Ex-UGA player Atrice dies after Golden Gloves bout
Former DB had hoped to turn pro; had stamina problems

By DAVID MARKIEWICZ
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 03/25/08

A former Georgia football player and amateur boxer who died after a Golden Gloves bout in Atlanta on Saturday night had displayed stamina problems in previous matches, a veteran trainer who worked with him on other fights said.

But the boxer's father said he knew of no physical problems and was shocked by the death.

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Walker Atrice, 30, collapsed and died shortly after his fight was stopped in the third round because he was apparently too winded to continue.

Johnny Gant, who began training Atrice at his Atlanta gym in 2002, said the 1998 UGA letterman often became exhausted after a strong start.

Gant didn't train Atrice, of Fairburn, for his scheduled four-round fight at Tech High School on Saturday, but he watched the bout. Atrice won the first round, he said, and "looked good. ... Then, in the second, it was like a slow balloon leak."

During the third round, Gant said, Atrice went to a neutral corner and put his head on the ropes. His opponent backed off, and the referee stopped the fight, Gant said. Atrice left the ring and was asked by a doctor if he was all right, Gant said, and Atrice replied that he was.

Shortly after, Gant said he saw medical personnel trying to revive Atrice on a table in a nearby room.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office said an autopsy was conducted Monday, but results won't be available for about a week.

Buddy Davis, president of the Georgia Amateur Boxing Association, said he's been involved in boxing for 45 years locally and could not recall a fatality from the ring in the Atlanta area.

Davis didn't see the fight but confirmed Gant's account. He said a ringside doctor checked Atrice before and after his bout. Atrice was administered CPR, he said, but "they never got any pulse or reaction at all."

Said Davis: "I don't really feel it is boxing related. We really feel like he just had heart failure. We see that happen in all kinds of sports."

Atrice's father, Walker Atrice Jr., said the family was in shock. "He always had physicals. We never worried about it. He worked out every day."

Atrice worked as a boxing coach and trainer at Knuckle Up Fitness in Atlanta, said Craig Hragyil, the center's director of personal training and instruction. Hragyil said Atrice hoped to turn professional this summer. He had a 23-4 record as an amateur.

"It absolutely rocked our small family here," Hragyil said of the news. He said Atrice was "the most charming and engaging of fighters. He was a magnetic personality." He also said Atrice "was someone who, if you looked at him, you'd think that's health, that's fitness. He was a competitor and an athlete."

"If you watched him, you sat back in awe," Hragyil said. "When this kid hit the bag, it made noises you never heard before."

Atrice attended UGA from 1995-99 and played strong safety for the Bulldogs. According to UGA's football media guide, he'd gone to Lakeside High School in DeKalb and was an honorable mention All-State football player. He was redshirted at Georgia in 1995 and played a reserve role the next three seasons.

Atrice's father described his son as "one of those guys who was a born leader," adding, "He loved boxing, but he could do anything. He lettered in football, basketball and baseball.

"He wanted to take over a gym some day and help train kids," the elder Atrice said. "He had started to focus on how to be more of a benefit, and he wanted to work with children."

How sad.. life is fragile.

Sorry to hear this
[Edited 3/25/08 6:55am]

Sorry for the loss.

It may be time 4 me 2 hang up the gloves.

Sorry about your loss. It's been a tough year. Hang in there.

That's awful. Sorry for your loss...

I appreciate the comments. Life.....

Sorry to hear that mate, makes us all realise that life is a fragile thing. I wish you and all those suffering loss

I heard about this this morning from a friend who is a UGA alum...terrible...
sorry for your loss...

I am so sorry.

Sorry to hear this. He was far too young.

Sad to hear this, mate. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

Wow... so sorry to hear this Gray...

my condolences to you and the family.

I am so sorry....

I am so sorry

Graycap23 said:

I hate to hear that, gray. I'm sorry. How long have u been boxing?

blackguitaristz said:

For about 30 years or so.....not 2 date myself.

Tragic.

So young too (I hope performance-enhancing drugs weren't involved!).

Did he have a family?

so sorry Graycap.

Graycap23 said:

Don't do that if you enjoy it....just do it in moderation.

I was a dancer for 30 years, and I no longer do ballet because of my knees, but I still take dance classes in other styles.....

Just a suggestion...

So sorry to hear this. @)-}-----

Graycap23 said:

No. Don't

Sorry to hear about your loss.....