James Butler apologizes at last
Posted: 05 Jan 2004, 10:22
To Richard Grant:
I am returning to boxing, resuming a career which was put on hold on November 23, 2001, the night we fought and the night I hit you after the final bell. But before starting a new chapter in my boxing life, I want to close the old chapter. I have taken responsibility for my actions in a court of law and I have suffered the consequences of my actions. But I am doing now what I have wanted to do since that night two years ago; apologize to you, Richard, and to all the boxing fans who witnessed that shameful moment.
I want you to know that I have learned from my experience, and I believe that I am returning to boxing a better man. I am making a fresh start. I will be fighting in a new division as a light heavyweight. I will be fighting with a new team around me, and with Buddy McGirt in my corner. And I will be fighting with a new hunger and a new passion for the sport I love. But this fresh start will only feel fresh when I can put my past to rest.
What I did to you was wrong, and I'm sorry for that. I hope to meet you in person one day so that I can tell you I'm sorry to your face. And if we ever meet again in the ring, I hope that we can shake hands as fellow boxers after the fight.
I cannot erase the past, cannot erase what I did, but I am now ready to move forward, ready to fulfill my destiny of becoming champion of the world. I hope you will allow me to do so in a good way by accepting my apology.
Yours sincerely,
James Butler
The Harlem Hammer
I am returning to boxing, resuming a career which was put on hold on November 23, 2001, the night we fought and the night I hit you after the final bell. But before starting a new chapter in my boxing life, I want to close the old chapter. I have taken responsibility for my actions in a court of law and I have suffered the consequences of my actions. But I am doing now what I have wanted to do since that night two years ago; apologize to you, Richard, and to all the boxing fans who witnessed that shameful moment.
I want you to know that I have learned from my experience, and I believe that I am returning to boxing a better man. I am making a fresh start. I will be fighting in a new division as a light heavyweight. I will be fighting with a new team around me, and with Buddy McGirt in my corner. And I will be fighting with a new hunger and a new passion for the sport I love. But this fresh start will only feel fresh when I can put my past to rest.
What I did to you was wrong, and I'm sorry for that. I hope to meet you in person one day so that I can tell you I'm sorry to your face. And if we ever meet again in the ring, I hope that we can shake hands as fellow boxers after the fight.
I cannot erase the past, cannot erase what I did, but I am now ready to move forward, ready to fulfill my destiny of becoming champion of the world. I hope you will allow me to do so in a good way by accepting my apology.
Yours sincerely,
James Butler
The Harlem Hammer