First let me thank those of you who are reading this blog and sending me information about boxers that I may not be aware of. It is MUCH appreciated.
Since my recent postings on scheduled bouts out of town regarding Beltway Boxers, I have received phone calls and emails about other boxers who will be in action in the coming weeks. Thanks again for the tips and please keep sending them in.
Here's some more information on local boxers:
On that December 6 card in Memphis, TN that features Perry Ballard, another local prospect will be making an appearance. That will be Capitol Heights, MD featherweight Thomas Snow. Snow made his pro debut on November 5 scoring a first-round knockout over Ronald Viera in Winston-Salem, NC. Snow will be facing a Memphis product in Chris Burford who has a record of 5-33-1 with four KO's.
We mentioned that cruiserweight Lloyd "Jabba" Bryan of Capitol Heights is now trying to stay busy. Bryan is coming off that upset unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Jeff Baker on November 22. Bryan (21-11, nine KO's) will be back in action on December 8 when he takes on Martin Verdin in a six-round bout in Southhaven, MS. According to BoxRec.com, Bryan, originally from the island of Jamaica, also has a bout scheduled for December 29 in Jamaica, Queens, NY.
On December 9 in Lancaster, PA, super featherweight Dean "Pit Bull" White of Reston, VA will be back in action. White (11-3, six KO's) will try to rebound from a tough six-round majority decision loss to Mike "Little Rock" Ricasa on October 27 at Martin's West. White will be in the main event on this card and it will be the "Battle of the Dogs" because his opponent will be undefeated Oronde "The Dog" Dawley of Camden, NJ. Dawley (11-0-1, four KO's) is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision victory over Justo Sanchez on October 21 in Philadelphia.
This should be a good card. I know the promotion company, Dee Lee Promotions, headed by Diane Fischer. I covered a show of theirs in Dover, DE a few years ago and they put on a first class show.
Also on December 9, at the Show Place Exhibition Center in Richmond, VA, two local veterans will be on a card. Heavyweight Derek "Hollywood" Amos of Fort Washington, MD will make his first appearance in a ring in more than three years. Amos (13-22, eight KO's) started off quickly in his pro career winning his first eight bouts in 1993 and 1994. A number of those bouts took place at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD on cards co-promoted by his father. I mention this because those cards help boost my career when I was working with "Boxing Spotlight."
Once Amos started meeting better competition, he had difficulty. Among the notable names on his resume are current IBF Heavyweight champion Chris Byrd, current contenders Monte Barrett and Danny Williams and former contender Razor Ruddock.
Amos will be trying to break a 12-bout losing streak when he faces Alonzo Cutchins (4-12, three KO's) of Charlottsville, VA in a six-round matchup. Cutchins hasn't fought since 1997 and lost his last seven bouts.
One of those last seven losses on Cutchins' record came at the hands of another boxer on this Richmond card; heavyweight and fan favorite Jason Waller of Stafford, VA. Waller will be taking on David Chappell of Portsmouth, VA in a six-round bout.
Waller (28-30-4, 19 KO's) has been boxing since 1990 and except for a two-year hiatus from July 1996 to January 1998, Waller has been in action consistently. Waller, who once held the Virginia State Cruiserweight title, has fought a number of quality people over his career in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. The names include former IBF Cruiserweight champ Vassily Jirov, former cruiserweight contender Vincent Boulware and heavyweight contenders Andrew Golota and Shannon Briggs.
Waller has been working at the Baltimore Boxing Club and has been seen at some local cards working with young boxers. In the ring, Waller will be looking to break a three-bout losing streak when he takes on Chappell(6-5, two KO's).
Of course, all bouts are subject to change without notice. If there are results, I will do my best to let you know how these boxers did.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Kim Not in Tennessee After All; Nwodo Battles in Philadelphia!
I am now getting word that Silver Spring welterweight Han "Sugar" Kim will NOT be on the card in Tennessee as earlier posted. All other information on that previous post is correct.
In other news, Baltimore-based cruiserweight Emanuel Nwodo will be involved in a co-feature on a Don Elbaum-promoted card at the legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia on December 2. Nwodo (17-4, 13 KO's), originally from Enugu, Nigeria, will take on John Douglas (6-10-3, three KO's) of Georgetown, Guyana in a bout scheduled for eight rounds.
Nwodo, who has explosive power in both hands, has been impressive since moving down to Cruiserweight division, winning all seven of his Cruiserweight bouts, five by way of knockout. Douglass will provide a stiff challenge for the Nigerian, as he is on a comeback of his own, winning four of his last five bouts.
In other news, Baltimore-based cruiserweight Emanuel Nwodo will be involved in a co-feature on a Don Elbaum-promoted card at the legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia on December 2. Nwodo (17-4, 13 KO's), originally from Enugu, Nigeria, will take on John Douglas (6-10-3, three KO's) of Georgetown, Guyana in a bout scheduled for eight rounds.
Nwodo, who has explosive power in both hands, has been impressive since moving down to Cruiserweight division, winning all seven of his Cruiserweight bouts, five by way of knockout. Douglass will provide a stiff challenge for the Nigerian, as he is on a comeback of his own, winning four of his last five bouts.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Local Boxers in Mississippi!
Two undefeated DC prospects will participate in a boxing card on December 10 at Fitzgeralds Casino in Tunica, MS.
Junior welterweight Lamont Peterson (14-0, six KO's) will take on Johnny "Live Wire" Walker of Fort Lauderdale, FL (18-18, 12 KO's). Peterson is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Robert Frankel on September 2nd in Little Rock, AR. Peterson has gone the distance in his last three bouts.
Walker is trying to break a 15-bout losing streak which includes defeats at the hands of such noted boxers as former world champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Americo Santos and Nate Campbell.
Walker is also seeking a win over a Peterson. Walker lost a six-round unanimous decision over Lamont's brother Anthony on August 20 in Biloxi, MS.
Also on this card, lightweight Ty Barnett (5-0, four KO's) will take on undefeated Deon Nash of Lutcher, LA (3-0) in a six-round lightweight contest.
In his last bout, Barnett scored a first round KO over Theodore Anderson on September 10 in Tunica. Barnett has only fought once in DC and that was on the Kevin McBride-Mike Tyson card on June 11 at MCI Center. Barnett won by four-round unanimous decision over Michael Salyers on that card, the only time Barnett has gone the distance.
Nash won his last contest by four-round unanimous decision over Mikel Williams on June 11 in Bossier City, LA.
When I get results on this card, I will certainly post.
Junior welterweight Lamont Peterson (14-0, six KO's) will take on Johnny "Live Wire" Walker of Fort Lauderdale, FL (18-18, 12 KO's). Peterson is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Robert Frankel on September 2nd in Little Rock, AR. Peterson has gone the distance in his last three bouts.
Walker is trying to break a 15-bout losing streak which includes defeats at the hands of such noted boxers as former world champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Americo Santos and Nate Campbell.
Walker is also seeking a win over a Peterson. Walker lost a six-round unanimous decision over Lamont's brother Anthony on August 20 in Biloxi, MS.
Also on this card, lightweight Ty Barnett (5-0, four KO's) will take on undefeated Deon Nash of Lutcher, LA (3-0) in a six-round lightweight contest.
In his last bout, Barnett scored a first round KO over Theodore Anderson on September 10 in Tunica. Barnett has only fought once in DC and that was on the Kevin McBride-Mike Tyson card on June 11 at MCI Center. Barnett won by four-round unanimous decision over Michael Salyers on that card, the only time Barnett has gone the distance.
Nash won his last contest by four-round unanimous decision over Mikel Williams on June 11 in Bossier City, LA.
When I get results on this card, I will certainly post.
Local Boxers Involved in Tennessee Card!
Thanks to a reader for this tip. Two local veteran Beltway Boxers are scheduled to be involved in a boxing card on Dec. 6 in Memphis, Tennessee. You won’t believe who one of them is.
One of them will be Perry Ballard of Leesburg, who will be participating in his first bout since losing a fourth-round technical knockout to Jimmy Lange at the Battle of Virginia on September 17 at George Mason University.
Ballard (17-1, 13 KO’s) will be fighting at his usual weight limit of 147 pounds when he faces Emmanuel Hutchinson of Spartanburg, SC in a four-round matchup. Hutchinson (0-4) is looking for his first career victory and also looks to avoid getting knocked out. Hutchinson has yet to go past the second round in any of his previous bouts.
The second name is the amazing one. Long time followers of the Beltway Boxing scene know and remember the name of Han “Sugar” Kim. Well, according to the information I received and my verification on Boxrec.com, the 43-year-old Silver Spring resident will be making his return after a more than three-year absence. No opponent has been named for this contest.
Kim has a record of 20-24-1 with 18 KO’s. Included on his resume are losses against former world champions Joey Gamache and Julio Cesar Vasquez and a technical draw against Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis. His last contest in July of 2002 resulted in a first-round KO over Sean Cox at the Leesburg Armory.
If I get results, I will certainly pass them along.
One of them will be Perry Ballard of Leesburg, who will be participating in his first bout since losing a fourth-round technical knockout to Jimmy Lange at the Battle of Virginia on September 17 at George Mason University.
Ballard (17-1, 13 KO’s) will be fighting at his usual weight limit of 147 pounds when he faces Emmanuel Hutchinson of Spartanburg, SC in a four-round matchup. Hutchinson (0-4) is looking for his first career victory and also looks to avoid getting knocked out. Hutchinson has yet to go past the second round in any of his previous bouts.
The second name is the amazing one. Long time followers of the Beltway Boxing scene know and remember the name of Han “Sugar” Kim. Well, according to the information I received and my verification on Boxrec.com, the 43-year-old Silver Spring resident will be making his return after a more than three-year absence. No opponent has been named for this contest.
Kim has a record of 20-24-1 with 18 KO’s. Included on his resume are losses against former world champions Joey Gamache and Julio Cesar Vasquez and a technical draw against Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis. His last contest in July of 2002 resulted in a first-round KO over Sean Cox at the Leesburg Armory.
If I get results, I will certainly pass them along.
Monday, November 28, 2005
McCAllister, Jeter Headline BXF Card December 2!
If this Friday’s boxing card at BXF (Boxing Xtreme Fitness) Gym in Millersville, MD had a nickname, it might be called “Stayin’ Busy.” For that is exactly what two of the featured boxers on the card are trying to do now that their careers are back in motion.
The main event features Landover, MD super middleweight “King” James McCAllister in an eight-round contest. McCAllister (10-5-1, three KO’s) is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Dhafir Smith on the most recent BXF card on November 4. The Smith bout was his first contest in more than a year.
McCAllister will face Mike Eatmon (7-3, four KO’s) of Wilson, NC. Eatmon’s last performance was a first-round TKO over Johnny Walker on November 5 in Winston-Salem, NC.
The co-feature bout will involve super middleweight Tony “Mo Better” Jeter (pronounced Jet-er) of Columbia, MD. Jeter (4-1, four KO’s) recently made his first appearance in a ring in four years when he scored a second-round TKO over Lawrence Frisby on a BXF card on October 7. On this card, Jeter will be involved in a four-round bout against John Terry of Portsmouth, VA. Terry (2-1, one KO) fought on the Nov. 4 BXF card and won a four-round majority decision over James Shedrick.
Shedrick, a native of Philadelphia, PA, also returns to the BXF Gym to face Rodney Green of Wilson, NC in a four-round light heavyweight contest. Green lost a four-round unanimous decision over Jose Rodriguez on November 10 at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie.
Also on the card, undefeated junior welterweight prospect Tyrell Samuel of Baltimore will face undefeated James Franks of Newport News, VA. Both men are coming off knockout victories. Samuel (3-0, 1 KO) scored a second-round KO over Jonathan Jones on November 10 at Michael's. Franks registered a second-round TKO in his pro debut over Fred Fleming on Nov. 4 at BXF.
There will be four amateur bouts to round out this card.
The main event features Landover, MD super middleweight “King” James McCAllister in an eight-round contest. McCAllister (10-5-1, three KO’s) is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Dhafir Smith on the most recent BXF card on November 4. The Smith bout was his first contest in more than a year.
McCAllister will face Mike Eatmon (7-3, four KO’s) of Wilson, NC. Eatmon’s last performance was a first-round TKO over Johnny Walker on November 5 in Winston-Salem, NC.
