Wilfred Benitez

[p4p1]

Wilfred Benitez was a great fighter arguably the most naturally talented fighter in the last 50 or so years but from what I have read he seems to be one of the dumbest, craziest and laziest as well.

Does anyone know when his true age was discovered? Was it during his career? Was there punishments handed out to him or his father for falsifying records?

He started fighting professionally at 14 or 15 so I would assume he was hard sparring full grown men at an even younger age, does anyone else think that full contact against full grown men at such a young age would be a major contributing factor to his current mental state?

[Broomhall]

I think there are many factors in pugilista dementia. No one is sure why some fighters who have endured very punishing careers do not develop the illness, whilst others who may not have got hit much (Benitez was a very skilled operator) do not develop the disease.

Research is now taking place around concussion and the effects this can have, both on boxers and in other contact sports like boxing. Weight making and fluid loss may also be an issue. Recent research is also looking at depression and mental health and suicide in boxer and ex boxers.

I know with taking drugs the developing brain is at most risk, and it may be so with boxing. Sadly Benitez situation is by no means rare, and it is something all of us who enjoy (and partcipate) in the fight game should think about.

[JimAllcorn]

Wilfred Benitez was a great fighter arguably the most naturally talented fighter in the last 50 or so years but from what I have read he seems to be one of the dumbest, craziest and laziest as well.

Does anyone know when his true age was discovered? Was it during his career? Was there punishments handed out to him or his father for falsifying records?

He started fighting professionally at 14 or 15 so I would assume he was hard sparring full grown men at an even younger age, does anyone else think that full contact against full grown men at such a young age would be a major contributing factor to his current mental state?

I don't what what ( or perhaps, who? ) gave you the impression that Benitez was fighting illegally at those young ages.
But, they were all sanctioned & the powers that be knew his actual age. Actually in Latin America & the Caribbean, it's common for fighters to make their pro debut at the age when kids here in the States are in middle school.

[p4p1]

Wilfred Benitez was a great fighter arguably the most naturally talented fighter in the last 50 or so years but from what I have read he seems to be one of the dumbest, craziest and laziest as well.

Does anyone know when his true age was discovered? Was it during his career? Was there punishments handed out to him or his father for falsifying records?

He started fighting professionally at 14 or 15 so I would assume he was hard sparring full grown men at an even younger age, does anyone else think that full contact against full grown men at such a young age would be a major contributing factor to his current mental state?

I don't what what ( or perhaps, who? ) gave you the impression that Benitez was fighting illegally at those young ages.
But, they were all sanctioned & the powers that be knew his actual age. Actually in Latin America & the Caribbean, it's common for fighters to make their pro debut at the age when kids here in the States are in middle school.

He fought in the US before he ever won the title and I'm pretty sure that the WBA and the WBC has an age limit of over 18 for their titles. I could be wrong but that is the way I understood it.

'Because Benitez was underage Gregorio had lied about the boys age and have his sons DOB as 12 September 1956' - boxers #45