Help Create A Professional Boxer's Pension Plan!
Professional Boxing is the only sport that does not have a nationwide pension plan for retired athletes. 87% of professional boxers end their career with some kind of damage. For some, there are brain injuries, neurological and or physical damages, and for too many, these injuries lead to homelessness, substance abuse issues, phsychiatric disorders and dementia pugilistica (the medical term for being "punch drunk."
In 1998, retired professional boxer, Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos started the Retired Boxers Foundation to assist these fighters in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement. Only one state offers a pension--California--and it charges the fans $.89 per ticket sold at each boxing show, resulting in a pension that pays $2.00 a round. For a boxer like Alex Ramos, it would amount to $150 a month, which is clearly not enough to live on. If EVERY STATE charge $1 per ticket sold, Alex would have retired with a monthly income of nearly $1,200 a month.
If the powers that be in boxing are not willing to initiate a nationwide pension for retired professional boxers, then we will--with the help of sports fans around the country!
We, the undersigned fans of the sport of boxing, would gladly pay an extra $1 for every ticket sold to a professional boxing event, so that professional boxers who risk their lives for our entertainment, have a decent pension when they retire!
Professional Boxing is the only sport that does not have a nationwide pension plan for retired athletes. 87% of professional boxers end their career with some kind of damage. For some, there are brain injuries, neurological and or physical damages, and for too many, these injuries lead to homelessness, substance abuse issues, phsychiatric disorders and dementia pugilistica (the medical term for being "punch drunk."
In 1998, retired professional boxer, Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos started the Retired Boxers Foundation to assist these fighters in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement. Only one state offers a pension--California--and it charges the fans $.89 per ticket sold at each boxing show, resulting in a pension that pays $2.00 a round. For a boxer like Alex Ramos, it would amount to $150 a month, which is clearly not enough to live on. If EVERY STATE charge $1 per ticket sold, Alex would have retired with a monthly income of nearly $1,200 a month.
If the powers that be in boxing are not willing to initiate a nationwide pension for retired professional boxers, then we will--with the help of sports fans around the country!
We, the undersigned fans of the sport of boxing, would gladly pay an extra $1 for every ticket sold to a professional boxing event, so that professional boxers who risk their lives for our entertainment, have a decent pension when they retire!
I have never been a boxing enthusiast until recently. And I'm not sure I'm really a *fan*. I have just met and fallen in love with a Boxer damaged permanantly by his love & devotion for the *sport*. I will support him in all his efforts to lead as normal a life as possible for as long as possible. I think we could offer more support above and beyond ticket price for a penson program for boxers.
Boxing to me is a sport which through the ages has gone through a few changes but has managed to maintain the core aspect of itself as opposed to many other sports.
Yes, I think there should be a plan.
I used to box in a Police athletic league & believe there should be a plan like there are in other sports.
I would gladly pay an extra doller, i also think the promotor could match that doller,and to go so far as wichever state commision should also have a contribution. fighters dont think about pensions,all they care about is there love for boxing,and careing for their loved ones, and their dream of becoming a champion. If boxing as a whole would love these fighters, as much as these fighters love boxing. The boxing community would be a much better place.
boxing for me means the love of my father, and wanting to make him proud of me. Unfourtunatley i lost my father when i was 11 years old, but our love of boxing has kept me forever connected to the greatest champion to have ever lived, my Father.
Yes I would have paid the dollar each fight for a pension fund. The boxing promoters are the ones who should put money up front for such a program I believe. But BEFORE BOXING does ANYTHING it NEEDS to be REGULATED by the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
Well my entire life is comsume around boxing becuase it was the thing that help shape me into who I am today. Boxing protected me from the streets of New York as a kid growing up in The Bronx. Boxing was what gave me the motivation to finish De Witt Clinton School. My mother told me if I did not go to shcool and pass my all my classes she would not let me go to the boxing gym.
Boxing does not have a pension plan because there has not been sufficient pressure brought upon the promotors,amont other boxing people.
Boxing has a rich history that is worthy of preserving and the fighters who make it possible should have a pension plan when they retire.
I would pay a dollar for boxers pension they deserve it that is a hard job if not harder than 9-5's. Boxing is a part of american history.
boxing to me is a favourite pass time that me and my father share.
