DUKE McKENZIE w rsf 11 ROLANDO BOHOL
October 5, 1988; Grand Hall, Wembley, London
IN the first IBF flyweight title fight to be scheduled for 12, Rolando Bohol of the Philippines – who had won and defended the belt via 15-round decisions – risked his championship against the fluent and majestic skillset of Britain’s Duke McKenzie. Bohol, a southpaw, never competed as an amateur before turning professional in 1984 and could not get inside master jabber McKenzie. The Englishman patiently bossed matters from the start, not once getting flustered and exhibiting to all how to contain a lively opponent. He applied the finishing touches, when he dropped Bohol twice in the 11th, at exactly the right time. McKenzie’s emotional post-fight interview said it all about what the victory meant to him.
DID YOU KNOW? Bohol fought on until 1994 when he lost an IBF bantamweight title shot to Orlando Canizales before retiring after being knocked out in two rounds by a 27-0-1 Johnny Tapia.
WATCH OUT FOR: “Champagne” Charlie Magri, who had lost and retired after losing to McKenzie two years before, on co-commentary duty alongside Harry Carpenter.
