Monday, July 30, 2012

August 4 DC Card Updated!

The Babie Girl Productions card on Saturday, August 4 at the Renaissance Hotel in DC has been updated.  There are four local pro debuts on this card and one for a boxer from nearby Newport News, VA and they all have matchups now.

Flyweight Tyrieshia "Baby Girl" Douglas of DC will be taking on the equally-debuting Ashley Langston of Wilson, NC.  DC heavyweight Danny Kelly begins his pro career against Donnie Crawford of Winchester, VA (1-5-1, one KO).  DC welterweight and former National Golden Gloves champion David "Day-Day" Grayton will take on Wilson, NC's Gregory Joyner (0-2)  Also, Gregory Newby, a light heavyweight from DC, will battle Jadell Wells of Canton, OH (0-4).

In another pro debut, Newport News, VA heavyweight Jerry Forrest will take on Jeremiah Williams of Cincinnati, OH (1-8).

Also on the card, White Plains, MD lightweight Terron "The Kid" Grant (2-0, one KO) looks to stay undefeated when he takes on David Warren Huffman of Akron, OH (0-8) in a four-round contest.  Huffman was in DC on March 10 and lost a four-round unanimous decision to Renaldo Gaines.  In another female contest,  DC heavyweight Kaelon Hollon (2-0) battles in a four-round rematch with Kasondra Hardnett of Philadelphia, PA (1-4).  Hollon won the first bout by majority decision on the March 10 card at the Washington Convention Center.

The main event, we've been told, is firmed up but we are waiting for confirmation on the opponent for Capitol Heights, MD light heavyweight Henry "Sugar Poo" Buchanan.  We do know that the opponent will not be Dhafir Smith.  The co-feature will have two veteran heavyweights from North Carolina -- Donnell "The Real Touch of Sleep" Holmes of Ivanhoe (33-2-2, 29 KO's) matches up against Wilson's Maurice Winslow (3-16-1, three KO's).

Stiff Jab Previews Pending Beltway Boxer Debuts!

My Beltway-area colleague Gautham Nagesh of Stiff Jab has a nice preview of the debuts of some of the "Next Wave" of Beltway Boxers making their pro debuts on Saturday, August 4 at the Renaissance Hotel in DC.  Nagesh also writes for TheRoot DC and will be in Las Vegas covering Ty Barnett's bout.  Here is his column:

http://www.stiffjab.com/post/27428751509/opening-bell-dmv-boxing-prospects-grow-up-this-summer

BATB Heads Into Year Seven!

On this date in 2005, The boxing world was introduced to Boxing Along The Beltway!  We are celebrating our sixth anniversary.  Usually, I put together stats about what has happened during those years, but I just haven't had the time to put that together this year in earnest and I really wanted to make this a brief celebratory note.

A few stats I will point out -- this is the 3967th post that I have made in the six years of this blog.  Looking to get to 4000 by the end of the year.  Also, since I have put a flag counter on my site, fans from 134 countries have visited this site.  On December 11, 2011 (the day after the Lamont Peterson-Amir Khan championship bout), 2,300 people logged onto the site -- 918 of those were looking at BATB for the very first time.

Once again, I am so thankful to all the boxers, trainers, promoters, matchmakers, commission members, friends and fans in the Beltway Boxing community for your love and support. You all make this so fun to do. For those reading from outside the Washington, DC/Baltimore/Virginia area, I am very appreciative that you take the time to find out what is going on in our area.

As I've said before -- let's keep on keepin' on!!

Baltimore's Fox45 Profiles Gervonta "Tank" Davis!

Thanks for the heads up from a reader on this video.  Baltimore's Fox45's Morgan Adsit has a nice profile on 2012 National Golden Gloves champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis as he prepares to turn professional in the very near future.

One slight correction on the story -- Davis will not be the first from Upton Boxing Center in Baltimore to turn pro -- that honor will go to Tyrieshia Douglas on August 4.

Here is the link: http://www.foxbaltimore.com/newsroom/sports/sports-unlimited/videos/vid_169.shtml

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Armenta Returns to Action in New York City August 2!

