Beltway Boxing fans saw a strong number of locals make pro debuts in 2008. The new poll asks you to select the 2008 Beltway Boxing Rookie of the Year. Here are the candidates (in alphabetical order):
Lenwood "Mr. Composure" Dozier, junior middleweight, Glen Burnie, MD (4-0-1, two KO's)
Joe Gardner, heavyweight, Landover, MD (1-1, one KO)
Fernando Guerrero, middleweight, Salisbury, MD (12-0, 11 KO's)
Cecil McCalla, middleweight, Reisterstown, MD (3-0, one KO)
"The Big Ticket" Dwayne McRae, heavyweight, Laurel, MD (2-0, two KO's)
Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell, heavyweight, Brandywine, MD (8-0-1, five KO's)
Ikem "The Warrior" Orji, lightweight, Laurel, MD (4-0, one KO)
James Stevenson, welterweight, Baltimore, MD (4-0, four KO's)
Mark "TNT" Tucker, light heavyweight, Eldersburg, MD (6-0, five KO's)
Antonio Walls, middleweight, Washington, DC (2-0, one KO)
I will make my selection during my year in review in mid-December.
My vote goes to Lenwood Dozier. He does not have as many fights as some on your list but he got everything else. Speed, Power, footwork and oh yeh Composure.
ReplyDeleteJoe Gardner without questuion!
ReplyDeleteJames Stevenson gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteMayhem all the way!
ReplyDeleteThe only two who would have a chance would be Fernando Guerrero and Seth Mitchell. My vote goes to "MAYHEM" simply because of the lack of experience he has and the growth that he has shown. I think he only had 10 amature fights, and less than 2 years all together. Mayhem all the way.
ReplyDeleteThe only fighter of the group to really establish himself as someone to watch on the national scene is Guerrero. At 12-0 with a very high profile fight under his belt on ShoBox a few months back, he stands head and shoulders above the rest. Mitchell would be in second, but a somewhat distant second because he has such a long way to go to be taken seriously. He is definitely a work in progress.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Dwayne Big Ticket McRae heis taking over for the Heavyweight division in Md,Dc,Va area he is 2-0 w/2 KO's I see his career starting off in the right path..
ReplyDeleteBig Ticket McRae, the next legend..Hey Baby chk him 12/20/08
ReplyDeleteDWayne McRae is a joke. I seen a middleweight beat him up sparring pretty bad in the gym last tuesday.
ReplyDeleteHe should not even be on the list.
Dwatyne McRae??? Are you joking! He cannot even beat the local amateurs right now.
ReplyDeletemayhem have all bums be for real.
ReplyDeleteDwayne McRae voted for Boxing Rookie of the year no question..
ReplyDeleteU should come on here to vote not to put someone down
I have watched both Mark and Seth as amatuers and as pros and I think they have what it takes to be solid future champs.As far as rookie of the year,Fernando,hands down.
ReplyDeleteBrad
There is No Doubt in My mind, Mark "TNT" Tucker is Beltway Rookie of the year! I have had the opportunity to see this young Lion fight a few times, and never was I dissapointed! He fills the arena with electricity and excitement and does one of two things...Tears at his opponent like a starved Hyena ripping away at an injured gazelle(4 1st round ko's) or disects his victim with a lazer like jab...Not to mention he has the experience of fighting in Vegas!
ReplyDeleteMark Tucker Sr. AKA Flashy Mike. Get real Tucker-we all know its you.
ReplyDeleteAll the boxers are doing great thus far. However, the big ticket daWayne McRae is an absolute joke. He is without question the wimp of the bunch. Anytime you got an amateur who weighs 154 beating you up in the gym, you just out to retire now. Furthermore, his family keeps voting for him and making a complete fool of themselves.
ReplyDeletehey gary,,why dont u do an amature boxers of the yr,,give your beltway kids a chance for some recognition,,,and make them wanna do better in 09...you keep leaving them out and they feel like they dont have no support from the main stream media witch is u right now... what beltway amatures won the most tournaments.. the local and the major events,,,,you should definitly do a amature poll!!!!!!!!! thanks!!! oh fernando hands down,,he"s12and 0,,if peapledont see that,,they voting on favoritism!!!! fernando!!!
ReplyDeleteI am not Flashy Mike, but I am greatful to be Mark TNT Tuckers Dad, Trainer and Friend. I want to thank Sugar Poo for giving Mark His Nickname "MARK TNT Tucker" years ago at Round 1 gym. I usually perfer not to comment but rather observe. I do think that Fernado is Rookie of the year and would pick Mark as second.we have brought Mark to where he is without any financing or help, had we had some financing we would have been able to get him more bouts, that being said I think we are still doing quite well. We were able to get him tremendous experience by sparring with and being te lead sparring mate in both Glen Johnsons and Antonio Tarver's camps. For this we are truely thankful. We do want to wish all beltway boxers and promoters the best and to all of Gary's and the Beltways Fans a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
ReplyDeletePeace & God Bless
The reason why I have not done an amateur poll is because I don't get a chance to see all the amateur cards in the way I do the pros. I lean toward people who have a lot more insight on the amateur scene.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of amateurs that I have not seen so it would be unfair to many who are doing well that I don't know about. Plus we are dealing with younger kids and I don't want to put them in such a competitive situation.
