Posted on 02/16/2005 6:14:05 AM PST by Fan_Of_Ingraham
The suicide of a promising boxer in West Philadelphia has raised a number of questions with few, if any, definitive answers. The memorial to Najai Turpin continues to grow as well as the list of questions as to how this could have happened.
Family and friends are only left to speculate as to why 23-year-old boxer Najai Turpin might have killed himself. His network debut on the reality show "The Contender" was just weeks away: his ticket out of obscurity to realize his dream.
According to his girlfriend, he shot himself while the two sat in his car in front of her house on Valentine's morning.
Daniel Daugherty/BOXER'S FATHER:
"He said he couldn't live like that and he pulled a gun and shot himself. They were sitting here talking and he just shot himself"
"So what specifically was the problem?" "They probably had a misunderstanding about the kid or something."
The personal difficulties came at a time when Turpin was telling family members that he thought he was gonna win the TV competition. The show's producers, who have set up a trust fund for Turpin's daughter, will not say just how far he made it. But Turpin's trainer, who couldn't see the boxer during the show's taping, says Turpin told him that he was uncomfortable with the show probing into his personal life.
Percy "Buster" Custus/TURPIN'S TRAINER:
"He wasn't crazy about it he said, 'I don't want to be around the camera's and stuff. I just want to fight. I don't want to do the interview stuff. I just want to fight.'"
In a written statement, Turpin's girlfriend acknowledged issues in the relationship. His brothers say Turpin was deeply affected by the death of his mother whose name he took as his own and that was driven to do right by the Turpin name. He told his father that he felt he was an outcast despite being a naturally gifted boxer. It's the kind of drama that might make good reality television--but reality television may not be so good for real life. Turpin was no doubt admired by many aspiring young boxers in west Philly. His father says he hopes that they won't remember the way his son died just that his intentions were good.
Very sad.
You see so many kids sitting around doing nothing. It's a shame to see a good kid with this type of discipline get lost like this. You want to set the clock back a day or a week and step in and let him know it could be ok, to help in some way to prevent this. Its really such a shame.
The Olsen twin comes to mind, along with the countless divorces, drug problems, etc. of so many others.
Perhaps the ticket to happiness is not stardom but hard work, family ties, and faith in the Almighty is a better route.
If he didn't want his private life exposed or be infront of camera's .....why did he go on the TV SHOW. something doesn't add up here.
So, there were two people in the car and now one of them is dead. He might have shot himself or she might have shot him.
Actually the whole program has been pretty good. The fights have all been close, and all of the pugilists who have lost have seemed heart-broken. I guess because for most of them the show was their only chance of making it big. Not because they are not good, but because they are good, but just never got a solid chance to step into the light. All of the pugilists are good fighters with high ranks, but they have just not gotten the opportunity to make it into the 'big paycheck' circuit.
Anyways, having watched it for the last 3 weeks, i have to say that it is the only TV show where i have been emotionally invested in the participants. Both the winners and the losers. And i think this is mainly because they show the back story, show their families, and state their dreams.
I remember the first fight 3 weeks ago between this undefeated boxer (who had a very nice wife and the prettiest daughter), versus this underdog boxer ho basically chose the toughtest opponent in the group to fight (and i remember him telling his parents that at the end of the night he would either be a hero for picking the toughest hombre out there, or a fool). I was rooting for the underdog, YET at the same time i did not want the other dude to lose (his daughter ....'nuff said. There is something about the joy in little girls that always gets to me).
well, the underdog won ....and i cheered ....but soon kept silent when i saw the topdog's daughter clutching her mom tight and crying at seeing her dad all punched up. (The good thing is he was brought back this week).
Anyways, this is one of the best shows to come out in the longest time.
And i really feel for those pugilists, because at the end of the show there can be only one!
bump
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