Nothing is harder to write than heartfelt condolences, so it?s a safe bet Andre Berto isn?t headed toward a career in the greeting cards business now that we?ve seen the badly off-key tweet he issued in the wake of Edwin Valero?s murder-suicide.
Yeah, a woman?ll drive you to distraction, Berto said, or vulgar words to that effect.
Not in this case, bro.
Edwin Valero?s boxing career proceeded despite a severe head injury the Venezuelan sustained in a motorcycle accident before he turned professional. Virtually no U.S.-affiliated boxing commissions or other sanctioning bodies would license him because of brain and skull damage that remained evident in every examination.
Valero?s emotional stability also was called into question long before the pandemonium of the past weekend. It was called into question long before he spent the past winter undergoing police-supervised psychiatric evaluation because of a summer incident that sent his wife to the hospital.
Several reports have linked alcohol and other substance abuse to Valero?s problems. Berto and everyone else in boxing knew Valero was a wild man.
How can Berto possibly explain away his tactless insinuation that Valero?s wife was to blame? Unfortunately, he can?t. He has issued several apologies, professing his respect for all women and all, but the blood already done spilt.
Perhaps he can learn from Bay Area star Nonito Donaire?s reaction to the tragedy: ?I love my wife,? he told Facebook friends. ?No matter the argument, I?ll never cheat on her, lie to her, hit her or KILL her! Women should be on a pedestal. To the ladies: If we disrepect you, if we don’t treat you right, just leave. Don’t make excuses/reasons for our misbehavior or incompetence.?
Berto has been receiving good p.r., of course, as he helps his family and countrymen in Haiti cope with the aftermath of January?s earthquake.
But evidently he hasn?t perfected his graveside manner. It will take him years to live down the Valero valedictory.
