Edwin Valero: Shades of Carlos Monzon

By Boxing News - 04/18/2010 - Comments

Image: Edwin Valero: Shades of Carlos MonzonBy Armando Paz: The sport of boxing unfortunately mirrors society in many ways. We recently found out that Joe Calzaghe had admitted to cocaine use a problem that plagued former great champions as Aaron Pryor and Sugar Ray Leonard when they retired. There have been boxers with alcohol and gambling addictions as well. But the issue of Domestic Abuse is one that is back to the spotlight in boxing with the murder chargers that have been filed against Edwin Valero (27-0 27 KO’s) in Valencia, Venezuela for allegedly murdering his wife in a hotel.

The murder was brutally executed with multiple stab wounds on the 24-year-old Jennifer Carolina Viera de Valero. Edwin Valero prior to the arrest already had a detailed history of domestic abuse arrests. Most recently, on March 25 he was arrested for assaulting his wife who had suffered injuries to the lung and bruises around her body. The charges were dropped as the corroborating witness Valero’s wife stated that the injuries were caused by an accident when she fell down a stairway. That arrest was already part of a history of allege domestic abuse by Valero who even was alleged to assault his own mother and sister. But the victims would never admit they were assaulted despite a pattern of domestic abuse being reported.

When Valero was arrested in March it seemed that his life was becoming a replay of Argentinean Middleweight Champion Carlos Monzon (87-3-9 59 KO’s).

Carlos Monzon was highly publicized life was marred with allegations of Domestic Abuse against his wives and mistresses.In addition, he was not a fan of paparazzi as he assaulted photographers and camera men also. But the final manifestation of Monzon’s rage would result in the murder of his second wife Alicia Muniz in 1989 by throwing her off a balcony to her death. Monzon would be charged and sent to prison where he later would die in an auto accident when he was allowed to leave prison temporarily as part of a furlough program. It seemed like Poetic Justice for such a turbulent lifestyle. Like Monzon, Valero is fond of fast cars and motorcycles. In fact, Valero suffered a head injury due to a motorcycle accident that resulted in him obtaining a license to fight by the New York State Athletic Commission.

Monzon had a record at the time of 14 consecutive title defenses and would not suffer a loss in his last 80 bouts. He was beloved by his countrymen as Valero is currently. The two champions with their fighting virtues would succumb to the vice of domestic abuse. A problem that has been alleged to American champions as Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. as well. The pattern is that these highly acclaimed fighters seem to think they are above the law. Moreover, when the victims fail to come forward and not press charges it seems to condone the abuse. Edwin Valero was on the verge of super stardom but took the path to self implosion which I felt was imminent after his recent troubles. Carlos Monzon at least finished his boxing career even after that being shot in the leg by one domestic abuse victim in self defense.

We won’t know what will happen to Valero’s boxing career? But we do know that a 24-year-old woman was brutally stabbed to death. We also know that one of the sport’s rising stars and biggest attractions has been arrested for murder. This is a setback for the sport as Valero’s fighting style and having Golden Boy Promotions could have taken to him to new heights. All the signs were there that something tragic was going to happen, and now a woman is dead and the undefeated WBC Lightweight Champion is arrested for murdering his wife. The shades of Carlos Monzon have returned in the form of Edwin Valero; a life full of Triumph and Tragedy.



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