Edwin Valero: Two-Year Anniversary of His Death

Tragic End for the Champ Arrested for Wife’s Murder

Two years have passed since Edwin Valero took his last breath on April 19, 2010 at 28 years old.

The death of the champion shocked us all. I remember hearing the news and feeling the stinging shock of disbelief. I remember feeling the reflex of burning tears trickling from the corner of my eye as I absorbed the latest blow to the boxing community. As many around the world mourned for the WBC Lightweight Champ, the circumstances of his passing outweighed the feelings of sorrow one could muster up for an accused murderer. On April 18, a day before Valero’s own death, the Venezuelan slugger admitted to hotel employees that he had killed his wife, 24-year-old Jennifer Carolina Herrera (she was found dead with stab wounds). The couple had two young kids, Edwin Jr., 8, and Rosselin, just 5 at the time.

It had been two days of shocking news that came rolling in from Caracas back in 2010.

Now two years have passed since the night “Dinamita” was reported to have taken his own life while being held in his jail cell. Reports were that he hung himself with his own clothes. As the time has flown by, the alleged killer has been both condemned and glorified by the media, fans, friends and family. No one knows what really happened. The boxer took those dark secrets–and the truth–to his grave.

What we do know (and no one can deny) is that Edwin Valero was a force in the ring with his unbelievable string of consecutive first-round knockouts. With that long crazy hair, fiery eyes and fists of steel, everyone agrees he was an entertaining, explosive and exciting boxer that critics and fan had compared to Manny Pacquiao. In fact, many were hoping for a showdown between the two bangers during Valero’s prime. This was not to be as the senseless and tragic murder and death of Carolina and Edwin Valero put an end to any future dreams. The fighter died with a perfect 27 and 0 record–with 27 knockouts, thus adding to his infamy.

I just happened to catch a replay of Valero’s final fight versus Antonio DeMarco in Monterrey, Mexico. This February 2, 2010 bout aired on Showtime Extreme last night and I was riveted watching Valero do what he did best in the ring. Facing a game DeMarco, who was a rising star at this time, Valero picked apart the Mexican fighter as commentators Gus Johnson, Al Bernstein and Steve Farhood raved about this young man, Valero.

After a brutal couple of rounds, at the end of the ninth round referee Laurence Cole stopped the contest on the advice of DeMarco’s corner. A bloodied Valero celebrated while thumping his tattooed chest in victory. He had suffered a deep gash in his forehead in the early going and in between rounds was tended to by trainer Mario “Big Yuca” Morales.” Edwin didn’t let the bloodshed bother him, blazing on in defending his championship. At the time of the stoppage, “El Inca” was leading at the time by all three official judges’ scores of 89-81.

During this 2010 broadcast, Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein spoke of the possibilities for the sizzling southpaw: “There will be all kinds of matchups for him in the future.”

After a 2001 motorcycle accident and reports of a DUI, Edwin was not able to obtain a license to box in the U.S. until finally being granted a license in Texas in 2009. With the dominating defeat of DeMarco, Valero seemed poised for superstardom, who had been promoted by Teiken and Golden Boy.

As I watched the Valero–Demarco fight last night, the last screen shot of the Venezuelan terror caught my eye as the commentators continued to praise his performance while predicting his continued ascent in the sport.

There was Edwin Valero celebrating in the ring–arms outstretched in the throes of glory, the look of pure joy on his face. “The entire world is seeing a fighter that’s ascending now,” the Showtime crew exclaimed.

Who knew just two months later the world would see very different images of the troubled heavy hitter? A descent into depths perhaps no one could have predicted.

I will never forget seeing the face of his beautiful wife, now viciously slain in this tragedy for which her husband had confessed. I remember scanning the news and watching the video of a handcuffed Valero, fists in front of him, being led by the Carabobo State Police after his arrest on suspicion of murder. Wearing a red baseball hat and a black and red jersey–and wearing silver handcuffs–was the tarnished champ. The next day brought more shock waves: word of Edwin Valero committing suicide.

Valero’s shocking demise came on the heels of the July 2009 deaths of Arturo Gatti and Vern Forrest. The boxing world was already reeling when this unbelievable tragedy occurred.

Since then, controversy and conspiracy theories continue; some say Valero didn’t die at his own hands. Others say his wife’s murder and his “suicide” was a set up.

This article is not meant to glorify a man who allegedly murdered his young wife, the mother of their two young children. I know what you’re thinking…that it’s not worth my time to pay tribute to an accused murderer. But I love watching boxing, and in watching his very last fight last night, it made me recall his career–and this horrible tragedy. It is a senseless tragedy on all levels; the worst being the two young Valero children left as orphans.

In boxing, Edwin Valero, a WBC and WBA champion, was one feared gladiator always exploding in that squared ring. But arguably, it was wasted talent. And if he took his wife’s life then this was truly a waste of a human being. There were also reports that in 2010, Valero’s wife entered the hospital with cracked ribs and a punctured lung (supposedly after a fall); shortly thereafter Valero entered rehab.

Now two years have gone by since the murder of Jennifer Carolina Viera de Valero. And two years since her husband, champion Edwin “El Inca” Valero was found dead in his jail cell in Caracas.

A lot has changed in the last couple of years. What would have become of the pugilist had he not been destroyed by his demons on that dark night?

His opponent in his final bout, Antonio DeMarco has made a strong comeback after suffering defeat at the hand of Valero. Since that 2010 loss, Tony (27-2-1, 20 KOs) now has a four-fight win streak with victories over Daniel Attah, Reyes Sanchez, Jorge Linares (in an upset win for the vacant WBC Lightweight belt) and Miguel Roman.

What would the future have held for the Edwin Valero, the Venezuela boxing star who was KO’d by evil forces he ultimately couldn’t beat?

The world will never know.