My name is Alex Leguillou, and I myself worked with and trained a couple of former Champs like Alfredo Escalera and Carlos Deleon from Puerto Rico. I'm 100% for this Boxers foundation and would like to get involved in this venture.
|
7:47 am PDT, Aug 31,
Hubie Thompson, New Jersey
Most boxers are just regular guys focused on training and just getting by, never realizing that they may need medical attention or a pension. Hell, most fighters don't even know what a pension is. I started boxing when I was 15yrs old and still do the workout till today (46yrs old). I never wanted to be a pro because even as a kid I saw no future for a boxer when he was done. This would be a great move for the athletes and for the sport. |
TOP BOXERS MAKE BIG MONEY,THE PROMOTERS MAKE MORE.I CANT BELIEVE PRO FIGHTERS STILL HAVE NO PENSION IN NY!THESE FIGHTERS NEED HELP AND THE SPORT SHOULD SHARE! THIS IS A GOOD CAUSE! GOOD LUCK!
I support this petetion 100%. Retired Boxers should have the rights other people have by being able to have a pension plan!!
PLEASE HELP THE RETIRED BOXERS PETETION!!!
Having the sport of boxing in my family for many years- I have seen first hand the results of this sport. I have a brother that is a retired boxer and has had a very difficlut time. If you will be so kind and let me know where i may seek some help for him please e-mail me. I know there are so may boxers that have no idea what may result from boxing. My son boxed when he was young but has chosen not to continue which makes me happy he has made this decision. I have many friends that started boxing as small boys with places like Boys Club of America and fought in Golden Gloves including one of my nieces. in my opinion $1.00 is not enough- I hope your sucessful in your mission. If there is anything I can do to help let me know.
I would definitely pay an extra buck! Heck, I'd pay an extra $5.00... As conveyed and expressed sincerely by my dear Brother, Friend and Confidant Mr. Alex Ramos; Jackie Richardson (Executive Director - RBF), the board members of RBF and, the many doctors and Medical Specialists and all who support boxing, as a whole, without the desire, guidance and financial support necessary to protect a 'Boxer' from the very beginning -hence, and throughout his/her career, we cannot and, will never be able to, take the RBF's endeavor of assisting ALL boxers Worldwide to the next level..... That level my friends is; Education of the Sport, Lifetime Security - both Medically & Financially and Moral Support for those Human Beings we know as Warriors of the Ring and, whom give all of us their BEST when in that Arena. Allow me to share this; Many promoters DO NOT look into the future/retirement of a boxer and could care less where that boxer may find him/herself upon retirement; if they retire! Some never make it to STARDOM and, others windup in Comas, Pugilistic Dementia or Die prematurely as a result to taking so much abuse inside of the ring. We, living in such a humane society such as ours should know and kindly appreciate what our fellow Human Beings risk each time they enter the ring; giving ALL for our entertainment..... Support RBF's effort to give back to these warriors who entertain us and give their ALL each time they enter the RING!
Boxing is a sport I respect, admire and will always support..... I love the sport and what joys it has brought to many throughout the 100 years plus of its organizational experience..... Although, it has been around for centuries. Kindly, Eddie Montalvo
I feel that professional boxers give their lives to entertain and fight. Its one of the hardest professionals that a person can take. They should receive a pension fund for the entertainment, motovation that professional boxers give to the world.
Boxing means a lot. It now only is a form of art work, but discipline, sacrifice, and passion.
I have experienced, first hand, the devastation that a career in boxing can bring. My ex-husband, a native of Kenya, was a professional boxer for six years. During his struggle to advance his career I watched as promoters and managers used his lack of experience in the industry to build the records of choice opponents, putting him at risk of serious injury every time he stepped in the ring. Most of his fights were arranged at the last minute, sometimes only two days notice. He trained for hour upon hour in the excruciating heat of Las Vegas, putting all of his effort and focus into achieving his dream. However, it is almost impossible to train for success when you don't know who your opponent may be. Most of his fights left him with only a few hundred dollars after everyone involved took their cut. He never found reliable representation and fell into a cycle of accepting fights just to have money to eat. After years of punishment, his behavior began to change. He had difficulty remembering things and became distracted when attempting to carry on a conversation, jumping from subject to subject with no relavence to the original topic. When his dream of success began to seem further and further away no matter how diligently he trained, he turned to alcohol and drugs. Eventually, it tore our family apart and my son suffers to this day without the presence of the father he adored. I was a young mother, struggling to make ends meet on my own, and was unaware of any programs that adress the specific issues that boxers must face. I watched this man devote his life to a dream that left him used, abused and forgotten.
I believe it is a terrible tragedy to turn our athletic icons into disposable heroes. Boxers perform under extreme conditions, risking their lives to entertain and line the pockets of everyone involved from the promoters, to the managers, trainers, cornermen, networks, and fans that wager on the winner. It is time that we gave them something in return, to honor their performance after they have pushed themselves beyond human limits.
yes i would pay an extra dollar to fund a pension for retired boxers.
boxing has been a passion of mine since i was a kid. i have total respect and admiration for boxers who are courageous enough to take the risks of being a true ring warrior.
I really think that is very necessay to have a decent pension for boxers...
I love boxing.
