Very sad update on Donald Curry

That is sad. Boxing is a brutal sport and many don't make it out with their health intact. I remember "The Cobra" back in the day, summer of '85, when he was on the cover of KO magazine. I was a big fan of his then and thought he was going to be an all-time great. Everyone is lured by the big pay days but what happens when the career is over 10 or 20 years down the line? The money, fame, women and adulation is gone and you are living in a run down apartment somewhere by yourself with half your health... nobody cares. The great Ike Williams died alone in his bathtub.

 

What happened to Don ????

 

Yeah, what happened?

 

If you click on it, it takes you to his twitter page where his son talks about his condition.

 

I know this well and it is touched upon in the book I researched & wrote, the good news of course many of the fighters live out relatively normal lives. the thing that got me was that associations and groups often get together to raise funds for fighters and assist so often, at least helping a few, and Thank God for that.

I always wondered why Boxing Boards or some sort of Insurance within the Sport (all Sports for that matter), don't Demand and just automatically charge fees proportionately so that ALL CAREER Fighters have some sort of Pension or Health pension if you will and the more you earn the more you pay, to the tune of Millions even from the Mayweathers of the Sport(s)...

I mean there is obviously something that could have been accounted for.

 

Pretty sad.

 

Yes I agree. A lot of fighters came from poverty, didn't have anything. They turn to boxing as a way out and once, or if, they start making big dollars, start squandering it away and have nothing when their career is over. Riddick Bowe is now trying to sell autographs in parking lots. I remember after he beat Holyfield, he was the big money man at the time and recall him building a huge mansion outside Washington DC. Now it's all gone and he's by himself. Something should be set up so fighters have something later on.

 

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@Tim Witherspoon

 

I hope Donald gets the help he needs, his voice sounded real gruff the last time I heard him speak.

 

Very sad to hear, Curry is one of my favorites and it hurts to hear about the state that he's in right now. Really hope he gets all the help and attention he needs. Get better soon champ.

 

That was hard to read. Like any fighter, Curry gave it his all to support his family. The consequences of boxing is depressing.

 

When I came to Ft Worth Texas in mid 80's Don was one of the late great Dave Gorman stable which made me so welcome. Every one there was great. Don was in his hay day then great boxer great guy as were all Dave's guys. I practically lived in Dave's Super Pro's gym for 20 years lol I couldn't see anything on the original post so can someone send me what it said about Don. Seems like yesterday when he teased me about my accent & said " I know that voice youre one of them Brit's that threw bottles & stuff at the fight with Colin Jones " one hit Don's trainer Paul Reyes on the head apparently.
I hope someone can help me

 

Sad to hear, especially about the jail part. That’s no place for an older person with mental impairments. While boxing obviously is a risk factor with CTE there seems to be a genetic component. There are many other boxers who had more fights and took more beatings than Curry but still enjoyed long and healthy retirements.