I refuse to believe that the punches played no part. I did hear what you said and I have heard other people say it too. If it is true, then yes, he was right to take up boxing, as he was then sacrificing 10 years of health, and thats a figure most men can live with. If Parkinsons was always going to get him, and its an IF, but IF it was, then he did the right thing. Better to be a rich guy with Parkinsons at 40 than a dirt-poor guy with Parkinsons at 50.