The co-feature bout will involve super middleweight Tony “Mo Better” Jeter (pronounced Jet-er) of Columbia, MD. Jeter (4-1, four KO’s) recently made his first appearance in a ring in four years when he scored a second-round TKO over Lawrence Frisby on a BXF card on October 7. On this card, Jeter will be involved in a four-round bout against John Terry of Portsmouth, VA. Terry (2-1, one KO) fought on the Nov. 4 BXF card and won a four-round majority decision over James Shedrick.
Shedrick, a native of Philadelphia, PA, also returns to the BXF Gym to face Rodney Green of Wilson, NC in a four-round light heavyweight contest. Green lost a four-round unanimous decision over Jose Rodriguez on November 10 at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie.
Also on the card, undefeated junior welterweight prospect Tyrell Samuel of Baltimore will face undefeated James Franks of Newport News, VA. Both men are coming off knockout victories. Samuel (3-0, 1 KO) scored a second-round KO over Jonathan Jones on November 10 at Michael's. Franks registered a second-round TKO in his pro debut over Fred Fleming on Nov. 4 at BXF.
There will be four amateur bouts to round out this card.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Pearson, Buchanan Win; Miller Draws at Show Place!
Three of the DC-area’s most talented boxers survived tough competition during Keystone Boxing’s “In Yo Face at Show Place” card at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD. For two of the three, survival led to victory. For one, survival meant a tough draw after five years of inactivity.
In the main event, USBA Super Featherweight champion Lamont “Bay” Pearson of Capitol Heights, MD scored an eight-round unanimous decision over a game Pascal “El Gato” Adorno in a non-title bout. The bout was a lot tougher than the judges’ scores would indicate.
Pearson used his right hand lead very effectively in the contest, stepping up the pressure as the bout progressed. But Adorno, although he was rocked a few times, did not falter and kept coming back. All three judges as well as my unofficial scorecard gave the bout to Pearson 79-73.
After the bout, Pearson told me he would rather not see any more southpaws. Pearson has fought left-handers in his last two bouts.
Pearson, who is currently ranked number 14 by the IBF, raises his record to 23-3-1, 12 KO’s while Adorno falls to 9-4-2, four KO’s.
In the co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Henry “Sugar Poo” Buchanan of Capitol Heights pitched an eight-round shutout over Dhafir “No Fear” Smith of Philadelphia, PA. This was a tough one for a different reason. Buchanan threw a lot at Smith progressively through the contest but was unable to knock him out.
However, this may have been the most complete performance that I have seen in Buchanan’s career. In my opinion, Buchanan progressed well during the bout. He started with the feeling-out process in the first two rounds. You could see Buchanan thinking in there and deciphering what he had in front of him.
Then Buchanan started with the body shots using primarily the right hand. When Smith defended himself from the right, Buchanan saw the left was open to the body. Buchanan did a solid job of taking what Smith’s defense gave him.
Buchanan told me after the bout that he was disappointed that he didn’t knock Smith out. The reality is the quality of competition has increased for him over the last couple of fights. Yes, Buchanan had been off since March of this year, but he shouldn’t look to knock everybody out. I thought he fought a smart, tactful fight and deserved the 80-72 scores he received from the judges’ cards and from my unofficial card.
Buchanan is now 12-0, 10 KO’s while Smith is now at .500 with a record of 13-13-2, three KO’s.
But the toughest bout of the night involved the returning Purcell “Hard Rock” Miller. Prior to his six-round comeback bout against “Notorious” Jason Naugler of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, the middleweight from DC had three things going against him.
1. The bout was Miller’s first in more than five years.
2. Miller was facing a boxer who outweighed him by more than eight pounds. Naugler weighed in at 167 ½ compared to Miller’s 159. And that was at the weigh-in the day before the bout. You have to think Naugler stepped in the ring closer to 180 or more.
3. Miller had to lose weight in the last two weeks because he came in heavy for a bout scheduled for Michael’s Eighth Avenue earlier this month. Miller came in at 163 for that bout and his opponent refused to fight him.
When those three factors are added to the fact that Miller was facing a talented opponent, the recipe could be disastrous. However, Miller hung in there and managed to get a six-round majority draw.
Miller showed flashes of the form that made him so popular in the mid-late 90’s. The quick jab, the intensity and a little of the power were all still a part of his arsenal. However, Naugler started to win the latter stages of the round but just didn’t do enough in two of the judges’ eyes to win the bout. Judge Kenny Chevalier saw the bout in Naugler’s favor, 58-56. The other two judges, John Gradowski and Malik Waleed both saw the contest a draw, 57-57. I agree with Gradowski and Waleed. I thought Naugler won rounds 1, 5 and 6 while Miller won the middle rounds.
Miller’s record stands at 21-3-1, 17 KO’s while Naugler is 13-4-1, nine KO’s.
Another Beltway Boxer making his return after a brief hiatus was DC junior middleweight Reggie “The Mechanic” Holly, who returned after nine months of inactivity. That inactivity would help lead Holly to his first career loss.
Also, Holly faced a relentless opponent in Sheldon Rudolph of Paterson, NJ, who pressured Holly for most of the six-round contest, landing telling blows throughout.
Rudolph also benefited from a phantom knockdown in the fourth round. It looked like Holly slipped while throwing a punch. As Holly stumbled forward, Rudolph was throwing a punch and he grazed Holly enough to help him fall to the canvas. Referee Bill Holmes ruled a knockdown.
One judge, Don Risher, saw complete domination by Rudolph, scoring the bout 60-53. Judge John Gradowski saw the bout 58-55 while Judge Kenny Chevalier saw the contest 59-55, the same as I did.
Rudolph raised his record above .500 with the victory. His record is now 4-3, two KO’s. Holly is now 5-1, two KO’s. After the contest, Holly was taken to a nearby hospital as a precautionary measure.
The decision to send Holly to the hospital came during the next bout between La Plata, MD light heavyweight Nick Caroleo and Albert Bankivicious of Philadelphia, PA. After the two finished the first round of their scheduled four-rounder, both ringside physicians (Dr. John Stiller, the chief physician and neurologist and Dr. Ian Weiner) were summoned back to the locker room to check on Holly. Since there were no doctors at ringside, the bout had to be halted. The delay lasted approximately 10 minutes.
When the action resumed, Caroleo made short work of his opponent, landing brutal shots and forcing referee John Gradowski to stop the contest at 1:15 of the second round.
Caroleo is now 2-0, one KO while Bankivicious falls to 0-3.
Let me interject a quick comment about the Maryland State Athletic Commission here. The Commission’s work during the Holly situation was first-rate all the way. This could have been handled poorly and we’ve seen that in other states with similar problems. However, Maryland handled it in the best possible way. For many years, the Maryland State Athletic Commission has had a Chief Physician who is a neurologist. For many years, it was Dr. Stephen Manekin and now it is Dr. Stiller. That proves that this commission is putting the safety of the boxers first and foremost.
This has also been a very busy year for this commission and their operations have been efficient and professional in every card that I’ve attended this year. The commission will have sanctioned close to 20 pro cards by the end of this year. That’s not exactly Nevada numbers but it is the busiest I have seen the commission in many years. Kudos goes to Chairman David Norman, Executive Director Patrick Pannella and the entire staff.
In the first bout of the card, Hilton Head, SC welterweight Muhsin Corbbrey won his first pro bout with a four-round unanimous decision over Ben Lock of Philadelphia. This was a close bout that I thought should have been a draw. But all three judges (Chevalier, Risher and Malik Waleed) saw the bout in favor of Corbbrey, 39-37. Corbbrey is 1-1-1 while Lock is 0-2. Lock’s brother, former lightweight world title contender “Mighty”
Ivan Robinson was at ringside for the bout.
Overall, this was a very good, competitive card that tested the locals nicely. Nice work by matchmaker Chris Middendorf. Then again, that is par for the course for Middendorf who is truly one of the best matchmakers in the business.
In the main event, USBA Super Featherweight champion Lamont “Bay” Pearson of Capitol Heights, MD scored an eight-round unanimous decision over a game Pascal “El Gato” Adorno in a non-title bout. The bout was a lot tougher than the judges’ scores would indicate.
Pearson used his right hand lead very effectively in the contest, stepping up the pressure as the bout progressed. But Adorno, although he was rocked a few times, did not falter and kept coming back. All three judges as well as my unofficial scorecard gave the bout to Pearson 79-73.
After the bout, Pearson told me he would rather not see any more southpaws. Pearson has fought left-handers in his last two bouts.
Pearson, who is currently ranked number 14 by the IBF, raises his record to 23-3-1, 12 KO’s while Adorno falls to 9-4-2, four KO’s.
In the co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Henry “Sugar Poo” Buchanan of Capitol Heights pitched an eight-round shutout over Dhafir “No Fear” Smith of Philadelphia, PA. This was a tough one for a different reason. Buchanan threw a lot at Smith progressively through the contest but was unable to knock him out.
However, this may have been the most complete performance that I have seen in Buchanan’s career. In my opinion, Buchanan progressed well during the bout. He started with the feeling-out process in the first two rounds. You could see Buchanan thinking in there and deciphering what he had in front of him.
Then Buchanan started with the body shots using primarily the right hand. When Smith defended himself from the right, Buchanan saw the left was open to the body. Buchanan did a solid job of taking what Smith’s defense gave him.
Buchanan told me after the bout that he was disappointed that he didn’t knock Smith out. The reality is the quality of competition has increased for him over the last couple of fights. Yes, Buchanan had been off since March of this year, but he shouldn’t look to knock everybody out. I thought he fought a smart, tactful fight and deserved the 80-72 scores he received from the judges’ cards and from my unofficial card.
Buchanan is now 12-0, 10 KO’s while Smith is now at .500 with a record of 13-13-2, three KO’s.
But the toughest bout of the night involved the returning Purcell “Hard Rock” Miller. Prior to his six-round comeback bout against “Notorious” Jason Naugler of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, the middleweight from DC had three things going against him.
1. The bout was Miller’s first in more than five years.
2. Miller was facing a boxer who outweighed him by more than eight pounds. Naugler weighed in at 167 ½ compared to Miller’s 159. And that was at the weigh-in the day before the bout. You have to think Naugler stepped in the ring closer to 180 or more.
3. Miller had to lose weight in the last two weeks because he came in heavy for a bout scheduled for Michael’s Eighth Avenue earlier this month. Miller came in at 163 for that bout and his opponent refused to fight him.
When those three factors are added to the fact that Miller was facing a talented opponent, the recipe could be disastrous. However, Miller hung in there and managed to get a six-round majority draw.
Miller showed flashes of the form that made him so popular in the mid-late 90’s. The quick jab, the intensity and a little of the power were all still a part of his arsenal. However, Naugler started to win the latter stages of the round but just didn’t do enough in two of the judges’ eyes to win the bout. Judge Kenny Chevalier saw the bout in Naugler’s favor, 58-56. The other two judges, John Gradowski and Malik Waleed both saw the contest a draw, 57-57. I agree with Gradowski and Waleed. I thought Naugler won rounds 1, 5 and 6 while Miller won the middle rounds.
Miller’s record stands at 21-3-1, 17 KO’s while Naugler is 13-4-1, nine KO’s.
Another Beltway Boxer making his return after a brief hiatus was DC junior middleweight Reggie “The Mechanic” Holly, who returned after nine months of inactivity. That inactivity would help lead Holly to his first career loss.
Also, Holly faced a relentless opponent in Sheldon Rudolph of Paterson, NJ, who pressured Holly for most of the six-round contest, landing telling blows throughout.
Rudolph also benefited from a phantom knockdown in the fourth round. It looked like Holly slipped while throwing a punch. As Holly stumbled forward, Rudolph was throwing a punch and he grazed Holly enough to help him fall to the canvas. Referee Bill Holmes ruled a knockdown.
One judge, Don Risher, saw complete domination by Rudolph, scoring the bout 60-53. Judge John Gradowski saw the bout 58-55 while Judge Kenny Chevalier saw the contest 59-55, the same as I did.
Rudolph raised his record above .500 with the victory. His record is now 4-3, two KO’s. Holly is now 5-1, two KO’s. After the contest, Holly was taken to a nearby hospital as a precautionary measure.
The decision to send Holly to the hospital came during the next bout between La Plata, MD light heavyweight Nick Caroleo and Albert Bankivicious of Philadelphia, PA. After the two finished the first round of their scheduled four-rounder, both ringside physicians (Dr. John Stiller, the chief physician and neurologist and Dr. Ian Weiner) were summoned back to the locker room to check on Holly. Since there were no doctors at ringside, the bout had to be halted. The delay lasted approximately 10 minutes.
