“My profession was a lot enjoyable, and I attempted my finest. I hope I used to be capable of entertain alongside the way in which. Thanks from the underside of my coronary heart. With out you, I couldn’t have lived this dream for practically half a century. My time has come and now I stroll away” – Kevin Iole (from keviniole.com).
A local of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he has been concerned in sports activities media his complete life. They are saying, ‘discover one thing you like to do and you’ll by no means need to work a day in your life.’
Effectively-known and extremely revered sportswriter Kevin Iole is retiring from a gig during which he didn’t need to work a day in his life. From his days as a sportswriter within the late 70’s, whereas nonetheless in faculty, to his remaining days operating his personal fight sports activities web site (keviniole.com) and every little thing in between, Iole has had a deep and extremely revered profession. He has coated a few of sports activities’ finest athletes, groups and human-interest tales.
Years in the past, after relocating from the east coast to the nice and cozy desert of Las Vegas, he was a sportswriter for the Las Vegas Evaluation-Journal after which the lead Boxing/MMA columnist for Yahoo Sports activities. As of late, he was the person behind the wheel for Keviniole.com. He’s been a sports activities fan his complete life and after many years sitting ringside protecting a few of fight sports activities’ largest fights, Iole has determined to retire. Iole is a member of the Nevada Boxing Corridor of Fame.
MaxBoxing caught up with him for a fast chat about his decades-long profession protecting professional and novice sports activities.
Invoice Tibbs: Hello Kevin, thanks for taking a minute to speak.
Kevin Iole: Hello Invoice, how are you doing?
BT: Why did you resolve to retire?
KI: Effectively, I’m 65 and issues began to alter. After getting let go by Yahoo, I began up my web site and it had an incredible begin. 2024-2025 was nice, numerous site visitors. However the second half of 2025 has been robust. I used to be having hassle getting some fighters for interviews that have been extra accessible after I was with Yahoo. Perhaps their managers weren’t as involved about getting them on my website versus an even bigger platform like Yahoo. Perhaps some managers or promoters have been upset about issues I had stated prior to now. I used to be all the time very sincere and up entrance about fighters. Who is aware of? However, I gave it 6 months after which I assumed possibly it’s time.
BT: You’re a Pittsburgh man. I consider the Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers. However, out in Vegas, you could have been the fight sports activities man. Is fight sports activities your favourite now?
KI: Effectively as I speak to you I’m watching the Pirates proper now. Some individuals would query why I might watch the Pirates nowadays, however I’m a Pittsburgh man (laughs). You realize Invoice, my dad fought within the military. We watched Ali combating within the 60’s, I grew up round boxing, and my dad beloved boxing. So, I’ve all the time favored fight sports activities, though that time period didn’t come till MMA caught on. It was simply boxing. Once I began, I didn’t know a factor about MMA however grew to know the game and adore it. You need to know one thing? I went to the good Sugar Ray Robinson’s final combat with my dad after I was somewhat boy. It was on the Pittsburgh Civic Middle.
BT: Actually? That’s unimaginable. In opposition to Joey Archer. You have to have many ‘pinch me’ moments over a decades-long profession.
KI: Gene Kilroy, who labored for Muhammad Ali for years, bumped into me as soon as (at a listening to for Mike Tyson) and he stated, “Include me I need to introduce you to somebody”. So, I’m going across the nook and who’s sitting there however Muhammad Ali. It was fairly a second. I used to be in awe, and I don’t get star-struck by anybody. He pulled me near him and stated, “You have to be the best based mostly on what my pal stated to me,” an unimaginable second. Ali had such allure and was so variety and naturally, in that second I simply couldn’t imagine I used to be chatting with Muhammad Ali. An unimaginable reminiscence.
BT: Finest fights you noticed dwell?
KI: Effectively, there have been so many however some that come to thoughts are Castillo/Corrales 1. I used to be sadly sick for Hagler/Hearns (however that actually would have made the checklist). Bowe/Holyfield 1, that tenth spherical was only a particular spherical. And Morales/Barrera 1 actually could possibly be in there. There are such a lot of nice fights however these come to thoughts.
BT: You’re a Pittsburgh man so identify your favorites – Steelers? Penguins? Pirates?
KI: Steelers? Simple – “Imply” Joe Greene. Penguins? Mario (Lemieux), Sid (Crosby), Ron Francis, Jaromir Jagr, and Gary Risling. And the Pirates? Willie Stargell #1, and Roberto Clemente #2.
BT: Ideas on Turki Alalshikh and his Riyadh Season promotions and their large step into boxing. He’s placing Saudi Arabia on the boxing map.
KI: Effectively, I feel the very best factor is that he’s a boxing fan first. He isn’t only a man with countless quantities of cash who wished to purchase the game. He’s really a fan and desires to placed on nice fights in order that’s all good. I used to be somewhat involved over his feedback about ‘Tom and Jerry’ fashion boxing. I imply you’ll be able to take a look at monetary incentives and various things for ‘Struggle of the Night time’ like they do in different promotions. However, to begin dictating how a fighter has to combat, style-wise, that may be a drawback. I don’t suppose you are able to do that.
BT: OK, I’ll get your opinion on a few upcoming fights. Canelo/Crawford?
KI: Canelo and Crawford – I feel it’s a superb combat and I like Crawford. I feel he has the instruments and expertise to beat Canelo. Now Canelo has one of many all-time nice chins, so I don’t suppose Bud stops him. Each fighters are actual sensible, each fighters will regulate and alter because the combat goes on. However, I feel it’s a fast-paced combat, and it’s a superb combat. However I like Crawford within the combat.
BT: Most individuals see Crawford by resolution and Canelo followers see a stoppage as they really feel he’s too sturdy for him.
KI: No, I don’t suppose that it’s a stoppage. Bud informed me lately that he’ll weigh greater than Canelo on combat evening and that he’s “a giant man”. These are each good, sensible fighters. A fantastic quick paced combat. However yeah, I like Crawford to win a choice.
BT: Pacquiao/Barrios?
KI: I feel Manny in his prime and Barrios in his prime, Manny will get him out of there in 3, 4, 5 rounds, one thing like that. However at his age and stage, I simply suppose he’s too previous and the reflexes aren’t there. He’s 46, hasn’t had a knockout in years. I don’t say that as a criticism of Manny or a press release about Barrios. I simply suppose age, time, all that, it’ll play an element come combat evening. I hope Manny doesn’t get beat up. However I see Barrios in all probability stopping him late. Barrios is a troublesome child however he isn’t an enormous puncher, however he’s a lot youthful. Age is a big issue.
BT: What’s subsequent?
KI: July off for positive. Freelance a bit if I get the chance. Perhaps search for one thing else if I get stressed. Attempt to get again out on the golf course as I missed that after I began up my website as a result of I used to be simply so busy. I’ll be choosy about what I do however we’ll see what comes up.
BT: Thanks Kevin and congratulations on an incredible profession, take pleasure in your retirement. We’ll see you out in Vegas down the highway.
KI: Thanks Invoice, I respect it.
