Hilmer Kenty

James Kenty, also known as Hilmer Kenty (born July 30, 1955 in Austin, Texas) is the former WBA lightweight (135lb) champion of the world. He was selected a member of the All-American AAU boxing team for 1973, and was named the top lightweight amateur boxer in the nation in 1973 by the National AAU Boxing Committee.[1]

Early years

Kenty was raised in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Linden McKinley High school, where he played on the reserve football team his sophomore year. Kenty started his amateur boxing career at age 12. He was coached by the greatest amateur coach in history of amateur boxing, Bill Cummings Jr. Kenty won his first Golden Golves title at age 13. In 1972 Kenty went to the finals of the US Olympic trials in the Bantam weight division(119 pounds),losing on a decision to US Olympic Representative Ricardo Carreras. In 1973 Kenty moved up to the 132 pound lightweight division. In 1974 and 1975 Kenty became the National AAU lightweight champion. In 1975 he was considered and awarded the “Outstanding boxer” of the National AAU tournament.

Amateur career

Kenty won the National AAU Lightweight championship in 1974 and 1975. He beat Aaron Pryor in the 1974 National A.A.U.

Professional career

Kenty turned pro in 1977. In 1980, Kenty captured the WBA Lightweight Title with a TKO over Ernesto España, becoming Emanuel Steward's first world champion, and the first world champion from Detroit since Joe Louis decades earlier.[2] Kenty and Thomas Hearns both won WBA belts together and became known as the Motor City Cobras. Kenty defended his belt three times before losing it to Sean O'Grady in 1981, and retired in 1984. His only other loss in 31 fights came at the hands of fellow Texan, Roberto Elizondo, by a second round technical knockout when the bout was stopped after Kenty felt ill during the contest.[3]

Professional boxing record
31 fights 29 wins 2 losses
By knockout 18 1
By decision 11 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
31 Win 29–2 Dave Odem SD 10 Aug 16, 1984 Riverview Ballroom Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
30 Win 28–2 Daniel Cardona KO 4 (10) Jun 28, 1984 Riverview Ballroom Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
29 Win 27–2 Freddie Pendleton UD 10 Apr 19, 1984 Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
28 Win 26–2 Sammy Young TKO 3 (10) Mar 10, 1984 Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
27 Win 25–2 Ali Kareem Muhammad UD 10 Nov 30, 1983 Sheraton-Southfield Ballroom, Oak Park, Michigan, U.S.
26 Win 24–2 Ali Kareem Muhammad PTS 10 Aug 13, 1983 Boardman Sports Complex, Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.
25 Win 23–2 James Martinez UD 10 Jan 28, 1983 Yack Arena, Wyandotte, Michigan, U.S.
24 Loss 22–2 Roberto Elizondo RTD 2 (10) Oct 24, 1982 Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S.
23 Win 22–1 John Montes UD 10 Aug 8, 1982 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
22 Win 21–1 Chris Fernandez TKO 4 (10) Jun 11, 1982 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
21 Loss 20–1 Sean O'Grady UD 15 Apr 12, 1981 Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Lost WBA lightweight title
20 Win 20–0 Vilomar Fernandez UD 15 Nov 8, 1980 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Retained WBA lightweight title
19 Win 19–0 Ernesto España TKO 4 (15) Sep 20, 1980 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBA lightweight title
18 Win 18–0 Young Ho Oh TKO 9 (15) Aug 2, 1980 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Retained WBA lightweight title
17 Win 17–0 Ernesto España TKO 9 (15) Mar 2, 1980 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Won WBA lightweight title
16 Win 16–0 Scotty Foreman KO 3 (6) Nov 30, 1979 Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Sebastian Mosqueira Gonzalez TKO 4 (10) Oct 18, 1979 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Bobby Flores KO 1 (10) Aug 23, 1979 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Ralph Racine UD 10 Aug 2, 1979 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Arturo Leon UD 10 Jun 28, 1979 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Benny Benitez TKO 5 (10) May 8, 1979 Center Stage Performing Arts Theater, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Alberto Herrera KO 4 (10) Mar 3, 1979 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Jose Gonzalez RTD 7 (10) Jan 25, 1979 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Jose Pena TKO 3 (10) Jan 11, 1979 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Eddie Murray TKO 3 (?) Dec 9, 1978 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Jesse Rogers KO 1 (6) Oct 26, 1978 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Ron Pettigrew PTS 6 Jul 27, 1978 Kent State Stark Gym, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Mike Gray TKO 2 (6) Apr 17, 1978 Mershon Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Earl Stringer TKO 3 (6) Dec 16, 1977 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Ray Carrington RTD 3 (6) Nov 26, 1977 State Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Steve Homan PTS 6 Oct 13, 1977 Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

References
  1. Boxing Results (UPI,) Cumberland Times, March 11, 1973, p. 41.
  2. Lindell, Lindy (2001). Metro Detroit Boxing. Arcadia Publishing. p. 91. ISBN 9780738518879. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  3. "BoxRec: Event".
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