Greg Page.
Posted: 09 Mar 2004, 09:05
Greg Page update!
March 8, 2004
By Patricia Love-Page, Wife of Greg Page
Greg Page was once the USBA heavyweight champ who stunned the world by defeating Gerrie Coetzee of South Africa for the WBA heavyweight title. He rocked Mike Tyson's world in Tokyo while sparring with him prior to the Buster Douglas fight.
Some called him an underachiever. They say he never fully reached his true potential. Some called him lazy. Now they call him tragic. Some say he should have quit long ago. Some say he is pitiful but I call him a True Champion who has truly been blessed.
Gregory Edward Page was born in Louisville, KY on October 25, 1958. His father and two uncles were boxers before him. So it was only natural that he would end up in a boxing gym. Greg had natural talent and ability. Having been born in Louisville and being a product of Central High School, it was no wonder that he would be compared with Muhammad Ali.
Greg sailed right through the amateur ranks, winning a Golden Gloves championship and being crowned “most outstanding boxer”. He fought in places like Russia, Madison Square Gardens, Las Vegas, Atlantic City and his hometown of Louisville, KY.
All that glory came to an abrupt end on March 9, 2001 in a smoky "juke joint" called Peel's Palace located in Erlanger, KY. Greg was fighting a young up-and-comer, Dale Crowe for a measly $1,500. It was a paltry sum, compared to the big purses he had previously laid claim to. He needed the money. He had to go to Las Vegas for a court hearing in late April to finalize the ugly divorce that had been pending--he had property to settle. Whatever the reasons, he would end up when the fight was over, lying on a stretcher fighting for his life.
That night besides the paltry purse, the other thing that was at stake was the Kentucky Heavyweight Championship. The fight was a ten rounder and had been pretty even for the most part. The venue was smoky and hot. It was crowded to capacity. Most of the audience was fiercely cheering for the "hometown" guy, Dale Crowe. At times, one or both fighters appeared to struggle to catch their breath.
That night when the timekeeper smacked the mat, with about 10 seconds left to go, the fighters engaged in an active exchange of punches in the center of the ring. Dale pushed Greg backwards and off of him. Greg stumbled back against the ropes that were hanging loosely there. He slumped down with his bottom resting on one of the lower ropes. He made a motion as if to get back up, them slumped back down as the referee counted him out.
Mass chaos ensued in the ring. While Dale's corner celebrated, Greg's corner was trying to get a handle on Greg's situation. As Dale was being presented the belt and posing for pictures, Greg was struggling to breathe. Greg was assisted to a prone position on the canvas as frantic calls went up for the ringside doctor. Little did we know that once the doctor did come, he would do little or nothing. Somewhere between 5-15 minutes would pass before someone would realize that Greg was in dire trouble and call for an ambulance.
Because so much time had elapsed, by the time that Greg's was actually loaded up into the ambulance, he was in complete cardiac and respiratory arrest. He was transferred to the local hospital where it was decided that his brain was bleeding and he needed emergency surgery at a trauma hospital. He was taken across the bridge into Cincinnati, OH to University Hospital for that surgery. Approximately 3 1/2 hours after he went down, Greg was in surgery and the prognosis was not good. He had a palm-sized section of his skull removed so that the swelling brain could be accommodated. He had lost several units of blood and suffered a massive stroke due to the brain swelling. He was put on life support and family and friends were notified that he "might not make it thru the night."
However, Greg had a faithful GOD in his corner and he did survive that night. In the weeks ahead, Greg would undergo surgery to put a track in his throat for breathing and a g-tube in his stomach for food. He would spend 4 weeks in the hospital in Ohio. Once medically stable, he was transferred back to his hometown of Louisville, KY where he would spend an additional 3 months, at the Frazier Rehab Institute, fighting to regain some semblance of normalcy to his life. He had to learn how to sit up, brush his teeth, comb his hair and even learn how to eat again.
Today, Greg Page is still a true champion at heart. He is paralyzed completely on his left side. He attends therapy about 4 hours per week at Frazier Rehab Institute where he is learning to stand upright once again. Although the way is rough and the road is long, Greg never gives up and he never quits.
What went wrong is that this is a case of another over the hill boxer, not knowing when to give up, or something more. What I can tell you is this, Greg's tragic situation could happen to any boxer at any time. Boxing is a dangerous sport. Everyone knows that. The opponents battle to knock the other out. However, I firmly believe that if the right precautions are taken and the State and Federal laws that have been put in place to make boxing a safer sport are followed, these things would not happen.
On that fateful night in March of 2001, many errors were made. The laws were blatantly ignored. The Kentucky Athletic Commission, led by Jack Kerns, put up somewhere in the neighborhood of $800 to promote the fight. The KAC allowed an MD, Dr. Manual Mediodia to be the ringside doctor to participate as the MD without even checking his credentials. Dr. Mediodia did not have a license to practice in KY, where the fight was held. In fact he was on probation in Ohio for illegally dispensing narcotics, a charge that had gotten his license revoked a few years before. He also had no medical malpractice insurance.
