Читать книгу Berserk. The Shocking Life and Death of Edwin Valero онлайн

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He spent thirteen days in a hospital. Doctors found a small blood clot between Valero's scalp and skull—not in his brain. They gave him a choice: he could wait six months to see if the clot would clear up on its own, or they could operate and remove it. Wanting to get out of the hospital and resume his boxing career, he opted for a relatively simple procedure where the clot was drained. It wasn't considered major surgery.

He probably thought that was the end of the matter. He was nineteen years old, strong as an ox, and crafty as a rat. He had Jennifer at his side and a promising future as a boxer. A little knock on the head wouldn't stop him.

• • •

Seventeen months later, on July 9, 2002, Valero made his professional boxing debut at United Nations Park in Caracas. He needed just a bit over two minutes to knock out a fellow named Eduardo Hernandez.

Hernandez never fought again.

The months after Valero's surgery had been torturous. He wasn't allowed to fight right away. He took odd jobs to support himself and Jennifer but proved inept at everything. In March, Edwin Jr. was born, adding to Valero's pressures. Broke and desperate, Valero enlisted in the Venezuelan army. After two busts for fighting, he was dishonorably discharged.