His story became a film, “Hurricane – The Cry of Innocence” starring Denzel Washington. Here is the life of Rubin Carter, who inspired the film with his life divided between boxing and a very long trial.
Who was Rubin Carter
Rubin Carter, nicknamed Hurricane (Clifton, May 6, 1937 – Toronto, April 20, 2014) was an American boxer. He grew up in New Jersey with his parents and six siblings, standing out among them for being the only one to have problems with justice. In fact, he often ends up in a reformatory, although it was always unfair.
Decides at 17 years of enlist in the army and a few months after completing his training he is sent to Germany where he begins to discover boxing.
Back home because he is unsuitable for service, he is also forced to 10 months in prison for escaping from the reform school. Later for assault and robbery he will be served a total of 4 years.
The boxing career and success
During his prison years he returns to boxing and once he’s out he already has the potential to become a pro. Although he did not physically reach the height of the middleweight category, it was there that he fought all his life. He stands out for his aggression and power which has often led him to get several KOs and that brought him the nickname of “hurricane”.
After a series of victories against very strong exponents of the environment, he begins to get noticed by entering the Ring Magazine Top 10, specializing in boxing. With numerous goals, including the one against the world champion, he manages to rise more and more in the world rankings.
During the clash against Giardello, however, he fails to win as after the first round he records only defeats. So returns to lose position in the ranking and only record losses with some major opponents including Dick Tiger.
The trial and the final release
On June 17, 1966, a shooting inside “Lafayette Bar and Grill” Paterson which, from the first investigations, would trace it back to Carter. In fact, his machine seems to coincide with the one seen by witnesses and in which there is a weapon identical to that used by the killers. In fact, it is suspected that these are Carter and Artis but after the interrogation they must be released for lack of evidence.
Several months later, through a series of new declarations, it is possible to obtain confirmation of their guilt and so on are arrested. The period in prison leads Carter to write his biography and become the subject of great discussion. Bob Dylan even dedicates one to him song, “Hurricane”.
The process actually turns out to be much more complex than that as it is witnesses retract the charges thus leading to a new trial in which Bello, a witness, returns again to accuse the two, making them jail again for life. The case attracts the attention of young Canadians who move against it conduct of the process considered unfair is based on racial prejudice. Carter and Artis are thus able to be released and the great boxer retires and ends his life with tranquility.
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