Mike McKinney was a professional USA light heavyweight boxer from Tampa, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....

. McKinney was a club fighter who was employed as a construction worker.

McKinney boxed as a professional from 1973 until 1983 mainly in the Orlando

Orlando, Florida

Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...

 and Tampa

Tâmpa

Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...

 areas. He was a fan favorite at both the Curtis Hixon Hall

Curtis Hixon Hall

Curtis Hixon Hall, located at 600 Ashley Drive, was an indoor sports arena, convention center, concert venue, and special events center built downtown beside the Hillsborough River in Tampa, Florida...

 in Tampa and the Sports Stadium in Orlando. McKinney was managed by Lou Viscusi and trained by Bill Gore. Viscusi and Gore were two of the most respected boxing figures in the Tampa, Florida area.

On September 5, 1973 McKinney scored a victory over Laberon Loake at the Orlando Sports Stadium. McKinney scored a fourth round technical knockout over Loake.

In his career McKinney defeated Nat Shaver, Eddie Mitchell and Vic Rodriguez. McKinney was defeated by Florida boxers Nat Gates, Cyril Clark, David Lee Royster and Ed Turner.

Mckinney's unofficial professional record was six wins and seven losses with four knockout wins.