Duke McKenzie

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Duke McKenzie (born 4 May 1963) has commentated on ITV's boxing coverage in the UK since boxing returned to the network in September 2005.

He previously commentated on boxing for BBC Radio Five Live and BBC television with John Rawling who also moved to ITV at the same time.

[edit] Professional boxing career

Previously a highly successful professional boxer, McKenzie has been British champion at two weights, a European champion once and World champion at three different weights. His professional record is 39-7 (20 by KO).

He won the British Flyweight title (5th June 1985) with a fourth round stoppage over Danny Flynn. He later defended this against Charlie Magri (20th May 1986) and added Magri's European (EBU) Flyweight title.

Both titles were relinquished when McKenzie won the IBF World Flyweight Title on 5th October 1988 with an 11th round knockout over Rolando Bohol.

After two title defences, and one non-title contest McKenzie lost the IBF flyweight title to Dave McAuley on 7th June 1989 in his first defeat.

An unsuccessful challenge for the European (EBU) Bantamweight title on 30th September 1990 saw McKenzie lose to Thierry Jacob of France.

On 30th June 1991 McKenzie became a world champion for a second time, winning the WBO bantamweight title with a 12-round decision over Gaby Canizales. This was lost to Rafael Del Valle on 13th May 1992 when McKenzie suffered his first knockout loss, in the first round.

On 15th October 1992 McKenzie became a three-weight world champion, beating Jesse Benavides after twelve rounds. On 9th June 1993, Daniel Jimenez beat McKenzie on points, in his first defence of this title.

On 18th December 1993 McKenzie became a four-weight champion, beating John Davison for the British Featherweight title. An attempt to become world champion at this division ended in a knockout loss to Steve Robinson on 1st October 1994. McKenzie's next fight was an unsuccessful challenge for Mehdi Labdouni's European (EBU) Featherweight title.

McKenzie's last fight saw him challenge at a fifth weight, losing in the first round to Santiago Rojas for the WBU Intercontinental Title at Super Featherweight

Preceded by
Rolando Bohol
IBF Flyweight Champion
5 Oct 1988– 7 Jun 1989
Succeeded by
Dave McAuley
Preceded by
Gaby Canizales
WBO Bantamweight Champion
30 Jun 1991– 13 May 1992
Succeeded by
Rafael Del Valle
Preceded by
Jesse Benavides
WBO Super Bantamweight Champion
15 Oct 1992– 9 Jun 1993
Succeeded by
Daniel Jimenez

[edit] External links