Sportswriter Kevin Iole Retires

"My career was so much fun, and I tried my best. I hope I was able to entertain along the way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without you, I couldn’t have lived this dream for nearly half a century. My time has come and now I walk away” - Kevin Iole (from keviniole.com).  

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he has been involved in sports media his whole life. They say, ‘find something you love to do and you will never have to work a day in your life.’

Well-known and highly respected sportswriter Kevin Iole is retiring from a gig in which he didn’t have to work a day in his life. From his days as a sportswriter in the late 70’s, while still in college, to his final days running his own combat sports website (keviniole.com) and everything in between, Iole has had a deep and highly respected career. He has covered some of sports’ best athletes, teams and human-interest stories.

Years ago, after relocating from the east coast to the warm desert of Las Vegas, he was a sportswriter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and then the lead Boxing/MMA columnist for Yahoo Sports. As of late, he was the man behind the wheel for Keviniole.com. He’s been a sports fan his whole life and after decades sitting ringside covering some of combat sports’ biggest fights, Iole has decided to retire. Iole is a member of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

MaxBoxing caught up with him for a quick chat about his decades-long career covering pro and amateur sports.   

Bill Tibbs: Hi Kevin, thanks for taking a minute to talk.

Kevin Iole: Hi Bill, how are you doing?

BT: Why did you decide to retire?

KI: Well, I am 65 and things started to change. After getting let go by Yahoo, I started up my website and it had a great start. 2024-2025 was great, lots of traffic. But the second half of 2025 has been tough. I was having trouble getting some fighters for interviews that were more accessible when I was with Yahoo. Maybe their managers weren’t as concerned about getting them on my site as opposed to a bigger platform like Yahoo. Maybe some managers or promoters were upset about things I had said in the past. I was always very honest and up front about fighters. Who knows? But, I gave it 6 months and then I thought maybe it’s time.

BT: You’re a Pittsburgh guy. I think of the Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers. But, out in Vegas, you have been the combat sports guy. Is combat sports your favorite now? 

KI: Well as I talk to you I’m watching the Pirates right now. Some people would question why I would watch the Pirates these days, but I’m a Pittsburgh guy (laughs). You know Bill, my dad fought in the army. We watched Ali fighting in the 60’s, I grew up around boxing, and my dad loved boxing. So, I’ve always liked combat sports, although that term didn’t come until MMA caught on. It was just boxing. When I started, I didn’t know a thing about MMA but grew to understand the sport and love it. You want to know something? I went to the great Sugar Ray Robinson’s last fight with my dad when I was a little boy. It was at the Pittsburgh Civic Center. 

BT: Really? That’s incredible. Against Joey Archer. You must have many ‘pinch me’ moments over a decades-long career. 

KI: Gene Kilroy, who worked for Muhammad Ali for years, ran into me once (at a hearing for Mike Tyson) and he said, “Come with me I want to introduce you to someone”. So, I go around the corner and who is sitting there but Muhammad Ali. It was quite a moment. I was in awe, and I don’t get star-struck by anyone. He pulled me close to him and said, “You must be the greatest based on what my friend said to me," an incredible moment. Ali had such charm and was so kind and of course, in that moment I just couldn’t believe I was chatting with Muhammad Ali. An incredible memory.  

BT: Best fights you saw live?

KI: Well, there were so many but some that come to mind are Castillo/Corrales 1. I was unfortunately sick for Hagler/Hearns (but that certainly would have made the list). Bowe/Holyfield 1, that 10th round was just a special round. And Morales/Barrera 1 certainly could be in there. There are so many great fights but those come to mind.  

BT: You’re a Pittsburgh guy so name your favorites - Steelers? Penguins? Pirates?

KI: Steelers? Easy - “Mean” Joe Greene. Penguins? Mario (Lemieux), Sid (Crosby), Ron Francis, Jaromir Jagr, and Gary Risling. And the Pirates? Willie Stargell #1, and Roberto Clemente #2.

BT: Thoughts on Turki Alalshikh and his Riyadh Season promotions and their huge step into boxing. He’s putting Saudi Arabia on the boxing map.

KI: Well, I think the best thing is that he is a boxing fan first. He isn’t just a guy with endless amounts of money who wanted to buy the sport. He is actually a fan and wants to put on great fights so that’s all good. I was a little concerned over his comments about ‘Tom and Jerry’ style boxing. I mean you can look at financial incentives and different things for ‘Fight of the Night’ like they do in other promotions. But, to start dictating how a fighter has to fight, style-wise, that is a problem. I don’t think you can do that.

BT: OK, I’ll get your opinion on a couple of upcoming fights. Canelo/Crawford?

KI: Canelo and Crawford - I think it’s a good fight and I like Crawford. I think he has the tools and skills to beat Canelo. Now Canelo has one of the all-time great chins, so I don’t think Bud stops him. Both fighters are real smart, both fighters will adjust and change as the fight goes on. But, I think it’s a fast-paced fight, and it is a very good fight. But I like Crawford in the fight.

BT: Most people see Crawford by decision and Canelo fans see a stoppage as they feel he is too strong for him.

KI: No, I don’t think that it’s a stoppage. Bud told me recently that he will weigh more than Canelo on fight night and that he is “a big guy”. These are both good, smart fighters. A great fast paced fight. But yeah, I like Crawford to win a decision.

BT: Pacquiao/Barrios?

KI: I think Manny in his prime and Barrios in his prime, Manny gets him out of there in 3, 4, 5 rounds, something like that. But at his age and stage, I just think he’s too old and the reflexes aren’t there. He’s 46, hasn’t had a knockout in years. I don’t say that as a criticism of Manny or a statement about Barrios. I just think age, time, all that, it’ll play a factor come fight night. I hope Manny doesn’t get beat up. But I see Barrios probably stopping him late. Barrios is a tough kid but he isn’t a huge puncher, but he’s so much younger. Age is a huge factor.  

BT: What’s next?

KI: July off for sure. Freelance a bit if I get the opportunity. Maybe look for something else if I get restless. Try and get back out on the golf course as I missed that when I started up my site because I was just so busy. I’ll be picky about what I do but we’ll see what comes up.

BT: Thank you Kevin and congratulations on a great career, enjoy your retirement. We’ll see you out in Vegas down the road.

KI: Thanks Bill, I appreciate it.