Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
WBN Editor
Puerto Rican great hospitalized for observation
Retired boxer Wilfred ‘El Radar’ Benitez is currently in a
US hospital undergoing tests after his family rushed him in amidst fears he may
have suffered a stroke.
The 54 year-old, who retired from the sport in 1990, held world titles from
light-welterweight to light-middleweight in a 62-fight professional career,
having fought the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns over 17 years.
Benitez remains the youngest fighter to ever claim a world
title after his split decision victory over Antonio Cervantes in 1976 and only
lost for the first time to the great Leonard three years later in a fifteen-round battle.
Initial reports by the Associated Press state that the
former fighter’s family are with him and that Benitez is currently comfortable
and alert to his surroundings. Doctor’s are planning to keep him in for the next three days for observational
purposes.
The Puerto Rican legend, who has suffered from illness in the
past, is currently wheelchair-bound - attributed to blows to the head during his career and was diagnosed with diabetes eight years ago.