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Kenny Lane
Born
Kenneth H. Lane

(1932-04-09)April 9, 1932
Big Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
DiedAugust 5, 2008(2008-08-05) (aged 76)
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Statistics
Weight(s)Lightweight
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights100
Wins82
Wins by KO19
Losses16
Draws2

Kenny Lane (April 9, 1932 – August 5, 2008)[1] was an American southpaw (left-handed) boxer. He fought for lightweight and light welterweight titles of the world, once against Joe Brown and twice against Carlos Ortiz.

Early life

Lane was raised on a farm in Big Rapids, Michigan with his four brothers and sister. According to his family, he regularly fought with his brothers and it is assumed that his southpaw stance was adopted to defend himself against his older brother who later became an Olympic boxer. [2]

Professional boxing career

Lane was known for having a very unorthodox way of fighting. This combined with the fact that he was a southpaw made him an excellent boxer and in 1953 started his professional career.[3]

Quote from Ortiz: "No one was more difficult to figure out than Kenny Lane, the guy was unbelievably clever" [4]

He had a controversial decision loss to Joe Brown for undisputed lightweight championship of the world. He fought the Ortiz rubber match for light welterweight title.

Lane decided at age 50 to round out his professional career to 100 bouts. He dropped to his fighting weight from almost 200 pounds.[5] After beating 3 much younger opponents he lost to the fourth. Lane decided to retire for the final time, making the even 100 bouts he sought.

Family life

Lane married his wife Ruth as a teenager in West Virginia. They had 4 children.

Later years

After retiring Lane continued teaching boxing in the Lansing area. he ran the boxing program at the Lansing Gallo Recreation Center.

In 1995, British singer Morrissey released an album called Southpaw Grammar. The cover featured an old photograph of Lane from the April 1963 issue of The Ring magazine. [6]

Lane was admitted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004. [7]

Later in life Lane became an avid golfer and had a tournament named for him. He died of a heart attack on August 5, 2008, alongside one of his most well known students, Christian Lloyd in Lansing, Michigan.[8] [9]

