thedailywhat:

Heartwarming Human Interest Story of the Day: Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson may have been at the top of the ticket, but last night belonged to Dewey Bozella.

The 52-year-old boxer, who was released two years ago from Sing Sing after spending 26 years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit, defeated Larry Hopkins (no relation to Bernard) — a man 22 years his junior — in his first professional fight.

“I used to lay in my cell and dream about this happening,” said Bozella. “It was all worth it. It was my dream come true.”

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award winner was convicted in 1983 of killing 92-year-old Emma Crapser and sentenced to serve 20 years to life. He maintained his innocence through four parole board hearings and a 1990 plea-bargain offer that required an admission of guilt.

Bozella was finally exonerated in October 2009 after it came to light that proof of his innocence was purposely buried by the local DA.

While being honored at this year’s ESPY Awards, the man who was Sing Sing’s light-heavyweight champion told an ESPN reporter that he dreamed of one day boxing in a professional fight. Touched by his story, Golden Boy Promotions attached Bozella to last night’s card, and the rest is the stuff of Hollywood.

“I’m going to concentrate on the Dewey Bozella Foundation, which really means opening a gym in my town,” said Bozella, whose first professional fight was also his last. “Because there are no gyms, and I’d like to see kids who are on the street have something productive to do. No more fighting for me.” 

[espn / photo: ap.]