Remembering Boxer Peter McNeeley

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By Daniel Sisneros

After just 21 amateur fights, Massachusetts’ Peter McNeeley turned professional on August 23, 1991 against Van Dorsey at Nickerson Field in Boston. Peter opened with an exciting first round ko win after being dropped, he roared back to stop his opponent at 50 seconds of round

Starting his career with 6 straight first round knockout wins, it’s easy to see how he earned the nickname “Hurricane”. He remained unbeaten for 2 1/2 years building a record of 24-0, 18 ko’s and earning a shot at the vacant New England Heavyweight Title. McnNeeley lost that title challenge via 8th round technical knockout to hard punching Stanley Wright (8-5, 8 ko’s).

Pete rebounded and put together a 12 fight winning streak which included 12 straight knockout wins! Among his victims was former WBC Light-Heavyweight World Champion J.B. Williamson who was stopped in round 2 by McNeeley, and then round 1 in the rematch!

With a 36-1 record, and a reputation as a power punching crowd pleaser, McNeeley was named as the opponent to face the legendary Mike Tyson in the former champ’s return to the ring after a nearly 4 year absence. Tyson came in to that fight with a 46-1 record, and a fearsome reputation. It was a

memorable 90 seconds, but after two knockdowns, McNeeley’s trainer jumped in to halt the fight. It was ruled a DQ loss for McNeeley.

Peter became a bit of a name after the Tyson fight. He went right back to campaigning in the heavyweight division, and ran off 4 straight ko wins with none of them going past round 2. He traveled to Denver, Colorado to face slugger Louis Monaco, and was tko’d in round 5 of a bout scheduled for 6.

McNeeley bounced back with 5 straight wins before losing two in a row, traveling to Denmark and being stopped by IBO Heavyweight Champion – Brian Nielsen (46-0, 30 ko) (Nielsen would go on to also win the IBC Heavyweight Title), and being stopped in round 1 against “The king of the 4 rounders” – Eric “Butterbean” Esch (46-1-1).

There would be 4 more fights for “Hurricane” McNeeley. He won his next two fights, and then went for titles in his final two bouts, being stopped in round 2 by former WBO World Champion Henry Akinwande – that fight being for the WBC International Heavyweight Title, and then Pete’s farewell bout June 8, 2001 when he traveled to Cape Town, South Africa to challenge Mike Bernardo (10-1-1) for his WBF Heavyweight Title belt. Peter was stopped in the opening round of that final bout.

“Hurricane” Peter McNeeley finished his pro career with a record of 47 wins, 7 losses, winning 36 by knockout. An impressive record, and even though he never won a title, he did prove that if you weren’t world class, you were in trouble if you stepped into the ring against him! An all action fighter, and a real fan favorite, with a great sense of humor, and humble persona.

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