From 1971 – 1985, I boxed amateur and professional. With only 12 amateur fights and 10 professional fights, I was ranked #10 middleweight in Texas before leaving the sport. Four of my sparing partners went on to be world champions. I sparred with heavy weight, Earnie Shavers (famous for fighting Muhammad Ali) and promoted his last pro fight.
I lost my last fight by decision, in Memphis, TN, to Walter Ivory, formerly ranked #1. I took a tremendous beating and realized I enjoyed it, so I decided I should quit.
The beatings took a toll. I fought 10 rounds with a broke thumb, have permanent scaring in my left eye with 85% vision loss add with that some memory loss and a tendency to jump at bells. Amazing the lengths a man will go to to impress chicks. Pretty cool!
Ken Boutwell 