A Loss Ends McKinney's Career Between the Ropes, but Outside a New Beginning Awaits
by Stephen Tobey (April 5, 2003)
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UNCASVILLE, Conn. - April 4 - It wasn't exactly the way Kennedy McKinney wanted to end his career.
After dropping a six-round unanimous decision to Greg Torres in a non-televised bout on Friday's ESPN 2 card at Mohegan Sun, the former three-time world champion said he realized it was time to find something else to do with his life.
"I was trying to make a comeback and evidently father time caught up with me," said McKinney, who was fighting at 133 _ pounds, just over 11 pounds heavier than he was when he won the International Boxing Federation super bantamweight title in 1992. "You can't win a race with father time. It's time to move on."
At 37 years of age and with more than a few gray hairs on his head, McKinney was able to land some solid punches on the 28-year-old Torres, but the younger fighter always had an answer for him.
"Ten years ago, I would have stopped him," said McKinney, who won two six-round decisions last year after a 2 _-year layoff. "He's 28, I'm 37. That's nine years difference. I just didn't have that split second."
When asked if he would wake up the next day and decide to keep fighting, McKinney said there was no way that was going to happen. He already has his future planned.
"I'm going to start training some fighters," he said. "This is a business I know and I'd like to teach some kids and give them the same opportunities I had."
Said McKinney's manager, Bruce Blair, "I met this guy 10 minutes after he won his Olympic gold medal (in 1988) He'll do really well."
One fighter that McKinney will work with is his 1988 Olympic teammate Ray Mercer, who was scheduled to fight Robert Wiggins in last night's main event, but had to pull out due to a back injury.
"I took my job seriously and I think it will rub off on him," said McKinney.
As far as his boxing career is concerned, McKinney said he has no regrets.
"I'm proud of all I accomplished," he said."I'm the only American ever to win a gold medal in the bantamweight division and that means a lot to me."
Said Blair, "Those last two rounds, he left it all in the ring tonight."
McKinney's goal as a trainer is to get back to the Olympics.
"I want to be the coach of the Olympic team in 2008," said McKinney.
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