BOXING HISTORY
"The Undisputed Champions for DIGNITY!"
There are hundreds of retired professional boxers in nearly every big city in the world. "Whatever happened to...." is a question everyone asks when fans talk about their favorite fighters and their favorite bouts. The Retired Boxers Foundation wants to talk to you about the ones whose names we might remember, but whose lives have been forgotten. We want to talk to you about the great fighters who leave their glorious days in the ring, to a humiliating retirement on the streets. Too many are suffering from alcoholism, substance abuse, pugilistic dementia (the medical term for “punch drunkâ€) and even homelessness. Professional Boxing is the only professional sport which does not have a pension plan for its retirees. The RBF believes that everyone who has earned a living should be able to retire with dignity.
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Copyright 2009 Retired Boxers Foundation . All rights reserved
The Foundation
The Retired Boxers Foundation was started by former four time New York Golden Gloves Champion, USA Boxing Team 1978-80, 1984 USBA Middleweight Champion & 1986 California Middleweight Champion, Alex Ramos. Alex fought for 22 years and was very successful until he started to lose. He moved from the spotlight to the streetlight, battling cupid, booze and drugs. His biggest fight was with himself. In late 1995, he headlined the fight of his life—the fight to regain his sobriety and self-respect. Alex was one of the lucky ones and he believes that God intervened for a very good reason. You see, Alex had company on the street. There are lots of retired boxers who have made and lost fortunes and many who know no other profession than boxing. Their careers remain in the history books and in the boxing archives, but their lives are a mess. Alex started the Retired Boxing Foundation to help others find the support they need for regaining self-respect and dignity. He has dedicated his life to the success of the RBF and has the same determination that he once had to win his bouts. This time, it’s for his brothers in the boxing profession.
The Mission of the RBF
The mission of the RBF is to assist retired professional boxers, especially those suffering from alcoholism, substance abuse, homelessness and the effects of pugilistic dementia (the medical term for “punch drunkâ€), as they make the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement. Our goal is to identify and build resources that are available and accessible to retired professional boxers in need, and their families, including: Rehabilitation, Housing, Financial Assistance, and Job Training Services.
We Fought for the World
We fought our way up the mountain
And many never made it to the top.
Some of us reached the peak
And we didn't want to stop.
In our attempt to keep going higher
Some fell away from the slopes,
Instead of anchors to hold our hopes.
We fought for the world
But sometimes it’s hard to tell
What was done for the world
And what we did for ourselves.
We make no excuses or apologies.
We just want to keep our dignity.
We fought for the world, now will you fight with us?
Like all pursuits filled with danger
Some people say “Why do it at all?â€
For us it was just a way
For a moment to stand tall
And whatever the reason we made the choice
We chose to stay in the fight.
We want to find some sense in the consequence
Whether right or wrong, try to make it right.
There’s honor and glory in climbing a mountain
We’d rather read about that story than about some one coming down.
We all surrender our youth, there’s no magical fountain.
Even champions face the truth and one day surrender their crowns.
- © Don Stavlo. Printed with permission from Don Stavlo (R.I.P.), June 1998
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Retired Boxers Foundation is to assist retired professional boxers in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement.
The Retired Boxers Foundation was started by Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos in 1998.
RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION, Inc.
3359 Bryan Avenue
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Contact us:
(805) 955-9064 or (805) 551-3449
