Remembering…Andy Kendall September 5, 1938 – January 31, 2015
Andy Kendall, who passed away on January 31 2015, at the age of 76, was a rugged, big-hearted fighter, who fought the best light-heavyweights of the 1960s and early 70s. Nicknamed "The Scappoose Express,” Kendall was born Andrew Pierce, on September 5, 1938, in Burns, Oregon, Kendall’s mother was a full-blooded Seminole Indian, and the family lived on the Paiute Indian Reservation. Kendall's early life was touched by tragedy when first his father, a school teacher on the reservation died, then his mother died, leaving him an orphan at the age of 12. The Pierce family was broken up, and the children sent to foster care. The Kendall family, from which he took his new name, adopted Andy.
After learning to box during a stint in the Marines, Kendall turned professional in 1962 and soon proved to be a tough match for anyone in the 175 division. In a career which lasted until 1974, Kendall fought top names such as Roger Rouse, Mike Quarry, Ron Marsh, Eddie Jones, Don Fullmer, Bobo Olson, Eddie Cotton, Pat O'Connor, Henry Hank, Dick Tiger, Yaqui Lopez, Jorge Ahmuda, and Bob Foster. The biggest night of Kendall’s career came when he challenged the great Bob Foster for the world light-heavyweight title, on May 24, 1969. Kendall gave his usual rugged display but, found the deadly punches of Foster too much and was stopped in the 4th round.
The Scappoose Express continued punching until 1974, when he retired with a final record of 44(11koes)-15-8. In his post fighting life Kendall turned his attention to training and helping troubled youth, becoming another fighter who used boxing to positive effect, long after his own fighting career had ended.
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