Valentino Knowles

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| nationality = Bahamian

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| total = 2

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File:XIX Commonwealth Games-2010 Delhi Winners of Light Welter Weight (64 kg) Boxing Event Manoj Kumar of India (Gold), Bradley Saunders of England (Silver).jpg

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

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, a silver medal at the 2011 Pan American Games and a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He also competed at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in 2009 and 2011.

Knowles missed qualification for the 2012 Summer Olympics and soon after turned professional.{{cite news|url=http://www.thenassauguardian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35984:valentino-knowles-set-to-turn-professional&catid=41:sports&Itemid=50|title=Valentino Knowles set to turn professional|last=Sturrup|first=Fred|date=12 December 2012|work=Nassau Guardian|access-date=26 December 2016}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.bahamasnational.com/?q=node/2334|title=Valentino Knowles begins Pro Career|work=Bahamas National|access-date=26 December 2016}}

Shooting

His career was ended by a shooting in 2014, outside an apartment complex in the Kemp Road area of Nassau. Shots were fired at Knowles and three other pedestrians from a vehicle which had pulled up, with the boxer struck multiple times.{{cite news|url=http://bahamaspress.com/2014/01/18/a-young-boxer-valentino-knowles-is-gunned-down-and-fighting-for-lift-after-a-shooting-just-outside-an-apartment-on-kemp-road/|title=A young boxer Valentino Knowles is gunned down|date=18 January 2014|work=Bahamas Press|access-date=26 December 2016}} Knowles was shot in the leg, upper right chest, chin and twice in his left hand.{{cite news|url=http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/jan/31/boxers-life-flashed-his-eyes-when-he-was-shot/|title=Boxer's 'life flashed before his eyes' when he was shot|last=Stubbs|first=Brent|date=31 January 2014|work=The Tribune|access-date=26 December 2016}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.thenassauguardian.com/sports/44591-promising-bahamian-boxer-shot-listed-in-stable-condition|title=Promising Bahmian boxer shot; listed in stable condition|last=Sheldon|first=Longley|date=20 January 2014|work=Nassau Guardian|access-date=26 December 2016}}

He is now a certified international amateur boxing coach.{{cite news|url=http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/dec/11/knowles-returns-home-certified-international-amate/|title=Knowles returns home as certified international amateur boxing coach|last=Stubbs|first=Brent|date=11 December 2015|work=The Tribune|access-date=26 December 2016}}