This is a story about one of my all-time favorite Fighters. It's
quite amazing how far someone could fall.

Wilfred Benitez was a superstar fighter from the late 70's to the
early 80's. Although he didn't process a concussive knockout punch,
he fights were always entertaining while going the distance.

This story is about the ugly side of this beloved sport. It was taken
off a web site for Wilfred, www.wilfredbenitez.com .

Brian Davis

Glory a dim memory


Once the youngest fighter to win 3 world titles, Wilfred Benitez
struggles with boxer's dementia and lives in poverty with his mother
By Ray Quintanilla | Tribune staff reporter

December 20, 2007

CAROLINA, Puerto Rico - He relies on his mother to get out of bed each
morning. Once on his feet, he finds balance along a wall and plods
carefully into the living room. Clara Benitez stands a few feet away,
watching carefully, like a parent teaching a child to take his first
steps. Her 49-year-old son is nearly blind. He moves as if his feet
weigh 100 pounds each. The ringing in his ears makes it nearly
impossible for him to hear, and his battle against confusion seems to
get worse every day.

"Where am I?" he asks in garbled Spanish before plopping down in front
of a blaring television one morning at home in an impoverished
neighborhood. "What have you done with my mother? What is my name?"
This is Wilfred Benitez, once the youngest professional fighter to win
three boxing world titles. During his heyday he was a source of
inspiration and pride for Latinos around the world. Nowhere is his
popularity greater than on this Caribbean island, where the son of the
late Puerto Rican baseball legend Roberto Clemente calls him "an
iconic sports figure."

But boxer's dementia, a condition brought on by too many powerful
blows to the head, has robbed Benitez of nearly everything. The
fighter once known as "El Radar" is unable to care for himself. He and
his mother occupy a two-bedroom concrete house in a depressed section
of Carolina, a community about 10 miles outside San Juan. With
mounting financial problems and no one but an elderly parent to care
for him, he is in danger of becoming homeless once his mother has
gone.

The former fighter receives a combined $1,100 a month in public
assistance from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the town of
Carolina. His mother says it's barely enough to cover the cost of
utilities, housing and food for them on this pricey island. The
Wilfred Benitez Foundation, started a few years ago, has generated no
more than a few hundred dollars a year from sales of fight
memorabilia, she adds.

Days after Benitez's mother turned 81 in October, she acknowledged
being haunted by some painful questions: "Who is going to care for
Wilfred when I pass on?" she laments, her eyes welling up as she
glances at her son sitting quietly on a sofa, the way he did as a
little boy.

"Will my son end up on the streets? It worries me every day," she
adds.

The family has tried to keep its financial difficulties private for
much of the last decade. But it's getting more difficult to hide, the
former fighter's mother says. Their home has plumbing problems they
cannot afford to repair. They have endured days with no water or
electricity because of unpaid utility bills.

The fighter's mother said she isn't sure how much money he earned over
62 professional fights in his 17-year career, but "several million"
sounds right. What she does know, she added, is that her late husband,
Gregorio, who managed their son and kept his financial records,
squandered much of those winnings purchasing racehorses. The fighter's
father died in 1996. What was left of the prize money dried up about
five years ago -- and with it, his 24-hour nursing care, his mother
adds. He was diagnosed with diabetes about three years ago.

Selling the roof for food.

Earlier this year, Clara Benitez sold a section of their home's metal
roof to a scrap dealer for $200 -- money they used for food.

"About all we have left is each other," she says, reflecting on her
son's stellar career, which ended in 1990. Neither her son's former
wife nor his daughter visits the former champion.

"He would have been better off without boxing," she says. "Wilfred was
a loving person, but his illness has made him so distant, like it's
not really him sitting on the sofa anymore. He can't do anything on
his own."

The Benitez family -- eight children in all -- left New York City for
Puerto Rico in the mid-1970s. They bought a small home in Carolina,
and before Benitez was shaving, he was spending hours in the local gym
honing his skills.

His two older brothers, Frankie and Gregory, also were boxers, though
neither reached their youngest sibling's popularity or fame.

By age 15, Wilfred Benitez was ranked among the world's top fighters.

