Edwin Valero, previous WBA Super Featherweight Champ and WBC Lightweight Champ was detained on suspicion of murdering his wife on Sunday, April 18. He was found later hanging by his own clothes, having committed suicide. He was only 28. The southpaw was a legend within the making and had yet to be defeated. He had 27 wins to his name, all from knockouts and 19 of those in the first round.
Caracas the scene of tragedy
Allegedly, Edwin Valero left his hotel room near dawn on Sunday and told hotel security he had murdered his wife. Police found Jennifer Viera, 24, stabbed to death. He was arrested, and while 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 talent unmatched but tarnished
Edwin Valero had no peer. Southpaws are rare enough, but a southpaw with his knock out power is something else. All of his professional fights were knockout victories, and 19 of the 27 fights he had were over in the first round, breaking a record which had stood given that 1905. His first 18 fights as a professional were all first round knockouts, making him a phenomenon.
His career was troubled by injury
A motorcycle injury he sustained when not wearing a helmet nearly derailed his professional career before it started. 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 within the US between 2003 and 2009. In 2009, he fought in Texas, winning the vacant WBC Lightweight title defeating Antonio Pitalua, by referee stoppage (TKO) within the second round. Few could match him pound for pound.
Allegations of assault
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. Hopefully, his family and friends can find some measure of peace.
