The Retired Boxers Foundation

Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos
On Wednesday June 27th 2007, Fightin' Words Radio Show brought the listeners an interview with Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos. This was not an ordinary interview on Fightin' Words, it was an interview of a man who has undertaken the huge task of helping people who have been forgotten. Retired boxers. Alex Ramos started the Retired Boxers Foundation in 1995, to assist retired professional boxers to transition from their glory in the ring, to a dignified retirement. There is no pension or 401k for boxers.

Some people will laugh at that notion. "Boxers make millions of dollars when they fight". Not true. Most fighters do not make enough money from boxing to feed themselves, let alone a family. There are millions of fighters in the sport of boxing, only the top 5-10% get a chance to make "millions" or even make enough to not have to have a second job. At times, fighters come out of the sport with severe injuries that make work hard to find. I'm not talking about no name fighters either. Former world champions like Greg Page (wheelchair bound after a 2001 fight), and Gerald McClellan (blind, partially deaf, permanent brain damaged, and unable to care for himself) are two cases. Thankfully, these two are fortunate enough to have family and friends around to help them. Some boxers are less fortunate. These injuries can lead to depression, substance abuse and homelessness. Joe Louis, one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time, died alone, penniless in a nursing home. Jimmy Young, a great heavyweight contender of the 1970's, died in meager surroundings, suffering through years of substance abuse. RBF tried to help Jimmy, but pride kept him from accepting help. Jerry and Mike Quarry both died suffering from Pugilistic Dementia. Jerry was a heavyweight contender in the 1970's-1980's. When he died in 1999 at age 54, he was unable to dress or feed himself, and had to rely on his family to take care of him. Mike was a light heavyweight contender that died in 2006 at age 55. He had declined health wise at the end. All of these fighters provided the public years of pugilistic entertainment, but we were not there for them in the end.

Below is the link to the Retired Boxers Foundation. There you will find more information and a better explanation of the services RBF provides than you see here. Please take a minute to read the site and donate to the cause if you can.

www.retiredboxers.com

www.retiredboxers.org