Kenneth Anderson (boxer)
Encyclopedia
Kenneth "Kenny" Anderson (born January 5, 1983 in Edinburgh
) is a Scottish
professional boxer, who is the reigning Commonwealth Games
light-heavyweight champion. Hailing from Craigmillar
in Scotland
, he defeated five boxers to win the gold stopping three of them. Anderson stopped his first two opponents, the first in just 30 sec the fastest stoppage recorded in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In the semifinal he defeated Englishman Tony Jeffries in what was billed as "The battle of Britain" Jeffries later won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics. After that bout Anderson spoke of his pride at being Scottish and how the win meant more as it was over an Englishman. Anderson then fought Australian Ben McCraken the bout was stopped in the 2nd round on the 20 point rule, Anderson defeated Adura Olalehin of Nigeria (23-19) in the final of the 2006 Commonwealth Games
. Anderson is the most successful amateur boxer bar Dick McTaggart MBE to come out of Scotland winning 8 international gold medals and a host of silver and bronze.
After those Games Anderson revealed he psyched himself up for his fights by watching Braveheart
and reciting the Haka
, the traditional Māori war dance which is performed by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team before matches. He also stated his desire to remain an amateur and fight for Great Britain at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
, China
.
Kenny Anderson turned pro in Oct 2006 and at present has a record of 16 fights 15 wins 11 by way of knockout. The sole loss came in a Commonwealth title fight which he had taken on 2 weeks notice.
accused of attempted murder. It was alleged that Anderson had attacked a man in Edinburgh, punching him repeatedly in the head and striking him with a hammer. Anderson made no plea, and was remanded in custody. The attempted murder charge was later dropped when 13 witnesses failed to identify Anderson and no other evidence was found. His co-accused was later jailed for 12 years for attempting to murder another man by shooting him in a Edinburgh pub. Anderson was again detained and questioned by police over his involvement, no charges where brought against him.
Anderson is believed to have links to various Scottish gangsters and crime families including his former manager Barry Hughes.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
) is a Scottish
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
professional boxer, who is the reigning Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
light-heavyweight champion. Hailing from Craigmillar
Craigmillar
Craigmillar , from the Gaelic Crag Maol Ard, meaning 'High Bare Rock', is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland, about south east of the city centre, with Duddingston to the north and Newcraighall to the east.- History :...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, he defeated five boxers to win the gold stopping three of them. Anderson stopped his first two opponents, the first in just 30 sec the fastest stoppage recorded in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In the semifinal he defeated Englishman Tony Jeffries in what was billed as "The battle of Britain" Jeffries later won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics. After that bout Anderson spoke of his pride at being Scottish and how the win meant more as it was over an Englishman. Anderson then fought Australian Ben McCraken the bout was stopped in the 2nd round on the 20 point rule, Anderson defeated Adura Olalehin of Nigeria (23-19) in the final of the 2006 Commonwealth Games
2006 Commonwealth Games
The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 15 March and 26 March 2006. It was the largest sporting event to be staged in Melbourne, eclipsing the 1956 Summer Olympics in terms of the number of teams competing, athletes competing, and events being held.The site...
. Anderson is the most successful amateur boxer bar Dick McTaggart MBE to come out of Scotland winning 8 international gold medals and a host of silver and bronze.
After those Games Anderson revealed he psyched himself up for his fights by watching Braveheart
Braveheart
Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical drama war film directed by and starring Mel Gibson. The film was written for the screen and then novelized by Randall Wallace...
and reciting the Haka
Haka
Haka is a traditional ancestral war cry, dance or challenge from the Māori people of New Zealand. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment...
, the traditional Māori war dance which is performed by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team before matches. He also stated his desire to remain an amateur and fight for Great Britain at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Kenny Anderson turned pro in Oct 2006 and at present has a record of 16 fights 15 wins 11 by way of knockout. The sole loss came in a Commonwealth title fight which he had taken on 2 weeks notice.
Controversy
On June 29, 2009, Anderson appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff CourtSheriff Court
Sheriff courts provide the local court service in Scotland, with each court serving a sheriff court district within a sheriffdom.Sheriff courts deal with a myriad of legal procedures which include:*Solemn and Summary Criminal cases...
accused of attempted murder. It was alleged that Anderson had attacked a man in Edinburgh, punching him repeatedly in the head and striking him with a hammer. Anderson made no plea, and was remanded in custody. The attempted murder charge was later dropped when 13 witnesses failed to identify Anderson and no other evidence was found. His co-accused was later jailed for 12 years for attempting to murder another man by shooting him in a Edinburgh pub. Anderson was again detained and questioned by police over his involvement, no charges where brought against him.
Anderson is believed to have links to various Scottish gangsters and crime families including his former manager Barry Hughes.
External links
- Scotsman coverage of Kenny Anderson's triumph at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
- British Boxing
- Kenny Anderson Professional record