Lamar "Kidfire" Parks opened his professional career on October 4, 1988 with a 4 round decision win over fellow South Carolinian - Lennell Stroman. It would be nearly 2 1/2 years before another one of his opponents would hear the final bell.
The Greenville, SC native ran his record to 9-0, 8 by knockout before being stepped up, and put in against undefeated pro, and former Olympian - Chris Sande (7-0) in a bout scheduled for 6 rounds, that would test two of the top prospects in the middleweight division. The bout took place 4/29/90 at Caesars in Atlantic City, on the undercard of the Nigel Benn/Doug Dewitt WBO World title bout. It was Kidfire Parks who passed this test, as he scored a 5th round tko stoppage over Sande.
The streak continued as Parks ran off 4 more knockout victories before being taken the full 10 rounds against renowned Brinatty Maquilon in Lewiston, Maine. Though Maquilon held on to go the distance, he was punished throughout in losing a 10-round unanimous decision.
Parks then came home to South Carolina and scored a 10-round shutout win over tough 28-fight veteran Lester Yarbrough. That fight was a tune-up bout to get Parks ready for his first title challenge against Lenzie Morgan (11-4-1) for his WBC Continental Americas Middleweight belt.
It was July 6, 1991 that saw Parks pick up his first title belt by taking a hard fought, but clear and unanimous 12-round decision win over Morgan. Lamar was now 17-0, held a title belt and was world ranked.
Two fights later, he added the NABF middleweight title belt to his growing collection, with a 6th round stoppage over Colorado's Donnie Giron (15-2-2). Another impressive win for Parks.
He defended his WBC Continental Americas title with a strong showing against Percy "No Mercy" Harris (15-2), stopping him in round 10. A win that set Lamar Parks up for his chance at a world title.
It was October 27, 1992 when "Kidfire" Parks got his shot at the WBA middleweight championship against the defending champion "Sweet" Reggie Johnson who was 31-2-1, 20 ko and held in high regard as a technician and warrior. The fight was a closely contested boxing match that went the distance, but after 12 hard fought and tough rounds, it was the champion - Johnson retaining his title on a close but unanimous decision. Scores were: 116-112, 116-113, and 115-113
The Reggie Johnson fight turned out to be Lamar's first and only loss. It was also his first and only world title challenge. He was back in action 3 months later, and fought his final 5 fights in 1993, including a win over Gilbert Baptist for the Vacant WBC Continental Americas Middleweight title belt.
He fought his final pro bout in November, going out with a 4th round tko win over Joaquin Velasquez in Atlantic City.
At only 23 years of age, Parks career was ended by health concerns. He tested HIV positive and could not get licensed to fight again. His career was short, but very exciting. With power, speed, and skill, he was very entertaining in the ring and came within a few points of becoming the WBA world Champion. He ended his pro boxing career with an excellent record of 27 wins, 1 defeat, and winning 21 by knockout.
If you would like to see Lamar Parks in action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:
LAMAR "Kidfire" PARKS vs
1. CHRIS SANDE [tko-5]
2. LEMORRAH BOLDING [tko-3] 3. BASANTE BLANCO [tko-2]
4. ERIC RHINEHART [tko-3]
5. LENZIE MORGAN [w-12] {WBC Cont-Am Middle Title}
6. KEN HULSEY [tko-1]
7. DONNIE GIRON [tko-6] {NABF Middle Title}
8. FRANCISCO DEJESUS [ko-3]
9. PERCY HARRIS [tko-10] {WBC Cont-Am Middle Title}
10. JOSE LOPEZ [tko-1]
11. REGGIE JOHNSON [L-12] {WBA Middle Title}
12. RICKY THOMAS [w-10]
13. WILLIE KEMP [tko-5]
14. DANNY "Popeye" GARCIA [w-10]
15. GILBERT BAPTIST [tko-11] {Vacant WBC Cont-Am Middle Title}
16. JOAQUIN VELASQUEZ [tko-4] (*Lamar Parks LAST pro bout)
Get your copy of:
Click here to see the link on Amazon: MAT TALES on Amazon.com
No comments:
Post a Comment