Peter McNeeley (born 6 October 1968) is an American former heavyweight boxer best known for his 1995 fight with Mike Tyson, Tyson’s first fight after being released from prison. McNeeley was disqualified after his manager Vinnie Vecchione stepped into the ring to stop his fighter from taking any more punishment after the second knockdown.

Peter McNeeley
Born
Peter Smith McNeeley

(1968-10-06) 6 October 1968 (age 56)
Other names
  • Hurricane
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Reach77 in (196 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights54
Wins47
Wins by KO36
Losses7
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
New England Golden Gloves
Gold medal – first place 1989 Lowell Heavyweight

Early life

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John Peter Smith McNeeley was born on 6 October 1968 in Medfield, Massachusetts, U.S.; the child of Nancy McNeeley, (née Gray) (1944–2018) and Tom McNeeley (1937–2011).[2] His father was a former heavyweight contender who challenged Floyd Patterson for the world heavyweight championship, and later served eight years as the boxing commissioner of the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission.[2] His mother, Nancy, was a former Miss America contestant from New Hampshire. His youngest brother was referred to as “Snubby.”[3] McNeeley's grandfather, Thomas McNeeley Sr. was a New England boxing champion and fought on the 1928 Olympic boxing team.[4]

Amateur boxing career

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McNeeley had 21 amateur fights, finishing his amateur career with the record 15–6.[5] Albeit a brief amateur career, he successfully represented the United States, wherein he defeated Wayne Bernard, the world Maritime heavyweight champion; and the first round knockout of No. 1 ranked US amateur James Johnson.[6] He won the New England Golden Gloves in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1989 and the New England Diamond Belt Tournament later that year.[6]

Tyson fight

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McNeeley is best known for his 1995 fight with Mike Tyson, Tyson’s first fight after being released from prison, before which McNeeley had said he would wrap Tyson in a "cocoon of horror."[7][8] McNeeley fought aggressively but was knocked down twice within the first two minutes. McNeeley was disqualified after his manager Vinnie Vecchione stepped into the ring to stop his fighter from taking any more punishment after the second knockdown. TV Guide included the fight in their list of the 50 Great TV Sports Moments of All Time in 1998.[9]

Personal life

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In 1995, McNeeley was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.[10] In March 2006, McNeeley was arrested in Norwood, Massachusetts, after he punched a man and stole his wallet containing $200.[11] In June 2006, McNeeley was arrested for driving the getaway car used in a robbery of a Walgreens in Stoughton, Massachusetts. After searching the car, police recovered $180 in cash and a black fanny pack which had also been stolen from the store.[12] The charges were later reduced to larceny.

