Sports News

This boxer’s toughest opponent is cerebral palsy

Milton’s Sean McCarthy, despite being stricken with cerebral palsy, is 11-0 in his amateur boxing career. STAN GROSSFELD/GLOBE STAFF

It is 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and “The Champ” is training in the gym, covered in sweat, fighting his worst enemy: cerebral palsy.

His record is 11-0. All have been knockouts. Sean McCarthy’s amateur bouts against able-bodied fighters are dubbed “special fights.” McCarthy, 45, says USA Boxing would never allow him in the ring, although he has sparred with professionals.

For those who can’t believe that someone with cerebral palsy can fight, just ask former champion Vinny Paz. He put a medal around McCarthy’s neck after one bout.

“Sean is a beast!” writes Paz in an email. “A perfect example of do what makes U happy in this crazy world & don’t let Nothing Stop U!


Read the complete story at BostonGlobe.com.Don’t have a Globe subscription? Boston.com readers get a 2-week free trial.

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com