Mourners struggle with boxer’s suicide

PHILADELPHIA – Plucked from a tough neighborhood in Philadelphia, Najai Turpin tried to emulate the “Rocky” story and rise from unknown boxer to inspirational star fighter.

Turpin, 23, even jogged the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art as an homage to the fictional fighter for Sylvester Stallone’s boxing reality show, “The Contender.”

The footage got an earlier-than-expected premiere, played as part of a continuous highlight reel at Turpin’s funeral.

Days after police say Turpin shot himself in the head in a parked car outside the gym where he trained, those closest to him remained baffled about why he took his life. Stallone was among the mourners at a Baptist church Friday.

“He was a very mysterious man,” said Stallone, who developed the series with Mark Burnett. “He was very quiet, very shy. You never knew what was on his mind.”

Karen Conyers knew Turpin since he was 8 and recalled his excitement about his shot at stardom.

“It was somebody from the hood that made it,” she said. “He was going to be big and famous.”

Turpin had a 13-1 record and won a city Recreation Department title in Philadelphia before being picked for “The Contender.” He seemed happy at home with his girlfriend and 2-year-old daughter.