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Becky Zerlentes: First U.S. Female Boxing Fatality

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Becky Zerlentes: The First Female Boxer to Die in a U.S. Fight

Warning: The following article contains details that some readers may find disturbing.

April 3, 2005, Washington D.C.

Stephan Weiler received what he described as a “dreaded call” at 2:00 AM. The voice on the other end asked, “Are you the husband of Becky Zerlentes?”

“I confirmed, and the official from Denver Health Medical Center and Hospital advised me to get to the airport as quickly as possible, stating that her condition was deteriorating.”

Before that day, no female boxer in the United States had ever died as a result of a sanctioned fight.

In succumbing to injuries sustained during the bout, Zerlentes – a regional boxing titleholder three years prior – inadvertently made history.

While the tragic stories of fighters such as Johnny Owen and Jimmy Doyle, external are well-documented, the impact of Zerlentes’ death on the Denver community and her loved ones has largely remained private.

Zerlentes’ passion for combat sports was a defining aspect of her life, providing her with an unparalleled sense of excitement each time she entered a boxing ring or MMA cage.

Like many amateur fighters, the 34-year-old Zerlentes pursued a career outside of professional fighting, working as a geography and economics instructor at Front Range Community College’s Larimer County campus, where she also obtained a master’s and a PhD.

Her enthusiasm in the classroom was matched by her passion for sports, particularly combat sports.

On the night of the fight, Weiler was in his third year working at the Federal Reserve.

Zerlentes had repeatedly asked him to return to Fort Collins, a former military outpost in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and he had promised to do so soon.

Zerlentes was competing against Heather Schmitz in the Colorado State Boxing Senior Female Championships at the Denver Coliseum in Colorado, a venue known to hold over 10,000 attendees for events like Rolling Stones and Rage Against the Machine concerts. Both women wore protective headgear.

For two rounds, Zerlentes actively engaged, exchanging punches with Schmitz until the third round.

After receiving a blow to the head, just above her left eye, Zerlentes stumbled forward, hit the canvas, and lost consciousness—a state she remained in until her death the following morning.

“The ringside doctor noted that her pupils were fixed and dilated upon initial examination, suggesting potential brain damage,” said Weiler, now a professor.

By 6:30 AM, Weiler was on a flight to Denver and immediately went to the hospital where he saw Zerlentes.

“The extent of damage to Becky’s brain was remarkable, considering the blow was fairly glancing,” he said.

“It wasn’t a forceful hit, but the brain had become so bruised that it could no longer function.”

The life support Zerlentes was on was failing, and Weiler recalled that “clinically, she was likely already deceased in the ring.”

He then faced a difficult decision.

“Around noon that morning, knowing her condition was worsening, I decided it was time, especially given the closing window for organ donation, which Becky strongly supported,” he said.

The reaction to her death was immediate.

Tributes poured in across Denver, with colleagues, students, and others who knew Zerlentes remembering her warmth and resilience as a pillar of the college and community.

But soon, the media arrived.

“I avoided my house because of the recent release of ‘Million Dollar Baby,’ a Clint Eastwood film about a female boxer, which was very popular when Becky died,” Weiler said.

“The hospital has a kind of hideaway hotel, and I just didn’t want [to talk]. The issue was already sensationalized enough, and I had no desire to contribute to that.”

Weiler stayed away from his home for ten days, until the reporters lost interest.

Aside from one interview with the local newspaper, out of respect for Zerlentes’ dedication to the community, Weiler retreated from the public eye.

Zerlentes was a geography and economics instructor as well as a keen fighter

He did not return to Fort Collins for 15 months, waiting until he was “ready to confront the ghosts” that lingered there.

Meanwhile, Heather Schmitz was facing her own challenges.

Since her blow led to Zerlentes’ death, the 20-something Schmitz was being interviewed by Denver police in connection with a homicide case.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Schmitz reached out to Weiler. He described her tears and apologies, which he accepted, reminding her that she did not intentionally kill Zerlentes. The case against Schmitz was eventually dropped.

Hoping to caution others about the potential consequences of boxing, Weiler has now decided to share his experience.