Professional boxing record

100 fights 82 wins 16 losses
By knockout 19 5
By decision 63 11
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
100 Loss 82–16–2 Dave Guerra SD 8 Nov 2, 1983 51 years, 207 days Grand Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
99 Win 82–15–2 Willie McIntosh KO 8 (8) Jun 18, 1983 51 years, 70 days Muskegon, Michigan, US
98 Win 81–15–2 Paul Lewis KO 2 (?) Apr 16, 1983 51 years, 7 days Catholic Central Highschool, Muskegon, Michigan, US
97 Win 80–15–2 Bobby Plegge UD 8 Jul 17, 1982 50 years, 99 days Galaxy Arena, Muskegon, Michigan, US
96 Loss 79–15–2 Eddie Perkins UD 12 Oct 25, 1964 32 years, 199 days Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
95 Loss 79–14–2 Carlos Hernández TKO 2 (10) Oct 5, 1964 32 years, 179 days Estadio Luis Aparicio, Maracaibo, Venezuela
94 Loss 79–13–2 Dave Charnley PTS 10 Jun 2, 1964 32 years, 54 days Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, UK
93 Win 79–12–2 Stoffel Steyn RTD 8 (10) May 9, 1964 32 years, 30 days Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
92 Loss 78–12–2 Carlos Ortiz UD 15 Apr 11, 1964 32 years, 2 days Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico For WBA, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles
91 Win 78–11–2 Johnny Bizzarro SD 10 Feb 19, 1964 31 years, 316 days Tech Memorial Gym, Erie, Pennsylvania, US
90 Win 77–11–2 Paul Armstead UD 15 Aug 19, 1963 31 years, 132 days Veterans Memorial Stadium, Saginaw, Michigan, US Won vacant world lightweight title (Michigan version)
89 Win 76–11–2 Vicente Derado UD 10 Mar 2, 1963 30 years, 327 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
88 Win 75–11–2 Len Matthews TKO 9 (10), 2:54 Sep 15, 1962 30 years, 159 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
87 Win 74–11–2 Carlos Hernández UD 10 Jul 14, 1962 30 years, 96 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
86 Win 73–11–2 Tommy Tibbs UD 10 Jun 11, 1962 30 years, 63 days Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, US
85 Win 72–11–2 Luis Molina UD 10 Apr 14, 1962 30 years, 5 days Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, US
84 Loss 71–11–2 Garland 'Rip' Randall UD 10 Jan 23, 1962 29 years, 289 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
83 Win 71–10–2 Aissa Hashas PTS 10 Oct 16, 1961 29 years, 190 days Palais des Sports, Paris, France
82 Win 70–10–2 Virgil Akins UD 10 Sep 22, 1961 29 years, 166 days Navy-Marine Corps Mem. Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland, US
81 Win 69–10–2 Garland 'Rip' Randall UD 10 Aug 30, 1961 29 years, 143 days Sports Arena, Amarillo, Texas, US
80 Win 68–10–2 T.J. Jones UD 10 Aug 14, 1961 29 years, 127 days Vogue Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
79 Win 67–10–2 Willie Robertson UD 6 Jun 30, 1961 29 years, 82 days L.C. Walker Arena, Muskegon, Michigan, US
78 Win 66–10–2 Ray Portilla TKO 6 (10) Jun 16, 1961 29 years, 68 days Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US
77 Draw 65–10–2 Curtis Cokes SD 10 Jun 8, 1961 29 years, 60 days Texas Livestock Coliseum, Dallas, Texas, US
76 Win 65–10–1 Manuel Gonzalez UD 10 May 16, 1961 29 years, 37 days Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, Texas, US
75 Win 64–10–1 Garland 'Rip' Randall UD 10 May 1, 1961 29 years, 22 days Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, US
74 Draw 63–10–1 Carlos Hernández PTS 10 Feb 20, 1961 28 years, 317 days Caracas, Venezuela
73 Loss 63–10 Jose Stable UD 10 Jan 23, 1961 28 years, 289 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
72 Win 63–9 Lahouari Godih MD 10 Dec 6, 1960 28 years, 241 days Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
71 Loss 62–9 Len Matthews TKO 3 (10), 2:51 Oct 8, 1960 28 years, 182 days Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
70 Win 62–8 Sidney Adams TKO 1 (10), 2:58 Sep 27, 1960 28 years, 171 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
69 Win 61–8 Douglas Vaillant UD 10 Aug 16, 1960 28 years, 129 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
68 Win 60–8 Jerry Black UD 10 Apr 25, 1960 28 years, 16 days Alhambra Athletic Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
67 Loss 59–8 Ralph Dupas UD 10 Jan 13, 1960 27 years, 279 days Fort Whiting Armory, Mobile, Alabama, US
