Pikesville Card Looks Promising!

Undefeated Baltimore super middleweight Tony “Cyclone” Cygan will headline the first Baltimore Pro Bouts card of 2006 on January 20 at the Pikesville National Guard Armory in Pikesville, MD.

Cygan (9-0, six KO’s) is coming off a solid 2005 where he went 5-0 with three KO’s, making him one of the prospects to watch from the Baltimore-Washington area. Cygan is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision win over James North on December 7 in Woodlawn, MD.

Cygan will get an early test this year as he will face Billy Lyell of Warren, OH in an eight-round contest. Lyell has the best won-loss record (9-2, two KO’s) of anyone Cygan has faced to date. Lyell has won his last two bouts, including a six-round unanimous decision over Daniel Neal on November 23 in Chester, WV.

Baltimore heavyweight Jed “The Punisher” Phipps (16-3 with nine KO’s) will be in the co-main event, coming off one of the most impressive victories of his career. Phipps defeated Dan Whetzel by sixth-round technical knockout on the December 7 Woodlawn card.

Phipps will battle David Cleage of Ohio in a six-round encounter. Cleage (3-8-1, one KO) will be trying to break a three-bout losing streak. Cleage lost a four-round majority decision to Otis Mills on December 16 in Cleveland, OH.

Also on the card will be super featherweight Dean “Pit Bull” White of Reston, VA who will face Marty “Too Sweet” Robbins of Crossville, TN in a six-round bout.

Both boxers will be trying to break losing streaks. White (11-4, six KO’s) is coming off of two straight tough losses, including his last bout, a six-round unanimous decision to Oronde Dawley on December 9 in Lancaster, PA. Robbins, a true veteran (21-29-1, 15 KO’s) has lost his last three, including an eight-round unanimous decision to Ray Narh on October 26 in Washington, PA. Robbins has faced many rising prospects during his career including Mike Arnaoutis, Emmanuel Lucero and Elio Rojas.

Two local Baltimore area prospects are scheduled to make their pro debuts on this card. Junior middleweight Jessie Niclow will take on veteran Lawrence Frisby of Philadelphia, PA. Frisby (3-9, two KO’s) was stopped by Tony Jeter in the second round in his last outing on October 7 in Millersville, MD.

Cruiserweight Nick Collins will also debut on this card, facing Eddie Otts of Salisbury, MD. Otts is coming of a four-round draw against Derek Sierra on December 7 in Woodlawn.

Proceeds from this card will help pay for the medical expenses of Baltimore heavyweight "The American Dream" Mike Dietrich, who is recovering from stab wounds suffered in an altercation in December. There will also be a silent auction during the card. Also, former world champion Vinny Paz is slated to make an appearance.

Jake Smith is the promoter for this card. The matchmaker is Josh Hall.