Kennedy McKinney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kennedy McKinney
Statistics
Nickname(s)	King
Rated at	Super bantamweight
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach	68 in
Born	(1966-01-10) January 10, 1966 (age 59) Hernando, Mississippi, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	43
Wins	36
Wins by KO	19
Losses	6
Draws	1
Medal record Men's boxing Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1988 Seoul Bantamweight

Kennedy McKinney, born on January 10, 1966, is a former American boxer. He won a gold medal in boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics. Later, as a professional boxer, he became a champion, winning titles in the super bantamweight division.

Kennedy McKinney's Early Life and Boxing Start

Kennedy McKinney began his boxing journey while serving in the U.S. Army. He was a private first class stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. This is where he first picked up the sport.

McKinney's Amateur Boxing Career

Before turning professional, Kennedy McKinney had a successful amateur boxing career. He competed in several important championships.

• In 1985 and 1986, he placed second at the United States Amateur Championships as a flyweight.
• In 1987, he earned third place at the championships as a bantamweight.
• In 1988, he again took second place as a bantamweight.

McKinney also competed in international matches. He faced boxers from countries like the Soviet Union, East Germany, Bulgaria, and South Korea.

Becoming an Olympian

In 1988, Kennedy McKinney qualified for the United States Olympic Team as a bantamweight. He won against boxers he had previously lost to, like Michael Collins and Jemal Hinton.

At the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, McKinney won the gold medal in the bantamweight division. His path to gold included:

• Defeating Erick Perez from Guatemala.
• Winning against Shahuraj Birajdor from India by forfeit.
• Beating Steve Mwema from Kenya on points.
• Defeating Phajol Moolsan from Thailand.
• Winning against Aleksandar Hristov from Bulgaria on points in the final.

Kennedy McKinney finished his amateur career with an impressive record of 214 wins and only 13 losses.

Kennedy McKinney's Professional Boxing Journey

As a professional boxer, Kennedy McKinney was known as "King." He was a careful but exciting fighter in the junior featherweight, or super bantamweight, division.

Winning World Titles

In 1992, McKinney won his first major professional title, the IBF super bantamweight championship. He defeated Welcome Ncita in a memorable fight. McKinney was knocked down but then came back to win with a powerful punch.

He successfully defended his IBF title five times. These defenses included a knockout win over Rudy Zavala and another points victory against Welcome Ncita.

Challenging for More Titles

In 1994, McKinney lost his IBF title to Vuyani Bungu. This fight was named the "Upset of the Year" by Ring Magazine.

Two years later, in 1996, McKinney fought Marco Antonio Barrera for the WBO super bantamweight title. It was a tough battle where McKinney even knocked Barrera down in the 11th round. However, McKinney eventually lost the fight in the 12th round.

He later had a rematch with Vuyani Bungu but lost by a close decision. In 1997, McKinney fought Junior Jones and won by knockout.

McKinney then moved up to a heavier weight class, featherweight, in 1998. He challenged Luisito Espinosa for the WBC featherweight title. Espinosa won the fight quickly in the second round.

After this loss, McKinney's boxing career slowed down. He fought only five more times, with a brief return to the ring in 2002-2003.

Life After Boxing

Today, Kennedy McKinney lives in Olive Branch, Mississippi. He is known as "Coach McKinney" and is the Head Boxing Coach at the Prize Fight Gym in Southaven, Mississippi. He continues to share his boxing knowledge and passion with others.

Kennedy McKinney's Professional Boxing Record Summary

See also

In Spanish: Kennedy McKinney para niños