Boxing world shocked by Edwin Valero wife murder suicide

Former WBA Super Featherweight Champion and WBC Lightweight Champion Edwin Valero was detained for allegedly murdering his wife on Sunday April 18. He later hung himself in his jail cell after being detained by police, allegedly using his own clothes to carry out his suicide. He was only 28. He was an undefeated southpaw, and a boxing legend within the making. He had 27 wins to his name, all from knockouts and 19 of those in the first round.

Tragic ending in Caracas

It is alleged that Edwin Valero left his hotel room near dawn on Sunday, and told hotel security he had murdered his wife. Police entered the room and discovered the body of Jennifer Viera, aged 24, stabbed to death. He was arrested, and while awaiting charges, Valero hung himself, according to the Huffington Post, by his own sweat pants.

This is the third high profile death by unnatural causes of a former champion boxer in the last few years. Previous champion Alexis Arguello was found dead from a gunshot, and Arturo Gatti was dead from asphyxiation. Gatti was considered a suicide, and Arguello’s demise has yet to be given an official pronouncement.

A talent unmatched but tarnished

Edwin Valero had no peer. Southpaws are few between, even fewer with his knockout power. All of his professional fights were knockout victories, and 19 of the 27 fights he had were over within the first round, breaking a record which had stood given that 1905. He won his first 18 fights as a professional in that manner, becoming a popular sensation in professional boxing.

His career was troubled by injury

He sustained an injury when motorcycling without a helmet, which almost killed his career in the crib. The brain trauma he sustained was just enough to get him denied license in numerous U.S. state governing bodies, and as a result he didn’t fight in the US between 2003 and 2009. He won the vacant WBA Lightweight title in 2009, by defeating Antonio Pitalua within the second round via (TKO) referee stoppage. Few could match him pound for pound.

Assaults were alleged

Twice, Valero had been alleged to have committed assault, but both times it was dismissed. He was ordered to undergo six months counseling and rehabilitation in March of 2010. The cause of the Edwin Valera wife murder suicide. May his family and friends find some measure of peace during these times.