When the action resumed, Caroleo made short work of his opponent, landing brutal shots and forcing referee John Gradowski to stop the contest at 1:15 of the second round.
Caroleo is now 2-0, one KO while Bankivicious falls to 0-3.
Let me interject a quick comment about the Maryland State Athletic Commission here. The Commission’s work during the Holly situation was first-rate all the way. This could have been handled poorly and we’ve seen that in other states with similar problems. However, Maryland handled it in the best possible way. For many years, the Maryland State Athletic Commission has had a Chief Physician who is a neurologist. For many years, it was Dr. Stephen Manekin and now it is Dr. Stiller. That proves that this commission is putting the safety of the boxers first and foremost.
This has also been a very busy year for this commission and their operations have been efficient and professional in every card that I’ve attended this year. The commission will have sanctioned close to 20 pro cards by the end of this year. That’s not exactly Nevada numbers but it is the busiest I have seen the commission in many years. Kudos goes to Chairman David Norman, Executive Director Patrick Pannella and the entire staff.
In the first bout of the card, Hilton Head, SC welterweight Muhsin Corbbrey won his first pro bout with a four-round unanimous decision over Ben Lock of Philadelphia. This was a close bout that I thought should have been a draw. But all three judges (Chevalier, Risher and Malik Waleed) saw the bout in favor of Corbbrey, 39-37. Corbbrey is 1-1-1 while Lock is 0-2. Lock’s brother, former lightweight world title contender “Mighty”
Ivan Robinson was at ringside for the bout.
Overall, this was a very good, competitive card that tested the locals nicely. Nice work by matchmaker Chris Middendorf. Then again, that is par for the course for Middendorf who is truly one of the best matchmakers in the business.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Official Card for "In Yo Face At Showplace!"
This is the official lineup for the Keystone Boxing "In Yo Face at ShowPlace" card at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro tomorrow night.
Lamont Pearson 135 ¾ vs. Pascal Adorno 131 ¾
Henry Buchanan 170 ¼ vs. Dhafir Smith 170 ¼
Purcell Miller 159 vs. Jason Naugler 167 ½
Reggie Holly 142 vs. Sheldon Rudolph 143 ½
Mushin Corbbey 148 ¾ vs. Ben Lock 147 ¼
Nick Caroleo 175 ½ vs. Albert Bankivicious 173 ½
Lamont Pearson 135 ¾ vs. Pascal Adorno 131 ¾
Henry Buchanan 170 ¼ vs. Dhafir Smith 170 ¼
Purcell Miller 159 vs. Jason Naugler 167 ½
Reggie Holly 142 vs. Sheldon Rudolph 143 ½
Mushin Corbbey 148 ¾ vs. Ben Lock 147 ¼
Nick Caroleo 175 ½ vs. Albert Bankivicious 173 ½
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
'Jabba' Bryan Makes Triumphant Return!
In my archives, I mention a bout featuring a boxer named Lloyd "Jabba" Bryan that I thought was the greatest single bout I ever saw along the Beltway. Well, that was almost 10 years and three weight classes ago.
Now fighting as a cruiserweight, Fightnews.com is reporting that Bryan, originally from Jamaica but fighting out of Capitol Heights, MD, scored an upset unanimous decision win over previously undefeated Jeff Baker on Tuesday night at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bryan (21-11, 9 KOs) prevailed by scores of 96-92, 96-92, 95-93 in a bout contested at the cruiserweight limit. Baker fell to 13-1, 6 KOs.
For Bryan, it was his first win in over six years and reversed an eight-bout losing streak which began with his loss to then-IBF supermiddle king Sven Ottke in 2000. He had been out of the ring for 38 months.
Apparently, Bryan is trying to stay busy. His next bout is scheduled for December 8 in Southhaven, MS.
Now fighting as a cruiserweight, Fightnews.com is reporting that Bryan, originally from Jamaica but fighting out of Capitol Heights, MD, scored an upset unanimous decision win over previously undefeated Jeff Baker on Tuesday night at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bryan (21-11, 9 KOs) prevailed by scores of 96-92, 96-92, 95-93 in a bout contested at the cruiserweight limit. Baker fell to 13-1, 6 KOs.
For Bryan, it was his first win in over six years and reversed an eight-bout losing streak which began with his loss to then-IBF supermiddle king Sven Ottke in 2000. He had been out of the ring for 38 months.
Apparently, Bryan is trying to stay busy. His next bout is scheduled for December 8 in Southhaven, MS.
Former Beltway Boxer Involved in Tanker Crash on Beltway!
You probably know or have heard about the tanker truck that blew up on I-95 early this morning. You also probably know or have heard that, amazingly, neither the driver nor anyone else was hurt or killed.
What you may not know or didn't hear was that the driver was a former Beltway pro boxer named Boyer "Sugarboy" Chew from Baltimore. Chew should be praised as a hero for his efforts to preserve not only his life, but others as well.
According to the Washington Post, the truck Chew was driving was carrying 8,600 gallons of regular and premium gasoline and was traveling southbound on I-95 near Maryland Route 212 when a fire started on the truck. Chew, a 15-year veteran of big rig driving, told Channel 4 News that he saw a spark on one of the wheels of his truck.
"My wheel was on fire," Chew told Channel 4. "Next thing you know, she was up in flames."
"I knew one thing, to get out of there," Chew continued. I thought the thing was going to explode on me."
Chew was a cruiserweight from 1991-2000 but he only fought 17 times and had a record of 7-10 with no knockouts. Chew's most notable opponent was a young Antonio Tarver. Chew lost to Tarver by a seventh round TKO in January of 1998 in Atlantic City.
What you may not know or didn't hear was that the driver was a former Beltway pro boxer named Boyer "Sugarboy" Chew from Baltimore. Chew should be praised as a hero for his efforts to preserve not only his life, but others as well.
According to the Washington Post, the truck Chew was driving was carrying 8,600 gallons of regular and premium gasoline and was traveling southbound on I-95 near Maryland Route 212 when a fire started on the truck. Chew, a 15-year veteran of big rig driving, told Channel 4 News that he saw a spark on one of the wheels of his truck.
"My wheel was on fire," Chew told Channel 4. "Next thing you know, she was up in flames."
"I knew one thing, to get out of there," Chew continued. I thought the thing was going to explode on me."
Chew was a cruiserweight from 1991-2000 but he only fought 17 times and had a record of 7-10 with no knockouts. Chew's most notable opponent was a young Antonio Tarver. Chew lost to Tarver by a seventh round TKO in January of 1998 in Atlantic City.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
End-Of Year Cards Taking Shape!
Two of the three Beltway Boxing cards that will end 2005 are starting to take shape and they look like solid events.
Boxing fans in the Washington-Baltimore area will have something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving weekend; a quality boxing card that will be held on Saturday, November 26 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD.
Headlining the card will be the newly crowned USBA Super Featherweight champion Lamont “Bay” Pearson of Capitol Heights, MD. This will be Pearson’s first bout since winning the title on September 17 in Fairfax, VA with a six-round technical knockout over Shamir Reyes.
Pearson (22-3-1, 12 KO’s) will face Pascal “El Gato” Adorno in an eight-round non-title bout. Adorno (9-3-2, four KO’s) is a native of Morovis, Puerto Rico who has not fought since March 4 when he scored a six-round TKO over Rafael Sierra in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Pearson will be Adorno’s most noted opponent since his eight-round unanimous decision loss to “Kid Diamond” Almazbek Raiymkulov in November 2003 in Glen Burnie, MD.
The card, promoted by Keystone Boxing of Marlow Heights, MD, features three undefeated local prospects. Light heavyweight Henry “Sugar Poo” Buchanan of Capitol Heights (11-0, 10 KO’s) will be in the co-feature bout as he takes on Dhafir “No Fear” Smith of Upper Darby, PA (13-12-2, three KO’s) in an eight-round contest.
In his last contest, Buchanan saw his 10-bout knockout streak snapped as he scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Tyrone Glover on July 21 in Woodlawn, MD.
Smith makes his second straight trip to the Washington, DC area this month. On November 4, Smith lost an eight-round unanimous decision to James McAllister in Millersville, MD. The loss was Smith’s sixth straight.
Washington, DC welterweight Reggie “The Mechanic” Holly (5-0, two KO’s, 1 NC) returns to action for just the second time in 2005. Holly will face Sheldon Rudolph of Patterson, NJ (3-3, two KO’s) in a bout scheduled for six rounds. This will be Holly’s first scheduled six-rounder.
Holly’s last bout was a four-round unanimous decision win over Terrence Watson on March 10 in Glen Burnie. Rudolph lost a four-round majority decision over Philip McCants on October 13 in Atlantic City. Rudolph will be trying to break a two-bout losing streak.
Also rookie cruiserweight prospect Nick Caroleo of La Plata, MD (1-0) will face Albert Bankivicious (0-2) in a four-round bout.
After two recent bouts fell out, Washington, DC middleweight Purcell “Hard Rock” Miller (22-3, 17 KO’s) is scheduled to participate in a six-round bout against an opponent to be determined.
Six professional bouts are scheduled for this card. There will also be a live performance by the music group Atmosphere and a live movie shoot for a local movie production company.
Meanwhile, Jake Smith's Baltimore Boxing will have what looks like a solid card on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at Martin's West in Woodlawn, MD.
The main event gives fans another look at the continued development of undefeated super middleweight Tony "Cyclone" Cygan. Cygan (8-0, six KO's) will be in a scheduled eight-round bout against James North of Weston, WVA.
Cygan is coming off a stunning second-round knockout over Larry Brothers on October 27 in Woodlawn. But,despite his under .500 record (7-8-1, two KO's), North may be the toughest foe Cygan has faced because of his quality of opposition. North has faced the likes of undefeated Joe Spina, Jaidon Codrington and, in his last contest, "Contender" participant Joey Gilbert. In that bout, North lost a six-round unanimous decision.
In the co-feature, undefeated Dundalk, MD heavyweight "The American Dream" Mike Dietrich will battle Mike "Mini Van" Van Meer of Des Moines, IA in a six-round contest. Dietrich (6-0, two KO's) scored a second round TKO over Glen Williams in his last contest on July 21 in Woodlawn. Van Meer (1-1, one KO) lost a four-round majority decision to Albert Newberry on October 8 in Oskaloosa, IA.
Newberry (3-1, two KO's), a native of Ottumwa, IA, will also be on the December 7 card as he battles 2004 United States Olympic Team captain Devin Vargas of Toledo, OH in another six-round heavyweight contest. Vargas (6-0, three KO's) is coming off a four-round split decision win over David Cleage in Warren, MI on October 19.
In another six-round heavyweight bout, Baltimore, MD's Jed "The Punisher" Phipps will battle Taunton, MA's Harold Rodriguez. In Phipps's last outing, he won a six-round unanimous decision over Joseph Harris on February 5 in Washington, DC. Phipps (15-3, eight KO's) has won five of his last six bouts. Rodriguez is coming off a four-round unanimous decision loss to Tyrone Smith on November 18 in New Haven, CT.
This bout is a rematch of a June 26, 2004 bout in Washington, DC that Phipps won by six-round unanimous decision.
Also on the card will be undefeated Baltimore light heavyweight Mike "The Persecutor" Paschall, who will take on Middleton, OH's Don Shrock. Paschall (6-0, two KO's) won a tough four-round unanimous decision over Carlos "The Headbanger" Jones on October 27 in Woodlawn. After losing his first two bouts, Shrock (2-2, one KO) will be trying to keep a two-bout winning streak intact. In his last contest, Shrock scored a first-round knockout over Nick Hyde on October 15 in Rising Sun, IN.
As far as the BXF card on Friday, December 2, no word on the complete card, but I have heard that Tony Jeter will headline.
Boxing fans in the Washington-Baltimore area will have something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving weekend; a quality boxing card that will be held on Saturday, November 26 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD.
Headlining the card will be the newly crowned USBA Super Featherweight champion Lamont “Bay” Pearson of Capitol Heights, MD. This will be Pearson’s first bout since winning the title on September 17 in Fairfax, VA with a six-round technical knockout over Shamir Reyes.
