Beltway Boxing 2009 -- Knockout of the Year!

These are the best knockouts that were witnessed by BATB in the Beltway Region. Therefore, Dominic Wade's pro debut knockout will not be included here.

Digital’s Choice for Knockout of the Year is:

Tony Jeter KO 1 Keith Gross – September 26, George Mason University Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA.

This was the easiest choice of the year. Columbia, MD middleweight Jeter landed what BATB described at the time as a “vicious, one-punch, referee-didn't-even-bother-to-count knockout” over Prince Fredrick, MD’s Gross, who came out charging towards Jeter from the opening bell. However, once Gross gave Jeter a little space, Jeter’s right hand came crashing down on Gross’s chin. Referee Chris Wollesen immediately waved off the bout at 1:22 of the first round.

Other knockouts of note:

Julius Kennedy TKO 2 Gevonte Davis – June 18, Michael’s Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, MD.

After an even first round, the bout turned suddenly in the second as Windsor Mill, MD middleweight Kennedy landed a crushing right hand that stopped Davis in his tracks. The bout was stopped at 2:36 of the round. The win was Kennedy’s third in a four-bout streak for the year.

James Stevenson TKO 2 Darrett Crockett – January 23, Martin’s West, Woodlawn, MD.

Rising Baltimore prospect Stevenson showed solid power in this contest as he dominated from the opening bell and eventually blasted Crockett across the ring with a devastating right hand. Crockett crumpled in his own corner and the bout was stopped at 1:20 of the round.

Honorable Mention: David Hopkins KO 3 David Derby – April 11, Lynchburg City Armory, Lynchburg, VA.

This was during the Internet Pay-Per-View telecast that I called, but was not technically in the Beltway. This was a vicious knockout that had to be mentioned. Roanoke, VA’s Hopkins landed a crushing right hand that dropped Derby face first to the canvas. Referee Chris Wollesen immediately stopped the contest at 2:15 of the round.