Ricky Womack

Ricky Womack (May 7, 1961 in Detroit, Michigan – January 19, 2002 at St. John Oakland Hospital, Madison Heights, Michigan) was a professional boxer from the United States. Known primarily for his amateur career, during which he already earned his nickname "Wonderful," coming to attention of Howard Cosell, who predicted his bright future as a most likely U.S. Olympic Team light heavyweight for the 1984 Olympics, and a successful professional career afterwards, but both predictions proved unfulfilled, as Womack lost the Olympic qualifiers to Evander Holyfield, and his up-and-coming professional career crumbled after a criminal conviction.
Early years.
Womack had a physically abusive father, and neglecting mother. Eventually social services took Ricky along with his seven brothers and sisters away from his mother to a foster care. He started boxing at the age of thirteen with the Kronk Gym, being trained by Emanuel Steward. But troubled childhood deeply affected his personality, he became a staunch kleptomaniac and had frequent brushes with the law enforcement authorities. At that time his teammate, another Kronk's young talent Mark Breland came under Womack's destructive influence. Womack's criminal habits eventually led him to a long term prison sentence.
Amateur career.
Womack had a remarkable amateur career, defeating future legend Evander Holyfield several times (one by walkover,) with two of the losses being avenged by Evander at the Olympic Box-offs, and cutting Ricky's way to the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Holyfield rivalry.
Womack jumped into heavyweight already in 1982, winning the AAU Nationals, and proving he's comfortable in that weight class, but he soon came back into light heavyweight, reportedly to prove to his long-lasting nemesis, Holyfield, that he was the better man. As Holyfield later recalled:
Highlights.
 Boxing at the Ohio State Fair (178 lbs), Columbus, Ohio, August 1982:
 United States National Championships (201 lbs), Indianapolis, Indiana, December 1982:
USA–USSR Duals (178 lbs), Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 1983:
 National Golden Gloves (178 lbs), Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 1983:
AIBA International World Championships Challenge (178 lbs), Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan, May 1983:
 National Sports Festival (178 lbs), Colorado Springs, Colorado, June 1983:
Pan Am Box-Offs (178 lbs), St. Louis, Missouri, August 1983:
 North American Championships (178 lbs), Houston, Texas, September 1983:
 World Cup (178 lbs), Palazzo dello Sport, Rome, Italy, October 1983:
 United States National Championships (178 lbs), Colorado Springs, Colorado, November 1983:
USA–GDR Duals (178 lbs), Biloxi, Mississippi, November 1983:
USA–Combined Team of GBR & Canada Duals (178 lbs), Reno, Nevada, November 1983:
AIBA International World Championships Challenge (178 lbs), Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, April 1984:
National Olympic Trials (178 lbs), Tarrant County Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas, June 1984:
Olympic Box-offs (178 lbs), Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 1984:
Afterwards Womack signed a contract with the Kronk boxing team when he turned professional.
Womack finished his amateur career with an estimated record of 54 wins, 14 losses.
Professional career.
Womack turned pro in 1984 and began his career with a promising string of victories, including a victory over future champion Uriah Grant, and was undefeated in his first nine bouts until troubles outside of the ring derailed his career.
Troubles outside the ring.
Womack was sentenced to 25 years for armed robbery. After serving 15 years, Womack was released in November 2000.
Comeback.
After his release, Womack returned to the ring in 2001 and won all four bouts.
Death.
On January 19, 2002, Womack committed suicide, two months after his last fight.