66 Win 59–7 Ray Lancaster KO 3 (10), 2:20 Dec 29, 1959 27 years, 264 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
65 Win 58–7 Virgil Akins MD 10 Oct 28, 1959 27 years, 202 days Capitol Arena, Washington, DC, US
64 Loss 57–7 Carlos Ortiz TKO 2 (15) Jun 12, 1959 27 years, 64 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US For vacant NYSAC and NBA light welterweight titles
63 Win 57–6 Johnny Busso TKO 6 (10) Apr 17, 1959 27 years, 8 days Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
62 Win 56–6 Carlos Ortiz MD 10 Dec 31, 1958 26 years, 266 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
61 Win 55–6 Lahouari Godih SD 10 Nov 7, 1958 26 years, 212 days War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
60 Win 54–6 Orlando Zulueta UD 10 Sep 6, 1958 26 years, 150 days Catholic Central Stadium, Muskegon, Michigan, US
59 Loss 53–6 Joe Brown UD 15 Jul 23, 1958 26 years, 105 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles
58 Win 53–5 Davey Dupas KO 6 (10), 0:40 May 26, 1958 26 years, 47 days Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, US
57 Win 52–5 Johnny Gonsalves UD 10 Jan 9, 1958 25 years, 275 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
56 Win 51–5 Luke Easter TKO 8 (10), 1:51 Dec 9, 1957 25 years, 244 days Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
55 Win 50–5 Orlando Zulueta UD 10 Oct 30, 1957 25 years, 204 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
54 Win 49–5 Johnny Gonsalves UD 10 Aug 20, 1957 25 years, 133 days Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
53 Win 48–5 Teddy Davis UD 10 Aug 3, 1957 25 years, 116 days Muskegon, Michigan, US
52 Win 47–5 Henry 'Toothpick' Brown KO 6 (10), 1:14 May 22, 1957 25 years, 43 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
51 Win 46–5 Danny Davis TKO 4 (10) Apr 6, 1957 24 years, 362 days Muskegon, Michigan, US
50 Win 45–5 Frankie Ryff TKO 6 (10), 0:32 Jan 30, 1957 24 years, 296 days Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
49 Win 44–5 Frankie Ryff UD 10 Nov 14, 1956 24 years, 219 days Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
48 Win 43–5 Ludwig Lightburn UD 10 Sep 19, 1956 24 years, 163 days Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
47 Win 42–5 Ralph Capone TKO 5 (10), 2:57 Aug 30, 1956 24 years, 143 days Catholic Central Stadium, Muskegon, Michigan, US
46 Win 41–5 Glen Flanagan UD 10 Aug 2, 1956 24 years, 115 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
45 Win 40–5 Ralph Dupas SD 10 Jul 9, 1956 24 years, 91 days Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
44 Win 39–5 Danny Davis UD 10 May 10, 1956 24 years, 31 days Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
43 Win 38–5 Enrique Esqueda UD 10 Mar 25, 1956 23 years, 351 days Plaza de Toros, Mexico City, Mexico
42 Win 37–5 Ike Vaughn UD 10 Feb 25, 1956 23 years, 322 days Civic Center, Lansing, Michigan, US
41 Win 36–5 Don Mason UD 10 Dec 6, 1955 23 years, 241 days Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
40 Win 35–5 Kid Centella UD 10 Nov 7, 1955 23 years, 212 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
39 Loss 34–5 Paddy DeMarco SD 10 Oct 3, 1955 23 years, 177 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
38 Win 34–4 Hocine Khalfi UD 10 Aug 16, 1955 23 years, 129 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
37 Win 33–4 Noel Humphreys UD 10 Aug 4, 1955 23 years, 117 days Island Park Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, US
36 Win 32–4 Elmer Lakatos TKO 8 (10) Jul 28, 1955 23 years, 110 days Marquette Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
35 Win 31–4 Jimmy Ford UD 10 Jul 12, 1955 23 years, 94 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
34 Win 30–4 Richie Howard UD 10 Jun 28, 1955 23 years, 80 days Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
33 Win 29–4 Larry Boardman UD 10 Jun 21, 1955 23 years, 73 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
32 Win 28–4 Eli Leggett UD 10 Jun 7, 1955 23 years, 59 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
31 Win 27–4 Richie Howard PTS 10 May 30, 1955 23 years, 51 days Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
30 Win 26–4 Armand Savoie UD 10 Mar 29, 1955 22 years, 354 days Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
29 Loss 25–4 Ralph Dupas SD 10 Mar 14, 1955 22 years, 339 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
