Professional Boxing Career
Rooney began professionally boxing in 1979 and acquired a record of twenty-one wins, four losses, and one draw. In his most important fight as a professional, on July 31, 1982, Rooney lost to three division world champion Alexis Argüello, who was making his first fight in the Junior Welterweight division, by a second round knockout. He also lost to future WBA world Junior Middleweight champion Davey Moore, who avenged an amateur loss to Rooney, by a knockout in seven rounds, on June 21, 1981 . Kevin Rooney was the trainer of world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson from the start of his professional career in 1985, up until Tyson's bout with Michael Spinks in 1988. After he was fired by Tyson (who had been persuaded by Don King to only train exclusively with a non-white team), Tyson's boxing skills declined noticeably. Tyson's first loss came shortly after Rooney's departure.
Rooney was the second closest trainer to young Mike Tyson, followed by Teddy Atlas, and is most familiar with Cus D'Amato's famed "Peek-a-Boo" boxing style. Rooney has continued to train fighters, working most notably with Vinny Paz who after hooking up with Rooney, won the 154 pound title.
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