Had an awesome amateur career winning numerous titles and a great record. In the pros he compiled a record of 29-2-0-17 and won four world title bouts. What say you ?
First Kronk boxer to win a world title I do believe. One of my old girlfriends was good friends with him and he seemed to be a real nice guy.
By coincidence, I recently watched Kenty - Espana 1. That was the fight where Kenty won the lightweight title. The first two things that struck me weren't fight related. First, Manny Steward was quite slender and second, Howard Cosell was very good announcing this bout. I always liked Kenty. He was quick and slick but he wasn't all about boxing and staying away. He had an aggressive streak in him that would show up later in a lot of Kronk fighters. He had detached retina surgery shortly after losing his title to Sean O'Grady and although he beat a few solid boxers post-surgery he never really seemed the same.
Elizondo-Kenty was one of the strangest fights I've seen. Kenty has a great first round, Elizondo a great second, and that was it. Fight over. Very strange.
Overall, I agree. He was by no means perfect but he always had interesting things to say and said it with his one-of-a-kind style.
Yes. Pat put together a excellent fight plan for Sean, and Sean followed it to a "T". I remember Sean stating his dad (Pat) told don't aim for the chin with your straight right, aim for the chest.
I was a big fan of Kenty back then. Excellent fighter and always came off humble. Seemed like a good guy.
Hell of a fighter, may have stayed in amateurs too long. Possibly burned out near the end. Him and Howard Davis Jr. should have had better pro careers.
He was a very good boxer who ended up as one of those boxers that age very quickly even when they are still young in age. I actually think it was a combination of the hard constant sparring at Kronk,long amateur career and some tough fights in the pros. Fun fact his older brother was Forrest Winchester also a pro boxer who fought Lonnie Smith and Chris Calvin on ESPN. Hilmer also fought Fred Pendleton and while he won he got rocked numerous times.
