Duke McKenzie


Duke McKenzie, is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1982 to 1998. He is a three-weight world champion, having held the IBF flyweight title from 1988 to 1989; the WBO bantamweight title from 1991 to 1992; and the WBO junior-featherweight title from 1992 to 1993. At regional level he held the British flyweight title from 1985 to 1988; the European flyweight title from 1986 to 1988; and the British featherweight title from 1993 to 1994. After retiring from the sport, McKenzie has worked as a boxing commentator for broadcaster ITV.

Professional 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.

Flyweight

He won the British flyweight title with a fourth round stoppage over Danny Flynn. He later defended this against Charlie Magri and added Magri's European flyweight title.
Both titles were relinquished when McKenzie won the IBF flyweight Title on 5 October 1988 with an 11th-round knockout over Rolando Bohol.
After two title defences and one non-title, McKenzie lost the IBF flyweight title to Dave McAuley on 7 June 1989 in his first defeat.

Bantamweight

An unsuccessful challenge for the European Bantamweight title on 30 September 1990 saw McKenzie lose to Thierry Jacob of France.
On 30 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 13 May 1992 when McKenzie suffered his first knockout loss, in the first round.

Super bantamweight

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

Featherweight

On 18 December 1993 McKenzie became a four-weight regional 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 1 October 1994. McKenzie's next fight was an unsuccessful challenge for Mehdi Labdouni's European featherweight title.
McKenzie's last fight, in March 1998, saw him lose in farcical circumstances in the first round to 4-4 Santiago Rojas.

Life after boxing

He previously commentated on boxing for BBC Radio Five Live and BBC television with John Rawling. He joined ITV with Rawling when boxing returned to the network in September 2005. He has also broadcast for BoxNation, Primetime and Al Jazeera. He also runs a flourishing gymnasium in Crystal Palace.

Personal life

He is the brother of former British and European champion Clinton McKenzie, and former amateur boxer and politician Winston McKenzie. On 4 March 1989, Duke witnessed the Purley station rail crash, and was amongst those who helped in the aftermath.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
46Loss39–7Santiago Rojas AlcantaraKO1, 1:0428 Mar 1998Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London, England
45Win39–6Carl AllenPTS830 Jun 1997York Hall, London, England
44Win38–6Bamana DibatezaPTS825 Mar 1997Lewisham Theatre, London, England
43Win37–6Elvis ParsleyTKO125 Jun 1996Leisure Centre, Mansfield, England
42Loss36–6Mehdi LabdouniPTS1228 Apr 1995Fontenay-sous-Bois, FranceFor European featherweight title
41Loss36–5Steve RobinsonKO9, 2:401 Oct 1994National Ice Rink, Cardiff, WalesFor WBO featherweight title
40Win36–4Mark HargreavesTKO3 17 Aug 1994Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield, England
39Win35–4Marcelo RodriguezPTS829 Jan 1994National Ice Rink, Cardiff, Wales
38Win34–4John DavisonTKO4 18 Dec 1993Manchester, EnglandWon vacant British featherweight title
37Loss33–4Daniel JiménezMD129 Jun 1993Lewisham Theatre, London, EnglandLost WBO junior-featherweight title
36Win33–3Jesse BenavidesUD1215 Oct 1992Lewisham Theatre, London, EnglandWon WBO junior-featherweight title
35Win32–3Peter BuckleyTKO3 7 Sep 1992York Hall, London, England
34Loss31–3Rafael Del ValleKO1, 1:5613 May 1992Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandLost WBO bantamweight title
33Win31–2Wilfredo VargasTKO8, 0:5825 Mar 1992Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandRetained WBO bantamweight title
32Win30–2César SotoUD1212 Sep 1991Latchmere Leisure Centre, London, EnglandRetained WBO bantamweight title
31Win29–2Gaby CanizalesUD1230 Jun 1991Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London, EnglandWon WBO bantamweight title
30Win28–2Chris ClarksonTKO5 4 Apr 1991Town Hall, Watford, England
29Win27–2Julio BlancoTKO7, 1:177 Feb 1991Town Hall, Watford, England
28Win26–2Peter BuckleyTKO5 10 Jan 1991Latchmere Leisure Centre, London, England
27Loss25–2Thierry JacobUD1230 Sep 1990Calais, FranceFor vacant European bantamweight title
26Win25–1Guillermo FloresPTS88 Nov 1989Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
25Win24–1David MorenoPTS1012 Oct 1989Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London, England
24Loss23–1Dave McAuley127 Jun 1989Wembley Arena, London, EnglandLost IBF flyweight title
23Win23–0Tony DeLucaTKO4, 2:038 Mar 1989Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandRetained IBF flyweight title
22Win22–0Artemio RuizPTS1030 Nov 1988Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, London, England
21Win21–0Rolando BoholTKO11, 2:255 Oct 1988Wembley Conference Centre, London, EnglandWon IBF flyweight title
20Win20–0Jose GallegosPTS104 May 1988Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
19Win19–0Agapito GómezKO2 9 Mar 1988Wembley Conference Centre, London, EnglandRetained European flyweight title
18Win18–0Juan HerreraPTS102 Dec 1987Wembley Conference Centre, London, England
17Win17–0Jose Manuel DiazPTS824 Mar 1987Wembley Arena, London, England
16Win16–0Giampiero PinnaMD1217 Dec 1986Acqui Terme, ItalyRetained European flyweight title
15Win15–0Lee CarglePTS1019 Nov 1986Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
14Win14–0Charlie MagriTKO5 20 May 1986Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandRetained British flyweight title;
Won European flyweight title
13Win13–0Sonny LongPTS1019 Feb 1986Royal Albert Hall, London, England
12Win12–0Orlando MaestrePTS816 Oct 1985Royal Albert Hall, London, England
11Win11–0Danny FlynnTKO4, 2:105 Jun 1985Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandWon vacant British flyweight title
10Win10–0Julio GuerreroPTS86 Mar 1985Royal Albert Hall, London, England
9Win9–0Gary RobertsKO123 May 1984Grosvenor House Hotel, London, England
8Win8–0David Capo415 Jan 1984Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
7Win7–0Alain Limarola622 Nov 1983Wembley Arena, London, England
6Win6–0Jerry DavisTKO2 18 Oct 1983Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
5Win5–0Lupe Sanchez2, 1:5919 Mar 1983Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, US
4Win4–0Gregorio HernandezTKO33 Mar 1983Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
3Win3–0Dave PearsonTKO127 Feb 1983Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
2Win2–0Andy KingTKO2, 2:3024 Jan 1983Hilton, London, England
1Win1–0Charlie Brown1, 2:0823 Nov 1982Wembley Arena, London, EnglandProfessional debut