'Redemption' Card Finalized!

We now have the final lineup for the "Redemption" card on Friday, February 22 at the DC Armory.  This card is co-promoted by Gary Shaw Promotions and Headbangers Promotions.

Let's start with the televised portion of the card that will be on ESPN2 beginning at 9 PM ET.  There will be three bouts that will be televised.  The main event, of course, will be Lamont Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO's) defending his IBF Junior Welterweight championship against former WBO 140-pound titleholder Kendall "Rated R" Holt of Paterson, NJ (28-5, 16 KO's).  The eight-round co-feature remains a battle of undefeated California super bantamweights -- Roman Morales of San Ardo (14-0, seven KO's) vs. Jesus "Pollo" Antonio Hernandez (10-0-3, two KO's) of Huntington Park.

BATB has learned that the bout that will open the telecast will feature undefeated DC welterweight David "Day-Day" Grayton who will make his national TV debut.  Grayton (2-0, two KO's) will face Greg Coverson, Jr. of Detroit, MI (3-4, two KO's) in a four-round contest.  Grayton has won both his bouts by first-round TKO.  Coverson has lost three straight.

Both boxers are sons of former pros.  David Grayton III fought from 1982-1986 and had a record of 15-5, four KO's competing against the likes of Darryll Tyson, Kelvin Seabrooks and Freddie Pendleton.  Greg "Candy Man" Coverson competed from 1976-1983 and had a record of 33-2, 20 KO's as he faced boxers such as Davey Armstrong, Hector Camacho, Sr. and Howard Davis, Jr.

The undercard will begin at 6 PM and will feature these bouts:

In a four-round contest, DC heavyweight Danny "Smooth" Kelly (2-0, two KO's) takes on Schyuler Marshall of South Carolina (1-2, one KO).

Undefeated Suitland, MD cruiserweight Venroy "Hardwork" July (13-0-2, six KO's) battles Elvin "Koko" Sanchez of Paterson, NJ (5-2-1, four KO's) in a six-round contest.

The card will mark the return of undefeated DC super middleweight Dominic Wade (11-0, eight KO's) in a six-round contest against Marcus Brooks of Atlanta, GA (7-11, three KO's)  This will be Wade's first ring action in more than two years.

James Stevenson's bout has been scratched.  Replacing one Baltimore boxer will be another boxer from Charm City who will make his pro debut in lightweight Gervonta "Tank" Davis.  Davis comes off a stellar amateur career topped by winning the National Golden Gloves in 2012.  Davis will face Desi Williams of Wilson, NC (0-4).

Also on the card will be Bronx, NY super bantamweight Raul Lopez (8-1-1, four KO's) taking on DeWayne Wisdom of Indianapolis, IN (2-9, one KO) in a six-round contest.

Once again, there will be a press conference that is open to the public on Wednesday at noon at the Dow Lohnes Media Center, 1200 New Hampshire Ave., NW.  Space is limited for this event.

The weigh-in will also be open to the public and will be held on Thursday at noon at the Grand Hyatt Hotel's Constitution Ballroom located at 1000 H Street NW.

BATB will blog live from the DC Armory on Friday beginning at 5:45 and we plan to have an audio recap exclusively on the BATB page on Spreaker.com between the non-televised and televised portions of the card.  We will have our full Post-Fight Wrap-Up after the card is over.

Earlier tonight, there was an open workout with a number of boxers who will be on the card.  Here are some interviews from the workout.

David Grayton talks about his reaction after finding out his bout would be on the telecast:




Danny Kelly reflects on being on a big local show with just two pro bouts under his belt:




Dominic Wade talks about his return to the ring after a two-year absence:




We also talked to both participants in the main event.  First, the challenger and former world champion Kendall Holt:



And then, the reigning champion, Lamont Peterson: