When I first started covering the Beltway Boxing scene 23 years ago, one of the many people who constantly gave me support and guidance was Dr. Karl Hammonds. Dr. Hammonds was a well-respected and loved ringside doctor for many of the amateur and pro bouts in DC and Maryland and always kept me abreast on information on what our amateurs were doing and the latest health news.
Today brings sad news that Dr. Hammonds passed away this morning. We are still getting details on age and cause of death.
To say that Dr. Hammonds was a friend to boxing doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of how well respected this man was. Dr. Hammonds served as chief medical officer for the Potomac Valley Association of USA Boxing and was well known by USA Boxing on a national level. Dr. Hammonds was elected to the Washington DC Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999.
There are many more honors that this man earned that I will bring to light as I receive information on them. Suffice it to say that I will miss this man greatly and I know I speak for many in the Beltway Boxing and general sports community who were touched and helped by this great man.
The boxing community will surely
ReplyDeletemiss this man but more than that
mankind has lost a truly kind person.
Scott Farmer
Doctor Hammonds,
ReplyDeleteYour work here is done! Thanks for all that you have done while with us, you taugh us all very well. Now Rest in Peace my Brother.
Fight Doctor (J. Spears)
DO YOU HAVE A PICTURE OF DR.HAMMONDS
ReplyDeleteDAMN MANE I JUST SEEN HIM AT THE FIGHTS LIKE 2 WEEKS AGO... MANE DAMN HE WILL BE MISSED...
ReplyDeleteWhat a very nice man and a true supporter of our kids and the sport of amatuer boxing.He made many sacrifices to be there for the kids even when he wasn't feeling well. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteCoach Hal and the kids at Main St Gym
god bless him.
ReplyDeletecoach kenny,upton boxing.
dr hammonds was a true friend of mine and i will surely miss him!!!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about such sad news. Dr Hammonds was a great person who did a lot for amateur boxing and the young boxers in the sport.
ReplyDeleteJim McNally
Mr. Hammonds may your soul rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteDad, you were to great, a good man, i dont even know what to say, i have tears all over me, you loved me and opened your heart to me without even seeing me, may your soul rest in peace, it's hard to believe, gone tooo soon dad,rest in peace, I love you.
ReplyDeleteSisi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Dr. Hammonds was truly a great man and we will all miss him.
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ReplyDeleteThank you : Gary Digital Williams,i will pass the message to the rest of the family, Im his son's girlfriend, I always called him dad because he treated me kindly and always talked to me as his own, it's very sad because he was a great man, and he is loved by all of us very much,I am glad I had the chance to know such a wonderful man, I cant even begin to say, only God knows because I've no words, We will Miss Him always.We lost a great man, really...May his soul rest in peace
ReplyDeleteDR HAMMONDS you where the best,theres no boxing shows with out you.
ReplyDeleteDR. Hammonds was a very special part of the washington boxing scene. He was a great man, and will surely be missed what a tragic loss. Rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteThe WASHINGTON D.C.GOLDEN GLOVES would like to send condolences to his family and to Dr Hammonds thanks for all the years you gave to our organization.REST IN PEACE
ReplyDeleteDr Hammonds you will be missed. You were a great doctor and man. You cared about boxing and boxers from the area. I thank you for getting me to do something about my high blood pressure and making sure I was doing good and taking my medication. I owe my life to you.
ReplyDeleteGreg Coleman
Doc Hammonds was much more than my friend...he also served as my mentor and encouraged me to take the high road...to be a CHAMPION among men! It's a lesson in life of how to fight the good fight that each of us should learn. To the local boxing community: please come out to his Homegoing services to help us give him the time honored 10 count and keep his memory alive forever. Well done good and faithful servant, well done...
ReplyDeleteKarl was a friend of a mine. When I met him he had just graduated from Princeton University and had started his 1st year of medical school at Howard University. I remembered when he started working with the amateur boxers in the DC area. He distressed by the fact that more of the doctors in the community would not volunteer to work with those young people. He even recruited me to help shortly before I left the area. We shared a office for a short time in the Deanwood community in far northeast DC He was a special person and will always be missed. RIP friend!
ReplyDeleteMartina P Callum, MD