Pearson (22-3-1, 12 KO’s) will face Pascal “El Gato” Adorno in an eight-round non-title bout. Adorno (9-3-2, four KO’s) is a native of Morovis, Puerto Rico who has not fought since March 4 when he scored a six-round TKO over Rafael Sierra in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Pearson will be Adorno’s most noted opponent since his eight-round unanimous decision loss to “Kid Diamond” Almazbek Raiymkulov in November 2003 in Glen Burnie, MD.
The card, promoted by Keystone Boxing of Marlow Heights, MD, features three undefeated local prospects. Light heavyweight Henry “Sugar Poo” Buchanan of Capitol Heights (11-0, 10 KO’s) will be in the co-feature bout as he takes on Dhafir “No Fear” Smith of Upper Darby, PA (13-12-2, three KO’s) in an eight-round contest.
In his last contest, Buchanan saw his 10-bout knockout streak snapped as he scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Tyrone Glover on July 21 in Woodlawn, MD.
Smith makes his second straight trip to the Washington, DC area this month. On November 4, Smith lost an eight-round unanimous decision to James McAllister in Millersville, MD. The loss was Smith’s sixth straight.
Washington, DC welterweight Reggie “The Mechanic” Holly (5-0, two KO’s, 1 NC) returns to action for just the second time in 2005. Holly will face Sheldon Rudolph of Patterson, NJ (3-3, two KO’s) in a bout scheduled for six rounds. This will be Holly’s first scheduled six-rounder.
Holly’s last bout was a four-round unanimous decision win over Terrence Watson on March 10 in Glen Burnie. Rudolph lost a four-round majority decision over Philip McCants on October 13 in Atlantic City. Rudolph will be trying to break a two-bout losing streak.
Also rookie cruiserweight prospect Nick Caroleo of La Plata, MD (1-0) will face Albert Bankivicious (0-2) in a four-round bout.
After two recent bouts fell out, Washington, DC middleweight Purcell “Hard Rock” Miller (22-3, 17 KO’s) is scheduled to participate in a six-round bout against an opponent to be determined.
Six professional bouts are scheduled for this card. There will also be a live performance by the music group Atmosphere and a live movie shoot for a local movie production company.
Meanwhile, Jake Smith's Baltimore Boxing will have what looks like a solid card on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at Martin's West in Woodlawn, MD.
The main event gives fans another look at the continued development of undefeated super middleweight Tony "Cyclone" Cygan. Cygan (8-0, six KO's) will be in a scheduled eight-round bout against James North of Weston, WVA.
Cygan is coming off a stunning second-round knockout over Larry Brothers on October 27 in Woodlawn. But,despite his under .500 record (7-8-1, two KO's), North may be the toughest foe Cygan has faced because of his quality of opposition. North has faced the likes of undefeated Joe Spina, Jaidon Codrington and, in his last contest, "Contender" participant Joey Gilbert. In that bout, North lost a six-round unanimous decision.
In the co-feature, undefeated Dundalk, MD heavyweight "The American Dream" Mike Dietrich will battle Mike "Mini Van" Van Meer of Des Moines, IA in a six-round contest. Dietrich (6-0, two KO's) scored a second round TKO over Glen Williams in his last contest on July 21 in Woodlawn. Van Meer (1-1, one KO) lost a four-round majority decision to Albert Newberry on October 8 in Oskaloosa, IA.
Newberry (3-1, two KO's), a native of Ottumwa, IA, will also be on the December 7 card as he battles 2004 United States Olympic Team captain Devin Vargas of Toledo, OH in another six-round heavyweight contest. Vargas (6-0, three KO's) is coming off a four-round split decision win over David Cleage in Warren, MI on October 19.
In another six-round heavyweight bout, Baltimore, MD's Jed "The Punisher" Phipps will battle Taunton, MA's Harold Rodriguez. In Phipps's last outing, he won a six-round unanimous decision over Joseph Harris on February 5 in Washington, DC. Phipps (15-3, eight KO's) has won five of his last six bouts. Rodriguez is coming off a four-round unanimous decision loss to Tyrone Smith on November 18 in New Haven, CT.
This bout is a rematch of a June 26, 2004 bout in Washington, DC that Phipps won by six-round unanimous decision.
Also on the card will be undefeated Baltimore light heavyweight Mike "The Persecutor" Paschall, who will take on Middleton, OH's Don Shrock. Paschall (6-0, two KO's) won a tough four-round unanimous decision over Carlos "The Headbanger" Jones on October 27 in Woodlawn. After losing his first two bouts, Shrock (2-2, one KO) will be trying to keep a two-bout winning streak intact. In his last contest, Shrock scored a first-round knockout over Nick Hyde on October 15 in Rising Sun, IN.
As far as the BXF card on Friday, December 2, no word on the complete card, but I have heard that Tony Jeter will headline.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Johnson, Joppy Looking for Last Chance at Glory!
In the last few weeks, I had conversations with two of DC's finest boxers, Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson and William Joppy. They are still active and they are looking for one last shot at championship glory. The following article came as a result of those conversations.
In the post-Sugar Ray Leonard era, only three boxers from Washington, DC have won three world titles: Simon Brown, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson and William Joppy. Since Brown retired from boxing in 2000, that leaves Johnson and Joppy still active with dreams of winning a fourth world crown. And plans are being made by both men to achieve that goal.
For Johnson, the first African-American and second American to win a world flyweight title, the opportunity to win a fourth title may come early in 2006. Negotiations are underway for Johnson to challenge Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBO Bantamweight title on February 25 on the undercard of the Fernando Vargas-Shane Mosley bout in Los Angeles, CA. The bout against Gonzalez was originally scheduled for September 2005 when both men were battling to earn a title shot against then-champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin. However, Johnson suffered an arm injury. Gonzalez eventually knocked out Vorapin in the seventh round on October 29 to win the WBO Bantamweight title.
Ironically, Johnson (44-4, 28 KO’s) defeated the same Vorapin by unanimous decision in April 1999 to win his second world title, the vacant IBF Super Flyweight title. When many boxing experts thought Johnson’s career was over, he won the WBO Super Flyweight title with a majority decision over Fernando Montiel in August 2003. Johnson lost his title to Ivan Hernandez by eight-round KO in September 2004, the last time Johnson was in action.
Johnson said this bout will be another opportunity to shock the boxing world.
“I know a lot of people think I can’t do this,” Johnson said. “But I’m ready to go. I don’t think Gonzalez thinks he can beat me, so I’m ready to win my fourth title.”
If the bout stays in Los Angeles and Johnson wins, it will be Johnson’s second title victory in Southern California. Johnson won his first title in May of 1996 in nearby Anaheim, CA with a stunning first-round knockout over Francisco Tejedor for the vacant IBF Flyweight title.
For Joppy, plans aren’t as concrete. The former three-time WBA Middleweight champion is looking to move up to the Super Middleweight division and his target is the man some feel is the best in that division: undefeated IBF and IBO world champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy.
Joppy, who lost two of his last three bouts to former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins and current undisputed middleweight champ Jermain Taylor, blames his recent misfortune in the ring to inactivity.
“I wasn’t at my best,” Joppy said. “If you give me some fights and keep me active, Jeff Lacy can’t touch me. I will make Jeff Lacy look stupid.
“For real, Jeff Lacy’s a cream puff,” Joppy said. “And he hasn’t been hit either.”
Joppy (35-4-1, 26 KO’s) said he bases these comments on personal experience. Joppy sparred with Lacy in 2001 when he was preparing for his bout against Howard Eastman for the vacant WBA title in November of that year. Joppy went on to win a close majority decision over Eastman.
“I know he’s better now, more confident, he’s a world champion,” Joppy said. “When I boxed him, the left hooks weren’t even there. I don’t know why they call him ‘left hook.’ He doesn’t even throw them. We sparred for three days straight and he couldn’t take it.”
“All I have to do is get my body right and I’ll show the world,” Joppy said.
Joppy added that another title run is very important to him.
“It’s very important because something’s missing,” Joppy said. “I feel like I have more to prove. I’m still healthy and I still have more to prove. The Fat Lady hasn’t sung yet.”
Apparently, Joppy will have to play a waiting game when it comes to Lacy. Reports are circulating that Lacy will finally get his shot at WBO Super Middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe on February 4 in Cardiff, Wales. When asked about who would win that bout, Joppy answered with a scenario that may make the bout he’s looking for impossible.
“If the bout goes 12 rounds, I go with Calzaghe,” Joppy said. “As long as Calzaghe stays away from Lacy’s big punch, I think Calzaghe beats him. I think Calzaghe wins a 12-round decision.”
I think it is safe to say that both men have their work cut out for them. Johnson has not done well in his two bouts at bantamweight and neither Johnson nor Joppy have been active enough. I wish them both well, but the quest both men have undertaken may not be pretty.
In the post-Sugar Ray Leonard era, only three boxers from Washington, DC have won three world titles: Simon Brown, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson and William Joppy. Since Brown retired from boxing in 2000, that leaves Johnson and Joppy still active with dreams of winning a fourth world crown. And plans are being made by both men to achieve that goal.
For Johnson, the first African-American and second American to win a world flyweight title, the opportunity to win a fourth title may come early in 2006. Negotiations are underway for Johnson to challenge Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBO Bantamweight title on February 25 on the undercard of the Fernando Vargas-Shane Mosley bout in Los Angeles, CA. The bout against Gonzalez was originally scheduled for September 2005 when both men were battling to earn a title shot against then-champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin. However, Johnson suffered an arm injury. Gonzalez eventually knocked out Vorapin in the seventh round on October 29 to win the WBO Bantamweight title.
Ironically, Johnson (44-4, 28 KO’s) defeated the same Vorapin by unanimous decision in April 1999 to win his second world title, the vacant IBF Super Flyweight title. When many boxing experts thought Johnson’s career was over, he won the WBO Super Flyweight title with a majority decision over Fernando Montiel in August 2003. Johnson lost his title to Ivan Hernandez by eight-round KO in September 2004, the last time Johnson was in action.
Johnson said this bout will be another opportunity to shock the boxing world.
“I know a lot of people think I can’t do this,” Johnson said. “But I’m ready to go. I don’t think Gonzalez thinks he can beat me, so I’m ready to win my fourth title.”
If the bout stays in Los Angeles and Johnson wins, it will be Johnson’s second title victory in Southern California. Johnson won his first title in May of 1996 in nearby Anaheim, CA with a stunning first-round knockout over Francisco Tejedor for the vacant IBF Flyweight title.
For Joppy, plans aren’t as concrete. The former three-time WBA Middleweight champion is looking to move up to the Super Middleweight division and his target is the man some feel is the best in that division: undefeated IBF and IBO world champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy.
Joppy, who lost two of his last three bouts to former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins and current undisputed middleweight champ Jermain Taylor, blames his recent misfortune in the ring to inactivity.
“I wasn’t at my best,” Joppy said. “If you give me some fights and keep me active, Jeff Lacy can’t touch me. I will make Jeff Lacy look stupid.
“For real, Jeff Lacy’s a cream puff,” Joppy said. “And he hasn’t been hit either.”
Joppy (35-4-1, 26 KO’s) said he bases these comments on personal experience. Joppy sparred with Lacy in 2001 when he was preparing for his bout against Howard Eastman for the vacant WBA title in November of that year. Joppy went on to win a close majority decision over Eastman.
“I know he’s better now, more confident, he’s a world champion,” Joppy said. “When I boxed him, the left hooks weren’t even there. I don’t know why they call him ‘left hook.’ He doesn’t even throw them. We sparred for three days straight and he couldn’t take it.”
“All I have to do is get my body right and I’ll show the world,” Joppy said.
Joppy added that another title run is very important to him.
“It’s very important because something’s missing,” Joppy said. “I feel like I have more to prove. I’m still healthy and I still have more to prove. The Fat Lady hasn’t sung yet.”
Apparently, Joppy will have to play a waiting game when it comes to Lacy. Reports are circulating that Lacy will finally get his shot at WBO Super Middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe on February 4 in Cardiff, Wales. When asked about who would win that bout, Joppy answered with a scenario that may make the bout he’s looking for impossible.
“If the bout goes 12 rounds, I go with Calzaghe,” Joppy said. “As long as Calzaghe stays away from Lacy’s big punch, I think Calzaghe beats him. I think Calzaghe wins a 12-round decision.”
