Hilmer Kenty

Last updated
Hilmer Kenty
Born
James Kenty

(1955-07-30) July 30, 1955 (age 69)
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Statistics
Weight(s) Lightweight
Height5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (179 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights31
Wins29
Wins by KO18
Losses2

James Kenty, also known as Hilmer Kenty (born July 30, 1955 in Austin, Texas) is a former professional boxer who is a former WBA lightweight (135lb) champion of the world. He was selected a member of the All-American AAU boxing team for 1973, and was named the top lightweight amateur boxer in the nation in 1973 by the National AAU Boxing Committee.

Contents

Early years

Kenty was raised in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Linden McKinley High school, where he played on the reserve football team his sophomore year.

Amateur career

Kenty started his amateur boxing career at age 12. He was coached by the greatest amateur coach in history of amateur boxing, Bill Cummings Jr. Kenty won his first Golden Glove's title at age 13. In 1972 Kenty went to the finals of the US Olympic trials in the Bantamweight division(119 pounds), losing on a decision to US Olympic Representative Ricardo Carreras. In 1973 Kenty moved up to the 132 pound lightweight division. In 1974 and 1975 Kenty became the National AAU lightweight champion. In 1975 he was considered and awarded the “Outstanding boxer” of the National AAU tournament.

Professional career

Kenty turned pro in 1977. In 1980, Kenty captured the WBA Lightweight Title with a TKO over Ernesto España, becoming Emanuel Steward's first world champion, and the first world champion from Detroit since Joe Louis decades earlier. Kenty and Thomas Hearns both won WBA belts together and became known as the Motor City Cobras. Kenty defended his belt three times including against Vilomar Fernandez, [1] before losing it to Sean O'Grady in 1981, [2] and retired in 1984. His only other loss in 31 fights came at the hands of fellow Texan, Roberto Elizondo, by a second round technical knockout when the bout was stopped after Kenty felt ill during the contest. [3]

Professional boxing record

31 fights29 wins2 losses
By knockout181
By decision111
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
31Win29–2Dave OdemSD10Aug 16, 1984Riverview Ballroom Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
30Win28–2Daniel CardonaKO4 (10)Jun 28, 1984Riverview Ballroom Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
29Win27–2 Freddie Pendleton UD10Apr 19, 1984Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
28Win26–2Sammy YoungTKO3 (10)Mar 10, 1984Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
27Win25–2Ali Kareem MuhammadUD10Nov 30, 1983Sheraton-Southfield Ballroom, Oak Park, Michigan, U.S.
26Win24–2Ali Kareem MuhammadPTS10Aug 13, 1983Boardman Sports Complex, Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.
25Win23–2James MartinezUD10Jan 28, 1983 Yack Arena, Wyandotte, Michigan, U.S.
24Loss22–2 Roberto Elizondo RTD2 (10)Oct 24, 1982 Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S.
23Win22–1John MontesUD10Aug 8, 1982University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
22Win21–1Chris FernandezTKO4 (10)Jun 11, 1982Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
21Loss20–1 Sean O'Grady UD15Apr 12, 1981 Ballys Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Lost WBA lightweight title
20Win20–0 Vilomar Fernandez UD15Nov 8, 1980Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.Retained WBA lightweight title
19Win19–0 Ernesto España TKO4 (15)Sep 20, 1980 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoRetained WBA lightweight title
18Win18–0Young Ho OhTKO9 (15) Aug 2, 1980 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.Retained WBA lightweight title
17Win17–0 Ernesto España TKO9 (15)Mar 2, 1980 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.Won WBA lightweight title
16Win16–0Scotty ForemanKO3 (6)Nov 30, 1979 Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
15Win15–0Sebastian Mosqueira GonzalezTKO4 (10)Oct 18, 1979Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
14Win14–0Bobby FloresKO1 (10)Aug 23, 1979Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
13Win13–0Ralph RacineUD10Aug 2, 1979Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
12Win12–0Arturo LeonUD10Jun 28, 1979Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
11Win11–0Benny BenitezTKO5 (10)May 8, 1979Center Stage Performing Arts Theater, Canton, Michigan, U.S.
10Win10–0Alberto HerreraKO4 (10)Mar 3, 1979Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
9Win9–0Jose GonzalezRTD7 (10)Jan 25, 1979Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
8Win8–0Jose PenaTKO3 (10)Jan 11, 1979Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
7Win7–0Eddie MurrayTKO3 (?)Dec 9, 1978 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
6Win6–0Jesse RogersKO1 (6)Oct 26, 1978Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
5Win5–0Ron PettigrewPTS6Jul 27, 1978Kent State Stark Gym, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
4Win4–0Mike GrayTKO2 (6)Apr 17, 1978Mershon Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
3Win3–0Earl StringerTKO3 (6)Dec 16, 1977 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
2Win2–0Ray CarringtonRTD3 (6)Nov 26, 1977 State Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
1Win1–0Steve HomanPTS6Oct 13, 1977Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "A ROUNDUP OF THE WEEK NOV. 3-9". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  2. ↑ "O'Grady Wins Title From Kenty". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  3. ↑ "Kenty Blames Cramps in Loss". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Aaron Pryor 		U.S. lightweight champion
1974, 1975		Next:
Howard Davis Jr.
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA lightweight champion
March 2, 1980 – April 12, 1981		Succeeded by
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