend his remaining time with his family. Among his many celebratorial visitors was none other than his old ring rival Roberto Duran.

    In an astonishing expression of compassion and deep respect during the visit, Duran (belying his fierce ring image) hugged and kissed De Jesus in his deathbed and told his daughter to do the same. This moving event was witnessed by the late José Torre and captured in the following photograph. Little was known about HIV/AIDS at the time and whether or not simple human contact could lead to spreading the disease, but Duran didn’t care as he embraced his rival and friend.

    Esteban De Jesus died one month later; he was 37 years old.
     
  2. duranimal

    duranimal Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    :-(Incredible to be taken away at that young age, all the poverty/hardship & suffering in finding yer daily bread. Duran always respected esteban, took each other to the limit. I think DeJesus's brother also died of aids, again all down to sharing the needle in prison:-( Thats Duran the man! Scared of nothing! This was the time whenever ****er was freaking out about it & here he is confronting & dismissing the demon.

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  3. Skins

    Skins Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Beautiful gesture by Duran, especially considering the whole latin machismo thing. Awesome picture
     
  4. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Esteban 'Vita' DeJesus,,,,,,

    A very good fighter and WBC Lightweight Champion, who went bad.

    I wonder, what he would have accomplished at Lightweight if,,,,,,,,,,
     
  5. masterold

    masterold Active Member Full Member

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    Touching gesture. I'm sure I've read that before though, either in 4 Kings or Hands of Stone.
     
  6. Vanboxingfan

    Vanboxingfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I love these type of storys. Group hug to you all. lol

    But seriously, Esteban De Jesus in his prime was a hell of a fighter, and I enjoy watching his and Duran's fights because they pushed each other to the limit.

    Had Duran not been in the picture, I'm pretty sure EDJ would have been a far more famous and accomplished fighter.