The next couple of weeks will be very busy for Beltway Boxers in and out of the region.  We've been talking about Ty Barnett's ESPN2 bout on Friday, August 3 in Las Vegas, NV.  However, on Thursday, August 2 at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, Silver Spring, MD light Heavyweight George "El Gallo" Armenta returns to action with a 10-round co-feature bout against undefeated Sean Monaghan of Long Beach, NY.

Armenta (14-9, 11 KO's) will be facing an undefeated boxer for the second straight time.  On June 1, Armenta lost an eight-round unanimous decision to Dennis Hasson in Atlantic City, NJ.  This will be Armenta's first 10-rounder since he lost a close unanimous decision to Mark Tucker in December 2009 in Westminster, MD.

Monaghan (14-0, nine KO's) is coming off an eighth-round TKO over Romaro Johnson on June 14 at the Roseland Ballroom for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Light Heavyweight title.  That title will reportedly not be on the line against Armenta.  This will be Monaghan's second straight bout at Roseland and third in his last four bouts.

Salinas Wins Unanimous Decision in Charlotte, NC!

Manassas, VA super bantamweight "The Bolivian Queen" Jennifer Salinas made her return to boxing a successful one with a six-round unanimous decision over Angel "Non-Stop" Gladney Saturday night at the EpiCentre in Charlotte, NC.

The bout was Salinas's first since her loss to Jackie Nava in November 2010 for the interim WBC Female Super Bantamweight title in Yucatan, Mexico.  Salinas now has a record of 12-3, four KO's.  Gladney falls to 7-6-1, six KO's.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Salinas Weighs 126 For Rumble in Charlotte, NC!

Manassas, VA featherweight "The Bolivian Queen" Jennifer Salinas weighed in at 126 pounds for her six-round contest against Angel "Non-Stop" Gladney of South Carolina tonight at the EpiCentre in Charlotte, NC.  Gladney also came in at 126.

Friday, July 27, 2012

'Mayhem' Mitchell Returns October 6 in Atlantic City!

Recovering from a hand injury that forced the postponement of this bout, Undefeated Brandywine, MD heavyweight contender Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell will take on Johnathon Banks of Detroit, MI in a 10-round bout on Saturday, October 6 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.  The bout will be televised by HBO.

Mitchell (25-0-1, 19 KO's) was scheduled to face Banks (28-1-1, 18 KO's) on July 14 but he aggravated an injury to his hand suffered in his knockout victory over Chazz Witherspoon in April.  Mitchell is ranked number two by the WBO and number eight by the WBC.  Banks, a former cruiserweight contender, is ranked number 11 by the IBF.  Banks is undefeated as a heavyweight (8-0-1, four KO's). 

The bout will be part of a tripleheader that will feature Adrian Broner and possibly undefeated welterweight prospect Keith Thurman.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Beltway Boxing History: Norvel Lee!

As we get ready for the Games of the 30th Olympiad in London, Ring Magazine's Don Stradley put together a nice list of Olympic Boxing champions from the United States who did not receive the lasting accolades that members of the 1976 team or the 1984 teams, for example, did.

There were some famous names on this list including Pete Rademacher (1956) and Sugar Ray Seales (1972).  However, much of their fame came after the won the gold.  Rademacher made his pro debut against heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson, who won Olympic gold as a middleweight in 1952.  Seales,who was the only member of the 1972 team to win a gold medal, fought Marvelous Marvin Hagler three times as a pro (losing twice and getting a draw) and left boxing after being declared legally blind.  In fact, there is a legend that Seales actually memorized an eye chart so he could pass a physical to take a bout.

(Photo courtesy of Boxrec.com)

Another name on the list has local ties.  Norvel Lee (above) is recognized as the first Olympian from the Beltway region to win a gold medal.  Lee accomplished this feat in 1952 at the Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.

Lee was born in Eagle Rock, VA and later moved to Covington, KY where he made news outside the ring in 1948 by being arrested for being one of the first African-Americans to sit on an all-white bus.  That same year, Lee just missed making the Olympic team.  Also, that year, Lee earned his master's degree in DC at Howard University.

