Dean Juipe: McKinney gets chance to win back IBF title

Thursday, Jan. 30, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Originally disheartened when the rematch he was planning on fell through, Kennedy McKinney will, instead, take a rematch with the man who grabbed his IBF 122-pound championship three years ago.

McKinney, of Las Vegas, will face IBF champ Vuyani Bungu March 1 in Tunica, Miss., with ABC providing national-television coverage.

For McKinney, it's a chance to avenge his 1994 decision loss to Bungu in South Africa. It's also a chance to upgrade his stock as he awaits another rematch, the one with Marco Antonio Barrera that fell by the wayside when Barrera was an unexpected loser to Junior Jones last November.

"Barrera losing hurt me emotionally for a week," McKinney said Wednesday at the Top Rank Gym before six tough rounds of sparring with Freddie Norwood. "That was supposed to be my big fight.

"But now I'm real excited again. Bungu has my title and I want it back."

Bungu, soon to be 30, is 31-2 and hasn't lost since Norwood beat him in 1992. McKinney, 31, is 30-2-1 with his only losses coming to Bungu and Barrera, the latter in a 1996 "fight of the year" candidate in Los Angeles.

"It might be a little advantage for Bungu knowing he beat me once before, but I wasn't mentally in that fight at all," McKinney said. "He outhustled me; he wanted it more than I did. I took him too lightly and he was motivated by the fact his whole country was hyped for that fight.

"But now the situation is reversed. The fight's on ABC, it's near my hometown (Memphis, Tenn.) and I don't feel like I could ask for much more.

"I've got a chance to make some serious money in boxing after all these years, but only if I win this fight and get my title back."

The rematch with Barrera, as well as possible fights with Daniel Zaragoza and Wayne McCullough, have been discussed but negotiations are on hold until after McKinney fights Bungu.

He leaves Monday for a monthlong stay in Big Bear, Calif., and he's working with both a new manager and a new trainer.

"He hasn't lost anything," said Ronnie Hughes, McKinney's new trainer. "We'll sharpen his skills, get him back to basics and try to incorporate more of a body attack."

McKinney's former trainer of 11 years, Kenny Adams, was working the 23-0 Norwood's corner during Wednesday's sparring session. "No hard feelings," Adams said of his split with McKinney.

Around the ring

NABF super middleweight champ Joseph Kiwanuka of Las Vegas needed only two rounds to dispose of Heath Todd -- a late replacement for Kenny Snow -- Tuesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich. "Joseph's right there," trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad said, eying a world title fight in the near future after his man improved to 23-1-2. ... Mustafa is also working with former world champ Donald Curry, who has moved to Las Vegas and has a Feb. 20 comeback fight scheduled in Winnipeg, Canada. "I wanted to make sure he was serious about it," Mustafa said, "and he convinced me he is. Donald looks so good, he surprised me." ... WBA super middleweight champ Frankie Liles is training regularly in Las Vegas with Kenny Adams although he has no definite fight scheduled. ... Local cruiserweight Arthur Williams will end an 18-month layoff when he takes on Rick Roufus Feb. 22 in Puerto Rico with the vacant USBA title on the line. "I'm with some new people and I feel I'm back on track," said Williams, who has signed with Banner Promotions. ... The betting line at the Las Vegas Hilton for the Feb. 7 WBC heavyweight title fight between Lennox Lewis and Oliver McCall jumped around a bit in recent days but Wednesday it was back to Lewis --500 and McCall +350, said Art Manteris of the Hilton sports book. ... No word yet on any specific undercard fights Feb. 7, although HBO's Lou DiBella said it didn't matter to his network as it was only televising the main event. ... The IBF heavyweight title fight between Michael Moorer and Vaughn Bean is definitely on for March 15 at the MGM. Don't expect much, as Bean may be 26-0 but his level of competition is typified by his most recent opponent, Lou Turchiarelli, who was 8-14 and lasted less than one round.

A Vince Phillips vs. Kostya Tszyu fight looks set for May, with the 35-3 Phillips coming down to 140 pounds to face the IBF champion. "He can make 140," said his manager, Akbar Muhammad. "At this stage of his career, at 32 years old, Vince has to take his shot. Tszyu is physically strong and has lightning hand speed, but Vince is an experienced fighter with a great deal of determination." ... Occasional Las Vegan John McClain picked up a big win last weekend in South Africa, fighting in a main event and gaining a first-round TKO victory over Peter Smith. It was only the second loss for Smith in 19 fights, while McClain improved to 21-5-2. ... The Saints & Sinners organization is roasting veteran trainer Eddie Futch Feb. 3 at Olympic Gardens. Call 474-7113 for ticket information. ... An intriguing four-round fight between Butterbean Esch and hockey tough guy Marty McSorley is all but set for July or August. ... Ex-heavyweight champ Buster Douglas has been added to the April 12 Caesars Palace card that has Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker headlining. A WBC 122-pound title fight between champion Daniel Zaragoza and the 24-0 Erik Morales may also be added. A one-week press tour to promote that card makes a brief stop today in Las Vegas. ... Thomas Hearns, 38, fights Friday in Los Angeles against overmatched Ed Dalton. Hearns, pushing for a fight with Roy Jones, is 56-4-2, while Dalton is 12-3-2. ... Not wanting to risk blowing their showdown fight this summer, Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero have been matched against less-than-stellar opponents for a March 8 card that looks to be headed for the Las Vegas Hilton. Tapia will take on the 18-7-1 Jorge Barrera, while Romero will meet the 22-5-2 Jaji Sabili. Tapia and Romero will fight this summer, perhaps also at the Hilton.