Two years later, in 1976, Benitez became the youngest fighter to win a
world title by battering Antonio "Kid Pambele" Cervantes for 15 rounds
in a packed San Juan outdoor stadium -- an upset fight fans still talk
about in local bars and social clubs. Indeed, when he fought Kid
Pambele, he entered the ring with the weight of the island on his
shoulders.

During 17 years in the ring, much of it as a welterweight, Benitez
earned 53 wins, 31 by knockout. He remains one of the few boxers ever
to win three boxing world titles, accomplishments that sparked parades
in San Juan.

But his bouts against a handful of the world's best fighters left
Benitez with early signs of brain damage, his mother says.
In 1979, Benitez and Sugar Ray Leonard traded blows for nearly 15
rounds before Leonard won by knockout in a battle some rank among
boxing's greatest.

Three years later, Benitez went 15 rounds against Roberto "Manos de
Piedra" (Spanish for "hands of stone") Duran before winning a
unanimous decision and capturing the super welterweight title.

In the fall of 1986, he lost a bruising fight in Argentina that his
mother says should have been his last because the dementia was already
making life difficult.
When the bout was over, a promoter fled with Benitez's earnings and
passport, leaving him stranded and broke, his mother says.

He wandered Buenos Aires streets for months until someone recognized
him and called Puerto Rican officials.

When he arrived back on the island, his mother recalls, she told him
"Wilfred, this must stop! No more. This boxing must stop!'"

Comeback despite damage.

But without boxing, there would be no money for them to live on, he
reasoned. So after a three-year respite, Benitez launched a comeback
while desperately trying to hide the brain damage that made it
difficult for him to speak, causing prolonged periods of stuttering
and spells of forgetfulness.

Though he managed to win one of his last three fights, Benitez
returned to Puerto Rico barely able to say his name.

Up to 40 percent of former fighters, most famously Muhammad Ali, have
been found to suffer with symptoms of chronic brain injury, according
to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. The surgeons
group says a blow to the head from a professional fighter can be as
powerful as being struck with a 13-pound bowling ball traveling at 20
m.p.h.

Luis Roberto Clemente, son of the late Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Roberto Clemente, calls Benitez one of the most important athletes in
Puerto Rico and the United States.

"This is a man who brought a lot of glory" to Puerto Ricans,
especially during the 1970s and '80s, when the island was enduring
rampant unemployment and other hardships, says Clemente, 41.

"This poor man has been through so much," says Marvin Montaez Pagan, a
family friend who travels to the former fighter's house every month to
cut his hair for free. "The worst part will be the day Mrs. Benitez
leaves us, because Wilfred will be on his own."

----------

Brian Davis wrote:
> This is a story about one of my all-time favorite Fighters. It's
> quite amazing how far someone could fall.
>
> Wilfred Benitez was a superstar fighter from the late 70's to the
> early 80's. Although he didn't process a concussive knockout punch,
> he fights were always entertaining while going the distance.
>
> This story is about the ugly side of this beloved sport. It was taken
> off a web site for Wilfred, www.wilfredbenitez.com .
>
> Brian Davis
>




Oh man, this is terrible.
Wilfred never took a lot of punches, he was one of the slickest boxers I
ever saw.
































