On their official site, Hilmer Kenty, former WBA Lightweight champion, was credited not only as their first champion, but also the first champion that Emanuel Steward trained.
You are correct Totentanz. Hilmer Kenty, Kronks first world champion, one classy and great guy. We went over to his house one time and he showed us his belt. The first time that I had ever seen one in person.
Hilmer Kenty's brother was also a pretty good boxer who faced Chris Calvin and Lonnie Smith in the pros. Jimmy Paul was a lightweight champion from Kronk as well and also had a brother that was a decent pro. Milton Mccroy was welterweight champion from Kronk and his brother Stevie Mccroy was an outstanding amateur and a pretty good pro.
Was his name Jesse? I had Jesse training me for a bout while my regular trainer was in the hospital. Jesse was in to some slick boxing, he showed me some cool moves. Cool guy!
I did enjoy going back and watching Jimmy Paul and Hilmer Kenty a few years ago. Two very solid Lightweight world champions who had a brief run as champions but had some memorable fights. Kenty vs Fernandez/O'Grady Paul vs Perez/Blake Are very entertaining fights worth watching if anyone hasn't seen alot of either fighter.
Big fan of Jimmy Paul. Scored a terrific ko of unbeaten touted prospect Alvin Hayes and had a good fight with future champ Freddie Pendleton. After losing to Haugen suffered two shocking kos and retired. Cameback 4 years later and after some easy wins took on the unbeaten Olympian Todd Foster who he destroyed impressively getting him a WBO light-welter against the big punching Carlos Gonzalez who stopped the veteran in 2.