Boxer who killed man in bar fight to
make pro debut Friday
(AP) -- A former Golden Gloves champion
who killed a man in a bar fight six years ago will make his professional
boxing debut Friday night.
"I've worked hard to try and get my life back in order and boxing has
served to focus my energy on something positive," said Jason Cook, who
was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to five years in a
work-release program. He is currently on probation.
"I did a stupid thing and it's something
I'll always have to live with," Cook told The Times of Munster.
Cook got into a fight with Stephen Lake outside a LaPorte bar on May 20,
2001, and "one good punch" snapped Lake's neck, said attorney Kim
DeWitt, who prosecuted the case.
"(The fight) was something that I should have done a better job of
walking away from," the 28-year-old Cook said. "I tried several times to
walk away from him, but it ended up happening. And the result was that
someone died and I paid the price for my mistake."
Since then, Cook has spoken to school groups about the dangers of
substance and alcohol abuse and attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
He said the meetings, which were part of his sentencing conditions, have
helped him get his life together.
Cook, 42-8 as an amateur, won the Chicago Golden Gloves heavyweight
championship in 2003 and was runner-up as a light heavyweight last year.
His opponent in the One In A Million Inc. program Friday night at the
Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville has not been announced.
"I feel like this is my time to turn professional," he said. "I've met
all the aspects of my parole and now One In A Million is willing to take
a chance on me. I'm grateful for the opportunity and I hope to make the
most of my career."
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