Professional boxing record

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54 fights 47 wins 7 losses
By knockout 36 6
By decision 9 0
By disqualification 2 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
54 Loss 47–7 Mike Bernardo TKO 1 (12), 0:41 8 Jun 2001 Grand West Casino, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa For WBF heavyweight title
53 Loss 47–6 Henry Akinwande KO 2 (12), 2:05 17 Mar 2001 The Moon, Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. For WBC International heavyweight title
52 Win 47–5 Joe Siciliano TKO 1 (4), 2:57 17 Jun 2000 Leominster Armory, Leominster, Massachusetts, U.S.
51 Win 46–5 Jeff Jones TKO 1 (10), 1:05 18 Nov 1999 Gold Strike Tunica, Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, U.S.
50 Loss 45–5 Eric Esch TKO 1 (4), 2:59 26 Jun 1999 Mandalay Bay, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
49 Loss 45–4 Brian Nielsen KO 3 (8), 1:54 12 Feb 1999 Falkoner Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
48 Win 45–3 Harry Funmaker UD 6 8 Oct 1998 Harrah's North Kansas City, North Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
47 Win 44–3 Dan Kosmicki UD 6 17 Apr 1998 Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
46 Win 43–3 Larry Menefee DQ 8 (8), 2:19 10 Jan 1998 Sportsmen's Lodge, Studio City, California, U.S.
45 Win 42–3 Doug Davis UD 6 5 Dec 1997 The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
44 Win 41–3 Domingo Monroe DQ 4 (10), 1:03 12 Aug 1996 Saratoga City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.
43 Loss 40–3 Louis Monaco TKO 5 (6), 2:57 13 Jul 1996 Mammoth Events Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
42 Win 40–2 Marc Machain TKO 1 (6) 22 Jun 1996 Whitman Armory, Whitman, Massachusetts, U.S.
41 Win 39–2 Juan Quintana KO 2 (6), 0:46 27 Apr 1996 Whitman Armory, Whitman, Massachusetts, U.S.
40 Win 38–2 Harold Reitman TKO 1 (10), 2:32 12 Dec 1995 Charlotte Memorial Auditorium, Punta Gorda, Florida, U.S.
39 Win 37–2 Mike Sams KO 2 (12), 1:43 27 Oct 1995 TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Won USBF heavyweight title
38 Loss 36–2 Mike Tyson DQ 1 (10), 1:29 19 Aug 1995 MGM Grand Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. McNeeley was disqualified after his manager entered the ring
37 Win 36–1 Frankie Hines TKO 1 (10), 0:06 22 Apr 1995 Hot Springs Convention Auditorium, Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
36 Win 35–1 Danny Wofford RTD 1 (10), 3:00 17 Mar 1995 Worcester Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
35 Win 34–1 Jerry Barnes KO 1 (8), 2:38 10 Feb 1995 Fort Smith Convention Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
34 Win 33–1 Kevin Wyrick TKO 1 (8), 1:22 20 Jan 1995 Foxboro Raceway, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
33 Win 32–1 Lorenzo Boyd TKO 1 (8), 1:22 11 Nov 1994 Foxborough Raceway, Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
32 Win 31–1 J.B. Williamson TKO 1 (8), 1:01 8 Oct 1994 Whitman Armory, Whitman, Massachusetts, U.S.
31 Win 30–1 Quinton Hardy KO 1 (8), 2:50 29 Aug 1994 Louisville Gardens, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
30 Win 29–1 Dwayne Hall TKO 1 (8), 2:25 22 Jul 1994 Memorial Hall, Plymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
29 Win 28–1 J.B. Williamson RTD 2 (10), 3:00 24 Jun 1994 Foxborough Raceway, Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
28 Win 27–1 Wayne Perdue TKO 1 (6), 1:20 30 Apr 1994 Whitman Armory, Whitman, Massachusetts, U.S.
27 Win 26–1 Lopez McGee TKO 1 (8) 13 Apr 1994 The Ritz, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
26 Win 25–1 Herman Jackson TKO 2 (8) 8 Apr 1994 Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
25 Loss 24–1 Stanley Wright TKO 8 (10), 1:49 18 Feb 1994 Westin Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. For vacant USA New England heavyweight title
24 Win 24–0 Larry Davis TKO 1 (8), 1:40 21 Jan 1994 Sheraton Inn, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Howard Kelly UD 8 24 Nov 1993 Robarts Arena, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
22 Win 22–0 Dwayne Hall UD 6 6 Nov 1993 Foxborough Raceway, Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
21 Win 21–0 Juan Quintana UD 8 10 Sep 1993 Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere, Massachusetts, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Robert Pagan Perez RTD 2 (6) 14 Aug 1993 Whitman Armory, Whitman, Massachusetts, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Miguel Rosa TKO 2 (8), 1:55 7 Jun 1993 Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere, Massachusetts, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Marc Machain KO 7 (8), 1:40 8 May 1993 Foxborough Raceway, Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Phil Prince TKO 1 (6) 9 Apr 1993 Whitman Armory, Whitman, Massachusetts, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 John Basil Jackson TKO 5 (6), 2:55 5 Mar 1993 Whitman Armory, Whitman, Massachusetts, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Jesus Rohena TKO 2 (6), 1:11 20 Feb 1993 Foxborough Raceway, Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Ron Drinkwater TKO 1 (8), 2:08 30 Jan 1993 National Guard Armory, Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Jimmy Harrison UD 6 10 Dec 1992 Teachers Union Hall, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Lorenzo Poole KO 2 (6) 13 Nov 1992 Foxborough Raceway, Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Shawn Bryant TKO 1 (6) 21 Oct 1992 Westin Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Van Dorsey TKO 1 (5), 1:02 28 Sep 1992 Vista International Hotel, Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Jimmy Harrison TKO 3 (6) 12 Sep 1992 Wonderland Greyhound Park, Revere, Massachusetts, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Jimmy Harrison UD 4 19 Jun 1992 Somerville, Massachusetts, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 John Basil Jackson PTS 4 13 Jun 1992 Mount Carmel Recreation Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Jerry Arentzen TKO 1 (4), 2:15 23 Apr 1992 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Jesus Rohena TKO 1 (4), 0:40 28 Feb 1992 Westin Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Phil Prince TKO 1 (4), 2:39 15 Feb 1992 Brockton High School Gymnasium, Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Kevin Chisolm TKO 1 (4), 1:51 7 Dec 1991 Bank Street Armory, Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Fabian Arroyo TKO 1 (4), 0:24 24 Oct 1991 DCU Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Van Dorsey KO 1 (4), 0:50 23 Aug 1991 Nickerson Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

References

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  1. ^ "Boxing record for Peter McNeeley". BoxRec.
  2. ^ a b "Never-give-up puncher McNeeley dies at 74". YourArlington. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Nancy McNeeley returns to spotlight with son Peter". The MetroWest Daily News. 28 June 1995. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  4. ^ Bandy, Steve (13 July 1995). "McNeeley enjoys break from intense training session here". The Rayne Acadian-Tribune. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  5. ^ Peter McNeeley Amateur Record at the BoxingRecords. Last updated : March 1, 2006.
  6. ^ a b "Peter McNeeley - Biography". Peter McNeeley. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Usa: Boxer Mike Tyson Comeback Fight Preview". YouTube.
  8. ^ "The Big Question". Sports Illustrated. 21 August 1995. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  9. ^ "50 Greatest TV Sports Moments of All Time", TV Guide, July 11, 1998
  10. ^ Ellement, John (15 November 1995). "McNeeley pleads not guilty to Roxy assault". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  11. ^ "'Hurricane' McNeeley arrested for assault". USA TODAY. 2 March 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  12. ^ "'Hurricane' McNeeley arrested in holdup". USA TODAY. 29 June 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
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