I think it is safe to say that both men have their work cut out for them. Johnson has not done well in his two bouts at bantamweight and neither Johnson nor Joppy have been active enough. I wish them both well, but the quest both men have undertaken may not be pretty.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Mayweather Stops Mitchell in Six!
Well, the bout went pretty much as expected by most boxing fans and pundits. Give Sharmba Mitchell credit, though. I think he gave it his best shot. The talent gap at the current stages of their careers was much too vast.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. simply walked through the majority of Mitchell's shots en route to an easy sixth round technical knockout victory over Mitchell in Portland, Oregon tonight.
There's not much more that can be said about the bout itself. Again, it was an easy matchup for Mayweather.
I have some comments and questions about the telecast itself, though.
1. If the bout was so one-sided before it even started, why did HBO even bother?
2. The production itself was so one sided, that Mitchell didn't even have a bio on HBO's website. Mitchell's pre-fight segment looked like it was shot on a camcorder, compared to Mayweather's.
3. Did HBO personnel have someplace urgent to go after the show? I have never seen them come out of their telecasts so quickly. They barely ran credits. "Countdown to Taylor-Hopkins 2" was a good documentary, but we could have waited a little longer.
4. This doesn't have anything to do with the TV production, but here's a gossipy question: What was DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley doing in Mayweather's entourage? (Answer: Mayweather, in a very smart move, hired Corley as a sparring partner to learn how to deal with southpaws. Ironically, Mayweather beat Corley last year, but many said Mayweather had some difficulty with him.)
5. Where does Sharmba Mitchell go from here? Maybe a swan song bout in DC. Maybe a match up against Corley based on question 4. Who knows?
Hopefully, we will see some responses and answers to these comments and questions.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. simply walked through the majority of Mitchell's shots en route to an easy sixth round technical knockout victory over Mitchell in Portland, Oregon tonight.
There's not much more that can be said about the bout itself. Again, it was an easy matchup for Mayweather.
I have some comments and questions about the telecast itself, though.
1. If the bout was so one-sided before it even started, why did HBO even bother?
2. The production itself was so one sided, that Mitchell didn't even have a bio on HBO's website. Mitchell's pre-fight segment looked like it was shot on a camcorder, compared to Mayweather's.
3. Did HBO personnel have someplace urgent to go after the show? I have never seen them come out of their telecasts so quickly. They barely ran credits. "Countdown to Taylor-Hopkins 2" was a good documentary, but we could have waited a little longer.
4. This doesn't have anything to do with the TV production, but here's a gossipy question: What was DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley doing in Mayweather's entourage? (Answer: Mayweather, in a very smart move, hired Corley as a sparring partner to learn how to deal with southpaws. Ironically, Mayweather beat Corley last year, but many said Mayweather had some difficulty with him.)
5. Where does Sharmba Mitchell go from here? Maybe a swan song bout in DC. Maybe a match up against Corley based on question 4. Who knows?
Hopefully, we will see some responses and answers to these comments and questions.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Gary Russell Jr. Wins Bronze Medal in International Competition!
Seventeen-year old Gary Russell Jr. of Capital Heights, MD won a bronze medal in the Bantamweight division at the 2005 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Mianyang City, China.
Russell lost his semifinal match to Rustamhodza Rahimov of Germany by a 28-17 decision. Russell was one of two Americans to medal at the world championships. The other was 2004 Olympian Rau'shee Warren, who also won a bronze medal.
In a statement on USAboxing.org, USA Boxing National Director of Coaching Dan Campbell was ecstatic about Russell's performance.
"I am especially pleased that 17-year-old Gary Russell exploded onto the international scene by capturing bronze at his first international tournament," Campbell said.
Russell is ranked number one in the country at Bantamweight and is the youngest member of USA Boxing's Elite team.
As I've said in previous posts, I've watched this young man for a long time. If Russell does decide to turn pro, he will set the Beltway on its ear. He is THAT good!
Russell lost his semifinal match to Rustamhodza Rahimov of Germany by a 28-17 decision. Russell was one of two Americans to medal at the world championships. The other was 2004 Olympian Rau'shee Warren, who also won a bronze medal.
In a statement on USAboxing.org, USA Boxing National Director of Coaching Dan Campbell was ecstatic about Russell's performance.
"I am especially pleased that 17-year-old Gary Russell exploded onto the international scene by capturing bronze at his first international tournament," Campbell said.
Russell is ranked number one in the country at Bantamweight and is the youngest member of USA Boxing's Elite team.
As I've said in previous posts, I've watched this young man for a long time. If Russell does decide to turn pro, he will set the Beltway on its ear. He is THAT good!
Rahman Becomes Promotional Free Agent!
This is a major story! The Baltimore Sun is reporting that a judge in Las Vegas has ruled that newly crowned WBC Heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman must pursue the best possible way to pay off the more than 20 creditors that he owes.
The Sun's Lem Satterfield writes that this ruling effectively makes Rahman a free agent because Judge Bruce Markell of the District Court of Nevada ruled that Rahman's manager, Steve Nelson had an obligation to seek out favorable options for Rahman from whichever promoter provides the best deal for his services.
Don King offered a minimum guaranteed purse of $500,000 should the 33-year-old Rahman sign with him. Bob Arum offered a guaranteed purse of $1.25 million. Satterfield also writes that this ruling could negate a contract with Don King that was to last until July 2010.
Rahman's debts total nearly $5 million. The Baltimore native is to officially receive his belt in late December. The WBC recently ruled that James Toney is the official number one challenger to Rahman's title, with the winner of a Rahman-Toney bout to immediately face the number two contender Oleg Maskaev.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. If Rahman decides not to go with King, it may ruin the plans for a heavyweight tourney.
The Sun's Lem Satterfield writes that this ruling effectively makes Rahman a free agent because Judge Bruce Markell of the District Court of Nevada ruled that Rahman's manager, Steve Nelson had an obligation to seek out favorable options for Rahman from whichever promoter provides the best deal for his services.
Don King offered a minimum guaranteed purse of $500,000 should the 33-year-old Rahman sign with him. Bob Arum offered a guaranteed purse of $1.25 million. Satterfield also writes that this ruling could negate a contract with Don King that was to last until July 2010.
Rahman's debts total nearly $5 million. The Baltimore native is to officially receive his belt in late December. The WBC recently ruled that James Toney is the official number one challenger to Rahman's title, with the winner of a Rahman-Toney bout to immediately face the number two contender Oleg Maskaev.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. If Rahman decides not to go with King, it may ruin the plans for a heavyweight tourney.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Does Sharmba Have a Shot?
This Saturday's bout between Sharmba Mitchell and Floyd Mayweather,Jr.is by many people's standards, a mismatch.
On one hand, you have a boxer who is undefeated, has won world titles in three weight classes and is considered the best boxer pound-for-pound in the world. On the other hand, you have a very experienced boxer who has had twice as many bouts as his opponent but is still looking for a marquee victory.
So how in the world does Mitchell win this bout.
Quite honestly, I don't know if he does win. But the experience factor could be the most overlooked factor in the bout.
When I talk to Darryl Tyson, one thing he always says: "Boxing is a thinking man's game and if I can out think you, I can beat you."
The ring savvy that Mitchell does possess may be a key, if Mitchell can stretch the bout out long enough.
There is a whole lot of respect being thrown between the two boxers and that is good. But I almost think there is too much respect by Mitchell towards Mayweather and I hope that doesn't hamper his game plan.
Prediction? I hope I'm wrong, but I'm going with Mayweather stopping Mitchell in the late rounds. I think Mitchell will do enough to make it an interesting contest.
On one hand, you have a boxer who is undefeated, has won world titles in three weight classes and is considered the best boxer pound-for-pound in the world. On the other hand, you have a very experienced boxer who has had twice as many bouts as his opponent but is still looking for a marquee victory.
So how in the world does Mitchell win this bout.
Quite honestly, I don't know if he does win. But the experience factor could be the most overlooked factor in the bout.
When I talk to Darryl Tyson, one thing he always says: "Boxing is a thinking man's game and if I can out think you, I can beat you."
The ring savvy that Mitchell does possess may be a key, if Mitchell can stretch the bout out long enough.
There is a whole lot of respect being thrown between the two boxers and that is good. But I almost think there is too much respect by Mitchell towards Mayweather and I hope that doesn't hamper his game plan.
Prediction? I hope I'm wrong, but I'm going with Mayweather stopping Mitchell in the late rounds. I think Mitchell will do enough to make it an interesting contest.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Agapito Sanchez: 1970-2005!
I send my condolences to the family of former WBO Super Bantamweight champion Agapito "El Ciclon" Sanchez. Sanchez was pronounced dead early Tuesday morning in the Dominican Republic. Sanchez was reportedly shot by an off-duty police officer, who is now being sought by authorities.
Sanchez was talented and rough fighter who held the WBO super bantamweight title for almost three years. He fought to a techical draw with Manny Pacquiao in a unification fight and recently claimed the USBA crown. He also had great battles with the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Freddie Norwood and Jesse Magana.
Sanchez made one trip to DC during his career. On July 2, 1995, Sanchez won an eight-round decision over Anthony "X-Man" Hardy. I can't remember whether that bout was at the DC Armory or the old Convention Center, but the card also featured Teddy Reid's pro debut. Once again, my condolences.
Sanchez was talented and rough fighter who held the WBO super bantamweight title for almost three years. He fought to a techical draw with Manny Pacquiao in a unification fight and recently claimed the USBA crown. He also had great battles with the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Freddie Norwood and Jesse Magana.
Sanchez made one trip to DC during his career. On July 2, 1995, Sanchez won an eight-round decision over Anthony "X-Man" Hardy. I can't remember whether that bout was at the DC Armory or the old Convention Center, but the card also featured Teddy Reid's pro debut. Once again, my condolences.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Fight Night Commentary and Recap!
The only reason why I am posting any results from Fight Night 2005 last night at the Washington Hilton and Towers is because the mini-boxing card took place in DC. If this blog was called Boxers Along The Beltway, it would receive no coverage from me here at all. It will receive a little bit of commentary.
For the first time in more than 10 years, there were NO Beltway Boxers on the Fight Night card. I personally take this as a slap in the face to our boxing community. I know full well that 90 percent of the people who attend this charity event are not hardcore boxing fans and many of those 90 percent are not even watching the bouts when they take place.
But this is an opportunity to show off what the Beltway has as far as boxing talent is concerned to the 10 percent that do. Some of those 10 percent make as much money as some of that 90 percent.
The card this year was promoted by the Duva family, so naturally, they placed their own fighters on the card. Couldn't they had fought someone from this area even if it would be to showcase their own fighters?
And don't say that Lou Duva doesn't know anything about this area. Duva has regularly worked with talent from the Beltway. Many years ago, Duva worked with Reggie "Showtime" Green and the late Reuben "Ratman" Bell, while he had Pernell Whitaker.
And, without naming names, I do know of a couple of boxers that were available for this card and were turned down. A couple of Beltway Boxers would have made this card a lot better than it was.
Speaking of which, here is the recap:
Undefeated Shawn "The Mongoose" George of Brooklyn, NY kept his IBC Americas Cruiserweight title and won the NABA Cruiserweight championship by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Chad Van Sickle of Grove City, OH. George is now 11-0-2 with 5 KO's.
Welterweight Oscar Diaz of San Antonio, TX scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Miami, FL's David Toribo. Diaz is 22-1.
Undefeated junior middleweight Michael Torres of Jersey City, NJ scored a third-round technical knockout over John Rudolph of Cincinnati, OH. Torres is 6-0, three KO's.
For the first time in more than 10 years, there were NO Beltway Boxers on the Fight Night card. I personally take this as a slap in the face to our boxing community. I know full well that 90 percent of the people who attend this charity event are not hardcore boxing fans and many of those 90 percent are not even watching the bouts when they take place.
But this is an opportunity to show off what the Beltway has as far as boxing talent is concerned to the 10 percent that do. Some of those 10 percent make as much money as some of that 90 percent.
The card this year was promoted by the Duva family, so naturally, they placed their own fighters on the card. Couldn't they had fought someone from this area even if it would be to showcase their own fighters?
And don't say that Lou Duva doesn't know anything about this area. Duva has regularly worked with talent from the Beltway. Many years ago, Duva worked with Reggie "Showtime" Green and the late Reuben "Ratman" Bell, while he had Pernell Whitaker.
