By John J. Raspanti: Raymond Merrill II will not allow the fact that he was born deaf to stop his dream of pursuing a boxing career. Merrill made a promise to himself.
No pity, no excuses.
Growing up, he participated in sports, while inside, he raged.
His father was sent to prison when he was two years old. He finally met him when he was seven. He watched his dad self-destruct on crack and PCP. He hated his father and began to rebel by taking to street fighting.