Lee fought on the Washington, DC Golden Gloves team in 1951 and was scheduled to meet future world heavyweight champion Ingemar Johannson in an US vs. Europe competition, but Johannson had an eye injury and couldn't compete.  Lee was a three-time national Golden Gloves champion.

In 1952, Lee ended up being a reserve on the Olympic team as a heavyweight, but was told he could make the team if he could compete as a light heavyweight.  Lee dropped the necessary weight and went on to make the team (where he was a teammate of Patterson, who later fought three memorable championship bouts against Johannson) and win the gold medal.

Lee never turned professional and worked in corrections and adult education.  Lee also spent a short time as a professional boxing judge.  He was one of the judges for the infamous Riddick Bowe-Elijah Tillery fiasco at the Washington Convention Center in October of 1991.  Lee would pass away of cancer in 1992 at the age of 67 at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.



Monday, July 23, 2012

Ty Barnett Talks About August 3 ESPN2 Bout!

DC junior welterweight Ty Barnett sits down with BATB and ProAm Fight Talk to talk about his Friday, August 3 ESPN2 main event bout with undefeated Mercito Gesta at the Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas, NV. 

Due to the size limitations on the blog -- this video is not showing the way it should be.  Follow this link to see the video in its proper size:  http://youtu.be/kYBy-NqaLHs 

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Could Lange Face Trout in Non-Title Bout?

Interesting article on RingTV.com recently and a Beltway Boxer was mentioned.  According to RingTV's Mike Coppinger, WBA Junior Middleweight titleholder Austin "No Doubt" Trout is looking for an opponent for his next bout.  Trout (25-0, 14 KO's) told Coppinger that the ideal opponent would be IBF champion Cornelius "K-9" Bundrage.  Coppinger says negotiations are underway for that bout to take place.

Trout also said that if negotiations for a unification bout fall through, he would take a "stay-busy" bout.  The opponent mentioned was none other than Great Falls, VA junior middleweight Jimmy LangeBATB believes the odds of a Trout-Lange bout happening are slim but you should know that there was talk about a Trout-Lange bout as far back as early 2011 before Trout won the WBA title.

Here is the article:

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/173965-austin-trout-likely-to-return-against-bundrage-or-lange

Friday, July 20, 2012

Beltway Boxing Action Ramps Up In Next Three Months!

We are heading into the busiest stretch of Beltway Boxing action this year with four cards scheduled over the next three months over all parts of the Beltway region.  Not a whole lot of actual matchups are signed yet, but there are a lot of locals slated for these cards.  You might want to put these dates on your calendar.

We've already given some information about the Babie Girl Productions card slated for Saturday, August 4 at the Renaissance Hotel in DC.  To reiterate the info, Henry "Sugar Poo" Buchanan will take on Dhafir "No Fear"  Smith along with the pro debuts of Tyrieshia Douglas, David Grayton, Danny Kelly and Newport News, VA's Jerry Forrest.

Keystone Boxing makes a quick return on Saturday, August 25 at the Washington Convention Center.  Scheduled to appear on this card are Dusty Harrison, Todd "White Lightning" Wilson, Zain "Tiger" Shah, Duane Mobley, Farrad "The Rose" Price, Josh Rupard, Harold "Sweet Lee" Parker and Parker's younger brother, Joshua "Marvelous Mo" Parker, who will make his pro debut.

Then on Saturday, September 22, Jeter Promotions will have a card at Club One Fitness in Millersville, MD that looks right now to be packed with locals as well.  The head of Jeter Promotions -- Tony "Mo Better" Jeter -- will headline the card that is also scheduled to feature James "Keep Em' Sleepin'" Stevenson, Venroy "Hard Work" July, Duane Mobley, Sherman Artis, Jr., George "El Gallo" Armenta, Kevin "The Scarecrow" Womack, Jr., "Slick" Nick Kisner and Lee Snow.

As we move into October, BATB has been told the next Jimmy Lange Boxing card has been scheduled for Saturday, October 27 at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA.  There is no information yet for that card.


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

BoxingTalk Profiles Ty Barnett As He Prepares for ESPN2 Battle!

