Hilmer Kenty

Hilmer Kenty
Hilmer Kenty
Born	James Kenty; July 30, 1955 (age 69); Austin, Texas, U.S.
	Statistics
Weight(s)	Lightweight
Height	5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (179 cm)
Reach	72 in (183 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
	Boxing record
Total fights	31
Wins	29
Wins by KO	18
Losses	2

James Kenty, also known as Hilmer Kenty (born July 30, 1955 in Austin, Texas) is a former professional boxer who is a 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.

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.

Amateur career

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 Glove's title at age 13. In 1972 Kenty went to the finals of the US Olympic trials in the Bantamweight 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.

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. Kenty and Thomas Hearns both won WBA belts together and became known as the Motor City Cobras. Kenty defended his belt three times including against Vilomar Fernandez,^[1] before losing it to Sean O'Grady in 1981,^[2] 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, time	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 Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
28	Win	26–2	Sammy Young	TKO	3 (10)	Mar 10, 1984	Cobo Arena, 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, 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, Michigan, 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

^ "A ROUNDUP OF THE WEEK NOV. 3-9". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
^ "O'Grady Wins Title From Kenty". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
^ "Kenty Blames Cramps in Loss". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-05-08.

External links

Boxing record for Hilmer Kenty from BoxRec (registration required)

Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous: Aaron Pryor	U.S. lightweight champion 1974, 1975	Next: Howard Davis Jr.
World boxing titles
Preceded by Ernesto España	WBA lightweight champion March 2, 1980 – April 12, 1981	Succeeded by Sean O'Grady

[1] "A ROUNDUP OF THE WEEK NOV. 3-9". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-05-08.

[2] "O'Grady Wins Title From Kenty". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-05-08.

[3] "Kenty Blames Cramps in Loss". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-05-08.

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