And, without naming names, I do know of a couple of boxers that were available for this card and were turned down. A couple of Beltway Boxers would have made this card a lot better than it was.
Speaking of which, here is the recap:
Undefeated Shawn "The Mongoose" George of Brooklyn, NY kept his IBC Americas Cruiserweight title and won the NABA Cruiserweight championship by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Chad Van Sickle of Grove City, OH. George is now 11-0-2 with 5 KO's.
Welterweight Oscar Diaz of San Antonio, TX scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Miami, FL's David Toribo. Diaz is 22-1.
Undefeated junior middleweight Michael Torres of Jersey City, NJ scored a third-round technical knockout over John Rudolph of Cincinnati, OH. Torres is 6-0, three KO's.
Ballroom Night Ends With Technical Draw!
The last Ballroom Boxing card of 2005 at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie was a lackluster one that ended with a technical draw in the main event.
After waiting for weeks for an opponent, highly touted and undefeated junior middleweight Ishmail "The Arsenal" Arvin of Baltimore got a late opponent. Arvin also received a gash on his forehead courtesy of a second-round accidental headbutt from that opponent, Terry "Two Sweet" Johnson of Dayton, OH. Johnson ended up getting a nasty cut on the top of his head and the bout was stopped after two rounds.
It should be noted that Johnson was originally scheduled to face Purcell Miller on this card, but Miller weighed in at 163 1/4 to Johnson's 155 1/4 and Johnson's camp refused the fight.
Arvin's record is now 13-0-2, six KO's while Johnson is 5-11-1, one KO.
The only other Beltway Boxer on the card was lightweight Tyrell Samuel of Baltimore. Samuel gave the Michael's Eighth Avenue crowd the only real excitement of the evening as he blasted Jonathan Jones of Lucama, NC with a second round KO. Samuel was all over Jones from the start, catching Jones late in the first with a solid body shot that dropped him. In the second round, Samuel unleashed a crushing left hand that froze Jones momentarily, then dropped him to the canvas. Jones could not beat referee John Gradowski 10-count and the bout was stopped at 1:05 of the second.
Samuel is now 3-0, one KO while Jones is 0-2. Samuel looks like a promising prospect.
By the way, Samuel is trained by two Baltimore Boxing icons; Mack Lewis and former IBF Junior Middleweight champion Vincent Pettway. Both Lewis and Pettway recently celebrated birthdays: Lewis turned 89 while Pettway turned 40.
The rest of the card was made up of out-of-town boxers, so here is a quick recap:
In a welterweight rematch: Keenan Collins of Reading,PA won an eight-round split decision over "Magnificent" Martinus Clay of Wilson, NC. Collins is 8-1-1, seven KO's. Clay is 9-10-1, three KO's. The last time these two fought, they went to a six-round draw.
Cruiserweight William "The Storm" Bailey of Virginia Beach, VA won a four-round unanimous decision over Sean "Ham" Williams of Reading, PA.
Junior middleweight Jose "The Silver Boy" Rodriguez of New York City scored a four-round unanimous decision over Wilson, NC's Rodney Green.
Wes Hobbs of New York City made his pro debut a successful one with a four-round unanimous decision over Hamilton Verano in a junior welterweight bout.
After waiting for weeks for an opponent, highly touted and undefeated junior middleweight Ishmail "The Arsenal" Arvin of Baltimore got a late opponent. Arvin also received a gash on his forehead courtesy of a second-round accidental headbutt from that opponent, Terry "Two Sweet" Johnson of Dayton, OH. Johnson ended up getting a nasty cut on the top of his head and the bout was stopped after two rounds.
It should be noted that Johnson was originally scheduled to face Purcell Miller on this card, but Miller weighed in at 163 1/4 to Johnson's 155 1/4 and Johnson's camp refused the fight.
Arvin's record is now 13-0-2, six KO's while Johnson is 5-11-1, one KO.
The only other Beltway Boxer on the card was lightweight Tyrell Samuel of Baltimore. Samuel gave the Michael's Eighth Avenue crowd the only real excitement of the evening as he blasted Jonathan Jones of Lucama, NC with a second round KO. Samuel was all over Jones from the start, catching Jones late in the first with a solid body shot that dropped him. In the second round, Samuel unleashed a crushing left hand that froze Jones momentarily, then dropped him to the canvas. Jones could not beat referee John Gradowski 10-count and the bout was stopped at 1:05 of the second.
Samuel is now 3-0, one KO while Jones is 0-2. Samuel looks like a promising prospect.
By the way, Samuel is trained by two Baltimore Boxing icons; Mack Lewis and former IBF Junior Middleweight champion Vincent Pettway. Both Lewis and Pettway recently celebrated birthdays: Lewis turned 89 while Pettway turned 40.
The rest of the card was made up of out-of-town boxers, so here is a quick recap:
In a welterweight rematch: Keenan Collins of Reading,PA won an eight-round split decision over "Magnificent" Martinus Clay of Wilson, NC. Collins is 8-1-1, seven KO's. Clay is 9-10-1, three KO's. The last time these two fought, they went to a six-round draw.
Cruiserweight William "The Storm" Bailey of Virginia Beach, VA won a four-round unanimous decision over Sean "Ham" Williams of Reading, PA.
Junior middleweight Jose "The Silver Boy" Rodriguez of New York City scored a four-round unanimous decision over Wilson, NC's Rodney Green.
Wes Hobbs of New York City made his pro debut a successful one with a four-round unanimous decision over Hamilton Verano in a junior welterweight bout.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Rahman Gives Beltway Another World Championship!
Of course, THE news of the boxing world concerns the sudden retirement of now-former WBC Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and the passing of the crown to Baltimore's own Hasim Rahman, making Rahman a two-time world champion.
On a radio interview today, I was asked whether Rahman should feel cheated because he was given the title as opposed to winning it in the ring. My answer continues to be NO!! Rahman did everything he was asked to do in this situation. He fought the guys that the WBC asked him to fight. He waited patiently for Klitschko to be healed and fought during that time. He earned the opportunity. The bottom line is that Klitschko, for whatever reason, did not want to go through with this bout.
Honestly, I was calling Klitschko "Quitschko" like everybody else until I remembered that Klitschko has a Ph.D in Physical Education. My belief is that Klitschko had an idea that this particular injury was going to be bad. He understood fully what the doctors were telling him and that's when he decided to call it quits.
So where do we go from here? I think the Don King-proposed tournament is the way to go. However, I do have some reservations -- not with the concept itself, but with who will be involved.
You have Rahman, WBA champ John Ruiz, IBF titleholder Chris Byrd and WBO champ Lamon Brewster. With this four, I can't see this tourney drawing flies. These guys are not popular enough. No one cares about this.
King is going to have to catch a break. I, personally, would like to see Ruiz lose his mandatory in December to 7'-2" Nicolay Valuev. If Valuev somehows gets involved, the curiosity of a seven-foot heavyweight might be a draw.
But the idea itself is a necessary one and I am glad that Rahman will be involved. King is saying that he would like to see Rahman take on James Toney for his first defense. That I think would be too risky for Rahman to do.
There are some interesting days ahead for the heavyweight division.
On a radio interview today, I was asked whether Rahman should feel cheated because he was given the title as opposed to winning it in the ring. My answer continues to be NO!! Rahman did everything he was asked to do in this situation. He fought the guys that the WBC asked him to fight. He waited patiently for Klitschko to be healed and fought during that time. He earned the opportunity. The bottom line is that Klitschko, for whatever reason, did not want to go through with this bout.
Honestly, I was calling Klitschko "Quitschko" like everybody else until I remembered that Klitschko has a Ph.D in Physical Education. My belief is that Klitschko had an idea that this particular injury was going to be bad. He understood fully what the doctors were telling him and that's when he decided to call it quits.
So where do we go from here? I think the Don King-proposed tournament is the way to go. However, I do have some reservations -- not with the concept itself, but with who will be involved.
You have Rahman, WBA champ John Ruiz, IBF titleholder Chris Byrd and WBO champ Lamon Brewster. With this four, I can't see this tourney drawing flies. These guys are not popular enough. No one cares about this.
King is going to have to catch a break. I, personally, would like to see Ruiz lose his mandatory in December to 7'-2" Nicolay Valuev. If Valuev somehows gets involved, the curiosity of a seven-foot heavyweight might be a draw.
But the idea itself is a necessary one and I am glad that Rahman will be involved. King is saying that he would like to see Rahman take on James Toney for his first defense. That I think would be too risky for Rahman to do.
There are some interesting days ahead for the heavyweight division.
Weights for Ballroom Boxing on Nov. 10!
Here is the final card for tomorrow night's Ballroom Boxing card at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD.
Main event: Eight-round rematch between "Magnificent" Martinus Clay (9-9-1, three KO's, Wilson, NC) and Keenan Collins (7-1-1, 7 KO's, Reading, PA) Last bout ended in a six-round draw.
Clay 148 pounds Collins 147 1/2
William "The Storm" Bailey (3-7-1, two KO's, Chesapeake, VA) vs. Sean Williams (8-14-1, two KO's, Reading, PA) six round cruiserweight.
Bailey 188 pounds Williams 189
Kay Karoma (1-0, Alexandria, VA) vs Jonathan Jones (0-1, Wilson, NC) four-round junior welterweight
Karoma 139 1/4 pounds Jones 141 3/4
Jose Rodriguez (pro debut, New York) vs Rodney Green (2-2-1, Wilson, NC) four-round junior middleweight
Rodriguez 157 3/4 pounds Green 157
Hamilton Verrano (0-2-1, New Jersey) vs Wes Hobbs (pro debut, New York) four-round welterweight
Verrano 148 1/4 pounds Hobbs 148 1/4
As of right now, Ishmail Arvin STILL doesn't have an opponent. One may be flown in early tomorrow. Purcell Miller weighed in almost four pounds over the middleweight limit and his scheduled opponent, Terry Johnston, has refused to take the bout.
Main event: Eight-round rematch between "Magnificent" Martinus Clay (9-9-1, three KO's, Wilson, NC) and Keenan Collins (7-1-1, 7 KO's, Reading, PA) Last bout ended in a six-round draw.
Clay 148 pounds Collins 147 1/2
William "The Storm" Bailey (3-7-1, two KO's, Chesapeake, VA) vs. Sean Williams (8-14-1, two KO's, Reading, PA) six round cruiserweight.
Bailey 188 pounds Williams 189
Kay Karoma (1-0, Alexandria, VA) vs Jonathan Jones (0-1, Wilson, NC) four-round junior welterweight
Karoma 139 1/4 pounds Jones 141 3/4
Jose Rodriguez (pro debut, New York) vs Rodney Green (2-2-1, Wilson, NC) four-round junior middleweight
Rodriguez 157 3/4 pounds Green 157
Hamilton Verrano (0-2-1, New Jersey) vs Wes Hobbs (pro debut, New York) four-round welterweight
Verrano 148 1/4 pounds Hobbs 148 1/4
As of right now, Ishmail Arvin STILL doesn't have an opponent. One may be flown in early tomorrow. Purcell Miller weighed in almost four pounds over the middleweight limit and his scheduled opponent, Terry Johnston, has refused to take the bout.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Rahman-Klitschko Postponed!
The WBC Heavyweight championship bout between Baltimore's Hasim Rahman and WBC champ Vitali Klitschko has been postponed. Klitschko hurt his knee this past Friday and has had to stop training.
This is the fourth time this bout has had to be rescheduled.
The following is the official statement from Top Rank, the promoters of the bout:
The world heavyweight championship fight featuring Vitali Klitschko vs. Hasim Rahman on November 12 is postponed and will be rescheduled, Bob Arum of Top Rank announced today. Klitschko, the WBC heavyweight champion, was injured while sparring in Los Angeles on Thursday. He wrenched his right knee and did not continue training. On Saturday, Klitschko was examined by famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tony Daly of Los Angeles. He diagnosed the injury as a sprain and suggested the use of a rigid brace on the right knee. However, while sparring in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, Klitschko reported the knee did not respond to either medical treatment or the use of the brace. Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank and Tom Loeffler, managing director of K2 Promotions, announced that Klitschko vs. Rahman will be rescheduled. A new date, Arum said, will be announced next week.
This is the fourth time this bout has had to be rescheduled.