To add insult to injury, there was no oxygen available at ringside nor were there any EMT's, Paramedics or even an ambulance on standby. In fact, neither the emergency response departments nor the hospital had even been informed that there were boxing matches taking place that night. KAC blames the neglect of providing these legal requirements on the promoter (who did not have any insurance as required by law), and the promoter blames it on the Dr. to make sure these things are available.
At the present time, a lawsuit is ongoing. At some point in the future there will be a trial, where these local idiots (KAC, promoter and the MD) will all get on the stand and admit that they knew there was no oxygen in place nor was there any ambulance on site, as they have admitted in depositions taken thus far in the lawsuit, but will admit they made a judgment call to allow the fights to take place anyway (after all, they had spent $800 promoting the fight--and therefore, in my opinion had $800 reasons to go ahead with the fights).
Yet, the KAC has gone on, and in their arrogance, continue to carry on business as usual. Legislation, cited as the Greg Page Act and it is currently pending in the Kentucky State Legislature, to make state boxing regulations tougher. That bill is currently languishing in a senate committee, where it may remain. The one person who bears the most guilt about what happened to Greg on that fateful night is the one person who should worry the least, Dale Crowe.
Like Greg, Dale was in there doing their job that night. Since then, Dale and Greg have become friends and were even featured on a segment of the Oprah show entitled, "Unlikely Friends."
As far as Greg's goes, his medical bills continue to mount. They have reached somewhere in the neighborhood of several millions of dollars. His life has been forever changed. His short-term memory is terrible. He cannot even remember what he has eaten five minutes after the fact. This once vibrant man, who could run 5 miles (or more) daily in steel toed work boots must be content to sit in his wheelchair at home watching reruns of old favorites on TV or reading mail from many fans across the world who are praying for him and wishing him well.
So as the 3rd anniversary of this tragic date approaches, please remember
Greg by saying a special prayer of thanksgiving. Greg can be reached at: 208 W. Kenwood Way, Louisville, Kentucky 40214 or by e-mailing him at [email protected]
Patricia Love-Page
208 W. Kenwood Way
Louisville, KY 40214
502-363-3609
502-262-5597
REMEMBER MARCH 9th, the 3rd Anniversary of Greg's injury!
March 8, 2004
By Patricia Love-Page, Wife of Greg Page
Greg Page was once the USBA heavyweight champ who stunned the world by defeating Gerrie Coetzee of South Africa for the WBA heavyweight title. He rocked Mike Tyson's world in Tokyo while sparring with him prior to the Buster Douglas fight.
Some called him an underachiever. They say he never fully reached his true potential. Some called him lazy. Now they call him tragic. Some say he should have quit long ago. Some say he is pitiful but I call him a True Champion who has truly been blessed.
Gregory Edward Page was born in Louisville, KY on October 25, 1958. His father and two uncles were boxers before him. So it was only natural that he would end up in a boxing gym. Greg had natural talent and ability. Having been born in Louisville and being a product of Central High School, it was no wonder that he would be compared with Muhammad Ali.
Greg sailed right through the amateur ranks, winning a Golden Gloves championship and being crowned “most outstanding boxer”. He fought in places like Russia, Madison Square Gardens, Las Vegas, Atlantic City and his hometown of Louisville, KY.
All that glory came to an abrupt end on March 9, 2001 in a smoky "juke joint" called Peel's Palace located in Erlanger, KY. Greg was fighting a young up-and-comer, Dale Crowe for a measly $1,500. It was a paltry sum, compared to the big purses he had previously laid claim to. He needed the money. He had to go to Las Vegas for a court hearing in late April to finalize the ugly divorce that had been pending--he had property to settle. Whatever the reasons, he would end up when the fight was over, lying on a stretcher fighting for his life.
That night besides the paltry purse, the other thing that was at stake was the Kentucky Heavyweight Championship. The fight was a ten rounder and had been pretty even for the most part. The venue was smoky and hot. It was crowded to capacity. Most of the audience was fiercely cheering for the "hometown" guy, Dale Crowe. At times, one or both fighters appeared to struggle to catch their breath.
That night when the timekeeper smacked the mat, with about 10 seconds left to go, the fighters engaged in an active exchange of punches in the center of the ring. Dale pushed Greg backwards and off of him. Greg stumbled back against the ropes that were hanging loosely there. He slumped down with his bottom resting on one of the lower ropes. He made a motion as if to get back up, them slumped back down as the referee counted him out.
