UGer gives exploited, disabled man in WI his medals

Last month investigative journalist John Diedrich brought to national attention the death of kickboxer Dennis Munson Jr in Milwaukee. Earlier this month Diedrich revealed that Jessie Roach, a man with intellectual disabilities, has been knocked out twice by promoter/fighter/trainer Jesse Rowell in unregulated combat sports events.

The stories are heartbreaking.

But when UGer Blue Duck read about what happened to Roach, he did something beautiful:

Hey Jessie,

I read about your last fight in a newspaper article. It takes a lot of guts just to step into the ring. But to fight a guy who already beat you once before takes a ton of courage. I was disappointed to hear that you didn’t receive a medal for your fight. I wanted you to have my most prized medal I won for first place in a grappling tournament. You deserve it more than I do, my friend.

I also would like to tell you that you don’t need to fight in the ring or a cage anymore to prove that you have courage. Being a good and kind person who looks out for himself and others is way more important than any medal you could earn fighting. I hope you continue to train so you can stay in shape and meet friends, but please leave the fighting to guys who still think they need to prove they have courage…because everybody already knows how brave you are.

Take care. Merry Christmas.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interviewed Roach, about the other side of the gesture.

“The guy at the post office said I got a box waiting for me,” said Roach. “So I opened it when I got in the car. It was like two medals and a letter, by this guy named John… I can’t read most of the words, but it said ‘It takes a lot of guts to go in the ring’, and he wished me a happy holisday. So I’d like to thank John for sending me the medals.

“I was kind of surprised I got medals, to be honest. I actually did something good for once. Because, I actually think I am a terrible fighter. Because I’m not that good at fighting – only done this four years. I try not to let my disability get in the way, ’cause … I don’t let that get in my head, most of the time. I’m just like, I always wanted to do this since I was little.”

Here is the interview with Jessie. It’s dusty.

Once again, Diedrich tells the story.

Jessie Roach finally got his medal — and a whole lot of encouragement.

The 31-year-old Milwaukee man, who has intellectual disabilities, was promised $50 and a medal to fight in an unregulated kickboxing bout last month at a Harley-Davidson dealership.

A seasoned fighter and trainer, Jesse Rowell, set up the match between himself and Roach, a novice fighter who had never been in a kickboxing bout.

Rowell knocked out Roach in the first round with a kick to the head. Rowell left the event without paying Roach or giving him the medal.

Following the article, people across the combat sports world weighed in, many inquiring about how they could help Roach. John Hewitt of Orlando, Fla., sent Roach two of his medals and a letter, telling him he had a lot of guts to fight.

Hewitt, a 49-year-old contractor, said Thursday he was moved to send the medals after reading the Journal Sentinel article on Roach, which he found linked on a mixed martial arts comment board.

“It’s hard to step in the ring and put it all on the line,” Hewitt said. “He really deserves that medal.”

Roach received another letter of support, this one from Michigan, which included $50. He also has gotten several messages of encouragement on Facebook.

“It made me feel pretty good about myself,” Roach said of the responses.

Lawmakers, including state Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) and state Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), are working on legislation to regulate kickboxing in the wake of the Journal Sentinel investigation into the death of Dennis Munson Jr., who collapsed at the Eagles Club following his debut kickboxing bout in March.

Hansen said a fight involving someone with disabilities like Roach adds to the sense of urgency to take action.

“We have an unregulated sport and some promoters have decided to put the safety of the fighter last,” Hansen said. “We need to change that.”

Kleefisch said he doesn’t see a need for a new set of regulations but wants to extend existing rules for MMA and boxing to cover kickboxing. He said it is important to protect those who are most vulnerable from those who would victimize them.

“There is a special place in hell for those people who take advantage of people with disabilities and there is special place in heaven for people who help those with disabilities participate in the world as they are able,” he said.

Read entire article…

We each have to ask ourselves an important question, as we can:

“When i go through those pearly gates, oh Lord, what jewels in my crown in heaven?”

The UGer who sent those medals, he has a big-ass diamond.

And profound respect to John Diedrich. Investigative journalism is under extraordinary pressure from a number of quarters, but Diedrich is part of a small number of heroes keeping it alive and potent.

Should anyone else want to make a thoughtful gesture or offer best holiday wishes, the address is:

Jessie Roach

PO Box 5016-05

Milwaukee, WI 53205