Edwin Valero wife murder suicide shakes boxing

Edwin Valero, previous WBA Super Featherweight Champ and WBC Lightweight Champ was detained on suspicion of murdering his wife on Sunday, April 18. He later committed suicide in his holding cell, allegedly hanging himself with his own clothes. He was only 28. He was an undefeated southpaw, and a boxing legend in the making. He had 27 wins to his name, all from knockouts and 19 of those within the first round.

Caracas the scene of tragedy

In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 18, Edwin Valero left his hotel room and told hotel security he had murdered his wife. Police found Jennifer Viera, 24, stabbed to death. He was arrested, and when awaiting charges, Valero hung himself, according to the Huffington Post, by his own sweat pants.

The last few years have seen 3 high profile boxers meet a violent end. Alexis Arguello was found dead in his home from a gunshot wound to the chest, and Arturo Gatti was found dead from strangulation. Gatti was considered a suicide, and Arguello’s demise has yet to be given an official pronouncement.

A troubled career with promise

Edwin Valero was a phenomenon. 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 since 1905. He shot to stardom from his 18 first round knockouts in a row, his first 18 professional fights.

Injury marred his career

Edwin Valero’s career nearly didn’t get off the ground, as he sustained a head injury from a motorcycle crash just before his professional debut. Given that he suffered brain trauma, it meant he wouldn’t be licensed by numerous state bodies in the US, and didn’t fight there between 2003 and 2009. In 2009, he fought in Texas, winning the vacant WBC Lightweight title defeating Antonio Pitalua, by referee stoppage (TKO) in the second round. Pound for pound, he may not have had an equal.

Assault allegations

There were a number of assault allegations against Valero, but nothing came of it. He was ordered to get six months of counseling and rehabilitation in March of 2010. No one knows exactly what touched off the Edwin Valera wife murder suicide, and now nobody ever will. Let us hope his friends, family, and fans, can find some measure of peace during difficult times.