Jemal Hinton, Former Undefeated Beltway Boxer, Passes Away In Car Accident!

 He was one of the best Beltway Boxers to never win a world title.  That was only because he didn't want one.

Jemal Hinton, a legendary boxer from District Heights, MD, passed away recently from injuries suffered in a car accident.

Mr. Hinton was an outstanding amateur boxer with a record of 98-14.  He came very close to making the 1988 United States Olympic Team, losing in the finals of the Olympic Trials to Kennedy McKinney, a boxer Mr. Hinton had defeated at the United States Championships earlier in the year.

Mr. Hinton would be trained by his father, Junious, throughout his amateur career.  When he turned pro, another legendary name would join them.  Mr. Hinton moved to the Kronk Gym in Detroit, MI where he would be trained by Emanuel Steward.  He would make his pro debut on October 17th, 1988, where he would score a second-round knockout over Juan Lopez in Tucson, AZ.

Mr. Hinton would knock out his first five opponents before winning a six-round majority decision over Ruben Nevarez on February 7th, 1989 in Atlantic City, NJ.

In his 11th pro bout, Mr. Hinton would score what would turn out to be his biggest pro victory, an 11th round TKO over 1984 Olympian Robert Shannon to win the WBC Continental Americas Super Bantamweight title on November 16th, 1989 in Atlantic City.  He would defend the title five times.

Mr. Hinton's last bout would be on January 21st, 1992 when he would win a 10-round unanimous decision over Lucilo Nolasco in Canton, MI.  The win would keep him undefeated at 22-0, 17 KO's.  At 22 years old and with a world title shot seemingly on the horizon...

Mr. Hinton decided to quit the sport. Permanently.

In 2013, Mr. Hinton explained his reasons for quitting to LiveFight.com:

"I began to lose the desire that was needed to be victorious in battle, and a few other things that happened made me realize I needed to retire. ... There was something taking place inside me, spiritually and mentally, and it was causing me to tire of boxing. It was causing me to become confused about the whole idea of training and beating people up. ... Retiring was the bravest, most stand-up decision I'd ever made, my feelings about boxing were changing and for the first time in my life I felt free."

Mr. Hinton would eventually coach his son, Jemal, Jr. in boxing.  No details have been given on the accident that would claim his life.

Jemal Hinton was one of the most exciting boxers in Beltway history.  He had the speed, power, and technical skill to be a long-time world champion.  He quit on his terms and that has to be respected.  He also had tremendous charisma with one of the nicest smiles I ever saw.  I always enjoyed talking with him and will miss our conversations. BATB sends its deepest condolences to the Hinton family.