Beethaeven Scottland

[4] Scottland shared that boxing had helped him turn his life around after making poor choices in childhood.

He credited the sport and training regime to helping him be a better father and husband,[6] explaining, " I don’t party.

[8][9] Alongside boxing, Scottland worked as a pest exterminator in Hyattsville, Maryland to support his family.

[10] 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.

At the time, Scottland was preparing to fight Dana Rucker in the super middleweight division for the Maryland State belt.

[2] Jones had a height and weight advantage on Scottland, who was three inches shorter and ten pounds lighter.

[5][23] Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. was criticized in the media for years afterward for allowing Scottland to continue fighting.

[24] The New York State Assembly called for an investigation on conduct by ringside physician Barry D. Jordan for not stopping the fight.

[25] Later that month, Scottland's story appeared on the ABC television network's "Nightline" program, sparking a national conversation about increasing safety in the sport.

[12][28] Scottland's widow later sued New York officials and boxing promoter Dino Duva for responsibility over her husband's death.

Bee's widow Denise Scottland would later reach out to Jones to tell him she did not blame him for her husband's death, and to encourage him to continue fighting.

[13] On September 30, 2005, Jones fought Glen Johnson in a bout with the winner to face Clinton Woods for the IBF light heavyweight title.