Kevin Kelley (boxer)

Last updated
Kevin Kelley
Born
Kevin Philip Kelley

(1967-06-29) June 29, 1967 (age 57)
Brooklyn, New York City,
New York, U.S.
Other namesThe Flushing Flash
Statistics
Weight(s)
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights72
Wins60
Wins by KO39
Losses10
Draws2

Kevin Philip Kelley (born June 29, 1967) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2009, and held the WBC featherweight title from 1993 to 1995.

Contents

Amateur career

Kelley won two New York Golden Gloves Championships as well as the 1985 119 lb Sub-Novice Championship and the 1986 119 lb Open Championship. In 1988 Kelley advanced to the finals of the 125 lb Open division and was to have met Fred Liberatore in the finals. Kelley was injured and could not fight. Liberatore was declared the Champion by Default-Injury.

In the Olympic box-offs he lost to Carl Daniels. His record was 70-5.

Professional career

WBC featherweight champion

Known as the "Flushing Flash", Kelley held the WBC Featherweight title and defended it until he lost by TKO to, Mexican Alejandro Martín González, after Kelley failed to come out for the 11th round due to both eyes swollen shut. Kelley won the title by defeating Gregorio Vargas by unanimous decision in 1993.

Kelley was then signed to an HBO contract, and remained in title contention for the next decade. More known for being in big fights rather than gaining big victories, Kelley's resume includes TKO losses to boxing legends Prince Naseem Hamed and Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, both of which came during Kelley's career decline.

Loss to Hamed

Kelley's defeats include losses to Naseem Hamed. In 1997 Hamed flew to the United States to fight there for the first time. His ceremonious arrival on the British Airways Concorde was covered by multiple media outlets. There, he and former two-time WBC Featherweight champion of the world Kevin Kelley fought in Ring Magazine's fight of the year at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Despite being dropped three times himself, Hamed put Kelley down for a third and final time to win by a fourth-round knockout. [1] This was his first of many fights on HBO. The fight was ranked 100th in Channel 4's 100 Greatest Sporting Moments in 2002.

Kelley knocked out former WBA featherweight champion Derrick Gainer in 1996, a loss which Gainer later avenged via unanimous decision in 1998.

Loss to Bobby Pacquiao

Kelley was then outclassed and KO'd by Bobby Pacquiao. On September 28, 2006, Kelley met Carlos Hernández in the ring. In an upset victory, Kelley put on his best performance in years, dropping Hernandez in the 4th round en route to a UD victory. Hernandez announced his retirement right after this fight.

Kelley was David Díaz's mandatory for the WBC Interim Lightweight Championship, but he lost a close decision to former titlist Manuel Medina.

Life after boxing

Kelley now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and is currently the co-host on "The Sucker Punch Show" alongside Colin Gates. This is a brand new show by SETAG Management Group. The Sucker Punch Show has interviewed some of the most iconic names in the sport of boxing: Roy Jones Jr, Errol Spence Jr, Andre Ward, Shawn Porter and many others.

While fighting, Kelley also moonlighted as a color commentator, most notably for HBO. Kelley was the lead on HBO's short lived KO Nation television show. The show served as a "hip hop" based boxing broadcast, and was hosted by Ed Lover.

