Kennedy McKinney

Last updated

Kennedy McKinney
Born (1966-01-10) January 10, 1966 (age 59)
Hernando, Mississippi, U.S.
Other namesKing
Statistics
Weight(s) Super bantamweight
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights43
Wins36
Wins by KO19
Losses6
Draws1
Medal record
Men's boxing
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1988 Seoul Bantamweight

Kennedy McKinney (born January 10, 1966) is an American former professional boxer, who won the bantamweight gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. As a professional, he won the IBF and WBO super bantamweight titles.

Contents

Military service

McKinney took up boxing while serving in the U.S. Army, private first class stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

Amateur career

McKinney claimed an amateur record of 214 wins, 13 losses.

Professional career

Known as "King", McKinney was a cautious yet exciting junior featherweight (super bantamweight) fighter who captured the IBF title by beating Welcome Ncita in 1992 in a spectacular bout that saw him staggered and taking a standing eight count before knocking the African cold with a perfect right hand.

After five defenses, among others a KO over Rudy Zavala and a points win over Ncita, he lost his belt to future star Vuyani Bungu, a fight which was deemed 1994 Upset of the Year by Ring Magazine.

Two years later he challenged undefeated Marco Antonio Barrera for the WBO super bantamweight title, a vicious battle in which he dropped Barrera in the 11th, but lost via TKO in the 12th. McKinney later took a rematch against Bungu, but lost a narrow split decision. Later that year, he did battle with Junior Jones who had upset Barrera in an exciting war, one which McKinney won via TKO.

McKinney then moved up a weight class to challenge Luisito Espinosa for the WBC featherweight title in 1998. Espinosa made quick work of McKinney, winning via a 2nd-round TKO.

After the loss to Espinosa, McKinney quickly lost steam. He would fight only five more times against scattered and limited opposition, three of which took place during a brief comeback run in 2002-03.

Life after boxing

Kennedy now resides in Olive Branch, Mississippi, where he is simply known as "Coach McKinney". He is the Head Boxing Coach at the Prize Fight Gym in Southaven, Mississippi.

