Valentino Knowles (born 16 August 1988) is a Bahamian former professional

boxer Boxer most commonly refers to: * Boxer (boxing), a competitor in the sport of boxing *Boxer (dog), a breed of dog Boxer or boxers may also refer to: Animal kingdom * Boxer crab * Boxer shrimp, a small group of decapod crustaceans * Boxer snipe ee ...

Career

As an amateur, Knowles represented the Bahamas across various international competitions in the light welterweight division. His best performances include a gold medal at the

2010 Central American and Caribbean Games The 21st Central American and Caribbean Games (Spanish: ''XXI Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe, Mayagüez 2010'') took place in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, from 18 July 2010 to 1 August 2010. Bid It was understood that Mayagüez was going to b ...

, a silver medal at the

2011 Pan American Games The 2011 Pan American Games, officially the XVI Pan American Games, was an international multi-sport event that was held from October 14–30, 2011, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Some events were held in the nearby cities of Ciudad Guzmán, ...

and a bronze medal at the

2010 Commonwealth Games The 2010 Commonwealth Games (Hindi: 2010 राष्ट्रमण्डल खेल), officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Delhi 2010, was an international multi-sport event that was held in Delhi, India, f ...

. He also competed at the

AIBA World Boxing Championships The IBA World Boxing Championships, and the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships (previously known as AIBA), are biennial amateur boxing competitions organised by the International Boxing Association (IBA), which is the sport governing body. ...

in 2009 and 2011. Knowles missed qualification for the

2012 Summer Olympics The 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012) was an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...

and soon after turned professional. He fought two professional bouts in 2013, both wins, over Ruben Ozuna and Alejandro Ochoa. During this time he trained in Miami, under Orlando Cuellar.

Shooting

His career was ended by a shooting in 2014, outside an apartment complex in the Kemp Road area of

Nassau Nassau may refer to: Places Bahamas *Nassau, Bahamas, capital city of the Bahamas, on the island of New Providence Canada *Nassau District, renamed Home District, regional division in Upper Canada from 1788 to 1792 *Nassau Street (Winnipeg), ...

. Shots were fired at Knowles and three other pedestrians from a vehicle which had pulled up, with the boxer struck multiple times. Knowles was shot in the leg, upper right chest, chin and twice in his left hand. He was sent to hospital in a serious condition but doctors were able to save his life. His leg was broken in three places and he suffered a fractured jaw. He is now a certified international amateur boxing coach.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Knowles, Valentino 1988 births Living people Bahamian male boxers Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for the Bahamas Commonwealth Games medallists in boxing Boxers at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Pan American Games silver medalists for the Bahamas Boxers at the 2011 Pan American Games Light-welterweight boxers Shooting survivors Sportspeople from Nassau, Bahamas Pan American Games medalists in boxing Central American and Caribbean Games gold medalists for the Bahamas Competitors at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games Central American and Caribbean Games medalists in boxing Medalists at the 2011 Pan American Games Medallists at the 2010 Commonwealth Games