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

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It was decided to bring in Juan Lazcano, “The Hispanic Causing Panic.” Lazcano was bigger than Valero and a veteran of nearly forty fights. Preparing for a bout in Las Vegas and on the brink of major recognition, Lazcano agreed to spar with the young Venezuelan. Lazcano, who had defeated some quality fighters, must have hated the experience. Though stories differ as to how many rounds he actually sparred with Valero, the one thing all agree on is that Lazcano never came back. He left his gloves and other boxing gear behind, never to claim them.

There were times in Maywood when Valero seemed to defy logic. Many southpaws look awkward in the ring, but Valero was fluid, graceful, athletic. There was such precision in his work that he seemed less like a boxer and more like a fencing master. He was cocky, too. He would tell Hernandez that he was going to hurt his sparring partner with a particular punch, and then he'd do it. Hernandez would tell him to take it easy on his poor sparring partners, but Valero was impulsive. Hernandez once compared Valero to Michael Jordan. “It was that kind of ability,” the trainer said.