Michael Walters of BoxingTalk.com has a profile of DC junior welterweight Ty Barnett as he prepares for his first bout on ESPN2.  Barnett (20-2-1, 13 KO's) will battle undefeated Mercito Gesta of the Philippines (25-0-1, 13 KO's) on August 3 at Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas.

Here is the profile:

http://boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php?aid=23684

Beltway Boxing Ladies Soon to Be in Action!

Four of the Beltway's female boxers will be in action in the next few months.  We already know about the pro debut of flyweight Tyrieshia "Baby Girl" Douglas on Saturday, August 4 on the Babie Girl Productions card at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC.  Also on that card, DC heavyweight Kaelan Hollon (2-0) will be in a four-round rematch against Kasondra Hardnett (1-4) of Columbus, OH.  Hollon won a four-round majority decision on the last Babie Girl card on March 10 at the Washington Convention Center.

Prior to that one will be the return of Manassas, VA super bantamweight "The Bolivian Queen" Jennifer Salinas who will appear on a "Rumble on the Rooftop" card on Saturday, July 28 at the EpiCentre in Charlotte, NC.  Salinas (11-3, four KO's) has not fought since losing a 10-round unanimous decision to Jackie Nava for the interim WBC Super Bantamweight Championship on November 6, 2010 in Yucatan, Mexico.  Since that bout, Salinas was involved in a Mexican, all-female boxing reality TV show and gave birth to a daughter, Jalia. Salinas will take on Angel "Non-Stop" Gladney of South Carolina (7-5-1, six KO's) in a six-round contest.

The big news, however, revolves around WIBA (Women's International Boxing Association) Middleweight champion Tori "Sho Nuff" Nelson of Ashburn, VA.  The undefeated Nelson (6-0-1) will battle WBA Middleweight titleholder Teresa Perozzi of Warwick, Bermuda in a 10-round championship on October 12 in Bermuda.  Both titles will be on the line along with the vacant WBC Middleweight title that Nelson recently held.

In an interesting situation, both Nelson and Perozzi both share a common opponent -- Lorissa Rivas.  Both ladies defeated Rivas by 10-round split decisions to win the WBC and WBA titles respectively.  Nelson vacated the WBC title earlier this year.

Monday, July 16, 2012

'Baby Girl' Douglas Receives High Media Exposure!

Even though she is still a few weeks away from her professional debut, DC flyweight Tyrieshia "Baby Girl" Douglas continues to be one of the most talked-about Beltway Boxers in the area.  If you google her name, you will find numerous audio, video and print interviews about the former national champion who is slated to make her pro debut on the Babie Girl Productions card on Saturday, August 4 at the Renaissance Hotel in Northwest DC.

Two more print articles can be added to the list.  Rick Maese of the Washington Post features Douglas among other local athletes who, unfortunately, came a little short of fulfilling the dream of going to the Olympics and what these athletes are doing now.  That article can be found here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/london-2012-olympics-force-hard-choices-for-those-who-fell-short-of-making-team/2012/07/15/gJQAdJTCnW_story.html

That article comes on the heels of one that appears in the most recent edition of the Washington Informer that is solely on her.  Oh, the article was written by your friendly neighborhood Beltway Boxing Blogger. The article can be found here:

.http://washingtoninformer.com/index.php/component/k2/item/11432-olympic-trial-athlete-tyrieshia-douglas-makes-pro-debut

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Results From Convention Center and Las Vegas!

Once again, thanks to Juan Marshall of ProAm Fight Talk for his coverage of Saturday night's Keystone Boxing card at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.   Here are the results for those of you (like me) who missed out.

DC welterweight Dusty Harrison remained undefeated with a first-round stoppage of Reggie Nash.  The bout was stopped at 2:32 of the round.  Harrison raises his record to 7-0, four KO's.  Nash of Grand Rapids, MI, is now 10-30-1, two KO's.

DC-based middleweight "King Shango" Ivan Ziglar won by third-round TKO over Jimmy LeBlanc of Weymouth, MA.  Ziglar dropped LeBlanc twice in the second round before it was stopped 39 seconds into the third.

Junior middleweight Harold "Sweet Lee " Parker scored a second-round TKO over Antonio Sadler of Columbia, SC.  The bout was stopped at 2:59 of the round.  Parker is 2-0, two KO's while Sadler's record is even at 1-1-1, one KO.