> Glory a dim memory
>
>
> Once the youngest fighter to win 3 world titles, Wilfred Benitez
> struggles with boxer's dementia and lives in poverty with his mother
> By Ray Quintanilla | Tribune staff reporter
>
> December 20, 2007
>
> CAROLINA, Puerto Rico - He relies on his mother to get out of bed each
> morning. Once on his feet, he finds balance along a wall and plods
> carefully into the living room. Clara Benitez stands a few feet away,
> watching carefully, like a parent teaching a child to take his first
> steps. Her 49-year-old son is nearly blind. He moves as if his feet
> weigh 100 pounds each. The ringing in his ears makes it nearly
> impossible for him to hear, and his battle against confusion seems to
> get worse every day.
>
> "Where am I?" he asks in garbled Spanish before plopping down in front
> of a blaring television one morning at home in an impoverished
> neighborhood. "What have you done with my mother? What is my name?"
> This is Wilfred Benitez, once the youngest professional fighter to win
> three boxing world titles. During his heyday he was a source of
> inspiration and pride for Latinos around the world. Nowhere is his
> popularity greater than on this Caribbean island, where the son of the
> late Puerto Rican baseball legend Roberto Clemente calls him "an
> iconic sports figure."
>
> But boxer's dementia, a condition brought on by too many powerful
> blows to the head, has robbed Benitez of nearly everything. The
> fighter once known as "El Radar" is unable to care for himself. He and
> his mother occupy a two-bedroom concrete house in a depressed section
> of Carolina, a community about 10 miles outside San Juan. With
> mounting financial problems and no one but an elderly parent to care
> for him, he is in danger of becoming homeless once his mother has
> gone.
>
> The former fighter receives a combined $1,100 a month in public
> assistance from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the town of
> Carolina. His mother says it's barely enough to cover the cost of
> utilities, housing and food for them on this pricey island. The
> Wilfred Benitez Foundation, started a few years ago, has generated no
> more than a few hundred dollars a year from sales of fight
> memorabilia, she adds.
>
> Days after Benitez's mother turned 81 in October, she acknowledged
> being haunted by some painful questions: "Who is going to care for
> Wilfred when I pass on?" she laments, her eyes welling up as she
> glances at her son sitting quietly on a sofa, the way he did as a
> little boy.
>
> "Will my son end up on the streets? It worries me every day," she
> adds.
>
> The family has tried to keep its financial difficulties private for
> much of the last decade. But it's getting more difficult to hide, the
> former fighter's mother says. Their home has plumbing problems they
> cannot afford to repair. They have endured days with no water or
> electricity because of unpaid utility bills.
>
> The fighter's mother said she isn't sure how much money he earned over
> 62 professional fights in his 17-year career, but "several million"
> sounds right. What she does know, she added, is that her late husband,
> Gregorio, who managed their son and kept his financial records,
> squandered much of those winnings purchasing racehorses. The fighter's
> father died in 1996. What was left of the prize money dried up about
> five years ago -- and with it, his 24-hour nursing care, his mother
> adds. He was diagnosed with diabetes about three years ago.
>
> Selling the roof for food.
>
> Earlier this year, Clara Benitez sold a section of their home's metal
> roof to a scrap dealer for $200 -- money they used for food.
>
> "About all we have left is each other," she says, reflecting on her
> son's stellar career, which ended in 1990. Neither her son's former
> wife nor his daughter visits the former champion.
>
> "He would have been better off without boxing," she says. "Wilfred was
> a loving person, but his illness has made him so distant, like it's
> not really him sitting on the sofa anymore. He can't do anything on
> his own."
>
> The Benitez family -- eight children in all -- left New York City for
> Puerto Rico in the mid-1970s. They bought a small home in Carolina,
> and before Benitez was shaving, he was spending hours in the local gym
> honing his skills.
>
> His two older brothers, Frankie and Gregory, also were boxers, though
> neither reached their youngest sibling's popularity or fame.
>
> By age 15, Wilfred Benitez was ranked among the world's top fighters.
>
> Two years later, in 1976, Benitez became the youngest fighter to win a
> world title by battering Antonio "Kid Pambele" Cervantes for 15 rounds
> in a packed San Juan outdoor stadium -- an upset fight fans still talk
> about in local bars and social clubs. Indeed, when he fought Kid
> Pambele, he entered the ring with the weight of the island on his
> shoulders.
>
> During 17 years in the ring, much of it as a welterweight, Benitez
> earned 53 wins, 31 by knockout. He remains one of the few boxers ever
> to win three boxing world titles, accomplishments that sparked parades
> in San Juan.
>
> But his bouts against a handful of the world's best fighters left
> Benitez with early signs of brain damage, his mother says.
> In 1979, Benitez and Sugar Ray Leonard traded blows for nearly 15
> rounds before Leonard won by knockout in a battle some rank among
> boxing's greatest.
>
> Three years later, Benitez went 15 rounds against Roberto "Manos de
> Piedra" (Spanish for "hands of stone") Duran before winning a
> unanimous decision and capturing the super welterweight title.
>
> In the fall of 1986, he lost a bruising fight in Argentina that his
> mother says should have been his last because the dementia was already
> making life difficult.
> When the bout was over, a promoter fled with Benitez's earnings and
> passport, leaving him stranded and broke, his mother says.
>
> He wandered Buenos Aires streets for months until someone recognized
> him and called Puerto Rican officials.
>
> When he arrived back on the island, his mother recalls, she told him
> "Wilfred, this must stop! No more. This boxing must stop!'"
>
> Comeback despite damage.
>
> But without boxing, there would be no money for them to live on, he
> reasoned. So after a three-year respite, Benitez launched a comeback
> while desperately trying to hide the brain damage that made it
> difficult for him to speak, causing prolonged periods of stuttering
> and spells of forgetfulness.
>
> Though he managed to win one of his last three fights, Benitez
> returned to Puerto Rico barely able to say his name.
>
> Up to 40 percent of former fighters, most famously Muhammad Ali, have
> been found to suffer with symptoms of chronic brain injury, according
> to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. The surgeons
> group says a blow to the head from a professional fighter can be as
> powerful as being struck with a 13-pound bowling ball traveling at 20
> m.p.h.
>
> Luis Roberto Clemente, son of the late Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
> Roberto Clemente, calls Benitez one of the most important athletes in
> Puerto Rico and the United States.
>
> "This is a man who brought a lot of glory" to Puerto Ricans,
> especially during the 1970s and '80s, when the island was enduring
> rampant unemployment and other hardships, says Clemente, 41.
>
> "This poor man has been through so much," says Marvin Montaez Pagan, a
> family friend who travels to the former fighter's house every month to
> cut his hair for free. "The worst part will be the day Mrs. Benitez
> leaves us, because Wilfred will be on his own."
>
> ----------

