Winky Wright Bio: Early Life, Career, Retirement & Personal Life

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Ronald Lamont “Winky” Wright, also famous by Winky Wright’s nickname, is a retired professional boxer. This renowned boxer has participated in fights from 1989-2012.

As per a highly reputed Website, BoxRec, which typically maintains updated records of amateur and professional male and female boxers, has ranked Winky Wright as the #3 best boxer of all time.

Similarly, The Ring Ring Magazine ranked Winky Wright as the world’s #2 best active boxer. In addition, Winky was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.

Further, famous for his slick personality, defensive techniques, and various high-profile bouts, Winky Wright has held multiple lightweights, featherweight, and light heavyweight championships throughout his career.

Winky Wright and his belts.
HOF signed Boxing Lightweight champion Winky Wright.

Similarly, he has won the light-middleweight championship two times in his career. While Winky retired from his career, he still was the light heavyweight champion.

Hence, he became the undisputed champion.

Apart from boxing, he has appeared in various tv series, music videos, and movies.

It won’t be wrong to say that Winky is an all-rounder; even though he had many hardships and struggles, he overcame them all and became where he is today.

Today, we dive into the life of Winky Wright. Here, we discuss his early life, career, retirement, age, personal life, and many more.

But first, let us have an instant glance at the quick facts.

Quick Facts

Name Ronald Lamont “Winky” Wright
Birthdate November 26, 1971
Birthplace Washington D.C, United States
Age 53 Years Old
Nationality  American 
Ethnicity  Multiracial 
Father’s Name Unknown 
Mother’s Name Unknown 
Professional  Retired professional boxer
Total Fights 58
Win-loss-draw Record 51-6-1
Nickname Winky
Height 5 ft. 10 inches
Weight  72 kg
Weights Lightweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight 
Stance Southpaw
Hair Color Black
Eye Color Brown
Shoe Size Unknown
Zodiac Sign Sagittarius 
Net worth  $8 million 
Achievement Two times Light middleweight champion (undisputed)
Salary N.A
Started Career  1999
Retired  2012
Hall of Fame 2017
World’s best active boxer  #2
Sexual Orientation  Straight 
Married  Yes
Spouse Sayquana Barney
Children  1
Siblings  No
Social Media  Instagram, Twitter
Last Update 
November, 2024

Winky Wright I Early life and Family

The famous boxes, winky wright, was born in Washington on November 25, 1971, in the capital of the United States. Winky was raised by his maternal grandparents and a single mother.

Further, his grandmother gave him the name Winky because, as an infant, he used to Link at people.

Finally, Winky grew up with his uncle Byron who was two months his senior.

Winky Wright in gloves
Winky Wright entered the boxing ring in his iconic blue gown.

Winky and Winnie were not just bound by their nicknames but by their hearts as well.

As they grew up in the same household, they were inseparable from the time they could even walk.

Sadly, Winky and Winne’s world was rocked when Winky’s grandpa abruptly moved the family to St. Petersburg, Fla.

At that time, Wright was just 15 years old and not happy with the change of scenery.

One random day while Winky was bored and wandering into Birmingham’s gym after basketball practice.

The gym was just around the corner from Wright’s House. Suddenly, the idea of joining the gym arises in Winky’s thoughts.

Surprisingly, soon after that, let us say, three weeks later, Winky was Florida Golden Gloves Champion, novice class.

At that time, he had just turned 16. Winky had found an idea about what he would love to choose as a career at such an early age.

In a short period of two years, Winky compiled a 65-7 amateur record. Since then, Winky hasn’t looked back and has always been hardworking and dedicated to his career.

Check out Kathryn Tappen’s bio to know more about her sportscasting journey.

Winky Wright | Body Measurements, Height, and Weight

Winky Wright stands 5 ft 10 inches tall and weighs around 72 kg. He had a good physique back then and still does.

Similarly, Winky had been highly athletic throughout his career.

Additionally, Winky has beautiful black hair and brown eyes. Well, talking about his birth chart horoscope Winky is a Sagittarius.

People born with this zodiac sign are usually hard-working, fun, and ambitious.

Wright is one hard-working and ambitious person. If it weren’t for his hard work, dedication, and passion for boxing, he wouldn’t have been where he is today.

Winky Wright | Professional Career

Early Years

At the age of 15, Winky Wright started his career. He already made a 65-7 record at the beginning of his career.

However, in the beginning, big promoters would not promote Winky even though he was a good fighter.

Nonetheless, he didn’t lose hope and kept on progressing. Finally, the French-based Acaries brothers struck a deal with winky to fight Darryl Lattimore.

It was the turning point of Wright’s career. Wright knocked Lattimore down three times in that fight, so the fighting stopped.

Soon after the battle with Lattimore, Wright went on a tour in Europe for various fights. Not surprisingly, Wright wins eight matches in France, Germany, Monte Carlo, etc.

Read About: American Sportscaster Kayce Smith

First Title Match

Веforе 1994, he only had small fights, as he never got an opportunity to fight in title matches.

But, in 1994, on August 21, Wright received his first title match against Julio Cesar Vasquez For the WBA light-middleweight championship.

Unfortunately, Winky couldn’t win that match because he had never fought in a game that lasted more than eight rounds.

However, after many people watched this match, many headlines claimed it was unfair.

Winky lost a second, seventh and ninth round, and twelfth round (twice) via unanimous decision, as per many people.