Thomas "Top Dog" Williams, Jr. of Fort Washington, MD won a first-round TKO over Ariel Espinal of  Brooklyn, NY.  Originally, this fight was off the card because Espinal weighed in 20 pounds over the light heavyweight limit of 175.  Espinal lost 10 pounds overnight to keep the bout on the card, only to hurt his shoulder in the first round.   Williams is now 9-0, six KO's while Espinal falls to 8-22-3, four KO's.

Baltimore, MD super middleweight "The Golden Greek" Elias Bouloubassis scored a first-round TKO over William Armstead of Columbus, OH.  Bouloubassis dropped Armstead three times before the bout was stopped at 1:01 of the first.  Bouloubassis is now 7-0-5, five KO's.

DC middleweight Kevin Borders won his pro debut with a four-round majority decision over Eric Marion of Columbus, OH.  Borders won by scores of 38-38, 39-37 (twice).  Borders was also making his pro debut.

Upper Marlboro, MD heavyweight Duane Mobley scored a first-round TKO over Ryan Shay of Rock Hill, SC.  The bout was stopped at 2:56 of the round.  Mobley is 4-0, three KO's.  Shay falls to  5-15, four KO's.

In the opening bout, Charlotte Hall, MD middleweight Josh Rupard needed just 36 seconds to stop Donnie Holden of Canton, OH.  Rupard is 2-0, two KO's.  Holden is 0-7.

Meanwhile at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NVon the undercard of Danny Garcia's upset of Amir Khan, Salisbury, MD's Fernando Guerrero won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Medina of Tilton, NH in a super middleweight contest.  Guerrero dropped Medina early in the contest and went on to the easy win. Two judges scored a shutout for Guerrero, who is now 24-1, 18 KO's.  Medina falls to 17-11-1, seven KO's.





Friday, July 13, 2012

Weights From DC!

Here is the scale watch for the Keystone Boxing Card on Saturday, July 14 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in DC:

Dusty Harrison 145 vs. Reggie Nash 142.

Ivan Ziglar 156 vs. Jimmy LeBlanc 156

Harold Parker 148 vs. Antonio Sadler 146

Elias Bouloubassis 157 vs. William Armstead 163

Kevin Borders 152 vs. Eric Marion 153

Duane Mobley 249 vs. Ryan Shay 252

Josh Rupard 151 vs. Donnie Holden 149

The Thomas Williams-Ariel Espinal bout has been knocked off the lineup. Espinal weighed in almost 20 pounds over the light heavyweight limit.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

L. Peterson Now WBA's 'Champion in Recess'; Guerrero Added to Khan-Garcia Undercard!

Lamont Peterson is no longer the World Boxing Association Junior Welterweight champion.  The WBA returned the title back to former champion Amir Khan and Khan can put that title on the line against WBC titleholder Danny Garcia on Saturday, July 14 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.  Peterson is now considered a "Champion in Recess" until the WBA reevaluates the situation.  Peterson still holds the IBF version of the 140-pound title.

Speaking of that July 14 card, it will have some Beltway representation.  Salisbury, MD middleweight Fernando Guerrero will be in the 10-round supermiddleweight co-feature bout against Jose "Stinger" Medina of Tilton, NH.  Guerrero (23-1, 18 KO's) has won two straight since his June 2011 loss to Grady Brewer.  Medina (17-10-1, seven KO's) is coming off a 12-round majority decision loss to Bronco McKart on April 28.

Weigh-In For July 14 Card Open to Public!

The weigh-in for the Saturday, July 14 Keystone Boxing card will be held on Friday, July 13 at the Old Dominion Brewhouse located at 1219 9th Street in Northwest, DC, right near the site of the card, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.  The weigh-in is open to the public with no admission.  The weigh-in will begin at 6 PM.

'Sugar Poo' Buchanan Battles 'No Fear' Smith in August 4 DC Main Event; Two More Amateurs to Make Pro Debuts!

