Antwun Echols

Antwun Echols, known in the boxing world as "Kid Dynamite," was a prominent figure in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Born December 4, 1970, in Memphis, Tennessee, Echols made Davenport, Iowa, his home and the base for his boxing career.

Standing at 5'11" with a 73-inch reach, Echols fought in an orthodox stance. His professional career spanned nearly 23 years, beginning on May 22, 1993, with an unexpected first-round knockout loss to Anthony Ivory.

Before turning pro, Echols had a notable amateur career, coming close to representing the United States in the 1992 Olympics. He reached the final of the Olympic trials but lost to Raúl Márquez, missing out on a spot on the team.

Echols' professional career was marked by high-profile championship bouts and a stark contrast between his early success and later struggles. In 1999, he challenged Bernard Hopkins for the IBF middleweight title, losing by decision. A rematch the following year ended with Hopkins winning by technical knockout in the 10th round.

One of Echols' most memorable fights came in 2001 against Charles Brewer for the vacant NABA super middleweight title. Despite being knocked down three times in the second round, Echols staged a remarkable comeback to win by technical knockout in the third round.

In 2003, Echols had another shot at a world title when he faced Anthony Mundine for the vacant WBA Super Middleweight Title. The fight was closely contested, but Echols lost by decision. His last major opportunity came in 2005 in an IBF Middleweight Eliminator against Kingsley Ikeke, where he was stopped in the 10th round.

After 2005, Echols' career took a downturn. He went 1-16-3 in his final 20 fights, often losing in the third round. His last recorded professional bout was in October 2015, a third-round loss to Derrick Findley.

Outside the ring, Echols' life was eventful and sometimes tumultuous. In 2007, he was shot in the leg while trying to break up a fight in Davenport, Iowa. In a 2013 interview, he made headlines by stating he had "twenty-three, I think" children, admitting uncertainty about the exact number.

Echols' later years were marked by health issues. He passed away on July 2, 2023, at the age of 52, after battling diabetes. Despite the challenges he faced later in his career and personal life, Antwun "Kid Dynamite" Echols remains remembered for his exciting fights and his status as a top contender during the peak of his career.