Queen honours British Legend

Duke McKenzie MBE sounds good doesn’t it?. Duke is the latest addition to the Queen’s birthday honours for his contribution to boxing. Spending his days at his Gym in his home town of Croydon and calling the shots as an ITV boxing commentator the former world champion will be awarded an MBE.

1963 was not only the birth of the Beatles but the birth of a future British boxing legend. Duke McKenzie’s career seen him claim British titles at two weights, a European title and world titles at 3 weights. The first British Flyweight title came his way June 5^th 1985 with a 4^th round stoppage over Danny Flynn which was swiftly followed by attaining Charlie Magri’s European title in the spring of 1986. British and European honours were just a taste of what was to follow when McKenzie swapped his British and European straps for a bigger slice of the cake and became IBF Flyweight Champion in October 1988 with an 11^th round KO over Rolando Bohol.

After two defences and a none title fight Duke McKenzie suffered the first defeat of his Professional career losing his IBF crown to Dave McAuley on June 7^th 1989 and an unsuccessful attempt at a Bantamweight European title Duke’s career hit somewhat of a speed bump. In true fighting style Duke was never derailed and bounced back in the summer of ‘91 When he became WBO Bantamweight Champion of the world.