The main event for the Saturday, August 4 Babie Girl Productions card at the Ramada Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC is set.  Capitol Heights, MD super middleweight Henry "Sugar Poo" Buchanan will battle the always dangerous veteran from Upper Darby, PA, Dhafir "No Fear" Smith in an eight-round rematch that is almost seven years in the making.

The two men fought on November 26, 2005 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD with Buchanan winning an eight-round unanimous decision and pitching a shutout (80-72) on all three judges's cards. Buchanan (20-3, 13 KO's) will try to bounce back from a 10-round unanimous decision loss to Shawn Hawk on March 31 in New Town, ND.  Buchanan has won three of his last four since his February 2009 loss to Andre Ward in Lemoore, CA.

Smith (26-22-7, four KO's) is one of the great journeymen in boxing as he has faced a true who's who in the sport in the super middleweight division.  The list of notable names includes Ward, Max Alexander, Jerson Ravelo, Curtis Stevens, Jonathan Reid, Larry Marks and Smith's most notable victory -- a 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Jeff Lacy on December 11, 2010.

Smith, who is riding a two-fight winning streak, will face a Beltway Boxer for the sixth time in his career.  Along with the loss to Buchanan, Smith has a loss against James McAllister, a draw with Mike Paschall and has defeated Henry Mayes and Demetrius Davis.

In an earlier post, we mentioned that three Beltway amateur champions (Tyrieshia Douglas, David Grayton and Danny Kelly) were scheduled to make their pro debuts on this card.  We can now add another local product and another amateur from the Tidewater area who should be very familiar to local amateur fans.  DC light heavyweight Gregory Newby will make his pro debut on the card along with heavyweight Jerry Forrest of Newport News, VA.   Forrest has fought a number of times in the Regional Golden Gloves.

The co-feature is also set for this card.  Heavyweight Donnell "The Real Touch of Sleep" Holmes of Ivanhoe, NC (33-2, 29 KO's) will face veteran Deandre "Showtime" McCole of Akron, OH (4-29-3) in a six-round contest.



Monday, July 09, 2012

Final Update on Saturday Keystone Boxing Show and Coverage Thereof!

Here is how the Keystone Boxing card on Saturday, July 14 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center will shape up:

Six Rounds, welterweight:  Dusty Harrison (6-0, three KO's, Washington, DC) vs. Reggie "Two-Guns" Nash (10-29-1, two KO's, Grand Rapids, MI)

Six Rounds, junior middleweight: "King Shango" Ivan Ziglar (6-2-1, three KO's, Washington, DC) vs. Jimmy "The Dream" LeBlanc (12-21-4, four KO's, Weymouth, NH)

Six Rounds, light heavyweight: Thomas "Top Dog" Williams, Jr. (8-0, five KO's, Fort Washington, MD) vs. Ariel "Iron" Espinal (8-21-3, four KO's, Brooklyn, NY)

Four Rounds, junior middleweight: Kevin Borders (pro debut, DC) vs. Eric Marion (pro debut, Columbia, SC)

Four Rounds, junior middleweight: Harold "Sweet Lee" Parker (1-0, one KO, DC) vs. Antonio Sadler (1-0-1, Columbia, SC)

Four Rounds, middleweight: Josh Rupard (1-0, one KO, Charlotte Hall, MD) vs. Donnie Holden (0-6, Canton, OH)

Four Rounds, super middleweight: "The Golden Greek" Elias Bouloubassis (6-0-5, four KO's, Baltimore, MD) vs. William "Bam Bam" Armstead (2-16, one KO, Columbus, OH)

Four Rounds, heavyweight: Duane Mobley (3-0, two KO's, Upper Marlboro, MD) vs. Antonio Robertson (0-3-1, Alexandria, VA)

Now, about the coverage -- due to another commitment I have the entire weekend -- I will be the public address announcer for the Nike Global Basketball Challenge Tournament at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA -- I will not be able to attend at the entire card.  My plan is to come from Alexandria as soon as the basketball is finished.  This is a huge Under-19 tournament feature three teams from the United States as well as squads from Brazil, Canada, China, Lithuania and Puerto Rico.  It's also big, not only because it is in an Olympic year, but some of the top recent draft choices in the NBA have played in this tournament in recent years including Anthony Davis, Austin Rivers, Kyrie Irving and the Wizards's John Wall.

