Edwin Valero, previous WBA Super Featherweight Champ and WBC Lightweight Champ was detained on suspicion of murdering his wife on Sunday, April 18. He was found later hanging by his own clothes, having committed suicide. He was 28 years old. He was an undefeated southpaw, and a boxing legend in the making. All of his 27 wins were via knockout, and 19 within the first round.
Caracas the scene of tragedy
In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 18, Edwin Valero left his hotel room and told hotel security he had murdered his wife. Police entered the room and found the body of Jennifer Viera, aged 24, stabbed to death. He was taken into custody, and while awaiting arraignment and charges, Valero hung himself using his sweat pants as a rope, according to the Huffington Post.
The last few years have seen 3 high profile boxers meet a violent end. Alexis Arguello was found dead in his home from a gunshot wound to the chest, and Arturo Gatti was found dead from strangulation. Gatti was considered a suicide, and Arguello’s demise has yet to be given an official pronouncement.
A troubled career with promise
Edwin Valero was a phenomenon. Southpaws are rare enough, but a southpaw with his knock out power is something else. His 27 wins were all by knockout, and 19 were first round victories, having broken a record that stood given that 1905. His first 18 fights as a professional were all first round knockouts, making him a phenomenon.
His career was troubled by injury
Edwin Valero’s career nearly didn’t get off the ground, as he sustained a head injury from a motorcycle accident just before his professional debut. The brain trauma he sustained was just enough to get him denied license in many U.S. state governing bodies, and as a result he didn’t fight within the US between 2003 and 2009. In 2009, he fought in Texas, winning the vacant WBC Lightweight title defeating Antonio Pitalua, by referee stoppage (TKO) within the second round. Pound for pound, he might not have had an equal.
Assaults were alleged
Twice, Valero had been alleged to have committed assault, but both times it was dismissed. In March of 2010, he was ordered to get six months of rehabilitation and counseling. No one will ever know just what touched off the Edwin Valera wife murder suicide. May his family and friends find some measure of peace during these times.
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