Beltway Collects ESPN 'Friday Night Fights' Honors; Darnell Wilson Named 'Fighter of Year!'

With the ESPN "Friday Night Fights" series coming to a close for the year this coming Friday, September 7 (the card includes Lamont Peterson), blow-by-blow announcer Joe Tessitore announced his Friday Night Fights Awards for 2007. The Beltway was VERY well represented.

Tessitore named newly-crowned USBA Cruiserweight champ Darnell "The Ding-A-Ling Man" Wilson the Friday Night Fights "Fighter of the Year!"

"Darnell Wilson did more to advance his career than any other. On Feb. 23, the Ding-A-Ling Man KO'd former world champ Kelvin Davis, then in June he made highlight reels across the country with his KO of Emmanuel Nwodo on Staten Island, N.Y. He is now cemented in the top 10 rankings and it was all because of his big year on 'FNF,' Tessitore said.

Wilson's June 29th, 11th-round knockout of Emmanuel Nwodo was, to no one's surprise, named the Knockout of the Year.

Tessitore's statement: "When Darnell Wilson's left glove struck the right side of Emmanuel Nwodo's head on June 29, it was the hardest hit I have ever seen another person absorb. I don't know how else to describe it. I have not seen another punch delivered with more force or a more devastating result. Teddy Atlas immediately said he couldn't recall a more brutal KO in all his years at ringside. Nwodo's body crumbled to the ground and his legs folded back underneath him. At Teddy's house later that night with family and friends, we must have replayed the moment on TiVo at least 30 times. There have been other very impressive KOs elsewhere this year, there have been KOs that won world titles, but if you were at ringside, you wouldn't question that this KO was among the most vicious -- not just of this year, but in this era of fights."

In what seemed to be a close call, Tessitore named Lamont Peterson the FNF "Prospect of the Year." Peterson eeked out this decision over the likes of Andre Berto, Eddie Chambers and Chris Arreola.

"I'll go with the guy who impressed and was on the 'FNF' schedule three times this season; no other prospect can say that," said Tessitore about Peterson.

Other events involving Beltway Boxers received praise as well. The March 16 bout between Eric Aiken and Cruz Carvajal received honorable mention as "Fight of the Year." The bout went to a 12-round draw. The hours leading up to the bout also received honorable mention honors for "Moment of the Year" as neither man knew they would be fighting each other until literally seven hours before they hit the ring.

Also, the May 25 PMG/Headbangers card at the DC Armory (featuring the Peterson Brothers) received praise as a nominee for "Show of the Year."