Professional boxing record

72 fights60 wins10 losses
By knockout396
By decision214
Draws2
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
72Loss60–10–2 Vicente Escobedo TKO2 (10), 1:53May 21, 2009 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
71Loss60–9–2 David Rodela SD8Oct 10, 2008 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
70Win60–8–2Jaime PalmaUD10Jul 8, 2008Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
69Loss59–8–2 Manuel Medina MD12Nov 11, 2006Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
68Win59–7–2 Carlos Hernández UD10Sep 28, 2006 Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
67Loss58–7–2 Bobby Pacquiao KO4 (12), 1:24Jun 10, 2006Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.For WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title
66Win58–6–2 Juan Carlos Ramírez KO2 (10), 2:29Feb 17, 2006Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, U.S.
65Win57–6–2 Sandro Marcos TKO4 (10), 2:23Nov 4, 2005 Ventura Theatre, Ventura, California, U.S.
64Win56–6–2Jose ReyesUD10May 17, 2005 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
63Win55–6–2Felix St KittsTKO8 (8), 1:47Mar 3, 2005The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
62Loss54–6–2 Marco Antonio Barrera TKO4 (12), 1:32Apr 12, 2003 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For The Ring featherweight title
61Win54–5–2Johnny WestKO5 (10), 2:58Nov 14, 2002 American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S.
60Win53–5–2 Humberto Soto MD12Jul 13, 2002 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBA–NABA super featherweight title
59Win52–5–2Raul FrancoTKO2 (10), 1:05Apr 27, 2002 Stratosphere, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
58Loss51–5–2 Érik Morales TKO7 (12), 2:30Sep 2, 2000 Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.For vacant WBC interim featherweight title
57Win51–4–2 Frankie Archuleta KO9 (10), 2:59Jan 22, 2000 The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
56Loss50–4–2Benito RodriguezUD10Aug 13, 1999 Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.
55Win50–3–2 Héctor Velázquez UD10May 8, 1999 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
54Win49–3–2Jorge RamirezKO9 (10)Dec 17, 1998 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
53Loss48–3–2 Derrick Gainer UD10 Jul 18, 1998 The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
52Win48–2–2Vincent HowardUD10May 8, 1998 Trump Marina, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
51Loss47–2–2 Naseem Hamed KO4 (12), 2:27 Dec 19, 1997 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.For WBO featherweight title
50Win47–1–2Orlando FernandezKO10 (12), 0:15Jul 12, 1997 Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBU featherweight title
49Win46–1–2 Jesus Salud UD12Mar 14, 1997 Pepsi Arena, Albany, New York, U.S.Retained WBU featherweight title
48Win45–1–2Edwin SantanaUD12Nov 16, 1996Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBU featherweight title
47Win44–1–2 Derrick Gainer KO8 (12), 2:16 Jun 15, 1996 Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.Retained WBU featherweight title
46Win43–1–2 Louie Espinoza UD12Feb 2, 1996 Boulder Station Hotel Casino, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBU featherweight title
45Draw42–1–2 Clarence Adams MD12 Sep 9, 1995 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For vacant WBU featherweight title
44Draw42–1–1Tommy ParksTD2 (10), 0:34Jul 28, 1995 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
43Win42–1Ricardo RiveraTKO9 (10), 1:15Mar 31, 1995 Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
42Loss41–1 Alejandro González RTD10 (12), 3:00Jan 7, 1995 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Lost WBC featherweight title
41Win41–0Pete TaliaferroTKO10 (10)Nov 2, 1994 Southern Belle Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
40Win40–0Jose Vida RamosTKO2 (12), 1:58Sep 24, 1994 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBC featherweight title
39Win39–0Georgie NavarroTKO6 (10), 0:56Jun 26, 1994 Race Course, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
38Win38–0 Jesse Benavides UD12 May 6, 1994 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBC featherweight title
37Win37–0 Gregorio Vargas UD12Dec 4, 1993 Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.Won WBC featherweight title
36Win36–0Patrick SimeonUD10Sep 11, 1993 Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