Mass chaos ensued in the ring. While Dale's corner celebrated, Greg's corner was trying to get a handle on Greg's situation. As Dale was being presented the belt and posing for pictures, Greg was struggling to breathe. Greg was assisted to a prone position on the canvas as frantic calls went up for the ringside doctor. Little did we know that once the doctor did come, he would do little or nothing. Somewhere between 5-15 minutes would pass before someone would realize that Greg was in dire trouble and call for an ambulance.
Because so much time had elapsed, by the time that Greg's was actually loaded up into the ambulance, he was in complete cardiac and respiratory arrest. He was transferred to the local hospital where it was decided that his brain was bleeding and he needed emergency surgery at a trauma hospital. He was taken across the bridge into Cincinnati, OH to University Hospital for that surgery. Approximately 3 1/2 hours after he went down, Greg was in surgery and the prognosis was not good. He had a palm-sized section of his skull removed so that the swelling brain could be accommodated. He had lost several units of blood and suffered a massive stroke due to the brain swelling. He was put on life support and family and friends were notified that he "might not make it thru the night."
However, Greg had a faithful GOD in his corner and he did survive that night. In the weeks ahead, Greg would undergo surgery to put a track in his throat for breathing and a g-tube in his stomach for food. He would spend 4 weeks in the hospital in Ohio. Once medically stable, he was transferred back to his hometown of Louisville, KY where he would spend an additional 3 months, at the Frazier Rehab Institute, fighting to regain some semblance of normalcy to his life. He had to learn how to sit up, brush his teeth, comb his hair and even learn how to eat again.
Today, Greg Page is still a true champion at heart. He is paralyzed completely on his left side. He attends therapy about 4 hours per week at Frazier Rehab Institute where he is learning to stand upright once again. Although the way is rough and the road is long, Greg never gives up and he never quits.
What went wrong is that this is a case of another over the hill boxer, not knowing when to give up, or something more. What I can tell you is this, Greg's tragic situation could happen to any boxer at any time. Boxing is a dangerous sport. Everyone knows that. The opponents battle to knock the other out. However, I firmly believe that if the right precautions are taken and the State and Federal laws that have been put in place to make boxing a safer sport are followed, these things would not happen.
On that fateful night in March of 2001, many errors were made. The laws were blatantly ignored. The Kentucky Athletic Commission, led by Jack Kerns, put up somewhere in the neighborhood of $800 to promote the fight. The KAC allowed an MD, Dr. Manual Mediodia to be the ringside doctor to participate as the MD without even checking his credentials. Dr. Mediodia did not have a license to practice in KY, where the fight was held. In fact he was on probation in Ohio for illegally dispensing narcotics, a charge that had gotten his license revoked a few years before. He also had no medical malpractice insurance.
To add insult to injury, there was no oxygen available at ringside nor were there any EMT's, Paramedics or even an ambulance on standby. In fact, neither the emergency response departments nor the hospital had even been informed that there were boxing matches taking place that night. KAC blames the neglect of providing these legal requirements on the promoter (who did not have any insurance as required by law), and the promoter blames it on the Dr. to make sure these things are available.
At the present time, a lawsuit is ongoing. At some point in the future there will be a trial, where these local idiots (KAC, promoter and the MD) will all get on the stand and admit that they knew there was no oxygen in place nor was there any ambulance on site, as they have admitted in depositions taken thus far in the lawsuit, but will admit they made a judgment call to allow the fights to take place anyway (after all, they had spent $800 promoting the fight--and therefore, in my opinion had $800 reasons to go ahead with the fights).
Yet, the KAC has gone on, and in their arrogance, continue to carry on business as usual. Legislation, cited as the Greg Page Act and it is currently pending in the Kentucky State Legislature, to make state boxing regulations tougher. That bill is currently languishing in a senate committee, where it may remain. The one person who bears the most guilt about what happened to Greg on that fateful night is the one person who should worry the least, Dale Crowe.
Like Greg, Dale was in there doing their job that night. Since then, Dale and Greg have become friends and were even featured on a segment of the Oprah show entitled, "Unlikely Friends."
As far as Greg's goes, his medical bills continue to mount. They have reached somewhere in the neighborhood of several millions of dollars. His life has been forever changed. His short-term memory is terrible. He cannot even remember what he has eaten five minutes after the fact. This once vibrant man, who could run 5 miles (or more) daily in steel toed work boots must be content to sit in his wheelchair at home watching reruns of old favorites on TV or reading mail from many fans across the world who are praying for him and wishing him well.
So as the 3rd anniversary of this tragic date approaches, please remember
Greg by saying a special prayer of thanksgiving. Greg can be reached at: 208 W. Kenwood Way, Louisville, Kentucky 40214 or by e-mailing him at [email protected]
Patricia Love-Page
208 W. Kenwood Way
Louisville, KY 40214
502-363-3609
502-262-5597
REMEMBER MARCH 9th, the 3rd Anniversary of Greg's injury!
