Boxing is a sport that takes a lot of hard work, dedication, training, and discipline. The sport has produced some of the most famous personalities the world has ever seen, and many have inspired others to take up the sport. Boxers are often seen as role models because of their discipline and their hard work, but some have strayed from the path of righteousness and got into trouble with the law. They have been accused of everything from domestic violence to drug trafficking, and some have even done time in prison. In this article, we will take a look at ten famous boxers who are also criminals.
Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson is one of the most famous boxers in the history of the sport. He was a former heavyweight champion of the world and earned millions of dollars during his professional career. However, he is also a convicted rapist. In 1992, he was found guilty of raping an 18-year-old woman and was sentenced to six years in prison. He was released after serving only three years and continued his professional career, but the conviction remained a stain on his record.
Oscar De La Hoya
Oscar De La Hoya is a former boxer who competed in six different weight classes during his career. He is one of the most successful boxers in history, having won 11 world titles. However, in 1998, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated, and the charges were later dropped. In 2007, he was photographed wearing women's lingerie, and the photos were leaked to the press, tarnishing his reputation. Although these incidents were not crimes, they still affected his image as a role model.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is one of the best boxers of all time. He has won 15 world titles in five weight classes and has been undefeated throughout his professional career. However, he has also been arrested several times for domestic violence, starting in 2002, when he was arrested for choking his girlfriend. In 2010, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery for punching his ex-girlfriend in front of their children. He has also been accused of assaulting other women, but he has always denied the allegations.
Sugar Ray Leonard
Sugar Ray Leonard is a retired professional boxer who is considered one of the best fighters of his generation. He won world titles in five different weight classes and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997. Although he has never been convicted of a crime, he has admitted to using cocaine during his career and has struggled with addiction. He also had a problematic marriage, which eventually ended in divorce, but he has since found personal and professional success off the ring.
Jermain Taylor
Jermain Taylor is a former middleweight champion who has also won an Olympic bronze medal. He was known for his quick hands and knockout power, but he also had a troubled personal life. In 2014, he was arrested for shooting his cousin and firing a gun during a dispute with a group of people in his home. He was charged with aggravated assault, and he pleaded guilty to lesser charges. He was also involved in a hit-and-run accident in 2016 and was arrested for drug possession in 2017.
James Toney
James Toney is a former world champion in three different weight classes. He is known for his slick defense and power punches. However, he has also had a troubled personal life, with several arrests for drug possession and domestic violence. In 2010, he was arrested for verbally assaulting a female police officer and resisting arrest. He was charged with felony assault and spent two months in jail.
Julio Cesar Chavez
Julio Cesar Chavez is a Mexican boxer who is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. He won world titles in six different weight classes and had a record of 107 wins, 6 losses, and 2 draws. However, he also had a problem with alcohol and drugs and was arrested for driving under the influence several times. He was also accused of domestic violence by his wife, but the charges were later dropped.
Bernard Hopkins
Bernard Hopkins is a retired boxer who held world titles in two different weight classes. He is known for his defense and counterpunching skills, which made him one of the best fighters of his generation. However, he also had a troubled past, with several arrests for drug possession and armed robbery. In 1983, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison for robbery and assault but was released after serving only five years. He turned his life around and became one of the sport's most respected personalities.
Edwin Valero
Edwin Valero was a Venezuelan boxer who had a record of 27 wins, all by knockout, and no losses. He was a former world champion in two different weight classes and was known for his explosive power. However, he had a history of mental health issues and substance abuse. In 2010, he killed his wife.
Often, times when when we think of our favorite fighters, we imagine them as infallible mighty beings. But they are not. Most often, they are flawed and morally fragile. Whether their transgressions are minute or monumental- whether they are redeemed or forever tarnished, your hero is no greater than what you have seen and worse than what you know
Add comment
Comments