35Win35–0Adolfo CastilloTKO2 (10), 2:10Jul 8, 1993Paramount Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S.
34Win34–0Jesus PollTKO6 (10), 2:10May 13, 1993Paramount Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S.
33Win33–0Angel GonzalezTKO4 (10)Mar 23, 1993Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
32Win32–0Peter NievesTKO6 (10), 2:03Jan 12, 1993Paramount Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S.
31Win31–0Roberto VillarealKO3 (10), 2:40Sep 25, 1992Friar Tuck Inn, Catskill, New York, U.S.
30Win30–0Antonio HernandezUD10Aug 20, 1992 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
29Win29–0Alric JohnsonPTS10Jun 2, 1992Weenahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
28Win28–0Tomas ValdezTKO2 (10), 0:31May 21, 1992Paramount Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S.
27Win27–0 Troy Dorsey UD12Feb 18, 1992 Paramount Theatre, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas featherweight title
26Win26–0Hector PadillaTKO2 (10)Jan 31, 1992Waregem, Belgium
25Win25–0 Rafael Zuñiga TKO4 (12), 1:37Nov 12, 1991 Union Plaza Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas featherweight title
24Win24–0Cesar AlmonteKO2 (10)Oct 4, 1991 Waregem, Belgium
23Win23–0Juan Gomez PoloTKO2 (8)Aug 31, 1991 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao
22Win22–0James PippsTKO4 (10), 0:26Jul 23, 1991 Kutsher's Hotel, Thompson, New York, U.S.
21Win21–0Job WaltersTKO6 (10)Jun 14, 1991New York City, New York, U.S.Won vacant New York featherweight title
20Win20–0Richie FosterKO1May 27, 1991Weenahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
19Win19–0 Harold Warren UD10Mar 22, 1991Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, U.S.
18Win18–0Boualem BelkifKO3Feb 12, 1991 Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
17Win17–0Ernesto QuintanaTKO1 (10), 1:04Nov 30, 1990 Sands Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
16Win16–0Jesse SierraTKO5 (8), 1:47Oct 30, 1990The Pines Hotel, Fallsburg, New York, U.S.
15Win15–0Cruz SaldanaKO1 (8), 1:43Sep 13, 1990Pioneer Hall, Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.
14Win14–0Russell DavisonPTS8Dec 23, 1989Sporthal Hoogvliet, Rotterdam, Netherlands
13Win13–0Martin MendozaKO1Nov 30, 1989 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win12–0Fermin RodriguezKO2Nov 13, 1989Houtrusthallen, The Hague, Netherlands
11Win11–0Jean Pierre DibatezaPTS8Oct 30, 1989Houtrusthallen, The Hague, Netherlands
10Win10–0Byron ChaconTKO1 (6), 2:01Aug 24, 1989Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
9Win9–0Jose VillasenorKO1, 0:55Jul 27, 1989Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
8Win8–0Bruce FlippinsTKO4 (6)May 25, 1989Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
7Win7–0Anthony BarelaUD6May 5, 1989 Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0Anthony BarelaUD6Mar 3, 1989Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
5Win5–0Carlos PeraltaKO2 (4), 2:56Feb 9, 1989Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
4Win4–0Agustin SilvaTKO4 (4), 2:38Dec 15, 1988Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
3Win3–0Joey KingPTS4Nov 10, 1988Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
2Win2–0Vicente AriasTKO1 (4), 2:35Oct 27, 1988Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
1Win1–0Willie BarnesTKO2 (4)Sep 8, 1988 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.

References

  1. ↑ Slater, James (19 December 2018). "On This Day: Naseem Hamed beats Kevin Kelley in barnburner". Boxing News . Retrieved 26 April 2022.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Tyrone Jackson 		New York featherweight champion
June 14, 1991 – 1997
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Antonio Diaz
Vacant
Title last held by
Ricardo Cepeda 		WBC Continental Americas
featherweight champion
November 12, 1991 – August 1993
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Pete Taliaferro
Vacant
Title last held by
Nate Campbell 		WBA–NABA
super featherweight champion
July 13, 2002 – September 2002
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Nate Campbell
Minor world boxing titles
Inaugural champion WBU featherweight champion
February 2, 1996 – December 1997
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Cassius Baloyi
Major world boxing titles
Preceded by WBC featherweight champion
December 4, 1993 – January 7, 1995		Succeeded by
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