Tougher Day For Beltway Amateurs At US Nationals!

At the US Nationals in Fort Carson, CO, Beltway amateurs stumbled a little bit during the second round of competition, but a number of locals moved on to the next round.

The evening session is still going on but three local 132-pounders advanced into the next round. Kevin Rivers, Jr. of Landover, MD won a 19-9 decision over Sonny Frederickson of Toledo, OH while Gary Antonio Russell of Capitol Heights, MD decisioned Joshua Jones of Philadelphia, PA 17-9. Also, Patrick Harris of Hyattsville, MD won his bout by a 20-12 decision over Kenneth Thomas, Jr. of Indianapolis, IN.

At 152 pounds, 2010 National Golden Gloves champion David Grayton of DC won by walkover against Lavelle Hadley of Youngstown, OH.

The locals had mixed success at 165 pounds. Russell Gaskins of DC won a 30-25 decision over Puol Both of St. Paul, MN, 30-25. However, D'mitrius Ballard of Temple Hills, MD lost a 15-10 decision to Jesse Hart of Philadelphia, PA and Jeremy Trussell of Baltimore fell to Mark Hernandez of Fresno, CA, 22-16. Demond Nicholson of Laurel, MD won his bout at 165 but it went to number of punches against Charles Cue of Jacksonville, FL 11-11 (32-30).

Also, Hasim Rahman, Jr. won his bout by RSC against Keith Busch of Chandler, AZ in the 201 pound competition.

The morning session gave some of the Beltway Boxers troubles. Malik Jackson of DC lost by walkover to Joseph Gonzalez of Houston, TX at 108 pounds. In the 123-pound class, Gervonta Davis of Baltimore lost by disqualification to Joet de Jesus Gonzalez of Glendora, CA.

Also at 123-pounds, Kenneth Wesley of Germantown, MD lost a 29-17 decision to Mario Ayala of Sacramento, CA while 201+ pounder Danny Kelly fell to Laron Mitchell of San Francisco, CA, 10-6.

The Beltway did have some winners during the morning session. In the 141-pound division, Antonio Magruder of Suitland, MD and Michael Reed of Waldorf both advanced. Magruder won an 18-11 decision over Kameron Jones of Rowlett, TX while Reed, the 2011 National Golden Gloves champion, captured a 21-8 decision over Kevin Watts of Lancaster, CA.

Also advancing at 141 was Cortland Perkins of Baltimore who won a 27-21 decision over Danson Rellez of Mountain View, HI.

The local 178-pounders also advanced today. Jerry Odom of Temple Hills, MD won a 22-19 decision over the hometown boxer, Jeffrey Spencer of Fort Carson. DC's Gregory Newby scored one of the few RSC's of the day as he stopped Luai Barakat of Headland, AL.