Antwun Echols facts for kids

Antwun Echols (born December 4, 1970 – died July 2, 2023) was an American boxer. He was known as a top middleweight boxer in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Antwun was from Davenport, Iowa.

Antwun Echols' Boxing Career

Antwun Echols started his professional boxing career in 1993. He quickly became a strong contender in the middleweight division. A "contender" is a boxer who is considered good enough to challenge for a championship title.

Challenging for Titles

In 1999, Echols got a big chance to fight for the IBF middleweight title. He faced the champion, Bernard Hopkins. It was a tough fight, but Echols lost by a decision from the judges. The next year, he fought Hopkins again. This time, Hopkins won by a TKO (Technical Knockout) in the 10th round. A TKO happens when the referee stops the fight because one boxer cannot continue safely.

In 2001, Echols had an exciting fight against Charles Brewer. Echols was knocked down three times in the second round. But he showed great strength and came back in the third round. He won the fight by TKO, earning the NABA super middleweight title.

Later Fights

Echols had another chance to win a title in 2003. He fought Anthony Mundine for the WBA Super Middleweight Title. It was a very close fight, but Echols lost by a decision. In 2005, he lost a fight to Kingsley Ikeke that would have moved him closer to another title shot.

After 2005, Antwun Echols' career changed. He continued to box until 2015, but he did not win as many fights. His last fight was in October 2015.

Life Outside the Ring

Antwun Echols lived in Davenport, Iowa, his hometown. In 2007, he was involved in an incident where he was shot in the leg while trying to help stop a fight.

Death

Antwun Echols passed away on July 2, 2023, at the age of 52.