Happy Birthday Alex Ramos.
Former "contender" in the ring, now fighting like a Real Champion! By Mike Indri -Retired Boxers Foundation
January 17, 2008
Growing up in the Bronx, Alex Ramos was
always proud that he shared his January 17th birthday with legendary boxing
world champion Muhammad Ali.
Since the age of eleven, when Ramos began boxing as an amateur, he always
dreamed that one day he himself might be considered "the greatest of all
time". In those early dreams, Ramos, then a likable and charismatic
teenager, who compiled an unbelievable 189 amateur victories (132 by
knockout!), would always win an Olympic Gold Medal. Turning professional in
1980 at the age of nineteen, the highly touted "can't miss" prospect dreamt
of one day earning the ultimate boxing prize - becoming a world champion!
No one needs to be told of the pugilistic accomplishments of the great Ali.
Turning 66 years old today, Muhammad Ali has earned his place in boxing
immortality. He fulfilled his dreams inside the squared circle; a remarkable
career glittered with 1960 Olympic Gold and three heavyweight world
championship belts.
Unfortunately for Ramos his boxing dreams were never realized.
Definitely a dangerous opponent and always considered a very talented
fighter, the four-time Golden Gloves Champion never reached the heights many
expected out of one of the most prolific amateur boxers ever to come of New
York.
Fighting professionally for over ten years, Alex managed to compile a
respectable career record of 39 wins, against 10 losses and 2 draws.
Twenty-five of those wins came by way of knockout.
Nicknamed the "Bronx Bomber" for his wearing of Yankee pinstripes on his
boxing trunks, Ramos did manage to capture a USBA middleweight title in
1984, defeating Philadelphia's Curtis Parker in a grueling twelve round
battle.
Upon his retirement from boxing, Ramos, like too many other boxers, was to
encounter his hardest fight of all. The cheering was to stop, his telephone
would not be ringing and all his so-called friends, or "hangers-on" were
moving on. This fight was for real, this was the one battle that counted the
most; this was the fight of life!
Lucky for Alex Ramos, lucky for boxing and luckily for all retired fighters,
the kid who at eleven years old was knocking out grown men in a boxing gym
in the Bronx, could not and would not walk away from the sport he so dearly
loved.
Without having obtained any "real life" skills, as well as battling
depression and having to deal with the physical, emotional and mental
hardships a career of hitting, and getting hit, in the head for a living
brings, the outside world proved to be a very cold, scary and rough place
for this unprepared, now retired boxer.
Determined to make a difference, Ramos founded the Retired Boxers
Foundation, which was formally incorporated in 1998 as a 501(c) 3 non-profit
corporation.
Helping hundreds of fighters each year, the "RBF" has been able to secure
housing, services, rehabilitation and emergency assistance for these former
great athletes.
Working daily to help restore the pride and dignity to all ex-fighters who
have seemingly lost hope, helping others who are suffering financially and
medically, or simply trying to get the word out to the young and current
boxers so that they realize there are services available to help them keeps
Ramos, Jacquie Richardson (the RBF Executive Director), and all the RBF
volunteers extremely busy.
Unfortunately, too many of these fighters who have thrilled us all over the
years face a dark and difficult retirement without any kind of pension,
access to medical care or financial assistance. Whether fighting on HBO or
SHOWTIME for a championship belt or at a local arena fighting a ham & egg
four rounder makes no difference to Ramos and the RBF. "We are here for the
fighters, you better believe that," proudly exclaimed Ramos, born to a
schoolteacher mom and awning-maker dad. "I'm a fighter, and I'm going to die
fighting for my brother fighters"! That's the REAL FIGHT in Alex Ramos
today.
Maybe it is true that Alex Ramos was never able to reach his full potential
as a fighter, and he never did win any Olympic Gold Medal or get that world
championship belt, but the Alex Ramos of today is a great person, a "world
championship person", and is now winning the most important fight…the fight
of life, and he is doing it for all the retired fighters in need.
I wish Muhammad Ali really knew what Alex Ramos and his Retired Boxers
Foundation was doing for boxing, and for all the fighters. I'm sure that if
he did, the great Muhammad Ali would be proud to be sharing his birthday
with Alex Ramos…Happy Birthday to both World Champions!
If you would like to help the Retired Boxers Foundation, give Alex Ramos a
call at (805) 390-7334. Wish him a happy birthday. Mike Indri can be
contacted at RNFNJMIKE@aol.com
.
