34 Facts About Winky Wright

1.

Ronald Lamont "Winky" Wright was born on November 26,1971 and is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1990 to 2012.

2.

Winky Wright is a two-time light middleweight world champion and was the last to hold the undisputed title at that weight until Jermell Charlo in 2022.

3.

Winky Wright announced his retirement from boxing in 2012, following a loss to Peter Quillin.

4.

In 2017, it was announced that Wright had been elected as an International Boxing Hall of Fame member in the Modern Category, alongside Vitali Klitschko and Erik Morales, with the induction ceremony scheduled for June 2018.

5.

Winky Wright knocked Lattimore down three times and the fight was stopped.

6.

Winky Wright then went on a tear during his tour of Europe, winning eight straight in France, Germany, and Monte Carlo while only fighting in the United States once over the next year.

7.

Winky Wright's inexperience showed as he lost a unanimous decision in controversial fashion, with Vasquez knocking down Wright in the second, seventh and ninth rounds, and twice in the twelfth round.

8.

Winky Wright officially slipped three times and unofficially another four times while appearing to win all but one round on points.

9.

On February 4,1995, Winky Wright defeated Tony Marshall by unanimous decision to win the vacant NABF light-middleweight title.

10.

Winky Wright continued fighting in Europe, only fighting in the United States once, until his unanimous decision victory against Andrew Council on March 5,1996.

11.

Winky Wright successfully defend his title in England three times; twice in Manchester against local fighters Ensley Bingham and Steve Foster, and Adrian Dodson in London.

12.

Winky Wright then traveled to South Africa where he lost his world title in controversial circumstances to the undefeated Harry Simon.

13.

Winky Wright stopped working with the Acaries brothers in 1999, stating that he was tired of all the travelling.

14.

Winky Wright went on to knock out Derrick Graham in the third round in Miami, Florida.

15.

Winky Wright continued to defend the NABF and won the USBA light-middleweight title in another decision over Bronco McKart.

16.

Winky Wright scored a unanimous decision over Robert Frazier on October 12,2001 to win the vacant title.

17.

Winky Wright took a third fight against Bronco McKart, which ended in controversy as the referee disqualified McKart for repeated low blows in the 8th round.

18.

For Winky Wright's next fight, Oscar De La Hoya offered to fight him.

19.

Winky Wright went on to debut on National Television Las Vegas against Juan Carlos Candelo on March 1,2003 in a title defense, winning a unanimous decision.

20.

Winky Wright followed that up with another blowout victory over Angel Hernandez 8 months later.

21.

Winky Wright, being the winner, earned a fight with Shane Mosley.

22.

Winky Wright was awarded the majority decision, which despite Winky Wright blatantly giving away a few of the rounds, was still a decisive victory in his favour.

23.

On May 14,2005, with Winky Wright playing the underdog role, he easily defeated Felix Trinidad by unanimous decision.

24.

Trinidad-Winky Wright was a WBC middleweight eliminator, giving Winky Wright a shot at undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor for his titles.

25.

However, Winky Wright declined the fight, "He offers everyone else $10,15 million," Winky Wright said, referring to the $10 million Trinidad received for fighting De La Hoya in 1999.

26.

Winky Wright returned to defeat Ike Quartey at middleweight by a unanimous twelve-round decision at St Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida in December 2006.

27.

Winky Wright's next fight came against Bernard Hopkins at a catch weight of 170 pounds on July 21,2007.

28.

Now fighting with a sense of urgency, Winky Wright gave Hopkins problems due to his tight defense guarding the cut and landing combinations from the outside.

29.

Winky Wright ended a 21-month layoff when he faced former welterweight title holder Paul "The Punisher" Williams in a middleweight bout at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas in April 2009.

30.

Winky Wright won only the 5th round on two judges cards, while the 3rd judge scored all the rounds for Paul Williams.

31.

Winky Wright, being a good friend of Dawson's, offered to help him on his upcoming fight while getting him into physical shape.

32.

Winky Wright appeared briefly in the cult hit State Property 2 along with Dame Dash and Beanie Sigel.

33.

Winky Wright has previously entered into ventures and endorsements with brands such as Reebok, Vitamin Water, Rocawear, State Property and 2ist men's underwear among many others.

34.

Winky Wright currently owns an independent record label, Pound 4 Pound Records, based in St Petersburg, Florida.