Professional boxing record

43 fights36 wins6 losses
By knockout192
By decision174
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
43Loss36–6–1Greg TorresUD6Apr 4, 2003 Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
42Win36–5–1Joseph FigueroaUD6Jun 7, 2002 DeSoto Civic Center, Southaven, Mississippi, U.S.
41Win35–5–1Gene VassarUD6Apr 26, 2002Horizon Theatre, Muncie, Indiana, U.S.
40Loss34–5–1Jorge Antonio ParedesUD10Nov 19, 1999Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
39Win34–4–1Mario DíazUD10Aug 28, 1999Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
38Loss33–4–1 Luisito Espinosa TKO2 (12), 0:47Nov 28, 1998 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.For WBC featherweight title
37Win33–3–1 Junior Jones TKO4 (12), 2:41 Dec 19, 1997 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, Nea York, U.S.Won WBO super bantamweight title
36Win32–3–1Luigi CamputaroTKO5 (10), 0:10Oct 5, 1997 Fort Hood, Texas, U.S.
35Win31–3–1 Hector Acero Sánchez UD12May 6, 1997Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant IBF-USBA super bantamweight title
34Loss30–3–1 Vuyani Bungu SD12Apr 5, 1997Carousel Hotel & Casino, Temba, South AfricaFor IBF super bantamweight title
33Win30–2–1Néstor LópezSD10Sep 14, 1996Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
32Win29–2–1Johnny LewusUD12May 5, 1996Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.Won vacant IBF-USBA super bantamweight title
31Loss28–2–1 Marco Antonio Barrera TKO12 (12), 2:05Feb 3, 1996 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.For WBO super bantamweight title
30Win28–1–1 John Lowey TKO8 (12), 1:10Aug 26, 1995 Bismarck Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Won inaugural WBU super bantamweight title
29Loss27–1–1 Vuyani Bungu SD12Aug 20, 1994Carousel Casino, Temba, South AfricaLost IBF super bantamweight title
28Win27–0–1 Welcome Ncita MD12Apr 16, 1994 Convention Center, South Padre Island, Texas, U.S.Retained IBF super bantamweight title
27Win26–0–1José RinconesKO5 (12), 2:40Feb 19, 1994Carousel Casino, Temba, South AfricaRetained IBF super bantamweight title
26Win25–0–1 Jesus Salud UD12Oct 16, 1993 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.Retained IBF super bantamweight title
25Win24–0–1Rudy ZavalaTKO3 (12), 2:08Jul 17, 1993 The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.Retained IBF super bantamweight title
24Win23–0–1Richard DuranUD12Apr 17, 1993 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.Retained IBF super bantamweight title
23Win22–0–1 Welcome Ncita KO11 (12), 2:48Dec 2, 1992Teatro Tenda, Tortolì, ItalyWon IBF super bantamweight title
22Win21–0–1 Paul Banke RTD6 (12), 3:00 Mar 20, 1992 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained IBF-USBA super bantamweight title
21Win20–0–1 Sugar Baby Rojas UD12Feb 9, 1992 Harrah's Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won IBF-USBA super bantamweight title
20Win19–0–1Max GomezSD8Dec 7, 1991 Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
19Win18–0–1Vicente GonzalezUD10Sep 24, 1991Reseda Country Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
18Win17–0–1Mauro MontesTKO1 (6), 1:35Sep 13, 1991 Plaza Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
17Win15–0–1 Jerome Coffee TKO6 (10), 2:26May 23, 1991Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
16Win15–0–1Edel GeronimoTKO5 (8), 2:21Mar 17, 1991Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
15Win14–0–1Richard AbilaKO5 (10), 2:21Jan 18, 1991 Sands Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
14Win13–0–1Adriano ArreolaTKO5 (6), 1:37Dec 20, 1990Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
13Win12–0–1Gabriel CastroTKO4 (4), 1:12Nov 8, 1990Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12Win11–0–1José Luis MartínezUD6Jul 29, 1990 Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
11Win10–0–1Jorge RodríguezUD8Jun 26, 1990Reseda Country Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
10Win9–0–1Antonio GonzálezTKO7 (8), 2:44Jun 15, 1990 Bally's Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
9Win8–0–1Chilo GuzmanTKO4 (6), 1:44May 29, 1990 Reseda Country Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
8Win7–0–1Godfrey JohnsonTKO2 (4), 0:34May 3, 1990Quality Inn Hotel, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win6–0–1Reggie JohnsonTKO2 (4)Apr 21, 1990Red Deer Arena, Red Deer, Canada
6Win5–0–1José Luis MartínezSD4Oct 31, 1989Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
5Draw4–0–1David SanchezTD2 (6), 1:35Aug 29, 1989 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Sanchez unable to continue after being cut by an accidental headbutt
4Win4–0David MorenoUD6 Jun 12, 1989 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
3Win3–0Damion SuttonUD4May 2, 1989 Harrah's Hotel & Casino, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
2Win2–0Charles HawkinsTKO1 (4), 2:37 Mar 25, 1989 Hilton Hotel, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
1Win1–0David AlersTKO2 (4), 2:42 Feb 24, 1989 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

References

  1. ↑ Boxers Rise From Swamp By Dave Nightingale, St Louis Sporting News, October 10, 1988.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by USBA super bantamweight champion
February 9 – December 2, 1992
Won IBF title		Vacant
Title next held by
Rudy Zavala
Vacant
Title last held by
Maui Diaz 		USBA super bantamweight champion
May 5, 1996 – December 19, 1997
Won WBO title		Vacant
Title next held by
Jason Pires
Minor boxing titles
New title WBU super bantamweight champion
August 26, 1995 – 1996		Vacant
Title next held by
Max Gomez
World boxing titles
Preceded by IBF super bantamweight champion
December 2, 1992 – August 20, 1994		Succeeded by
Preceded by WBO super bantamweight champion
December 19, 1997 – May 30, 1998
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Marco Antonio Barrera
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