Kennedy McKinney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kennedy McKinney |
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| Statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | King | |||||||||||||
| Rated at | Super bantamweight | |||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) | |||||||||||||
| Reach | 68 in | |||||||||||||
| Born | January 10, 1966 Hernando, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| Stance | Orthodox | |||||||||||||
| Boxing record | ||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 43 | |||||||||||||
| Wins | 36 | |||||||||||||
| Wins by KO | 19 | |||||||||||||
| Losses | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Draws | 1 | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Kennedy McKinney (born January 10, 1966) is an American former professional boxer. He is famous for winning a gold medal in boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics. As a professional, he also won important world titles in the super bantamweight division.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Kennedy McKinney was born in Hernando, Mississippi. He started boxing while he was serving in the U.S. Army. He was a private first class, stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
Starting to Box
Before he became a professional, Kennedy McKinney had a successful amateur boxing career. He competed in several United States Amateur Championships. In 1985 and 1986, he placed second as a flyweight. In 1987 and 1988, he placed second and third as a bantamweight.
He also fought in international matches against boxers from other countries. He had an impressive amateur record, winning 214 fights and losing only 13.
Olympic Gold Medal
In 1988, Kennedy McKinney qualified for the United States Olympic Team. He competed as a bantamweight. He won the gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. This was a huge achievement for him and his country.
To win the gold, he defeated several opponents:
- He beat Erick Perez from Guatemala.
- He won against Shahuraj Birajdor from India.
- He defeated Steve Mwema from Kenya.
- He won against Phajol Moolsan from Thailand.
- In the final, he beat Aleksandar Hristov from Bulgaria.
Becoming a Professional Boxer
After his Olympic success, Kennedy McKinney became a professional boxer. He was known by his nickname, "King." He was a careful but exciting fighter in the junior featherweight, also called super bantamweight, division.
Winning World Titles
In 1992, McKinney won his first major professional title. He beat Welcome Ncita to become the IBF (International Boxing Federation) super bantamweight champion. This was a memorable fight where McKinney was almost knocked down but then came back to win.
He successfully defended his IBF title five times. He won against boxers like Rudy Zavala and even beat Welcome Ncita again. However, in 1994, he lost his IBF title to Vuyani Bungu. This loss was named the "Upset of the Year" by Ring Magazine.
Big Fights and Challenges
Two years later, in 1996, McKinney challenged Marco Antonio Barrera for the WBO (World Boxing Organization) super bantamweight title. It was a tough fight where McKinney even knocked Barrera down. But in the end, McKinney lost the fight.
He later had a rematch with Vuyani Bungu for the IBF title but lost by a very close decision. In 1997, he fought Junior Jones and won, which helped him win the WBO super bantamweight title.
In 1998, McKinney moved up to a heavier weight class, featherweight. He challenged Luisito Espinosa for the WBC (World Boxing Council) featherweight title. However, Espinosa won the fight quickly.
After this loss, McKinney fought only a few more times. He had a brief comeback in 2002-2003 before ending his boxing career.
Life After Boxing
Today, Kennedy McKinney lives in Olive Branch, Mississippi. He is known as "Coach McKinney." He is the Head Boxing Coach at the Prize Fight Gym in Southaven, Mississippi. He now helps train new boxers.
See also
In Spanish: Kennedy McKinney para niños
