Update on April 19 Ballroom Boxing Card!

Here is how the Ballroom Boxing card on Thursday, April 19 at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD is shaping up. Remember, this is the first bout in our six-week, eight-card, Beltway Boxing "Spring Spectacular."

Undefeated Baltimore featherweight Tyrell "Da Show Shock A" Samuel will be in the eight-round main event against Jose "Papi Zurdo" Hernandez of Atlanta, GA.

Samuel (9-0, six KO's) has not fought since February 17 when he won a six-round unanimous decision over Jorge Lara at Suitland High School in Suitland, MD. Samuel was scheduled to appear on the March 8 Ballroom Boxing show, but his opponent didn't meet state requirements.

This will be the first appearance of 2007 for the Mexican-born Hernandez (9-6, three KO's). Hernandez won a six-round majority decision over Carlos Rivera on December 2, 2006 in Tampa, FL. The win broke a four-bout losing streak for Hernandez, who has now fought undefeated boxers in seven of his last eight bouts.

The other Beltway Boxer on this card will be Severna Park super middleweight Carson McCourry, who will participate in the second bout of his comeback. McCourry (9-2, six KO's) will take on Travis Biechler of Denver, CO in a four-round bout.

McCourry scored a second-round TKO over Clinton Bonds on the last Ballroom show. McCourry will face an opponent who has made strides to turn his career around. Biechler (2-4, two KO's) has scored two knockout victories after losing his first four bouts.

The co-feature bout will be an interesting eight-round encounter between undefeated New York City junior middleweight Jose Angel "Silver Boy" Rodriguez and "Magnificent" Martinus Clay of Wilson, NC.

Rodriguez (10-0, two KO's) is coming off a third-round TKO over Cesar Valentin on February 10 in Las Vegas. This is Rodriguez's fourth trip to the Ballroom and his first since winning a six-round unanimous decision over Carlos Pena on September 28, 2006.

In his last outing, Clay (12-14-2, four KO's) lost an eight-round unanimous decision to undefeated Jason LeHoullier on March 16 in Salem, NH in front of a nationally televised ESPN2 audience (the same card as Eric Aiken's draw against Cruz Carbajal).

This will be Clay's sixth time in the Ballroom. The last Ballroom outing saw Clay lose an eight-round unanimous decision to Arturo Morales on May 4, 2006.

Also returning to the Ballroom will be undefeated Reading, PA heavyweight Travis Kauffman (9-0, seven KO's). Kauffman will face veteran Dan Whetzel of Toledo, OH (8-9-1, five KO's) in a six-round bout.

Kauffman is coming off a second-round knockout over Kevin Hood on March 30 in Phoenixville, PA. Kauffman made his pro debut in the Ballroom on January 26, 2006 when he stopped Jerome Boyer in the second round.

Whetzel lost a four-round majority decision to Mujaheed Moore on March 31 in Warren, OH. This will be Whetzel's first trip to Glen Burnie since June 17, 2004 when he was knocked out in the first round by Taz Titan. Whetzel also fought at Martin's West on December 7, 2005 when he was stopped by Jed Phipps.

Also on the card will be lightweight Carney "Beeper" Bowman of York, PA. Bowman (6-0, three KO's) is returning to boxing after an almost two-year hiatus. His opponent is to be determined.

This Ballroom show will be a pro-am card. Three amateur bouts are scheduled to be on the card.