I love boxing, but stories like this make it clear that it should end,
or be radically changed.

What a awful shame.



RB

On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:13:04 -0700 (PDT), "Capt. Rob"
<Bobsprit@aol.com> wrote:

>I love boxing, but stories like this make it clear that it should end,
>or be radically changed.
>
>What a awful shame.
>
>RB


You pu$$y! At best he would have been a garbage man in P.R. if not a
fighter. At least he had some good times earlier in life.

Amy:

The problem with boxing is not that fighters stand a chance of losing
their mental faculties or their lives when they enter the ring. They
understand the calculated risk involved therein.

The real problem is that the life of a boxer, once retired is not
supplemented with health care and other benefits other sports have.
In my view, retired boxers should be provided complete medical care,
and a financial retirement package to make their quality of life
better. There should be an international boxing commission to make
sure that former fighters are not tossed aside as Mr. Benetiz has
been.

Mr. Ali's brain is damaged, but he had financial handlers who cared
about him, and did not rob him of all of his money as occurs so often
to other fighters.

famous

_______________________________________________
On Sep 28, 2:27 pm, amy78...@aol.xom (Amy Lewiston) wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:13:04 -0700 (PDT), "Capt. Rob"
>
> <Bobsp...@aol.com> wrote:
> >I love boxing, but stories like this make it clear that it should end,
> >or be radically changed.
>
> >What a awful shame.
>
> >RB
>
> You pu$$y!   At best he would have been a garbage man in P.R. if not a
> fighter.   At least he had some good times earlier in life.

>
> You pu$$y! At best he would have been a garbage man in P.R. if not a
> fighter. At least he had some good times earlier in life.>>>



You're in no position to judge in that way. A garbage man in P.R. can
also have good times. Not many people would choose to live the
majority of their lives as a near-vegetable in exchange for a short
run of fame and fortune. Fighters DON'T ever think it will happen to
THEM and there's nothing in place to catch them when they fall. So
long as they continue to generate money for those around them they are
often permitted to fight in spite of brain injury. It's criminal in
every sense of the word.
Pussy? If you think there is something "tough" or "cool" in the above
scenario, you probably should get some help.



RB

Ok, what times does he have now? This man was somewhat of a national
hero during his career. Now he is reduced to not knowing what's going
on around him, and his mother having to sell parts of the house to buy
food.

Here is what I propose RSB people...

Find some what to start a fund to help this fighter. anything that we
could give would go a long way toward helping them. You can donate on
his WEB site.

