Shawn O'Sullivan - Life After Boxing

Life After Boxing

In May, 2007, O'Sullivan's apartment was broken into and the thieves made off with nine rings. They included: a world championship ring with a diamond signifying a second title — he won in both 1981 and 1983; rings from the Commonwealth Games; one from his high school, St. Mike’s, in Toronto; a Canadian championship ring; a cheap childhood ring bearing his initials, S.O.S.; and a claddagh ring, bearing an Irish symbol of two hands clutching a heart topped with a crown. Since retiring from boxing, he has been diagnosed with brain damage, as a cumulative result of blows to the head during his boxing career. During an interview, he said that he suffers from boxer's dementia, commonly known as "punch drunk" syndrome. On February 10, 2010, O'Sullivan carried the 2010 Olympic torch on a stretch through Vancouver. He is currently living in Belleville, Ontario where he can be seen walking his dog (a boxer) and offering a friendly greeting to fellow dog walkers.

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