ROBERT GUERRERO TO RECEIVE BILL CRAWFORD AWARD AT THIS YEARS BOXING WRITER ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA DINNER

The Story of Bill Crawford: Crawford learned to defend himself by boxing in his home town of Pueblo, Colorado. As a soldier during World War II his fighting skills were put to the ultimate test. As the company scout, Army Private Crawford discovered three hidden German machine gun nests. Alone and unable to alert his fellow soldiers of the awaiting ambush — with only his rifle and grenades Crawford single handedly destroyed all three enemy emplacements. As his company advanced, he volunteered to stay behind and aid a wounded soldier only to be captured by enemy troops and endured nineteen months in a Nazi prison camp. His youthful golden gloves experience resurfaced when he took on a Nazi guard in a fist fight, – Crawford knocked the Nazi out cold.  Forty years after his heroic action Crawford was presented the Medal of Honor in person by President Ronald Reagan at the 1985 Air Force Academy graduation. Crawford died in 2000 and was buried at the United States Air Force Academy.

“Robert Guerrero had put his career on hold to deal with his wife Casey’s health issues. With her Leukemia in remission, Guerrero made a successful return to the ring. How he coped with the situation impressed the BWAA electorate who voted him the Bill Crawford award winner for “Courage in Overcoming Adversity.” ~ BWAA