The following is the official statement from Top Rank, the promoters of the bout:
The world heavyweight championship fight featuring Vitali Klitschko vs. Hasim Rahman on November 12 is postponed and will be rescheduled, Bob Arum of Top Rank announced today. Klitschko, the WBC heavyweight champion, was injured while sparring in Los Angeles on Thursday. He wrenched his right knee and did not continue training. On Saturday, Klitschko was examined by famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tony Daly of Los Angeles. He diagnosed the injury as a sprain and suggested the use of a rigid brace on the right knee. However, while sparring in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, Klitschko reported the knee did not respond to either medical treatment or the use of the brace. Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank and Tom Loeffler, managing director of K2 Promotions, announced that Klitschko vs. Rahman will be rescheduled. A new date, Arum said, will be announced next week.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Scottland Lawsuit Dismissed!
Fightnews.com is reporting that a lawsuit filed by Denise Scottland, the widow of super middleweight Beethavean Scottland, in a Manhattan, NY court was dismissed.
Denise Scottland's lawsuit was against ringside physicians Rufus Sadler and Gerard Varlotta and charged negligent practices. A Manhattan judge ruled that the correct allegations against the doctors was not negligence, but malpractice.
However, the 30-month statute of limitations had passed on the lawsuit and so the case was dismissed.
Denise Scottland's lawsuit was against ringside physicians Rufus Sadler and Gerard Varlotta and charged negligent practices. A Manhattan judge ruled that the correct allegations against the doctors was not negligence, but malpractice.
However, the 30-month statute of limitations had passed on the lawsuit and so the case was dismissed.
Results from Millersville!
Greenbelt, MD super middleweight “King” James McAllister scored a relatively easy eight-round unanimous decision victory over Dhafir “No Fear” Smith of Upper Darby, PA in the main event at BXF (Boxing Xtreme Fitness) Gym in Millersville, MD.
McAllister’s appearance was his first in almost a year and just his second in close to two years. McAllister said the inactivity hurt him considerably.
“I’m back in shape but in boxing, getting your rhythm back and your timing back takes something,” McAllister said. “It takes more quality sparring.”
McAllister, however, faced an opponent in Smith who spent the first half of the bout fighting in a defensive mode. McAllister took advantage by pressing the issue throughout the contest, but McAllister reiterated that his time away from boxing made that more difficult than usual.
“I had to press him all night long,” McAllister said. “And because I had to chase him, my timing, my balance and my footing while chasing him was difficult to find.”
By the time Smith offered some semblance of offense in the later rounds, McAllister was too far ahead on points for Smith to catch up. Judges John Gradowski and Bill Holmes said McAllister pitched a shutout, scoring the bout 80-72 while Judge Kenny Chevalier saw the contest, 79-73. My unofficial scorecard saw the bout 78-74.
McAllister raised his record to 10-5-1, three KO’s. Smith’s record falls to 13-12-2, three KO’s.
In the co-feature, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Shannon “Best Kept Secret” Anderson of Lancaster, PA outworked Suitland, MD’s Jarell Mason-Jackson to win a six-round unanimous decision.
Anderson took control of the bout in the fourth round when he caught Jackson with a stunning left uppercut. The punch sent Jackson reeling, but he managed to stay on his feet. From there, Jackson seemed to win almost every serious exchange in side. Jackson got his licks on Anderson in spots, but not enough times to pull out the victory.
Judge Holmes saw a shutout, 60-54. Judge Chevalier had it 58-56 while Judge Malik Waleed scored it 59-56. I saw it 59-55.
Anderson is now 3-0, one KO. Mason-Jackson goes under .500 at 3-4, one KO.
In the most exciting bout of the night, Portsmouth, VA middleweight John Terry won a close four-round majority decision over James Shedrick, Jr. of Philadelphia, PA.
In the first round, Terry dropped Shedrick with a left cross. In the third, Shedrick, whose father, Jimmy Shedrick, was a lightweight prospect in Philadelphia in the 70’s, returned the favor by knocking Terry down with a right hand.
But later in the third, Terry seemed to seal the deal by landing a left hand that sent Shedrick to the canvas. Terry was able to do enough in the final round to seal the victory.
Judge Waleed didn’t quite see it that way and scored the bout a draw at 38-38. Judges Gradowski and Chevalier saw the bout in favor of Terry at 39-37 and 38-37 respectively. I also saw the bout at 39-37.
Terry is now 2-1, one KO while Shedrick is now 3-4, one KO.
In other bouts on the card, Arick Washington of Seabrook, MD scored a four-round unanimous decision victory over John Rudolph of Cincinnati, OH in a junior welterweight contest. All three judges (Holmes, Waleed and Gradowski) scored the bout 39-36.
Washington is 2-1 while Rudolph is now 1-4, one KO.
In the opening contest, junior lightweight James Franks of Newport News, VA made his pro debut a successful one by stopping Cincinnati’s Fred Fleming at 2:58 of the second round of their scheduled four-round encounter. Fleming is now 0-2 in his career.
The promoter of the bout was Gene Molovinsky of Keystone Boxing. The matchmaker was Chris Middendorf.
One of the notable attendees at the card was Derrell Coley. However, Coley was notable on this night for a different reason. Coley was modeling a T-shirt that I think every DC boxing fan should own.
The shirt was called the "Fabulous Five" and it had pictures of Coley as well as pictures of DC's four world champions, Keith Holmes, William Joppy, Mark Johnson and Sharmba Mitchell. It was a beautiful sight. Coley is selling these shirts for about $30. I am in the process of getting more information on how to get these shirts and as soon as I find out, I will let you know.
McAllister’s appearance was his first in almost a year and just his second in close to two years. McAllister said the inactivity hurt him considerably.
“I’m back in shape but in boxing, getting your rhythm back and your timing back takes something,” McAllister said. “It takes more quality sparring.”
McAllister, however, faced an opponent in Smith who spent the first half of the bout fighting in a defensive mode. McAllister took advantage by pressing the issue throughout the contest, but McAllister reiterated that his time away from boxing made that more difficult than usual.
“I had to press him all night long,” McAllister said. “And because I had to chase him, my timing, my balance and my footing while chasing him was difficult to find.”
By the time Smith offered some semblance of offense in the later rounds, McAllister was too far ahead on points for Smith to catch up. Judges John Gradowski and Bill Holmes said McAllister pitched a shutout, scoring the bout 80-72 while Judge Kenny Chevalier saw the contest, 79-73. My unofficial scorecard saw the bout 78-74.
McAllister raised his record to 10-5-1, three KO’s. Smith’s record falls to 13-12-2, three KO’s.
In the co-feature, undefeated light heavyweight prospect Shannon “Best Kept Secret” Anderson of Lancaster, PA outworked Suitland, MD’s Jarell Mason-Jackson to win a six-round unanimous decision.
Anderson took control of the bout in the fourth round when he caught Jackson with a stunning left uppercut. The punch sent Jackson reeling, but he managed to stay on his feet. From there, Jackson seemed to win almost every serious exchange in side. Jackson got his licks on Anderson in spots, but not enough times to pull out the victory.
Judge Holmes saw a shutout, 60-54. Judge Chevalier had it 58-56 while Judge Malik Waleed scored it 59-56. I saw it 59-55.
Anderson is now 3-0, one KO. Mason-Jackson goes under .500 at 3-4, one KO.
In the most exciting bout of the night, Portsmouth, VA middleweight John Terry won a close four-round majority decision over James Shedrick, Jr. of Philadelphia, PA.
In the first round, Terry dropped Shedrick with a left cross. In the third, Shedrick, whose father, Jimmy Shedrick, was a lightweight prospect in Philadelphia in the 70’s, returned the favor by knocking Terry down with a right hand.
But later in the third, Terry seemed to seal the deal by landing a left hand that sent Shedrick to the canvas. Terry was able to do enough in the final round to seal the victory.
Judge Waleed didn’t quite see it that way and scored the bout a draw at 38-38. Judges Gradowski and Chevalier saw the bout in favor of Terry at 39-37 and 38-37 respectively. I also saw the bout at 39-37.
Terry is now 2-1, one KO while Shedrick is now 3-4, one KO.
In other bouts on the card, Arick Washington of Seabrook, MD scored a four-round unanimous decision victory over John Rudolph of Cincinnati, OH in a junior welterweight contest. All three judges (Holmes, Waleed and Gradowski) scored the bout 39-36.
Washington is 2-1 while Rudolph is now 1-4, one KO.
In the opening contest, junior lightweight James Franks of Newport News, VA made his pro debut a successful one by stopping Cincinnati’s Fred Fleming at 2:58 of the second round of their scheduled four-round encounter. Fleming is now 0-2 in his career.
The promoter of the bout was Gene Molovinsky of Keystone Boxing. The matchmaker was Chris Middendorf.
One of the notable attendees at the card was Derrell Coley. However, Coley was notable on this night for a different reason. Coley was modeling a T-shirt that I think every DC boxing fan should own.
The shirt was called the "Fabulous Five" and it had pictures of Coley as well as pictures of DC's four world champions, Keith Holmes, William Joppy, Mark Johnson and Sharmba Mitchell. It was a beautiful sight. Coley is selling these shirts for about $30. I am in the process of getting more information on how to get these shirts and as soon as I find out, I will let you know.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Aiken's Opponent Changed!
Boy, how things change in boxing! Of course, if you are a true boxing fan (as all of you are!), you know this to be true.
Eric Aiken's opponent for his bout on December 10 will now be undefeated Rashiem Jefferson of Philadelphia. The bout will also originate from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. I did hear about this matchup but I thought this bout was changed to the Nunes bout, not from this bout.
Jefferson is 8-0-1 with five KO's. Jefferson last fought on August 25 when he scored a fourth round TKO over Ubaldo Olivencia in New York.
Jefferson may be familiar to some Beltway Boxing fans because he has fought twice at Michael's Eighth Avenue. His pro debut was a Ballroom Boxing bout when he scored a second round TKO over Margarito Lopez on August 3, 2004. Jefferson returned to the Ballroom on Sept 30, 2004 when he battled to a four-round draw with Yamin Mohammad.
Eric Aiken's opponent for his bout on December 10 will now be undefeated Rashiem Jefferson of Philadelphia. The bout will also originate from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. I did hear about this matchup but I thought this bout was changed to the Nunes bout, not from this bout.
Jefferson is 8-0-1 with five KO's. Jefferson last fought on August 25 when he scored a fourth round TKO over Ubaldo Olivencia in New York.
Jefferson may be familiar to some Beltway Boxing fans because he has fought twice at Michael's Eighth Avenue. His pro debut was a Ballroom Boxing bout when he scored a second round TKO over Margarito Lopez on August 3, 2004. Jefferson returned to the Ballroom on Sept 30, 2004 when he battled to a four-round draw with Yamin Mohammad.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
'Mighty Mouse' Aiken Looks for NABA Cheese!
Forestville, MD super featherweight Eric "Mighty Mouse" Aiken has his most important bout to date as he battles for the vacant NABA Super Featherweight title on Dec. 10 at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY.
Aiken's opponent is a very familiar one in Brazilian Agnaldo Nunes. The two waged a very exciting and controversial war almost two years ago at the New Washington Convention Center, a bout that I thought was the best bout of 2003. Aiken won that bout by a six-round unanimous decision and scored two knockdowns in the bout, but I think it could have gone either way. One of the knockdowns was a tough call, because the Nunes camp thought Aiken knocked their man down while coming out of a clinch.
As a matter of fact, Despite the knockdowns, I thought Nunes won the last bout by one point, 57-56. I just thought he did more overall.
Since that bout, Aiken (12-3, nine KO's) has had some tough going of late, going 3-2 with two KO's and he has lost two of his last three, including a six-round split decision loss to Leo Martinez in his last contest. Martinez who was 6-5 at the time of the bout.
Nunes (15-1-1, 8 KO's), meanwhile, has gone 9-0-1 with four KO's since the Aiken loss. His last victory was a 10-round unanimous decision over Adalberto Borquez on October 21 in Santa Ynez, CA.
Quick observation: If this bout goes into double-digit rounds, it could be a problem for Aiken. While neither man has gone 12 before, Nunes went 10 in his last bout.
This is a make it or break it bout for Aiken. This could be Aiken's last chance to be a viable contender. I wish him well.
Aiken's opponent is a very familiar one in Brazilian Agnaldo Nunes. The two waged a very exciting and controversial war almost two years ago at the New Washington Convention Center, a bout that I thought was the best bout of 2003. Aiken won that bout by a six-round unanimous decision and scored two knockdowns in the bout, but I think it could have gone either way. One of the knockdowns was a tough call, because the Nunes camp thought Aiken knocked their man down while coming out of a clinch.