However, it became controversial after Julio won the match on the knockdowns he Scored.

Further, they claimed if the public had done the match through knockdowns, Winkey would have also narrowly won the game on the scorecards.

Julio wins the match regardless of anything because Wright would have scored several knockdowns to win the game.

However, Wright didn’t lose hope, and in 1995, he fought for the championship title. Fortunately, winky won the match via unanimous decision, which he fought against Tony Marshall.

Winning WBO Title

During mid 90’s Winky was busy fighting in Europe. Finally, he got his first WBO light-middleweight championship shot after winning a match against Andrew’s counsel in 1996.

Further, in that match, Winky performed well. He won the championship title via a split decision against Bronco Eckart.

On various occasions, Wright defends his title, i.e., three times in London and two times in Manchester.

However, he loses the world title against undefeated Harry Simon in South Africa.

Moving to America

In 1999, Wright decided to stop working with the Actuaries brothers and move back to America. Similarly, Winky was tired of traveling all the time.

Soon after knocking Derrick Graham out in the third round, in Miami, Florida, Wright challenges Fernando Vargas For IBF light middleweight championship.

Winky Wright is placed in the list of "Florida Icon" by Florida Trend
Winky Wright is placed in the list of “Florida Icons” by Florida Trend.

However, that match also turned out to be one of the controversial matches of Winky’s career.

While many people watching the game felt Winky won the fight, Vargas won the match unanimously.

Harold Lederman, a ringside boxing broadcaster for HBO, who unofficially scores the fight, scored 115 -113 for right.

In contrast, Wright kept on fighting and finally won the USBA light and middleweight championship via unanimous decision, which he fought against Branco Eckart.

IBF champion

After Felix Trinidad Jumped to the Middleweight division, the title of IBF light middleweight was left vacant. Wright defeats Rober Frazier and wins the title.

In 2003, wright debuts on National Television Las Vegas against Carlos Canelo for a title match and won the game via unanimous decision.

Some great fights of Winky Wright’s Career

Winky Wright vs. Shane Mosley

In 2004, Shane Mosley challenged Winky to a fight. Winky had just won the battle against Oscar then, and everyone appreciated his performance.

However, Winky accepts the challenge. Firstly, during the match, Wright makes Shane uncomfortable and discourages Shane for his size as well.

Undoubtedly, Winky wins the watch and Mosley’s Lineal / The Ring / WBC/ WIBA titles. However, Shane again challenges winky for a rematch. But again, Winky wins the match.

However, Winky purposely gave up on some rounds and helped Shane gain some points.

One of the two evaluators decides the game was a draw and clarifies Winky’s victory. Nonetheless, via unanimous decision, Winky also wins the match for the second time.

Winky Wright VS. Trinidad

After winning a match against Shane, Winky vacates the middleweight championship title and challenges Felix Trinidad. However, after so many rounds, Winky finally wins that match.

Later Years

Winky Wright was giving his best and winning almost all the fights from 2009-2010.

However, everything started to change in 2011. Winky was not performing well in his matches; he lost many games despite trying so hard.

Winky even took a break from his career for some time. 

Finally, after losing a match with Peter Quillin in 2012, he announced his retirement. Hence, a good boxer retired that day, which made many of his well-wishers and boxing lovers sad.

However, Winky is still considered one of the best boxers of all time. Likewise, in 2017, Winky was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Filmography

After retirement, Winky thinks of trying something new. However, he was already working in films since 2004 he decided to give continuity to the glamour business.

Moreover, Winky has appeared in three movies/series- The Jury, State Property 2, and Loren Cass

Apart from that, Winky has been seen in Busta Rhymes’s music video. His curettage owns his record label.

So even though he retired from boxing, his fans can still see him in various projects.

Winky Wright | Net Worth

No wonder Winky has earned a lot of money. However, the maximum amount of money he has achieved is from boxing.

Besides boxing, he has appeared in several movies and series and endorsed many brands.

Winky Wright has a net worth of $44 million. Similarly, he has his record label, “Pound 4 Pound Records”.

In addition, Reebok, Vitamin Water, Rocawear, and State Property are some of the brands he endorses.

Winky even has his own promotion Company named Winky Promotions.

Winky Worth | Personal Life

In 2009, Winky Wright married his long-term girlfriend, Sayquana Barney. He is spending as much time as he can with his wife. Similarly, he has a son and a grandson as well.

However, Winky is a private person. He likes to keep his personal life confidential. Thus, there is not much news regarding him and his wife.

But, on the other hand, there is no news of any disputes among them, which clarifies they live happy life.

FAQs

What is Winky Wrights doing now?

Winky Wrights is currently busy with his own business.

Does Winky Wright have a grandson?

Yes, Winky has a grandson. He had shared a picture of his grandson on social media.

Miss. KeCy
Miss. KeCy

Anusha K.C

Anusha K.C is a dynamic writer with a keen interest in uncovering the stories that lie beneath the surface of the sports world. Her articles offer readers a fresh perspective on athletes and sporting events, blending insightful analysis with engaging storytelling.

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  • Anusha shares inspiring stories of athletes who have overcome adversity to achieve success.
  • She explores the off-field lives of athletes, from their training routines and dietary habits.

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Anusha's passion for sports journalism is rooted in a love of competition and a fascination with the human stories behind athletic achievement. With a background in writing and a keen eye for detail, she brings a unique perspective to her articles, capturing the excitement and emotion of sports with depth and insight.

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