Kayo boxing cards
Encyclopedia
Kayo boxing cards was the name of a brand of boxing
trading card
s that were released in 1991. The cards were named "Kayo" because kayo, being the sound produced when someone spells k.o., is an alternative word to knockout
. The legend "round one" followed the name on the cards' wrappers, because further production of Kayo cards was expected.
Kayo boxing cards was one of a number of boxing trading cards to surface during the early 1990s, others including All World and Ringlords. While considered innovative for that time, it wasn't the first set of boxing cards. During the early 20th. century, boxing cards with other brand names had been produced.
The cards' boxes promised autograph
s from Tommy Morrison
, among others. Among the most famous Kayo boxing cards there were holograms of Muhammad Ali
and of Evander Holyfield
outpointing George Foreman
in their early 1991 fight. Other cards included non-participants such as promoters, trainers
, matchmakers, organization presidents and even a photographer (Tom Casino), all-time greats (Wilfred Benítez
, Wilfredo Gómez
, Salvador Sánchez
-erroneously named Salvatore Sanchez by Ko cards-, Joe Louis
, Muhammad Ali
), contemporary boxers (Julio César Chávez
, Terry Norris
) and even comical cards (Bruce Strauss
).
Kayo cards had different backgrounds. Modern boxer cards' backgrounds were colored blue, all-time greats' gold, and non-participants' silver.
Kayo boxing cards were (and in some cases, still are) prominent in card stores and card or autograph shows. No other editions were produced after 1991, however.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
trading card
Trading card
A trading card is a small card, usually made out of paperboard or thick paper, which usually contains an image of a certain person, place or thing and a short description of the picture, along with other text...
s that were released in 1991. The cards were named "Kayo" because kayo, being the sound produced when someone spells k.o., is an alternative word to knockout
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
. The legend "round one" followed the name on the cards' wrappers, because further production of Kayo cards was expected.
Kayo boxing cards was one of a number of boxing trading cards to surface during the early 1990s, others including All World and Ringlords. While considered innovative for that time, it wasn't the first set of boxing cards. During the early 20th. century, boxing cards with other brand names had been produced.
The cards' boxes promised autograph
Autograph
An autograph is a document transcribed entirely in the handwriting of its author, as opposed to a typeset document or one written by an amanuensis or a copyist; the meaning overlaps with that of the word holograph.Autograph also refers to a person's artistic signature...
s from Tommy Morrison
Tommy Morrison
Tommy David Morrison is an American heavyweight boxer and a former World Boxing Organization champion. He lost only three out of a total of 52 professional fights. Morrison's nickname, "The Duke," is based on disputed claims that he is a grandnephew of Hollywood star John Wayne...
, among others. Among the most famous Kayo boxing cards there were holograms of Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
and of Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield is a professional boxer from the United States. He is a former undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"...
outpointing George Foreman
George Foreman
George Edward Foreman is an American two-time former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and successful entrepreneur...
in their early 1991 fight. Other cards included non-participants such as promoters, trainers
Boxing training
Boxing training is the training method that boxers use in order to get more fit for their sport. This training method is often cited by medical doctors, boxing trainers, and writers as one of the most spartan forms of sports training.- Training :...
, matchmakers, organization presidents and even a photographer (Tom Casino), all-time greats (Wilfred Benítez
Wilfred Benitez
Wilfred Benítez , is a Puerto Rican boxer. He is remembered best as a skilled and aggressive fighter with exceptional defensive abilities who won world championships in three separate weight divisions, and was the youngest world champion in boxing history at the age of 17...
, Wilfredo Gómez
Wilfredo Gómez
Wilfredo Gómez , sometimes referred to as Bazooka Gómez, is a former boxer and three time world champion.-Biography:...
, Salvador Sánchez
Salvador Sánchez
Salvador Sánchez Narváez was a Mexican boxer born in the town of Santiago Tianguistenco, Estado de México. Many of his contemporaries as well as boxing writers believe that, had it not been for his premature death, Sanchez could have gone on to become the greatest Featherweight boxer of all time...
-erroneously named Salvatore Sanchez by Ko cards-, Joe Louis
Joe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
, Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
), contemporary boxers (Julio César Chávez
Julio César Chávez
Julio César Chávez is a retired Mexican professional boxer.He is a six-time world champion in three weight divisions, and for several years he was considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world...
, Terry Norris
Terry Norris
Terry Wayne Norris is a retired American boxer and a three-time world champion in the light middleweight division. Originally from Lubbock, Texas, he fought out of San Diego.-Early boxing career:...
) and even comical cards (Bruce Strauss
Bruce Strauss
Bruce Strauss is a former boxer who is more known for his losses than for his wins. Sometimes he would use the alias of Ruben Bardot to obtain fights. His nickname was The Mouse....
).
Kayo cards had different backgrounds. Modern boxer cards' backgrounds were colored blue, all-time greats' gold, and non-participants' silver.
Kayo boxing cards were (and in some cases, still are) prominent in card stores and card or autograph shows. No other editions were produced after 1991, however.