1975 – 2006 RIP
Story written on Shelby Walker
September 24, 2006
It is with great sadness to announce that Shelby Walker, at the age of 31 years old, has passed away.
On Shelby’s website, Larry Goldberg wrote the following, earlier today: “I just got the news a little while ago and I am numb. Shelby Walker was found dead – believed to have overdosed on some pain medication last night. This story is confirmed. She was a wonderful person who inspired many people. However she succumbed to personal demons. Shelby was loved and will be greatly missed by all that knew her. I cant put into words the feeling I got this morning when I got the news. I am praying for her and I hope that you all will be too. Shelby should be remembered as the fun loving beautiful person who was the life of any party and got to live her dream. There is so much about her life people never got to know. I had the privilege of managing her and befriending her and watching her fight 2 world champions and experienced with her the thrill of victory and agony of defeat.”
Comments/With Photos sent in:
I followed Shelby’s life for the last 31 years. Shelby had a rough life and fought courageously from the very beginning against overwhelming odds. After winning so many fights in her personal life, I felt certain she would win this battle. I was deeply saddened to hear the news. Shelby you are in our thoughts and our prayers. Jim Rogers
I had the honor and privilege of knowing Shelby personally. She was a great person, a great fighter. she had a lot of spirit. she loved her son, he was her world. I wish we could have done something for her but who would have known her life would end so tragically. I am sure that a person with a heart as big as hers, that she is in heaven watching over everyone she came into contact with because she loved everyone. My condolences to her family, although I only met her son and her cousin I felt like I knew all of them through Shelby talking about them. I am very sorry for your loss. Donna
Thoughts & Prayers For Shelby “Shelbygirl” Walker
When I found out Shelby passed away from an overdose of drugs last weekend my jaw hit the floor, it’s just really too hard to fathom. I met Shelby in 2004 at the Marconi Auto Museum yearly benefit boxing show. Funny thing was, Shelby didn’t even fight that night as her opponent fell out at the last moment. Fortunately for me, Shelby’s ringside seat was right next to mine and we spoke for quite sometime, she made such an impression on me and I will never forget how polite and friendly she was. Shelby was scheduled to fight in Japan shortly thereafter and by coincidence I was able to direct her to some people in Japan to help her on her visit. We spoke another time on the phone and she was just as pleasant and courteous as anyone you would ever want to meet. Her passing comes as a huge shock to me and I want to send my condolences to her family and friends. Shelby’s funeral service will be held in Texas as well as a memorial at Cage Fury Oct 6.
My name is Tammy, known as Babycakes! in Indianapolis’ fighting circle and I too had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Shelby for a brief time. She was a wonderful person, full of life and beautiful. My Father remembers meeting her too. We are saddened by her death and send our deepest condolences to her family and send our prayers that they may get through this difficult time. She was like no other out there and a real blast to be around. Shelby rest in peace and May Your Angel’s Wings keep you going and help your family. You will never be forgotten.
I would just like to send out my condolences and prayers to Shelby’s family. I wish I would have gotten the chance to meet her. She did a wonderful job for the sport of female boxing. Valeria Flores (professional boxer)
I just wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and support for my cousin Shelby and for my family we are going through a tough time with this and it means a lot to us to know that she was loved by so many people. She was a great person inside and out. She was like my mom, sister, cousin and best friend all in one and I miss her so much already. I just again want to thank everyone prayers and support. Heather
I am very saddened with the passing of Shelby. She called many times looking for fights, she always made me laugh. John Beninati
I was stunned to learn of the untimely death of
Shelby Walker. Despite her short span on earth, she
showed a lot of heart and commitment to the sport. A
sad loss for women’s boxing. My heartfelt condolences
to her family and son. Andrew Stanley-Coker
Prayers to Shelby’s family and friends! I never had the chance to meet her, but can tell my the responses that she was a credit to the sport in and out of the ring. Rita Figueroa (female boxer) Global Markets Customer Care
I heard the news today, and feel absolute humility and sadness. Its unfortunate that we may not realize- in my humble opinion- what we really have in our lives. Shelby was in her own respects; a fighter that made her attempt at keeping women’s fighting on a level higher than most in the ring. She made history with the to date fastest knockout in professional mixed martial arts history, graced many title shots in professional boxing, and he’s been fighting pro-mma since 2001. She was a sweet, beautiful and determined woman. I was grateful for the chance to meet her in the ring, as well as outside of the ring. My deepest condolences to her family, son, and her fiancée. In my own perspective- This should be a part of experience to truly think about what I might say about or to someone; it might hurt them more than I ever would know. Take care where you are at shelbygirl – you will be remembered. Adrienna “aj” Jenkins “To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die”
| Team Clampitt just sent in this photo to WBAN today. It is a photo of Shelby Walker when she fought Jaime Clampitt. Photo credit: Ted “Dr.TKO” Panagiotis -Dr. TKO Boxing (Clampitt (Left) |
This is Nick Lembo from the New Jersey Athletic Commission. I last saw Shelby when she was the announcer at a fight card held in Atlantic City on June 30, 2006. Shelby did a great job and was terrific to the fans. It is a terrible loss for the mma community. I am stunned and saddened. May God Bless you Shelby and I hope you find peace. My prayers are with your son and family.
On the occasions that I spoke with Shelby she was a class act, very cool to chat with and didn’t mind speaking her mind on the fight game that she loved and lived for. In person she had a warm smile and a fun loving personality who was greatly appreciative to the fans. Regardless if you were a Walker fan or not you had to respect her fighter mentality and couldn’t deny her heart. Win, lose or draw Shelby and was a true fighter through and through and will be greatly missed.
God Bless, Big Dog
Butch & I met Shelby in Las Vegas, NV a few years ago, she was a sweet person and beautiful woman. We were shock and sad to hear of her passing. Our prayers are with Shelby’s family – Butch & Mary Ann Boxinginlasvegas.com
The World Boxing Council joins with the rest of the community to mourn the loss of Shelby Walker. We will treasure her memory as a fighter and take pride in her affection for the WBC. We wish her family and friends the support and healing they need at this time . Jill Diamond & Ed Pearson -WBC Female Championship Committee
This is Maureen Shea, on behalf of myself and Team Shea I would like to send my condolences to the close friends and family of Shelby Walker. I had the pleasure of meeting Shelby when she did her photo shoot at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn. We exchanged numbers and Shelby told me when ever I was in Florida to look her up. She was beautiful, kind, upbeat and warm… She will be missed but always remembered….Much Respect, Maureen “Moe” Shea
Team Shea
Shelby Walker was an outstanding young lady as well as a very dedicated boxer. It was a pleasure to know her and to have been able to work with her. She will be missed by many including myself. JEFF GIBSON -Jeff Gibson’s ELITE PROMOTIONSWorldwide Management Gives Our Deepest Sympathy And Prayers To The Family Of Shelby Walker Will Be Missed.
Its a crying shame. Elvis Presley. Shelby Walker. Joe and Mary Blow on the street. It doesn’t matter your level of success in life. We need to all second guess the lives we lead. Are we making any mistakes that can cause great pain and sorrow to others? Will the decisions we make today forever change our day tomorrow? God Bless Shelby, family and Friends. Steven
Source: website/others Photo: Tom Casino
September 24, 2006
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