His final tally rightly reads 14-0 with 11 KOs. Subsequently, authorities removed the defeat from Billy’s professional record as a no-contest. Without substance or evidence, Lewis blamed fellow cornerman Artie Curley for wrapping Resto’s hands in the dressing room. He remained active on the sport’s periphery to further calls to ban him for life. He died in 2020 protesting his innocence after returning to the aid of boxers later in his career. Lewis never admitted his part in the outcome. In 2008, Resto belatedly apologized to Collins’ wife in a compelling documentary entitled ‘Assault in the Ring.’ Hand wrapsĪnd in a dramatic twist, Resto also revealed that Lewis soaked his hands in a plaster of Paris-type substance before the fight.Īmazingly, Billy’s opponent also stated the procedure had been performed on him at least twice in previous fights. However, simply because of Billy’s death, all were thrown out as a result. His family had already launched lawsuits against Top Rank Boxing, the referee, the inspectors, and Everlast, the glove manufacturer. Many people remain sure that the depression and the fact that he could never box again may have contributed to suicide. In the most horrific ending imaginable to the whole sickening event, Billy was involved in a car accident near his home on March 6, 1984, which proved fatal. They threatened his marriage to his wife Andrea, who was only 18 and pregnant then. The now forcibly-retired fighter lost two subsequent jobs and spiraled into a depression.īilly began smoking marijuana and drinking heavily. In an attempt to return to everyday family life, Collins found it almost impossible. Billy faced never being able to box again. Collins forced to retireĬollins suffered terrible injuries and faced a long time out of the sport before his worst fears were realized when doctors discovered a career-ending ailment.Ī torn iris gave Collin permanently blurred vision due to Resto’s cheating. Lewis and Resto served two and a half years in prison.Īlthough both men were convicted, the damage had seemingly already been done. And in 1986, the pair were found guilty of using Luis Resto’s gloves with missing padding and exposed fists in criminal possession of a weapon. Investigators ordered an assault trial after the findings. Meanwhile, Resto got told he could not box for at least a year.ĭue to the sheer scale of what transpired and the guilt of his crimes, Resto would never fight again. The NYSAC banned Lewis from any role in boxing for life. As a result, it was found that Panama Lewis, Resto’s trainer, had removed an ounce of padding from his boxer’s gloves, giving him an unfair and horrifically dangerous advantage. The New York State Athletic Commission launched a full investigation after the fight. The Puerto Rican shudderingly pulled his hand away and protested his innocence. But as Billy’s father shook Resto’s hand to congratulate the victory, he noticed little padding in his gloves and tried to alert the referee. At the end of the contest, his face was severely damaged, and his eyes were almost shut. However, Billy took a sustained beating for the complete ten rounds. Resto wasn’t known for his punching power. The bout was booked on the undercard of Roberto Duran vs Davey Moore at Madison Square Garden and scheduled as a ten-rounder. It was June 1983, and Billy found himself matched up against Puerto Rican journeyman Luis Resto. He impressively won his first 14 professional contests, 11 by knockout with eight inside the first three rounds. turned pro in 1981 as a welterweight, just like his father before him. So he decided to train Billy himself.Ĭollins Jr. His father, Billy Ray Sr, once fought Welterweight Champion Curtis Cokes and wanted his boy to follow in his footsteps. Williams Ray Collins Jr., or as he became known, Billy Collins Jr., was born to a boxing father in Antioch, Tennessee, in 1961. The shocking incidents occurred in ten months between June 1983 and March 1984. As the 40th anniversary of Billy Collins Jr vs Luis Resto approaches next year, WBN remembers the devastating events.
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