I just saw some of his fights on YouTube. He was indeed a special
fighter in victory and defeat. I think we as boxing fans owe a little
something to him.

Brian Davis

On Sep 28, 5:27 pm, amy78...@aol.xom (Amy Lewiston) wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:13:04 -0700 (PDT), "Capt. Rob"
>
> <Bobsp...@aol.com> wrote:
> >I love boxing, but stories like this make it clear that it should end,
> >or be radically changed.
>
> >What a awful shame.
>
> >RB
>
> You pu$$y!   At best he would have been a garbage man in P.R. if not a
> fighter.   At least he had some good times earlier in life.

The messed up part about the whole situation is that he was always
known as a defensive wizard. He really didn't take those heavy punches
until toward the end of his career.

On Sep 29, 7:11 am, "Capt. Rob" <Bobsp...@aol.com> wrote:
> > You pu$$y!   At best he would have been a garbage man in P.R. if not a
> > fighter.   At least he had some good times earlier in life.>>>
>
> You're in no position to judge in that way. A garbage man in P.R. can
> also have good times. Not many people would choose to live the
> majority of their lives as a near-vegetable in exchange for a short
> run of fame and fortune. Fighters DON'T ever think it will happen to
> THEM and there's nothing in place to catch them when they fall. So
> long as they continue to generate money for those around them they are
> often permitted to fight in spite of brain injury. It's criminal in
> every sense of the word.
> Pussy? If you think there is something "tough" or "cool" in the above
> scenario, you probably should get some help.
>
> RB

famous21 <famous21@msn.com> writes:

> Amy:
>
> The problem with boxing is not that fighters stand a chance of losing
> their mental faculties or their lives when they enter the ring. They
> understand the calculated risk involved therein.

No they dont. Thex all think it wont happen to them.

>
> The real problem is that the life of a boxer, once retired is not
> supplemented with health care and other benefits other sports have.
> In my view, retired boxers should be provided complete medical care,
> and a financial retirement package to make their quality of life
> better. There should be an international boxing commission to make

Why?

> sure that former fighters are not tossed aside as Mr. Benetiz has
> been.

He and his family blew his money.

Should computer programmers with bad backs who snorted all their income
be similarly looked after?

How many computer programmers do you know that were national heroes
who put their lives on the line at least 60 times to entertain the
fans?

You can always say that this is the fault and the problem of the
fighter. But do remember, Wilfred started fighting at 15 years old,
and that's all he knows. He put his career and his finances in the
hands of his father, who in-turn squandered his money on bad
investments and racehorses. It sounds like Bentiez life story is one
that plays like the perfect storm when it comes to retired athletes.

Brian Davis
Chicago, IL


On Sep 29, 1:49�pm, Walter Mitty <mitti...@gmail.com> wrote:
> famous21 <famou...@msn.com> writes:
> > Amy:
>
> > The problem with boxing is not that fighters stand a chance of losing
> > their mental faculties or their lives when they enter the ring. �They
> > understand the calculated risk involved therein.
>
> No they dont. Thex all think it wont happen to them.
>
>
>
> > The real problem is that the life of a boxer, once retired is not
> > supplemented with health care and other benefits other sports have.
> > In my view, retired boxers should be provided complete medical care,
> > and a financial retirement package to make their quality of life
> > better. �There should be an international boxing commission to make
>
> Why?
>
> > sure that former fighters are not tossed aside as Mr. Benetiz has
> > been.
>
> He and his family blew his money.
>
> Should computer programmers with bad backs who snorted all their income
> be similarly looked after?

"Brian Davis" <Cobalt1914@aol.com> wrote in message
news:f2184614-6da3-40f5-b76d-a607992dd460@a70g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
How many computer programmers do you know that were national heroes
who put their lives on the line at least 60 times to entertain the
fans?

>You can always say that this is the fault and the problem of the
fighter. But do remember, Wilfred started fighting at 15 years old,
and that's all he knows. He put his career and his finances in the
hands of his father, who in-turn squandered his money on bad
investments and racehorses. It sounds like Bentiez life story is one
that plays like the perfect storm when it comes to retired athletes.<

Brian Davis
Chicago, IL

IIRC, Jimmy Jacobs, Benitez's manager had Wilfred set for life with some
sort of trust fund. Then, either Wilfred (or possibly his father) was such
a pain in the ass that Jacobs revoked the trust and gave the funds to
Wilfred (or his father).

