Winky Wright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Winky Wright |
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|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Ronald Lamont Wright |
| Nickname(s) | Winky |
| Rated at |
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| Height | 5 ft 10 in |
| Reach | 73 in |
| Born | November 26, 1971 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 58 |
| Wins | 51 |
| Wins by KO | 25 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Draws | 1 |
Ronald Lamont "Winky" Wright (born November 26, 1971) is an American former professional boxer. He competed in boxing from 1990 to 2012. Winky Wright was a world champion two times in the light middleweight division. He was the last boxer to hold the undisputed title at that weight for a long time. Later in his career, he also fought for a unified middleweight world title. He announced he was retiring from boxing in 2012.
In 2005, The Ring magazine said he was the second-best boxer in the world, considering all weight classes. In 2017, Winky Wright was chosen to be part of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He is famous for his strong defense, using a style called the high guard. Many people think he is one of the best defensive boxers ever.
Contents
Winky Wright's Boxing Journey
Starting His Career
After a fight on July 30, 1992, in St. Petersburg, Florida, the announcer called him "Winky" Wright. This nickname was given to him by his grandmother when he was just 6 months old. It stuck with him for the rest of his boxing career.
At the start, big boxing promoters did not want to work with Wright. So, his first promoters were the Acaries brothers from France. They arranged for Wright to fight in Luxembourg in 1993. Wright won that fight and then went on to win eight more fights in Europe. He fought in France, Germany, and Monte Carlo. During this time, he only fought in the United States once.
First Chance at a Title
On August 21, 1994, Wright got his first chance to win a title. He fought WBA light-middleweight champion Julio César Vásquez in France. Even though Wright had won all 25 of his fights, he had not fought in a match longer than 8 rounds. He lost this fight by a unanimous decision.
On February 4, 1995, Wright won his first title. He defeated Tony Marshall to become the NABF light-middleweight champion.
Winning a World Title
Wright kept fighting in Europe. He won against Andrew Council on March 5, 1996. This win helped him get a fight against Bronco McKart, who was the WBO light-middleweight champion. Wright won this fight and became a world champion!
He defended his WBO title three times in England. Then, he went to South Africa. There, he lost his world title to Harry Simon in a very close and debated fight.
Moving Back to America
In 1999, Wright stopped working with the Acaries brothers because he was tired of traveling so much. He then fought IBF light-middleweight champion Fernando Vargas. Many people thought Wright won the fight, but Vargas was given a close decision victory.
Wright continued to win titles like the NABF and USBA light-middleweight titles.
Becoming IBF Champion
The IBF light-middleweight title became empty when Félix Trinidad moved to a different weight class. Wright won this vacant title on October 12, 2001, by beating Robert Frazier. He defended his title successfully two more times. One of these fights was against Bronco McKart, where McKart was disqualified for hitting too low.
Later, Oscar De La Hoya offered to fight Wright, but they could not agree on the money. So, Wright fought and won against Juan Carlos Candelo and Angel Hernandez. These fights were shown on national television.
Big Fights Against Shane Mosley
Many people were surprised when Shane Mosley challenged Winky Wright to a title fight on March 13, 2004. Mosley was a very famous boxer. Wright was not expected to win, but he fought very well. He used his size, strong jabs, and great defense to control the fight. Winky won by a clear decision, becoming the undisputed light middleweight champion. This meant he held the IBF, WBA, WBC, and The Ring titles all at once!
They had a rematch on November 20, 2004. This fight was much closer, but Wright still won by a majority decision. After these wins, Wright gave up his titles to move up to the middleweight division. He wanted to challenge Félix Trinidad.
Facing Félix Trinidad
On May 14, 2005, Wright was again seen as the underdog, meaning most people thought he would lose. But he easily defeated Félix Trinidad by a unanimous decision. Wright says this was his greatest achievement. Trinidad was a very popular fighter known for his powerful punches. However, Wright's amazing defense and quick jabs were too much for him. Wright's victory made many people consider him one of the best boxers in the world. This win also led Trinidad to retire from boxing for three years.
Wright's win over Trinidad also meant he could fight for the undisputed middleweight title against Jermain Taylor.
Fighting for Middleweight Titles
After beating Sam Soliman in December 2005, Wright fought Jermain Taylor on June 17, 2006. Taylor held the WBC, WBO, and The Ring middleweight titles. It was a very close fight and ended in a draw. Both boxers tried to arrange a rematch, but they could not agree on how to split the money.
Wright then returned to the ring and defeated Ike Quartey in December 2006.
Fight Against Bernard Hopkins
Wright's next big fight was against Bernard Hopkins on July 21, 2007. This fight was at a slightly heavier weight. During the fight, Hopkins accidentally cut Wright above his eyebrow. This made Wright fight even harder. Hopkins won the fight by a unanimous decision. This was Wright's first loss in eight years. After the fight, Wright said he took on Hopkins to show everyone he was the best fighter, no matter the weight.
