Exclusive Interview with Kennedy McKinney: “I’m the Best 122 Pounder!” – Boxing News

IBF super bantamweight champion Kennedy McKinney has yet to see the fearsome Naoya Inoue in today’s 122-pound weight. (But he said he would do so. After he dealt with his current job of founding and building the gym from start to finish. in Mississippi near where the former world champion lived), but McKinney in his heyday I have a special talent in body weight.

In fact, “King”, now 57, is known for his exciting acting career. He said he was the best 122 pound boxer ever. The distinction owed to him by the number of striking knockouts he took, McKinney, who is perhaps best known for his epic losing battle (see War) against Marco Antonio Barrera, said today that the fans are “in a good mood.” Ask him about that fight. Including his Olympic gold medal triumph in 1996 and coming from behind his icing, welcome Ncita. This was the fight that made Kennedy king.

Happy to walk down memory lane, a relaxed McKinney spoke about his exciting career with ESB this week:

Q: Nice to talk to you, Champ, a very good and talented fighter! First of all, have you seen the 122 pound new king, Naoya Inoue?

Kennedy McKinney: “Hello! No, I haven’t seen that guy yet. In fact, I haven’t followed boxing since I retired. I will watch every big fight that happens. How tall is he (Inoue)?

Q: He’s a little over 5.5 inches tall.

KM: “I’m taller than 5’7” but luckily for him. I hope he makes this division as exciting as I do.”

Q: Were you named after President Kennedy? Were your parents big fans of JFK?

KM: “Yes sir, I’m named after him. He was cold, nice, of course, when I learned that I was named after him. I studied him in school. Watch the history story and find out all about him. It would be nice to see another Kennedy run for president, but I really don’t follow politics very much.”

Q: RFK Jr. is doing very well in this election. we will see each other But as you said, let’s talk about boxing. When you look back and when your fans look back on your career. Was it a Barrera bout that happened?

KM: “Yeah, that’s with the Ncita fight and the Olympics. I lost the Ncita fight, although I myself didn’t think I would lose at the time. But they told me that I had to do something that I had to overcome. [the points deficit]. and I put him to sleep with my right hand I held him as my right hand all night and I finally caught him. The point is, my right hand is dynamite. But I have to work hard for it. I practice every day by replacing the hips and buttocks with shots That’s the way to do it. And when I was taught how to punch like that both hips and buttocks I started punching the guys out. What have I got 19 KOs in my career? That’s the right drill. I said I was one of the hardest-hitting 122lbs ever.”

Q: I remember your great victory over Junior Jones! You and Naseem Hamed were supposed to fight after that, right?

KM: “So are we. But he doesn’t want to fight with me. He’s too short and I’m going to beat him completely! I would stab him and he would never come close to me. Then I’ll put him to bed. But the fight of Junior Jones…..I know I’m going to knock him down. I took Junior Jones classes over and over again. I know everything about him. I wasn’t shocked when he beat Barrera. But I was shocked when he called me after that! I told my trainer Kenny Adams – who taught me in the army how to punch right – to fight! I know I’m going to send Junior Jones to bed, look, he’s hit Barrera twice, hit me, but Styles got into a fight. they really do

“As I said when i go camping I’d read Junior Jones every night, and in the fight I timed him he walked towards me and I put him to sleep After that fight I was frustrated. because important people avoid me Fighting for the big money eluded me. I got tired of this sport and I retired. (McKinney only fought six times after Jones won.)”

Q: What are you doing at the moment?

KM: “I’m building my own gym right now here in Mississippi. I want to teach children Soon you will hear about me! I want to pass on my knowledge in the best way possible. Just like my trainer Kenny Adams did.”

Q: Can we talk about a great fight you had with Barrera? You let him down and it was a thriller. where he finally stopped you in the 12th round of Fight of the Year in 1996.

KM: “I was stuck trying to knock him down. I should box him. put the crap box out of him But I’m angry that he slapped me. And I got angry before the fight, during the practice, and I said it was vile! and I try to push him away And I did that to that kid too, I really did! But he can inject my vaccine to the head. And I couldn’t continue to inject his body. his left to the torso That was his best punch and it hit me.

“But the fight I really want is the battle of Hamed I will beat the shit out of him. But he’s clever in avoiding me. Barrera beat him. And I’m going to make him even worse, but today I’m looking forward to coaching the boys. When I finished building my gym.”

McKinney is truly an extraordinary fighter. Of his nine world championship wins, McKinney retires with an adjusted record of 36-6-1 (19). The fight between McKinney and Hamed is going to be exciting!