Brian Davis <Cobalt1914@aol.com> writes:

> How many computer programmers do you know that were national heroes
> who put their lives on the line at least 60 times to entertain the
> fans?

Your point being?

He did it to earn money. Not to entertain the fans. I could probably
entertain a few people by jumping out of an aeroplane with a 100 year
old parachute but would I expect the parachute club secretary to pay for
my rehabilitation if I break my back?

Dont think me cold hearted. I feel for the guy. But to suggest all
washed up fighters should be "looked after" for ever is more "who will
think of the children" than common sense or practical.

>
> You can always say that this is the fault and the problem of the
> fighter. But do remember, Wilfred started fighting at 15 years old,
> and that's all he knows. He put his career and his finances in the
> hands of his father, who in-turn squandered his money on bad
> investments and racehorses. It sounds like Bentiez life story is one
> that plays like the perfect storm when it comes to retired athletes.

I dont quit follow you. Much as I feel sorry for him do you expect every
person who makes bad financial decisions to be recompensated by the
country, the state or the sport federation?

>
> Brian Davis
> Chicago, IL
>
>
> On Sep 29, 1:49�pm, Walter Mitty <mitti...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> famous21 <famou...@msn.com> writes:
>> > Amy:
>>
>> > The problem with boxing is not that fighters stand a chance of losing
>> > their mental faculties or their lives when they enter the ring. �They
>> > understand the calculated risk involved therein.
>>
>> No they dont. Thex all think it wont happen to them.
>>
>>
>>
>> > The real problem is that the life of a boxer, once retired is not
>> > supplemented with health care and other benefits other sports have.
>> > In my view, retired boxers should be provided complete medical care,
>> > and a financial retirement package to make their quality of life
>> > better. �There should be an international boxing commission to make
>>
>> Why?
>>
>> > sure that former fighters are not tossed aside as Mr. Benetiz has
>> > been.
>>
>> He and his family blew his money.
>>
>> Should computer programmers with bad backs who snorted all their income
>> be similarly looked after?
>

--

Sanity,

I remember that. Wilfred did raised such a fuss about getting his
money out that fund that Jacobs and his father relented, broke the
trust fund and gave Wilfred his money. It's easy to say it's
Wilfred's fault totally, but Georgio and Jacobs should have stood
their ground and left the trust where it is.

Come to find out, what ever money was left, his father Georgio took it
and bought racehorses with it.

Brian Davis
Chicago, IL

On Sep 29, 4:04�pm, "The Sanity Cruzer" <sanitycru...@comcast.net>
wrote:
> "Brian Davis" <Cobalt1...@aol.com> wrote in message
>
> news:f2184614-6da3-40f5-b76d-a607992dd460@a70g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> How many computer programmers do you know that were national heroes
> who put their lives on the line at least 60 times to entertain the
> fans?
>
> >You can always say that this is the fault and the problem of the
>
> fighter. �But do remember, Wilfred started fighting at 15 years old,
> and that's all he knows. � He put his career and his finances in the
> hands of his father, who in-turn squandered his money on bad
> investments and racehorses. �It sounds like Bentiez life story isone
> that plays like the perfect storm when it comes to retired athletes.<
>
> Brian Davis
> Chicago, IL
>
> IIRC, Jimmy Jacobs, Benitez's manager had Wilfred set for life with some
> sort of trust fund. �Then, either Wilfred (or possibly his father) was such
> a pain in the ass that Jacobs revoked the trust and gave the funds to
> Wilfred (or his father).

Well, in a way, Cuba takes care of their Athletes, albiet, if they tow
the communist line. Teofiloio Stevenson is living kinda large right
now by Cuban Standards. So is Felix Savon. I know this is a stretch,
but do you think the United States government or any other entity in
this country let start athletes like Troy Aikman, Michael Jordon, Tony
Dorsett of Rodger Clemens get into such a state?

I remember a story out there about the former owner of the
Philiadelphia Eagles. He sold the team to Art Laurie and gambled away
all his money. The Eagles, out of the goodness of the organization's
heart is taking care of his meager living expenses.

