Beethavean Scottland | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 11, 1975 |
| Died | July 1, 2001 (aged 26) |
| Nationality | American |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Super Middleweight |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 29 |
| Wins | 20 |
| Wins by KO | 9 |
| Losses | 7 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 0 |
Beethaeven "Bee" Scottland (January 11, 1975 – July 1, 2001) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1995 until 2001.
Scottland's career record was 20-7-2, with nine of his victories coming by knockout. By contrast he was only knocked out twice in his career.
On June 26, 2001, Scottland stepped in the ring to face George Khalid Jones as part of an ESPN2 telecast from aboard the USS Intrepid museum ship in New York City. Scottland was a late replacement for David Telesco, who at the time was a championship contender who only a year earlier had fought and lost to Roy Jones Jr. for the undisputed championship at light heavyweight.
The overmatched Scottland lasted into the tenth round of the fight, but had been hit with many flush shots from Jones throughout the fight and commentator Max Kellerman, who was calling the fight for ESPN2 that evening, said numerous times on the broadcast that the fight should have been halted prior to the tenth round. Finally, Jones hurt Scottland in the tenth and Scottland dropped to the canvas and was counted out having not risen to his feet.[2] Scottland had to be helped from the ring and fell into a coma, dying from his injuries on July 1, 2001. Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. was criticized in the media for years afterward for allowing Scottland to continue fighting.
Shortly after the fight Jones, who was genuinely affected by Scottland's death, announced that he would be retiring from the ring, feeling responsible for what happened. Denise Scottland, Bee's widow, reached out to Jones and convinced him that her husband would not have wanted him to retire because of him, and to get back into the ring. The two later forged a friendship.
On September 30, 2005, Jones fought Glen Johnson in a bout with the winner to face Clinton Woods for the IBF light heavyweight title. Jones was knocked out in the tenth round.[3]
Scottland was survived by his wife Denise Scottland and four children.[4]