Howard Clarke suffering dementia...

I read in this week's 'trade' weekly, Boxing News, that decent ex pro Clarke is suffering from dementia at the early age of just 42.

This is a tragedy for anybody, but even more so for a man with a young family to support.

I recall seeing Clarke on the Lewis / Holyfield undercard at MSG some 10+ years ago, when he was still a respected domestic level pro, long before he became the veteran 'punchbag,' taking fights at short notice against young pugs looking to get a few rounds in against a wily old pro.

Much as I love this sport, it seems inconceivable to me that those around Clarke were oblivious to his deteriorating health as he continued to take punishment in his 100+ bouts.

Cases such as this only highlight the inherrent dangers for those brave practitioners of the boxing world, and give ammunition to the anti boxing brigade.

Sometimes these men need to be protected from themselves, and I think that anyone who engages in such a brutal occupation as boxing needs to realise that taking headshots for 20 - 25 years IS gonna **** you up neurologically eventually - it is INEVITABLE.

That's why it saddens me that proud old warriors such as McCall / Holyfield / Toney / Jones jr and, in the UK, Thaxton / Graham Earl etc etc keep risking their longterm health in the pursuit of one more shot at 'greatness.'

There really needs to be a more stringent governing body who are able to enforce an emphatic 'NO MORE' to some of these guys, before they turn into bumbling, shambolic wrecks before they reach middle age.

 

Clarke was a competent domestic fighter.
No more no less.
But he fought on way past his sell by date.
Someone should have told him enough was enough, years before he quit.