It's about taking care of those who have taken care of you I guess.


On Sep 29, 4:56�pm, Walter Mitty <mitti...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I dont quit follow you. Much as I feel sorry for him do you expect every
> person who makes bad financial decisions to be recompensated by the
> country, the state or the sport federation?
>
>

On Sep 29, 8:25 pm, Brian Davis <Cobalt1...@aol.com> wrote:
> Well, in a way, Cuba takes care of their Athletes, albiet, if they tow
> the communist line.  Teofiloio Stevenson is living kinda large right
> now by Cuban Standards. So is Felix Savon. I know this is a stretch,
> but do you think the United States government or any other entity in
> this country let start athletes like Troy Aikman, Michael Jordon, Tony
> Dorsett of Rodger Clemens get into such a state?
>
> I remember a story out there about the former owner of the
> Philiadelphia Eagles. He sold the team to Art Laurie and gambled away
> all his money.  The Eagles, out of the goodness of the organization's
> heart is taking care of his meager living expenses.
>
> It's about taking care of those who have taken care of you I guess.
>
> On Sep 29, 4:56 pm, Walter Mitty <mitti...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I dont quit follow you. Much as I feel sorry for him do you expect every
> > person who makes bad financial decisions to be recompensated by the
> > country, the state or the sport federation?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

but do you think the United States government or any other entity in
this country let start athletes like Troy Aikman, Michael Jordon,
Tony
Dorsett of Rodger Clemens get into such a state?


Listen to the song "Some Humans Are Rats" by the Tuff Darts
for your answer.

Tuff Darts? Who are they? Unless they are R&B and old skool, I
haven't heard anything about them.


On Sep 29, 10:22�pm, ddca...@yahoo.com wrote:
> On Sep 29, 8:25�pm, Brian Davis <Cobalt1...@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Well, in a way, Cuba takes care of their Athletes, albiet, if they tow
> > the communist line. �Teofiloio Stevenson is living kinda large right
> > now by Cuban Standards. So is Felix Savon. I know this is a stretch,
> > but do you think the United States government or any other entity in
> > this country let start athletes like Troy Aikman, Michael Jordon, Tony
> > Dorsett of Rodger Clemens get into such a state?
>
> > I remember a story out there about the former owner of the
> > Philiadelphia Eagles. He sold the team to Art Laurie and gambled away
> > all his money. �The Eagles, out of the goodness of the organization's
> > heart is taking care of his meager living expenses.
>
> > It's about taking care of those who have taken care of you I guess.
>
> > On Sep 29, 4:56 pm, Walter Mitty <mitti...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > I dont quit follow you. Much as I feel sorry for him do you expect every
> > > person who makes bad financial decisions to be recompensated by the
> > > country, the state or the sport federation?- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> but do you think the United States government or any other entity in
> this country let start athletes like Troy Aikman, Michael Jordon,
> Tony
> Dorsett of Rodger Clemens get into such a state?
>
> Listen to the song "Some Humans Are Rats" by the Tuff Darts
> for your answer.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Brian Davis wrote:
> Well, in a way, Cuba takes care of their Athletes, albiet, if they tow
> the communist line. Teofiloio Stevenson is living kinda large right
> now by Cuban Standards. So is Felix Savon. I know this is a stretch,
> but do you think the United States government or any other entity in
> this country let start athletes like Troy Aikman, Michael Jordon, Tony
> Dorsett of Rodger Clemens get into such a state?
>


I don't know Brian, just look what the US government did to Joe Lewis.




