Keithland King returns with win in Colombia, faces unbeaten pro next

Photo: Keithland King at Old Dog Boxing. Photo by Carlo Estonactoc

After four years out of the ring, Keithland King had some rust to shake off. That’s what he did.

The 36-year-old junior middleweight had his first fight since 2019 on January 25, stopping Gustavo Sandoval after the third round at Coliseo de Pescaito David Ruiz Ureche in Santa Marta, Colombia. King (4-1, 4 knockouts) was supposed to fight again this past Friday in Colombia but the deal fell through last minute.

For King, who was born in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines but now lives in Washington, N.J., the long break was one he was happy to end.

“I had a really long layoff so I decided to pick back up,” said King, who now trains at Old Dog Boxing in Ringoes, N.J.

King, who grew up in Barbados, turned pro in 2017 in the Virgin Islands but found it hard to get his career stabilized due to the COVID-19 pandemic and moving to the United States. Before turning pro, King fought on the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national team, fighting in India for the Commonwealth Games, Azerbaijan for the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, Brazil for the 2012 Olympic qualifying tournament, Argentina for the 2016 Olympic qualifying tournament.

King isn’t planning to have any long layoffs after this. He has signed to face Jorge Tovar (7-0, 6 KOs) in a six-round bout on March 1 at County Coliseum in his hometown of El Paso, Texas.

“They offered me the opportunity to fight him and I took it away. I must say, I watched the guy, I personally think I can beat him,” said King.

“I’ve been watching videos of him, I think I can beat him. I might stop him, but let’s see.”