by David P. Greisman

The rumors making the rounds on the Internet unfortunately appear to be true — beloved journeyman Emanuel Augustus was shot Monday night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and remains hospitalized, according to newspaper The Advocate.

“I just know he got shot in the back of the head,” a boxer friend of Augustus’ told the newspaper. “And he’s on life support right now.”

The shooting occurred just blocks from the gym where Augustus sparred. Police said they did not yet have a suspect or a motive.

Boxing writer Corey Erdman tweeted about Augustus’ condition as of early Tuesday afternoon: “According to Emanuel Augustus' family, he is breathing with the assistance of a machine, but the bullet is lodged in the back of his head.”

Augustus, 39, was 38-34-6 in a career where that record was not at all indicative of the talent he had. He often took fights on short notice against all sorts of familiar names, be they prospects, contenders or future titleholders.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. stopped Augustus, then known as Emanuel Burton, in nine rounds in 2000. Mayweather has often said that Augustus was one of his toughest opponents. Augustus also had a fan-friendly war with Micky Ward in 2001, a bout that RING magazine named its Fight of the Year.

His pro career came to a close in January 2011 with a decision loss to Vernon Paris, the fifth defeat in a row for Augustus.

Pick up a copy of David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon or internationally at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsworldwide. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com