Boxing mourns the passing of Kenny Adams
The world of boxing are collectively mourning the passing of Kenneth “Kenny” Adams, a legendary trainer who worked with champions Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr., and Riddick Bowe.
He passed away, aged 84, on April 7, 2025.
Adams was known for revolutionising boxing training in the United States by introducing strength and conditioning, a practice previously considered unconventional.
26 world champions, 34 Olympians, and 56 boxers who won world titles were trained under his watchful eye and tutorage.
This list includes Edwin Valero, Vince Phillips, Diego Corrales, Freddie Norwood, Charles Murray, Kennedy McKinney, Frankie Liles, Michael Nunn, Johnny Tapia, Ruslan Chagaev, Samuel Peter, Cory Spinks, and Michael Bentt.
He was also the first African-American selected as head coach of the American national boxing team, where he trained notable boxers Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Roy Jones Jr., and Riddick Bowe.
Kenny Adams brought such a strict disciplinarian training style that the eight-time, five-division World champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. refused to work with him.
In 1999, the multiple-time World champion Wladimir Klitschko asked Adams to assist him in properly turning over his fist on the left hook for power.
In 2005, eight-division World champion Manny Pacquiao requested to train with Adams, but Adams declined in order to aid his ill wife at the time.
Kenny Adams was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the Non-Participant category as part of the class of 2024.
Early Life
Kenny Adams grew up with five brothers and four sisters. He first became interested in boxing when he was 5 or 6, and he admits to always fighting as a little kid.
Adams is on record as saying that he had a reputation although he was small in stature, he packed quick hands and was brave. He also learned how to curse at a very young age from being around people in the pub where he grew up. Once as a kid in gym class, Adams knocked an older boy out that outweighed him by over one hundred pounds.
The youngster never had a trainer, having his first amateur fight at the age of 12 at a weight of 95lbs. He had a successful amateur career, winning all Army and Service championships, as well as the East Coast & Florida AU’s titles fighting at Flyweight and Bantamweight.
He was nicknamed “Little Sugar” as his good friend Ray Owens, who was a 1964 Olympic alternate, was known as “Big Sugar” both in homage to the great Sugar Ray Robinson.
By 17, he was in the army and continued to box, but never elected to turn professional. When he was 26, he was offered a pro contract. He considered it, but came to the conclusion that he only boxed for the love of the sport – never for the money. Adams fought in over 200 bouts as an amateur.
Adams considered Carlton Brooks, Pat Nappi, Barron Walker, Bernie Callahan and Thomas Boudion as his boxing teachers.
Tributes
Mauricio Sulaiman: “So sad to learn of Kenny Adams passing. Legendary trainer and father figure to many Olympians and world champions. May he rest in peace. The entire WBC Family sends our deepest condolences to Kenny’s family and friends. Rest in Peace Kenny.”
Ron Katz: “Sorry to hear that Kenny Adams passed. Kenny and Merk were assistants on the ’88 team. I worked with Merk, Bruce with Kenny but whenever Kenny came East we had a whale of a time. Heck of a trainer and great guy, he’ll be missed.”
Steve Kim: “Rest in peace to Kenny Adams, who passed away at the age of 84. Not only was he a world-class trainer, Adams served our country honourably. Was a noted amateur coach and then an elite cornerman who worked with numerous world champions He told some great stories, and was always very gracious to me when I spoke to him. I think most reporters had that same experience. He was one of those individuals that made the task of covering boxing fulfilling Mr Adams will be missed…”
Dan Rafael: “Kenny Adams, International Boxing Hall of Fame trainer, dies at 84; worked with 20+ world champions, head coach of decorated 1988 U.S. Olympic team… Full obituary”
Boxingscene: “Hall of Fame boxing coach and former Olympian Kenny Adams has sadly passed away aged 84. Adams trained 25 world champions across his career as a coach. Rest in Peace, Kenny.”
BBN would also like to offer their deepest condolences to all Kenny Adam’s family and friends at this very difficult time.