I agree with Flashy Mike,
ReplyDeleteMark TNT Tucker is a exciting fighter to watch and has done extremely well in his career, but I would say Fernando is Rookie of the year,he has had 6 more fights than Tucker and has a pretty good record. but i believe Mark TNT Tucker has the potential to be rookie of the year, or runner up.
I agree that Guerrero is the rookie of the year, but Mitchell would be the runner up for sure hands down. All other voters are just being bias. This guy has power, speed, good feet, can brawl as well as box. He is the total package.
ReplyDeleteHow in the world are you going to put Mark tucker in front of Seth Mitchell? Mark's dad has lost his mind...
ReplyDeleteI hope mark has a successfull carreer, but Mark has along ways to go, especially with a very limited amateur background. Fernando Guerrero tops the list and Seth is 2nd. but he is second by miles. We must look at the records of the guys our guys fought before placing them. Right now I'd put James Steveson 2nd and may put him in first after his next fight that is a huge step up. James is scheduled to box Zab Zudah in march if he wins two more fights. Good Luck James!
i vote mark "tnt" Tucker. hes a great fighter. to Cherry Hill. you arent that slick when it comes to boxing. saying tucker has no experience in the amatures. he had 162 fights get ur shit straight.
ReplyDeletetucker has fought 6 bouts with opponets averaging 3-4
ReplyDeleteguerro has 12 fights,however made his debut in 07. with a average record of 4-6
tuckers fights seem tougher to me.
theyre both good fighters
Did anyone see the performance by James Stevenson last night? Wow, he's got my vote. He just started his pro career a little more than 2months ago on Sept. 5, 2008 and already he is 4-0 all KO's. Very impressive. I can't wait to see him progress to the next level in the future. Keep up the good work and stay focused. God Bless!
ReplyDeletececil McCalla is the one to watch
ReplyDeletethe kid is slick i won't mention
the people he spank on the regular
those upton guy's will let any of
the locals drop in for sparring at anytime with out a bunch of bs
excuses like other gyms and they will
go any where.
FERNANDO GUERRERO IS MY VOTE
ReplyDeleteMany fighters in the area that progress to become professional fighters advance through the amateur ranks. This kid, Mark Tucker, not only did what he had to do, but he fought all the local competition. What gives Mark the progressive edge over his opposition is what he did between fights. This kid made more trips to Washington DC to spar with anyone who needed work than most boxers would have. He was a youngster compared to the experienced fighters with whom he was trading blows. As a young boy, he learned how to go the rounds with tough opposition. This is what's made this kid the fighter that the is today. His father's dedication to his son's profession is reflected in the strength and tenacity that has helped develop the character and guile that it takes to be inside of a prize ring.
ReplyDeleteVOTE DWAYNE MCRAE...
ReplyDeleteGOTTA LUV THA HATERS!
I WILL ALSO VOTE FOR SETH MITCHELL
ikem the warrior orji I will vote for him I wish he woul fight just a lil more
ReplyDeleteJosh Hall you are a class act when you want to be
ReplyDeletewillie williams and mark tucker
ReplyDeleteright now stop the bull shit about
mark the fire cracker tucker.
Mark "TNT" Tucker: Rookie of the year.
ReplyDeleteWho has mark fought that would warrant him being rookie of the year? No one...
ReplyDeleteI got an idea how about Mark Tucker vs Alexander Johnson. Somebodies 0 has got to go. Any comments?
ReplyDeleteThat would be a loss for Mark.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
ReplyDeletemark tucker would be too damn strong for alaxendria johnson. johnson's manager j d brown would never even consider taking that fight. tucker would hurt johnson terribly. ask freddy what happen in the gym. omg it was unreal!!!
ReplyDeletewinning rookie of the year is like being the winner of the first mile of a marathon. just about worthless.
ReplyDeletelet me make it perfectly clear I don't manage Alexandria Johnson I'm currently working with two fighters (Bayan Jargal and Tracy Brewer),and the possibility of one who is about to turn Pro.I wish Mr.Johnson and his camp the best.
ReplyDeleteMy Bad JD. Cassandra mislead me...
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to Mr. McRae...... Not only is he talented but he's also extremely sexy!
ReplyDeleteAttn: Gary what happened the rookie of the year is gone?
ReplyDeleteAre youu still pickin one?
Dozier's my vote, if you ever have time to pick his brain, do that he has a level head and God on his side.Follow him and his God there Going places. He's another with a handful of amatuer experience i think its been said he had under 20 fights, strategic boxer is what he is and that's what boxings all about.
ReplyDelete