Today, we start our look at the results from the Boxing Along the Beltway Year-End Excellence Awards as voted by you,
the Beltway Boxing Community! These are the results of the first four categories.
I will look at the first two categories in tandem because the results came out in exactly the same order.
The choice for Rookie of the Year and Prospect of the Year is…
Juan Carlos Robles (46 votes for Rookie of the Year, and 39 for Prospect of the Year)
The heavyweight from just inside the Beltway in Waynesboro, VA proved to be the perfect boxer to open cards. After beginning his career in West Virginia with two knockout wins, Robles (5-0, three KO’s) adjusted to slightly tougher competition in the Beltway by surviving two unanimous decisions against Jonathan Felton and Derek Amos. His exciting win against Amos to start the October 7 Patriot Center card had many people talking afterwards, so much so that there will be a rematch that will be the main event of the Rising Stars Card on February 3. His choice as Prospect of the Year was a write-in choice.
Runners-up: Andrew “Doo Man” Farmer (22 votes for Rookie, 23 for Prospect); Jessie “The Beast” Nicklow (four votes in each category)
The choice for Performance of the Year is…
Tony Thompson wins WBC Continental Americas and NABO Heavyweight titles over Dominic Guinn on June 28 (23 votes)
This was a scintillating performance as Tony “The Tiger” Thompson completely dominated a boxer that was considered to be America’s best hope for a world title in front of a nationally televised ESPN audience. Thompson almost had Guinn out late in the bout. Thompson’s performance elevated Thompson to high rankings in the major governing bodies. However, it looks like the performance has scared many a heavyweight because no one seems to want to step forward and challenge this 6-5, southpaw heavyweight.
Runners-up: Eric Aiken defeats former IBF Bantamweight champion Tim Austin by sixth-round TKO April 1 (19 votes); Aiken wins IBF Featherweight championship via eighth-round DQ over Valdemir Pereira on May 13/Juan Carlos Robles wins four-round unanimous decision over Derek Amos, October 7 (six votes—Robles-Amos was write-in vote)
The choice for Card of the Year is…
The October 7 card at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA (46 votes)
This Major League Boxing card had one of the better main events in 2006 as Jimmy Lange returned after his loss to Joey Gilbert to take on Thomas Wilt. Also Dorin Spivey fought a solid bout against Roberto Valenzuela and Juan Carlos Robles fought one of the best bouts of the year against Derek Amos. Despite the fact that a number of boxers did not get a chance to participate because of the curfew, many fans still thought highly of this card.
Runners-up: December 9 at the Patriot Center (41 votes); August 19 at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA (22 votes)
Later this weekend, the results in Promoter/Matchmaker, Rising Contender, Knockout, Bout and Beltway Boxer of the Year along with your “Unofficial Official” Awards!
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8 comments:
Its obvious some of these emails were 1 sided. Certain people got every-1 and there mother to send an email in to vote for them. Juan Carlos Robles Rookie of the year, he is exciting, but only fought what 3 times in Beltway area (5 fights total), Nicklow fought 8 times this year. That's cool but Farmer was leading every catagory at the half way point.
Please dont rob Jake the Snake who held a show just about every month for promoter of the year.
Farmer had catagories votes as write-ins in catagories he knows he should not have been thought of. I guess this is the "whoever knows the most people" awards. Nothing you can do about that Gary. Im glad you are doing something to give chance to recognize the accomplishments of the fighters. I am interested in seeing your picks.
This was an open vote. I gave everyone more than a month to participate.
If you have a complaint, it is without merit because everyone was given an opportunity to let their voice be heard.
Digital-Are you going to mention your choices?
Digital- we are not blaming you for the outcomes of the awards. But it was a popularity contest instead of a "who deserves it better" contest. Certain people just got mad people to vote for them. Nothing you can do about that.
i first want to say that i can't believe someone would say that i know i should not have even been thought of. I don't want to compare myself to any of the people that were nominated and the people that won these awards. i am very glad for juan and i hope that he continues to do well, and i am going to prove to everyone that i deserved to be a part of these awards! see everyone Feb. 3.
Two comments and a preface: The preface is an echoed thanks to Gary for putting this voting together. It's one more great way to shed positive light on a region that has a lot to offer the sport of boxing.
The first comment is an Amen to Andrew Farmer's note. You showed class following your first setback in December and you showed class with your posting here. You have a lot of talent and a lot to look forward to, and I'm eager to keep watching!
My second comment is a response to the inevitable cries of bias following any vote. If there's a bias here it's not in how the voting was handled, but in the advantage enjoyed by the fighters participating in the Patriot Center shows. People are going to vote for fighters they have seen, and it's only logical that a boxer fighting in front of a crowd of 5,000 will receive more votes than one with an audience of only 500, no matter how splendid the performance.
Given that J.C. Robles fought on two Patriot Center cards in the last quarter of 2006, combined with wins both times and a look that commands attention, it shouldn't be surprising that his name was fresh on voters' minds when filling out this ballot.
With the impractical exception of creating separate divisions for club shows and arena shows (really, how many arena shows are there besides the Patriot Center?)that disparity is probably one that won't be overcome any time soon and should just be chalked up as part of life.
I dont think it matters how many times you fight, its the show that is presented to the fans that have them asking for more. I am proud that our va. area is getting the recognition the fighters deserve. I have been to the last 5 fights and they are good!! Keep up the good work,guys. Andrew, dont worry about them. they are jealous. I have seen you fight along side my spouse and you got talent!!
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