Later Fights and Retirement
After a long break, Wright fought Paul Williams in April 2009. Wright lost this fight by a decision.
He then had some injuries and tried to arrange fights with other champions like Sergio Martínez and Kelly Pavlik. He also planned a fight with Grady Brewer, but it was canceled.
In 2010, Wright's grandmother, Mary Dorsey, passed away. Winky said she was the reason for all his success in boxing.
After a three-year break from boxing, Wright fought Peter Quillin on June 2, 2012. Quillin won the fight by a unanimous decision. Soon after this fight, Winky Wright announced his retirement from boxing.
Winky Wright's Boxing Record
| 58 fights | 51 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 25 | 0 |
| By decision | 25 | 6 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | Loss | 51–6–1 | Peter Quillin | UD | 10 | Jun 2, 2012 | Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S. | |
| 57 | Loss | 51–5–1 | Paul Williams | UD | 12 | Apr 11, 2009 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 56 | Loss | 51–4–1 | Bernard Hopkins | UD | 12 | Jul 21, 2007 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For The Ring light heavyweight title |
| 55 | Win | 51–3–1 | Ike Quartey | UD | 12 | Dec 2, 2006 | St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 54 | Draw | 50–3–1 | Jermain Taylor | SD | 12 | Jun 17, 2006 | FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | For WBC, WBO, and The Ring middleweight titles |
| 53 | Win | 50–3 | Sam Soliman | UD | 12 | Dec 10, 2005 | Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 49–3 | Félix Trinidad | UD | 12 | May 14, 2005 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 48–3 | Shane Mosley | MD | 12 | Nov 20, 2004 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBA (Unified), WBC, and The Ring light middleweight titles |
| 50 | Win | 47–3 | Shane Mosley | UD | 12 | Mar 13, 2004 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBF light middleweight title; Won WBA (Unified), WBC, and The Ring light middleweight titles |
| 49 | Win | 46–3 | Ángel Hernández | UD | 12 | Nov 8, 2003 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBF light middleweight title |
| 48 | Win | 45–3 | Juan Carlos Candelo | UD | 12 | Mar 1, 2003 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBF light middleweight title |
| 47 | Win | 44–3 | Bronco McKart | DQ | 8 (12), 2:33 | Sep 7, 2002 | Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon, U.S. | Retained IBF light middleweight title |
| 46 | Win | 43–3 | Jason Papillion | TKO | 5 (12), 2:44 | Feb 2, 2002 | American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. | Retained IBF light middleweight title |
| 45 | Win | 42–3 | Robert Frazier | UD | 12 | Oct 12, 2001 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | Won vacant IBF light middleweight title |
| 44 | Win | 41–3 | Keith Mullings | UD | 12 | Dec 16, 2000 | David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Retained NABF and USBA light middleweight titles |
| 43 | Win | 40–3 | Bronco McKart | UD | 12 | Sep 9, 2000 | Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S. | Won NABF and vacant USBA light middleweight titles |
| 42 | Loss | 39–3 | Fernando Vargas | MD | 12 | Dec 4, 1999 | Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon, U.S. | For IBF light middleweight title |
| 41 | Win | 39–2 | Derrick Graham | KO | 3 (12) | Mar 27, 1999 | Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
| 40 | Loss | 38–2 | Harry Simon | MD | 12 | Aug 22, 1998 | Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa | Lost WBO light middleweight title |
| 39 | Win | 38–1 | Adrian Dodson | TKO | 6 (12), 3:00 | Dec 19, 1997 | London Arena, London, England | Retained WBO light middleweight title |
| 38 | Win | 37–1 | Steve Foster | TKO | 6 (12), 2:52 | May 3, 1997 | NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England | Retained WBO light middleweight title |
| 37 | Win | 36–1 | Ensley Bingham | UD | 12 | Nov 9, 1996 | NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England | Retained WBO light middleweight title |
| 36 | Win | 35–1 | Bronco McKart | SD | 12 | May 17, 1996 | Stock Arena, Monroe, Michigan, U.S. | Won WBO light middleweight title |
| 35 | Win | 34–1 | Andrew Council | UD | 12 | Mar 5, 1996 | Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. | Retained NABF light middleweight title |
| 34 | Win | 33–1 | Jean Paul D'Alessandro | UD | 8 | Jan 6, 1996 | Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, France | |
| 33 | Win | 32–1 | Young Dick Tiger | TKO | 9 (10) | Oct 23, 1995 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 31–1 | Anthony Ivory | UD | 12 | Aug 23, 1995 | La Palestre, Le Cannet, France | Retained NABF light middleweight title |
| 31 | Win | 30–1 | Larry LaCoursiere | TKO | 1 | Jul 25, 1995 | Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France | |
| 30 | Win | 29–1 | Leon Cessiron | PTS | 6 | Apr 11, 1995 | Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, France | |
| 29 | Win | 28–1 | Anthony Ivory | PTS | 8 | Apr 1, 1995 | La Palestre, Le Cannet, France | |
