By Tommaso Nappo: December 12th on this day in boxing history we are reminded of a fighter once called”one of the greatest prospects in the history of boxing”. Tony Ayala Jr had turned pro at the age of 17 under the tutelage of his father ( who also trained El Torito’s brothers).
Tony had started boxing at the age of five, and he proceeded to have an incredible amateur career. Tony’s legend grew at the age of fourteen as a result of a sparing session with the the great Pepino Cuevas in which Ayala more then held his own. His unmatched ferocity,delivering of body shots “with bad intentions”along with an unparalleled confidence and utter contempt for his opponent was unmatched ( only rivaled by Mike Tyson who was too follow).
On December 12, 2000 Ayala Jr was shot in San Antonio Texas by high school student Nancy Gomez 18yrs(another female was also present) who found him standing near her in a darkened room of the house she resided in. Though the wound was not life threatening Ayala Jr was charged with burglary with intent to assault, and released on bail. Ayala Jr ultimately was placed on 10yrs probation. Ayala Jr started having “issues ” with females as early as 15 years of age one specific incident was an incident in the bathroom at a San Antonio drive Inn Theater which was smoothed over. Ayala Jr had previously served 16 yrs of a 35 year sentence for a sexual Assault on January 1st 1983. Which in effect finished his boxing career and with it a rumored title fight with Davy Moore which had been lined up.
During his incarceration he assured the public and boxing community that he had changed his ways and was reformed. This no doubt played a role in him being released 16 yrs into a 35 yr sentence. Unfortunately the words he spoke rang hollow, and the demons which had been dealing with since an early age were still there and still in control.
Although he continued his career upon his release from prison he was a shell of his former self compiling a record of 9-2 before retiring for good. It was a stroke of irony that once toughest, meanest, dirtiest, the poster boy of machismo inside the ring , quit on his stool with out a whimper against Yori Boy Campas.
In 2004 Ayala Jr was arrested for breaching his probation when he was caught driving without a licence, as well as being in possession of drug paraphernalia, and pornography. He will be eligible for release in 2014. El Torito is a perfect example of a life wasted and potential lost. Who knows the impact Tony would have had on the boxing world and the fights we may have witnessed Ayala vs Duran, Ayala vs Leonard, Ayala vs Hearns. But putting it in perspective while he was a great fighter, he was a he did some terrible things outside the ring. While boxing fans may feel somewhat cheated not being able to see this talented fighter reach his potential society was better off not having Tony Ayala on the streets.
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