“It is the most malevolent of bloodlust sports,” he said.

“That’s also how you can describe mixed martial arts, which was not as prominent at the time. Betting is based entirely on battering your opponent.

“It’s one thing to do that in ping pong or table tennis – it’s another when you’re talking about somebody’s life.”

Coming to terms with his grief has been a journey traveled with friends and family, but no-one who knows what he has experienced first hand – until recently.

September 11, 2015, Sydney, Australia.

Davey Browne Jr. is in hospital.

“They told me that opening up his skull would only cause him to bleed out. I made a sound I had never made before and have never made since – an animalistic noise. I just needed to see him.”

This is Amy Lavelle, who, like Weiler, lost her partner due to boxing.

Just an hour earlier, Lavelle’s husband was, according to his corner, minutes away from winning on points against super-featherweight rival Carlo Magali, a Filipino fighter nicknamed ‘The Ferocious,’ at Ingleburn RSL club in Sydney.

Barely 30 seconds remained in the 12th and final round.

Then, disaster struck. The 28-year-old father of two fell—a knockout. Initially, he rose from the canvas but collapsed on his stool moments later.

By the early hours, it was clear Browne would not survive. Lavelle, seeing her unconscious husband, watched her world collapse.

She said: “I just thought, how can the boys grow up without their father? How can this happen? I can’t imagine them growing up without knowing him. It was unfathomable. It was just a total nightmare, a true nightmare.”

Before meeting Lavelle, Weiler had not had any contact with the authorities, promoters or managers for years.

United in grief and now friends, Lavelle and Weiler seek solace in each other’s shared experience. They both agree that there has been no support in the aftermath of this form of trauma.

Within the first few days, both were contacted by a handful of people. There is no single global governing body that oversees boxing to set or maintain standards. Professional fights are overseen by individual commissions in each area.

At the time of Zerlentes’ fight, amateur US boxing bouts were sanctioned by USA Boxing, while Browne’s was sanctioned by the IBF but overseen by the Combat Sports Authority in Australia.

The IBF and USA Boxing did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

An inquest into Browne’s death raised serious issues about governance, mandatory training for ringside personnel, their ability to recognize serious head injuries, and their confidence to intervene.

Ultimately, there has been silence from those in positions of power in the boxing world.

“Which is kind of interesting,” Weiler said. “It was so public for a while. I’d be happy to talk, but I haven’t heard from anyone.”

If it were up to Weiler, he would advise every aspiring fighter, whether they are making their professional debut or just starting out on the pads, to thoroughly consider their decision before taking that first step.

“The workout is great,” Weiler continued. “But please think twice about having them participate in the competitive part of it.”

Davey Browne Jr died following a fight in Australia in 2015

The issue of youngsters and long-term health implications is a well-known issue in American football. In 2016, a group of retired players who had suffered brain damage received a $1bn (£700m) settlement from the NFL.

With significant collisions happening regularly throughout matches, the sport’s links to brain trauma and associated conditions are becoming more apparent. The NFL reported a 17% decrease in concussions in the 2024 season but studies suggest just three concussions can have a lasting impact.

Boxers face similar trauma. World title challenger Heather Hardy was forced to retire last year due to severe symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

CTE is a brain condition linked to repeated blows to the head and concussion. The condition, which gradually gets worse over time and leads to dementia, can only be diagnosed post-mortem.

In February, Irishman John Cooney died because of injuries he sustained in a boxing fight in Belfast.

“The wealth these guys [American football and boxing stars] accumulate is extraordinary. But is it worth a lifetime of dementia and depression and suicidal thoughts?” Weiler said.

“I guess everyone should make that call themselves, but they should be making that call fully aware of what the risks are.”

Lavelle agrees.

“While it’s sad, it’s not all totally uncomfortable, because it’s my reality,” she said.

“There needs to be some education for the athletes coming in so they know about the risks – so they are more aware of what they’re getting themselves into.

“I don’t think that’s done. It’s all just bravado and toughness.”

If you have been affected by issues raised in this article, there is information and support available on BBC Action Line.

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