| 28 | Win | 27–1 | Tony Marshall | UD | 12 | Feb 4, 1995 | Palais des Sports, Castelnau-le-Lez, France | Won vacant NABF light middleweight title |
| 27 | Win | 26–1 | Ernesto Rafael Sena | RTD | 2 (10), 3:00 | Nov 11, 1994 | Club Caja Popular, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina | |
| 26 | Loss | 25–1 | Julio César Vásquez | UD | 12 | Aug 21, 1994 | Jai Alai, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France | For WBA light middleweight title |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Orlando Orozco | TKO | 1 (8) | Jun 4, 1994 | Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, France | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Armando Herrera | KO | 1 (8) | Mar 19, 1994 | Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, France | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Tony McCrimmion | TKO | 5 | Dec 4, 1993 | Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, France | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Gilberto Barreto | TKO | 2 (10) | Oct 16, 1993 | Palais des sports Marcel-Cerdan, Levallois-Perret, France | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Leon Rouse | KO | 1 (8) | Aug 21, 1993 | Salle des Etoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | James Stokes | KO | 1 (8), 1:20 | May 28, 1993 | Charlotte County Memorial Auditorium, Punta Gorda, Florida, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Eric Holland | UD | 8 | Mar 20, 1993 | Philips Halle, Düsseldorf, Germany | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Roland Commings | UD | 8 | Jan 31, 1993 | Levallois-Perret, France | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Darryl Lattimore | TKO | 1 (8), 2:31 | Jan 2, 1993 | Differdange, Luxembourg | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Carlos Santana | TKO | 2 (10), 2:53 | Jul 30, 1992 | Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Delfino Marin | TKO | 1 (10), 2:07 | May 28, 1992 | USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Mike Howard | TKO | 4 (8) | Mar 27, 1992 | USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Persephone Van Reenen | TKO | 3 (6), 1:22 | Feb 28, 1992 | USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Lennell Strohman | UD | 6 | Dec 13, 1991 | USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Gary McCall | RTD | 1 (6), 3:00 | Nov 15, 1991 | USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Glenn Major | TKO | 2 (6) | Oct 18, 1991 | USF Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Jeff Johnson | UD | 6 | Sep 17, 1991 | Marriott's World Center, Orlando, Florida, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Edison Martinez | TKO | 1 (6), 1:46 | Aug 30, 1991 | Marriott's World Center, Orlando, Florida, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Rocky Fabrizio | UD | 6 | Aug 13, 1991 | Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Lorenzo Bouie | UD | 6 | Jul 26, 1991 | Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Glenn Major | RTD | 3 (6), 3:00 | Mar 29, 1991 | Convention Center, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Stedroy Bolus | TKO | 3 (4) | Jan 25, 1991 | Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Tony Graham | TKO | 2 | Dec 14, 1990 | Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Christopher Conrad | TKO | 1 | Nov 28, 1990 | Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Anthony Salerno | UD | 4 | Oct 16, 1990 | Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
Boxing Titles Winky Wright Held
Major World Titles
- WBA (Unified) light middleweight champion (154 pounds)
- WBC light middleweight champion (154 pounds)
- IBF light middleweight champion (154 pounds)
- WBO light middleweight champion (154 pounds)
The Ring Magazine Titles
- The Ring light middleweight champion (154 pounds)
Other Important Titles
- NABF light middleweight champion (154 pounds) (won twice)
- USBA light middleweight champion (154 pounds)
Undisputed Titles
- Undisputed light middleweight champion (This means he held all the major titles at once!)
Winky Wright in Movies and Music
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Jury | Winky Wright | TV series; 1 episode |
| 2005 | State Property 2 | Winky Wright | Cameo appearance |
| 2006 | Loren Cass | Voice 1 | Feature film |
Winky Wright has also appeared in music videos for famous artists. These include videos for Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, Jamie Foxx, and 2 Pistols.
Life Outside the Boxing Ring
Winky Wright has worked with many popular brands. These include Reebok, Vitamin Water, and Rocawear. He appeared in TV commercials and ads in magazines like Men's Fitness and Men's Health.
He owns his own record label called Pound 4 Pound Records. This company is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. It works with different types of music artists.
Winky Wright also has his own company called Winky Promotions. This company helps organize boxing events.
He married Sayquana Barney on August 1, 2009. Winky often takes part in charity events. He also has his own charity called the Winky Wright Foundation. This foundation helps him give back to his community. He lives in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida.