As a matter of fact, Despite the knockdowns, I thought Nunes won the last bout by one point, 57-56. I just thought he did more overall.
Since that bout, Aiken (12-3, nine KO's) has had some tough going of late, going 3-2 with two KO's and he has lost two of his last three, including a six-round split decision loss to Leo Martinez in his last contest. Martinez who was 6-5 at the time of the bout.
Nunes (15-1-1, 8 KO's), meanwhile, has gone 9-0-1 with four KO's since the Aiken loss. His last victory was a 10-round unanimous decision over Adalberto Borquez on October 21 in Santa Ynez, CA.
Quick observation: If this bout goes into double-digit rounds, it could be a problem for Aiken. While neither man has gone 12 before, Nunes went 10 in his last bout.
This is a make it or break it bout for Aiken. This could be Aiken's last chance to be a viable contender. I wish him well.
One Man's Opinion: Top Ten Boxers Along The Beltway 1985-2005!
While looking through my collection of old boxing magazines, I came across the March 1996 edition of The Ring. This issue had a special section called "A Tale of 10 Cities" in which different boxing writers listed the top 10 boxers from US cities where boxing was paramount.
They listed Boston, New York, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Detroit, San Francisco, Chicago and Baltimore. Washington, DC did not make the cut.
Legendary boxing writer Alan Goldstein of the Baltimore Sun did the Baltimore list. His top 10 included:
1. Joe Gans
2. Harry Jeffra
3. Kid Williams
4. George (KO) Chaney
5. Joe Dundee
6. Vince Dundee
7. Vincent Pettway
8. Red Burman
9. Jimmy McAllister
10 Jack Portney
This section gave me inspiration. So I decided to put together a list of the top 10 Boxers Along The Beltway. Now I can't factually go back as far as someone like Alan Goldstein so names like Holly Mims and Bob Foster won't be on this list. But I can cover the almost 18 years that I have been watching Beltway Boxing as a member of the press. As a matter of fact, I will round this to an even 20 years.
So here is my top 10 of the past 20 years. I will go in reverse order.
10. Andrew Council (31-8-3, 20 KO's) Council was someone boxing fans all over the country respected. He was a solid body puncher who in another time, he probably would have been a world champion. Fought tough battles against Bernard Hopkins, Keith Holmes (twice), and Robert Allen. Did not perform well against a young Winky Wright. Council's best win was a ninth round TKO over a shopworn but still dangerous Buddy McGirt in 1995.
9. Darryll Tyson (50-14-1, 25 KO's) Tyson fought a who's who of boxers between 135 and 140 pounds. Bouts against everyone from Jimmy Paul (a 12-round win and a 15-round loss for the IBF Lightweight title) to Miguel Angel Gonzalez and from Livingstone Bramble to Oscar De La Hoya always showed Tyson in a positive light. Fought two of the best bouts ever seen along the Beltway: a 12th round stoppage of Reggie Green in 1994 for the NABF/USBA junior welterweight title and a 10th round TKO loss to Freddie Pendleton for the USBA title on the "Beltway Brawl" card. His dedication and approach to the game has been legendary.
8. DeMarcus Corley 31-4-1 (17 KO's) Is on this list because of his stunning first-round knockout over Felix Flores to win the WBO Junior Welterweight title as well as his ability to go the distance with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Zab Judah and Randall Bailey. Corley brings more flash and talent to the 140-pound class.
7. Hasim Rahman (41-5-1, 33 KO's) A win next Saturday may force me to revise this list. Rahman would probably be higher on this list if he had not sqaundered chances to be an elite heavyweight against the likes of Evander Holyfield and John Ruiz. However, the impact of his stunning title victory over Lennox Lewis puts him on this list.
6. Keith Holmes (39-4, 25 KO's) Probably the most maligned champion we've had along the Beltway. Holmes never has received the respect he is due. People only remember the terrible loss he suffered in the Middleweight Championship Series against Bernard Hopkins, but when Holmes was on, he was as talented as they come. His first WBC Middleweight title win over Quincy Taylor, as well as wins over the likes of Andrew Council, Darryl Lattimore, Kelcie Banks, Hassine Cherifi and Paul Vaden proved that.
5. Vincent Pettway (43-7-1,32) This man was "Mr. Excitement" in the ring. From his thrilling loss to fellow Beltway Boxer Victor Davis in 1990,(in a bout that USA Network named one of their top 10 of all time)to his IBF Junior Middleweight title victory over Gianfranco Rosi in 1994 to his electrifying knockout win over Simon Brown at the "Beltway Brawl" in 1995 (which boxing magazines called everything from the Knockout of the Year to one of the Top 10 Knockouts of All Time), Pettway gave every thing he had everytime he stepped into the ring. Pettway was Baltimore's first world champion in almost 90 years.
4. Sharmba Mitchell (56-4, 30 KO's) A win over Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in two weeks might write Mitchell's ticket to Canastota. Mitchell ranks on this list for not only winning the WBA junior welterweight title in 1998, but also because of his excellence over a long period of time. Still needs a true marquee win but we have not had a more consistent boxer, especially over the last 10 years. Mitchell has always been a contender and a major player.
3. William Joppy (35-4-1, 26 KO's) Joppy has won three WBA middleight titles and although he doesn't have a marquee win (unless you count his knockout win over an aged Roberto Duran), he was a major player in the division for some time. His first title win over Shinji Takehara in Takehara's home country of Japan was something to behold.
2. Mark Johnson (44-4, 28 KO's) Johnson will be a hall of famer five years after he decides to hang up the gloves. He will be a first-ballot hall of famer. Johnson made the flyweight division a viable one for Americans because of his talent. The fact that he was the first African-American and second American to win the flyweight title is enough to get him in Canastota. In his prime, Johnson repeatedly made pound-for-pound lists around the world. His historic title wins over Francisco Tejedor and Arthur Johnson were phenomenal displays of punching power. And just when people thought his career was over, Johnson wins a third world title in 2003. He has had a remarkable career.
1. Simon Brown (47-12, 34 KO's) Brown was the first great Beltway Boxer of the post-Sugar Ray Leonard era. At one point, Brown was regarded as the best welterweight in the world. Brown fought some incredible battles against such foes as Tyrone Trice (twice), Al Long and, of course, who could forget his legendary battle against fellow Beltway Boxer and best friend Maurice Blocker in Vegas in 1991? Brown surprised everyone when he moved up to junior middleweight in 1993 and scored a major upset over future hall of famer Terry Norris in a bout Ring Magazine chose as the upset of the year. Even in defeat, Brown was a tremendous boxer with a boatload of heart. A definite hall of famer in my book.
So there you have it. I'm curious to know your top 10. Maybe we can have a compilation of the fan's top 10. Look forward to hearing from you.
They listed Boston, New York, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Detroit, San Francisco, Chicago and Baltimore. Washington, DC did not make the cut.
Legendary boxing writer Alan Goldstein of the Baltimore Sun did the Baltimore list. His top 10 included:
1. Joe Gans
2. Harry Jeffra
3. Kid Williams
4. George (KO) Chaney
5. Joe Dundee
6. Vince Dundee
7. Vincent Pettway
8. Red Burman
9. Jimmy McAllister
10 Jack Portney
This section gave me inspiration. So I decided to put together a list of the top 10 Boxers Along The Beltway. Now I can't factually go back as far as someone like Alan Goldstein so names like Holly Mims and Bob Foster won't be on this list. But I can cover the almost 18 years that I have been watching Beltway Boxing as a member of the press. As a matter of fact, I will round this to an even 20 years.
So here is my top 10 of the past 20 years. I will go in reverse order.
10. Andrew Council (31-8-3, 20 KO's) Council was someone boxing fans all over the country respected. He was a solid body puncher who in another time, he probably would have been a world champion. Fought tough battles against Bernard Hopkins, Keith Holmes (twice), and Robert Allen. Did not perform well against a young Winky Wright. Council's best win was a ninth round TKO over a shopworn but still dangerous Buddy McGirt in 1995.
9. Darryll Tyson (50-14-1, 25 KO's) Tyson fought a who's who of boxers between 135 and 140 pounds. Bouts against everyone from Jimmy Paul (a 12-round win and a 15-round loss for the IBF Lightweight title) to Miguel Angel Gonzalez and from Livingstone Bramble to Oscar De La Hoya always showed Tyson in a positive light. Fought two of the best bouts ever seen along the Beltway: a 12th round stoppage of Reggie Green in 1994 for the NABF/USBA junior welterweight title and a 10th round TKO loss to Freddie Pendleton for the USBA title on the "Beltway Brawl" card. His dedication and approach to the game has been legendary.
8. DeMarcus Corley 31-4-1 (17 KO's) Is on this list because of his stunning first-round knockout over Felix Flores to win the WBO Junior Welterweight title as well as his ability to go the distance with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Zab Judah and Randall Bailey. Corley brings more flash and talent to the 140-pound class.
7. Hasim Rahman (41-5-1, 33 KO's) A win next Saturday may force me to revise this list. Rahman would probably be higher on this list if he had not sqaundered chances to be an elite heavyweight against the likes of Evander Holyfield and John Ruiz. However, the impact of his stunning title victory over Lennox Lewis puts him on this list.
6. Keith Holmes (39-4, 25 KO's) Probably the most maligned champion we've had along the Beltway. Holmes never has received the respect he is due. People only remember the terrible loss he suffered in the Middleweight Championship Series against Bernard Hopkins, but when Holmes was on, he was as talented as they come. His first WBC Middleweight title win over Quincy Taylor, as well as wins over the likes of Andrew Council, Darryl Lattimore, Kelcie Banks, Hassine Cherifi and Paul Vaden proved that.
5. Vincent Pettway (43-7-1,32) This man was "Mr. Excitement" in the ring. From his thrilling loss to fellow Beltway Boxer Victor Davis in 1990,(in a bout that USA Network named one of their top 10 of all time)to his IBF Junior Middleweight title victory over Gianfranco Rosi in 1994 to his electrifying knockout win over Simon Brown at the "Beltway Brawl" in 1995 (which boxing magazines called everything from the Knockout of the Year to one of the Top 10 Knockouts of All Time), Pettway gave every thing he had everytime he stepped into the ring. Pettway was Baltimore's first world champion in almost 90 years.
4. Sharmba Mitchell (56-4, 30 KO's) A win over Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in two weeks might write Mitchell's ticket to Canastota. Mitchell ranks on this list for not only winning the WBA junior welterweight title in 1998, but also because of his excellence over a long period of time. Still needs a true marquee win but we have not had a more consistent boxer, especially over the last 10 years. Mitchell has always been a contender and a major player.
3. William Joppy (35-4-1, 26 KO's) Joppy has won three WBA middleight titles and although he doesn't have a marquee win (unless you count his knockout win over an aged Roberto Duran), he was a major player in the division for some time. His first title win over Shinji Takehara in Takehara's home country of Japan was something to behold.
2. Mark Johnson (44-4, 28 KO's) Johnson will be a hall of famer five years after he decides to hang up the gloves. He will be a first-ballot hall of famer. Johnson made the flyweight division a viable one for Americans because of his talent. The fact that he was the first African-American and second American to win the flyweight title is enough to get him in Canastota. In his prime, Johnson repeatedly made pound-for-pound lists around the world. His historic title wins over Francisco Tejedor and Arthur Johnson were phenomenal displays of punching power. And just when people thought his career was over, Johnson wins a third world title in 2003. He has had a remarkable career.
1. Simon Brown (47-12, 34 KO's) Brown was the first great Beltway Boxer of the post-Sugar Ray Leonard era. At one point, Brown was regarded as the best welterweight in the world. Brown fought some incredible battles against such foes as Tyrone Trice (twice), Al Long and, of course, who could forget his legendary battle against fellow Beltway Boxer and best friend Maurice Blocker in Vegas in 1991? Brown surprised everyone when he moved up to junior middleweight in 1993 and scored a major upset over future hall of famer Terry Norris in a bout Ring Magazine chose as the upset of the year. Even in defeat, Brown was a tremendous boxer with a boatload of heart. A definite hall of famer in my book.
So there you have it. I'm curious to know your top 10. Maybe we can have a compilation of the fan's top 10. Look forward to hearing from you.
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