> I remember a story out there about the former owner of the
> Philiadelphia Eagles. He sold the team to Art Laurie and gambled away
> all his money. The Eagles, out of the goodness of the organization's
> heart is taking care of his meager living expenses.
>
> It's about taking care of those who have taken care of you I guess.
>
>
> On Sep 29, 4:56�pm, Walter Mitty <mitti...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I dont quit follow you. Much as I feel sorry for him do you expect every
>> person who makes bad financial decisions to be recompensated by the
>> country, the state or the sport federation?
>>
>>
>
>

On Sep 30, 1:19 am, Brian Davis <Cobalt1...@aol.com> wrote:
> Tuff Darts?  Who are they?  Unless they are R&B and old skool, I
> haven't heard anything about them.
>
> On Sep 29, 10:22 pm, ddca...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Sep 29, 8:25 pm, Brian Davis <Cobalt1...@aol.com> wrote:
>
> > > Well, in a way, Cuba takes care of their Athletes, albiet, if they tow
> > > the communist line. Teofiloio Stevenson is living kinda large right
> > > now by Cuban Standards. So is Felix Savon. I know this is a stretch,
> > > but do you think the United States government or any other entity in
> > > this country let start athletes like Troy Aikman, Michael Jordon, Tony
> > > Dorsett of Rodger Clemens get into such a state?
>
> > > I remember a story out there about the former owner of the
> > > Philiadelphia Eagles. He sold the team to Art Laurie and gambled away
> > > all his money. The Eagles, out of the goodness of the organization's
> > > heart is taking care of his meager living expenses.
>
> > > It's about taking care of those who have taken care of you I guess.
>
> > > On Sep 29, 4:56 pm, Walter Mitty <mitti...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > > I dont quit follow you. Much as I feel sorry for him do you expect every
> > > > person who makes bad financial decisions to be recompensated by the
> > > > country, the state or the sport federation?- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > but do you think the United States government or any other entity in
> > this country let start athletes like Troy Aikman, Michael Jordon,
> > Tony
> > Dorsett of Rodger Clemens get into such a state?
>
> > Listen to the song "Some Humans Are Rats" by the Tuff Darts
> > for your answer.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -


It's a great song, just as Benetiz was a great fighter.

On Oct 1, 11:28 am, SoBe <tanks...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Brian Davis wrote:
> > Well, in a way, Cuba takes care of their Athletes, albiet, if they tow
> > the communist line.  Teofiloio Stevenson is living kinda large right
> > now by Cuban Standards. So is Felix Savon. I know this is a stretch,
> > but do you think the United States government or any other entity in
> > this country let start athletes like Troy Aikman, Michael Jordon, Tony
> > Dorsett of Rodger Clemens get into such a state?
>
> I don't know Brian, just look what the US government did to Joe Lewis.
>
>
>
> > I remember a story out there about the former owner of the
> > Philiadelphia Eagles. He sold the team to Art Laurie and gambled away
> > all his money.  The Eagles, out of the goodness of the organization's
> > heart is taking care of his meager living expenses.
>
> > It's about taking care of those who have taken care of you I guess.
>
> > On Sep 29, 4:56 pm, Walter Mitty <mitti...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> I dont quit follow you. Much as I feel sorry for him do you expect every
> >> person who makes bad financial decisions to be recompensated by the
> >> country, the state or the sport federation?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -


Yes, the Govt. did hurt Joe Louis but he had minimal brain
damage and was never forced on public assistance. There's
no way he would have become such a spectical.

I just read that Benitez' mother passed away last year. He is now
living in a nursing home in Puerto Rico suffering from Dimentia and
Diabetes.

My prayers are with him.

On Sep 29, 9:02�am, Brian Davis <Cobalt1...@aol.com> wrote:
> Ok, what times does he have now? �This man was somewhat of a national
> hero during his career. �Now he is reduced to not knowing what's going
> on around him, and his mother having to sell parts of the house to buy
> food.
>
> Here is what I propose RSB people...
>
> Find some what to start a fund to help this fighter. anything that we
> could give would go a long way toward helping them. You can donate on
> his WEB site.
>
> I just saw some of his fights on YouTube. �He was indeed a special
> fighter in victory and defeat. �I think we as boxing fans owe a little
> something to him.
>
> Brian Davis
>
> On Sep 28, 5:27�pm, amy78...@aol.xom (Amy Lewiston) wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:13:04 -0700 (PDT), "Capt. Rob"
>
> > <Bobsp...@aol.com> wrote:
> > >I love boxing, but stories like this make it clear that it should end,
> > >or be radically changed.
>
> > >What a awful shame.
>
> > >RB
>
> > You pu$$y! � At best he would have been a garbage man in P.R. if not a
> > fighter. � At least he had some good times earlier in life.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -