Today is the anniversary of Boxing Along The Beltway! This blog was started five years and 2,596 posts ago on July 30, 2005. Thanks, once again to all of you who read and follow what I've been trying to do here. The support is more appreciated than you would ever know!
Let me take a brief moment to follow up a statement I made on a recent thread. This year of 2010 has been a unique year for us and not necessarily in a fully positive way. I answered one recent thread by saying that we are a boxers hotbed, but not a BOXING hotbed. Let me expound on that a little bit.
I will put the Beltway's young pro boxing talent such as Gary Russell, Jr., Dominic Wade, Seth Mitchell and others up against any other region's talent and more often than not, I would win. Our boxers are that talented.
The area's amateur talent has grown by leaps and bounds, forcing this very blog to realize that it is not called Pro Boxing Along The Beltway and raise the level of its amateur coverage.
However, what has happened in this area recently is that we are slowly losing our venues to showcase our boxers. Ballroom Boxing is cutting back on their number of shows. The two shows that Babie Girl Productions planned for July and September have been put on hold because Hogate's on the Waterfront in DC had to close its doors. And we all know the situation involving Rosecroft Raceway, which had some of the more popular shows of the last three years.
Even the published financial woes of TKO Promotions have an effect on this region because the company had (and maybe still do have) plans to become a promotional force in this area and possibly sign more of our young boxers.
This is mentioned not to put blame on anyone. The financial state in and out of boxing has a lot to do with this. Plus, especially in Ballroom Boxing's case, the stress of keeping a long-running promotion going can take its toll, as it has for other promoters here.
What would help this situation is if fans -- all of us -- support the promoters that ARE here like never before. I know there are a lot of people who read this blog who, for whatever reason, do not come out to the cards on a regular basis. If you can come, please do. This will spur the promoters to put on more cards and maybe get potential promoters into the mix.
This area is still one of the best boxing areas in the country. The mission of BATB has always been to showcase this region's boxing talent to those who live in the area as well as outside the area. We will continue to do that. But if we can become a stronger fan base, the rewards will surely come.
Once again, thanks for all the support and we will keep the train running!
maybe there could be a batb discount for fans who get tickets to local shows through BATB
ReplyDeleteWhat we need is credible stars here who can become credible champions... These small shows don't put no real money in anyones' pockets (not even the promoters'; most lose money)
ReplyDeleteWe need that HBO Boxing after dark cash for our fighters and promoters..
I know one fight that would fill an arena that would be jimmy lange vs george riveria of course i am talking about the patriot center
ReplyDeleteLet me start my comment by saying that I did not make the previous post but I do agree with the statement that George Rivera vs. Lange would do good business. We've tried everything we could to get that fight and they just won't fight George. They don't need us and we really don't need them either. Same with Cujo vs. Jeter. We've tried everything we could to get that fight done and Jeter just won't fight Cujo. I've said on numerous occasions that I would love to promote a Rivera-Lange fight. Add Cujo vs. Jeter to it and you've got one heck of a card! I would love to promote it, I can promote it, and our guys would definitely take the fights. We just can't get the other sides, Lange and Jeter, to agree. And that's okay, we'll all just keep on keeping on. But, there is a standing offer to both of those guys, Lange and Jeter, if they ever want to get it on, we'll take them up AND I will promote it!
ReplyDeleteGary, congratulations on your 6th year! You are a truly nice man and you deserve all the blessings that come your way!
Thanks,
Joe Hensley
Hello, Gary abd other BATB fans
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that recently the DC area boxers have attended 4 National tournaments in 4 months and have "medaled" at each one. The DC Boxers are awesome!!
gary your the best coverage man in this area bar none god bless you your the best no question about it
ReplyDeletegood luck 2 daniel or danny jacobs sat 4 world title c fernando u can t duck and dodge all the time. start with a new manager and get smart
ReplyDeleteLOL how the hell did this turn into Joe Hensley's marketing blog. You sir are overbearing and annoying. I wouldn't want to deal with you either. Who can blame Lange or Jeter. George got smoked by "Mr. Keep Em Sleeping". SO what has he done to deserve a shot against Lange? Is it just because it would generate some cash for you Joe? Because outside of that I see no gain for Lange. Joe the world doesn't spin on your axis, get over yourself.
ReplyDeleteMr. Williams you sir have done so much positive for this area and boxing as a whole. Even outside the blog your promotion and dedication to the areas boxing talents is tremendous. Best of luck and nothing but continued success.
The Greek
"George got smoked by "Mr. Keep Em Sleeping". SO what has he done to deserve a shot against Lange?"
ReplyDeleteYou know that it sounds like you are saying Lange is BETTER than James Stevenson right?? LMAO
Congrats on six years, Gary! You've done great job not just reporting on this great sport, but teaching about it and offering analysis as well.
ReplyDeleteI have probably learned more about boxing's intricacies through your gabcasts than I have through any other print or broadcast source.
Lange VS Rivera wouldn't fill the inside of a Taco Bell.Those that were at the last Patriot Center Show know what happened in the so called Main Event.Phantom punch
ReplyDeleteand the guy was going down before the punch hit him.This fight may be entertaining to some but it surly doesn't have the makings of a big main event.Rivera if he chose to stand still and let his hands go would finish Lange off by the fourth round.Jimmy has provided his fans with alot of exciting moments and has fought his heart out at times but enough is enough.
Gary you have given alot of your time and effort in the few short years that you have had this blog
and for the most part did a very god job. There are some issues that I haven't greed with but it's your website so screw me.
Although it might not sound like it
I do appreacite your efforts and enjoy your coverage. and like everyone else all the bullshit that goes on here.Some of this stuff gets really funny.
One last word for all you cowards
that call yourselves professional fighters.Man up and fight somebody
besides a corpse.
You are sickening to anyone that
knows boxing.
Mastafa Hamsho
Congrats Gary on your 6th year anniversary! You have kept me informed on the boxing scene since my absence from the sport a couple of years ago. Keep up the good work! Maybe in the near future you will be reporting on me again!
ReplyDeleteLamont Pearson
Gary, thank you for all your hardwork and dedication to the sport that we all love. Thank you for covering pro and amateur alike. Thank you for everything we need more men like you.
ReplyDeleteI here alot of talk about alot of ameteur up and coming i been to alot of shows what about jordan white aka SHORT DOG i think he is one of best out of the area but i dont hear alot about him.
ReplyDelete