Career
1985 2nd place at United States Amateur Championships as a Flyweight, was stopped by Arthur Johnson
1986 2nd place at United States Amateur Championships as a Flyweight, losing by decision to Arthur Johnson
1987 3rd place at United States Amateur Championships as a Bantamweight, losing by decision to Michael Collins
1988 2nd place at United States Amateur Championships as a Bantamweight, losing by decision to Jemal Hinton
1988 qualified as a Bantamweight for the United States Olympic Team, avenging previous defeats versus Michael Collins, whom he beat three times and Jemal Hinton, all by decision. Results were:
Defeated Erick Perez (Guatemala) TKO 1
Defeated Shahuraj Birajdor (India) forfeit
Defeated Steve Mwema (Kenya) points
Defeated Phajol Moolsan (Thailand) TKO 1
Defeated Aleksandar Hristov (Bulgaria) points
Known as "King", McKinney was a cautious yet exciting junior featherweight (super bantamweight) fighter who captured the IBF title by beating Welcome Ncita in 1992 in a spectacular bout that saw him on the deck before knocking the African cold with a perfect right hand. Two years later he challenged undefeated Marco Antonio Barrera for the WBO super bantamweight title, a vicious battle in which he dropped Barrera in the 11th, but lost via TKO in the 12th.
McKinney later took a rematch against Bungu, but lost a narrow split decision.
McKinney then moved up a weight class to challenge Luisito Espinosa for the WBC featherweight title in 1998. Espinosa made quick work of McKinney, winning via a 2nd round TKO. After the loss to Espinosa, McKinney quickly lost steam.
He would fight only five more times against scattered and limited opposition, three of which took place during a brief comeback run in 2002-2003. Kennedy now resides in Olive Branch, Mississippi, where he is simply known as "Coach McKinney".
He is the Head Boxing Coach at the Prize Fight Gym in Southaven, Mississippi.