Kermit Cintron will make a comeback in November!
Former IBF welterweight champion Kermit “The Killer” Cintron is still fighting and is excited about returning to the ring November 23 for the hometown fans of Pennsylvania. It is unknown what weight he will return at, although, his last bout in 2018 was within the junior middleweight limit.
Cintron’s career is full of highs and lows. However, despite it all, he continues to keep fighting even as he approaches his 40th birthday October 22!
CAREER UPS AND DOWNS
The Puerto Rican fighter came out the gate blazing hot knocking out twenty one of his first twenty four opponents. He would proceed to capture the interim WBO welterweight title, which put him directly in the path for a title. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. Cintron lost his first opportunity for the title against then-WBO champion Antonio Margarito by fifth round stoppage.
The determined Cintron, would bounce back with five straight victories in a row. He would even fulfill a life long dream of capturing the IBF championship. It seemed everything was right in the world again, riding high after two successful title defenses. At this point, he would decide to avenge his first career defeat in a title defense against his nemesis, Margarito.
Almost exactly three years later, on April 12, 2008, Cintron would lose again to Margarito. Although, this time in even more brutal fashion from a devastating body shot. This is when many boxing pundits feel was the start of the downward spiral for Cintron.
It was soon discovered Margarito was cheating against Shane Mosley for illegal hand wrapping. This brought into question how long it had been going on and whether it was used against the Puerto Rican fighter in both fights. Willing to give him the benefit of doubt, it seemed the mental damage had already been done. After several lackluster fights, the former IBF champion was never able to gain the same kind of momentum again.
THE GATEKEEPER
His two high profile losses to Paul Williams and then-WBC Junior Middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, coupled with a draw against unknown fighter Adrian Granados relegated the once formidable fighter to the common term of gatekeeper.
Father time is slowly catching up to the former champion going 0-1-2 in his last three fights, but he’s still positive and like most fighters, is still looking for the last hoorah.
By: Garrisson Bland
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