Before you say "this card wasn't good enough for Digital to attend," Anybody that knows me that it would have to be something out of the ordinary for me to miss a boxing card.  This is an opportunity I couldn't pass up.  The tournament starts on Friday, July 13 and goes until Sunday, July 15 when the championships will be held at the DC Armory.

Juan Marshall of ProAmFightTalk will be handling the bulk of the coverage of this card -- including the results of each bout. Join him throughout the event on Saturday to get the updates.

Sunday, July 08, 2012

Three Members of 'Next Wave' Slated to Make Pro Debuts August 4 in DC!

BATB has learned that three members of the Beltway's talented amateur crop are slated to make their professional debuts on a Babie Girl Productions card on Saturday, August 4 at the Ramada Renaissance Hotel in Northwest, DC.

We mentioned already that Women's US Olympic Trial participant Tyrieshia "Baby Girl" Douglas of Baltimore (by way of DC) will be making her pro debut on the card.  Now comes word that former National Golden Gloves champion David "Day-Day" Grayton IV and former USA Boxing National Silver Medalist Danny Kelly are also scheduled to debut on that card as well.

Other locals slated to be on that card are Henry "Sugar Poo" Buchanan, Jacey Thompson, Terron "Kid" Grant and Kaelan Hollon.  More on this card as it develops.

Saturday, July 07, 2012

Thompson Loses By Sixth-Round KO in Switzerland!

Tony "The Tiger' Thompson's bid to become the oldest first-time heavyweight champion in boxing history came to a thunderous end courtesy of a man who is sure to be a first-ballot hall of famer when his career is done.

Wladimir Klitschko made sure no upset took place in the Stade de Suisse in Bern, Switzerland today when he scored two knockdowns en route to a sixth-round stoppage over the 40-year-old Thompson.  Klitschko successfully defended his WBA Super World championship along with his IBF, WBO and IBO titles.

Unlike their first meeting in 2008, when Thompson had a glimmer of hope to win, no such situation took place in this one as Klitschko was dominant throughout -- not with his fists but his footwork.  Klitschko was the true ring general through most of the bout until he finally landed a crushing right hand that dropped Thompson in the fifth.  Thompson never truly recovered from that knockdown and Klitschko finally finished the job with a bull-rushing type knockdown in the sixth.  Thompson beat referee Sam Williams's count but was in no shape to continue.  The bout was stopped at 2:56 of the round.

Thompson loses for just the third time in his career and the first loss since the first meeting with Klitschko.  Thompson's record is 36-3, 24 KO's.  Klitschko is now 58-3, 51 KO's.


Friday, July 06, 2012

Byarm Stopped In Second Round In Las Vegas!

Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm was stopped in the second round by undefeated Magmoed Abdusalamov tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

Byarm was rocked late in the first round and then dropped in the second before referee Tony Weeks stopped the contest at 36 seconds of the second.

Byarm has lost two straight --both on national television -- and is now 13-2-1, nine KO's.   Abdusalamov remains perfect at 15-0, 15 KO's.

Norfolk Boxing Coach Gloria Peek named to US Olympic Team Coaching Squad!

(Photo courtesy of WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA)


Many of you who follow amateur boxing in the Mid-Atlantic region probably recognize this lady.  For 34 years, she has been a fixture on the Amateur Boxing scene in the Tidewater area of Virginia and has made numerous trips with boxers to the Beltway area.

Recently, Gloria Peek received perhaps the ultimate honor -- she was named to the coaching staff of the United States Olympic Boxing team, becoming the first woman to obtain this position.

Earlier this year, Peek was up for the position but was turned down.  But as you may know, there have been changes at USA Boxing and Peek was asked if she was still interested.  After thinking it might have been a joke, Peek readily accepted -- on her 62nd birthday!

Congratulations and best wishes, Coach Peek!

Thompson Weighs 244 For Title Rematch in Switzerland!

Tony Thompson hit the scales at 244 pounds for his title rematch against Wladimir Klitschko that will take place Saturday at the Stade De Suisse in Bern, Switzerland.  Klitschko weighed in at 249 pounds.