28 Win 25–3 Jackie Blair UD 10 Feb 14, 1955 22 years, 311 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
27 Win 24–3 Danny Jo Perez SD 10 Dec 13, 1954 22 years, 248 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
26 Win 23–3 Orlando Zulueta SD 10 Nov 8, 1954 22 years, 213 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
25 Win 22–3 George Collins PTS 10 Oct 4, 1954 22 years, 178 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
24 Win 21–3 John Barnes UD 10 Aug 12, 1954 22 years, 125 days Marsh Field, Muskegon, Michigan, US Retained USA Michigan State lightweight title
23 Win 20–3 Elmer Lakatos UD 8 Jun 22, 1954 22 years, 74 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
22 Win 19–3 Sammy Rodgers UD 10 May 27, 1954 22 years, 48 days Marsh Field, Muskegon, Michigan, US Won vacant USA Michigan State lightweight title
21 Loss 18–3 John Barnes UD 8 Mar 22, 1954 21 years, 347 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
20 Loss 18–2 John Barnes TKO 1 (8), 1:51 Feb 1, 1954 21 years, 298 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
19 Win 18–1 Jesse Underwood UD 10 Jan 14, 1954 21 years, 280 days Auditorium, Saginaw, Michigan, US
18 Win 17–1 Mike Tourcotte UD 6 Jan 2, 1954 21 years, 268 days Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
17 Win 16–1 Ronnie Stribling UD 8 Dec 1, 1953 21 years, 236 days Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
16 Loss 15–1 Ronnie Stribling TKO 2 (8) Oct 20, 1953 21 years, 194 days Prudden Auditorium, Lansing, Michigan, US
15 Win 15–0 Ken Hohner UD 8 Sep 29, 1953 21 years, 173 days Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
14 Win 14–0 Ralph Cervantes UD 6 Sep 14, 1953 21 years, 158 days Veterans Memorial Stadium, Saginaw, Michigan, US
13 Win 13–0 Eddie Crawford MD 6 Sep 10, 1953 21 years, 154 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
12 Win 12–0 Don Grinton TKO 3 (6), 3:00 Aug 20, 1953 21 years, 133 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
11 Win 11–0 Dick Holling KO 2 (4) Aug 6, 1953 21 years, 119 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
10 Win 10–0 Ron McGilvray PTS 4 Jul 23, 1953 21 years, 105 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
9 Win 9–0 Frank O'Neal TKO 3 (4) Jul 16, 1953 21 years, 98 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
8 Win 8–0 Johnny Valentine SD 4 Jun 18, 1953 21 years, 70 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
7 Win 7–0 Benny Uhl PTS 5 Jun 15, 1953 21 years, 67 days Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
6 Win 6–0 Milton Scott PTS 4 May 23, 1953 21 years, 44 days Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
5 Win 5–0 Jimmy DeMura PTS 4 May 11, 1953 21 years, 32 days Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
4 Win 4–0 Jimmy DeMura PTS 4 Apr 30, 1953 21 years, 21 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
3 Win 3–0 Bob Henry KO 4 (4) Apr 20, 1953 21 years, 11 days Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
2 Win 2–0 Jimmy DeMura PTS 4 Apr 16, 1953 21 years, 7 days Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
1 Win 1–0 Clinton McDade PTS 4 Apr 9, 1953 21 years, 0 days Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US

References and notes

  1. ^ "Kenneth L Lane in Social Security Death Index".
  2. ^ "Pearce Lane - BoxRec". www.boxrec.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  3. ^ "Kenny Lane - BoxRec". www.boxrec.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  4. ^ "Former Muskegon boxer Lane dies of heart attack". 6 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-12-12. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  5. ^ "The Remarkable Story of Kenny Lane - BrooWaha". Archived from the original on 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  6. ^ "Southpaw Grammar album cover". 6 January 2007.
  7. ^ "Cyber Boxing Zone -- Kenny Lane". cyberboxingzone.com. Archived from the original on 2008-09-17. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  8. ^ "Muskegon boxing legend Kenny Lane dies at 76". 6 August 2008.
  9. ^ "The Cyber Boxing Zone Message Board". Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2008-09-13.

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