The bout, once again, will be shown on the EPIX channel beginning at 4:30 PM ET.

Thanks to Andre Johnson, traveling with Thompson, for providing BATB with the weights exclusively!

Thursday, July 05, 2012

Byarm Weighs 239 For ESPN2 Battle in Las Vegas!


 (Photo courtesy of Sampson Boxing/Greg Cohen Promotions)

Maurice Byarm weighs in at 239 for his 10-round battle against Magomed Abdulsalamov on Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.  Abdulsalamov tipped the scales at 227 pounds. The bout will be for the WBC USNBC Silver Heavyweight title.  This will be the co-feature bout on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights which will begin at 10 PM ET.

Injury Forces Sensibaugh Off July 14 Card!

Rookie Glen Burnie, MD bantamweight Brady "The Magician" Sensibaugh is off the Saturday, July 14 Keystone Boxing card at the Washington Convention Center because of an injured wrist.

Sensibaugh, who won his pro debut on the June 16 Keystone show at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, MD, said on his Facebook page that he noticed something wrong with his wrist during sparring.  Doctors then found a fracture in the wrist. No word on how long Sensibaugh will be out of action.

We are also receiving word that undefeated Baltimore welterweight James "Keep 'Em Sleepin'" Stevenson (15-0, 10 KO's) has been added to the card against an opponent to be determined.  Also, there will be a new opponent for "The Golden Greek" Elias Bouloubassis as Mike Arnold is off the card.

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

'Too Sharp' to Throw First Pitch at Prince George's Stadium July 7!

International Boxing Hall of Famer Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson will throw out the first pitch at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, MD on Saturday, July 7 when the Bowie Baysox host the Akron Aeros. Johnson will throw out the first pitch around 6:05 PM. 

By the way, the event is sort of a homecoming for Johnson who fought at Prince George's Stadium on July 17, 2004.  Johnson won a 10-round unanimous decision over Paulino Villalobos in a co-feature bout to Laila Ali's fourth-round knockout of Nikki Epilion.

Thompson and Klitschko Appear At Presser!

 
(photo by Michaelsterlingeaton.com)


Tony "The Tiger" Thompson and Wladimir Klitschko came together today at one of the final press conferences before the Saturday, July 7 title bout in Bern, Switzerland.   The two men seemed to be very cordial throughout the presser.  Here's some of what they said.

Wladimir Klitschko: “I feel great and I am happy that the fight is near. When I was 30 years old I thought I had reached my peak but I am still getting better from fight to fight. Thompson knows me as good as no other boxer. He was my sparring partner once, he fought me four years ago, so he knows exactly what to expect on fight night. I am sure he will be better than ever.”

Tony Thompson: ”I don’t want to talk a lot and I will not spit at Wladimir. I have trained very hard and want the world to see that my time has come!”

The bout will be televised on the EPIX Channel at 5 PM ET.

Monday, July 02, 2012

'Freight Train' Byarm Prepares For July 6 Battle in Las Vegas!

DC-based heavyweight Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm prepares for his Friday, July 6 nationally-televised battle against undefeated Magomed Abdulsalamov at the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV that will be televised on ESPN2.  Byarm, in his second straight TV bout, talks to Juan Marshall of ProAm Fight Talk.  Here's the interview:

Sunday, July 01, 2012

Womack, Jr. Stopped in Connecticut!

Baltimore junior welterweight Kevin "The Scarecrow" Womack, Jr. lost by fourth-round TKO Saturday night to fellow undefeated boxer Edwin Soto of New Haven, CT at the Lions Den Fitness Center in Middletown, CT.

According to noted boxing writer JR Jowett (whom I thank for personally sending BATB the update), Soto was just too aggressive for Womack.  Soto never knocked Womack down but battered him throughout the contest forcing Eddie Claudio to eventually stop the bout at 2:10 of the fourth.

Womack loses for the first time in his pro career and has a record of 4-1, two KO's. Womack will try to bounce back from this loss on the Jeter Promotions card slated for September 22 at Club One Fitness in Millersville, MD.  Soto is now 9-0-2, four KO's.