Washington Golden Gloves Wrap Up Semis With Exciting Open Action!

The Washington Golden Gloves finished their last night on Saturday at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center with another night of exciting action before another packed house that included former world champion Adrian Broner (here with former three-time WBA Middleweight champion William Joppy).

All roads will lead to the Waldorf Jaycees in Waldorf, MD for the championship round on Saturday, March 29.

In the Open Division semifinals, Antonio and Antuanne Russell (Enigma) both moved into the final round.  Antonio Russell outgunned Hector Soto (Down Under) in the 123 Pound class while Antuanne Russell earned a RSC-3 with a crushing stoppage of Montell Pridgett (UMAR) at 141 Pounds.

However, the bout of the night -- and maybe the most exciting bout of the tournament thus far -- was in the 178 Pound class where Justin Bell (No Xcuse) took on Jeffery McCalla (Upton) in a back and forth contest that brought the crowd to its feet.  Both men had their moments, however it was Bell who moved on to Waldorf with a well-deserved decision over McCalla, who is the younger brother of undefeated pro junior middleweight Cecil McCalla.

Also, Malik Jackson (Limelite), recently ranked number one in the US advanced to the 114 Pound Division finals with a decision victory over Duglas Soto (Down Under).

Here are the rest of the Open Division Semifinal Results:

123 Pounds:  Daron Williams (Benning Park) over Keeshawn Williams (The Answer)

132 Pounds:  Jalen Jones (Limelite) over Anthony Hooker (Diamonds N Da Ruff)

141 Pounds:  Nigel Fennell (Down Under) over Cornell Hines (Woodland)

152 Pounds: Malik Hawkins (Upton) over Emmanuel Rodriguez (Down Under)

165 Pounds: Russell Gaskins (Enigma) over Maynard Sterling (Down Under)

165 Pounds: Tavon Body (Headbangers) over Maiwak Dagoot (Down Under)

201 Pounds:  Malik Titus (Upton) over Daquan Johnson (Sugar Ray Leonard)

Three other boxers advanced by walkover:

178 Pounds: Genc Pllana (unattached)

201+ Pounds: Anthony Nembhard (Sugar Ray Leonard)

201+ Pounds: Calvin Countess (Charm City)

The Novice Division crowned three female champions on Saturday night.  At 132 Pounds, Amelia Moore (Club One) won the crown with a decision over Lisa Bodenburg (Kicked Up).

D'Ajah Scott (Diamonds N Da Ruff) and Krista Robinson (D-Block) won titles at 140 and 152 Pounds respectively by walkover.

In the men's Novice Division Semis, two of the heavier boxers scored stoppages in their bouts.  Jordan Davenport (Mack Lewis) scored an RSC-2 over Mitchell Clinton (Sugar Ray Leonard) at 201 Pounds while Carlos Black (Champions) also earned an RSC-2 over Ralph Alexander (unattached).

There was an RSC-1 at 141 Pounds when Tyrek Irby (Headbangers) stopped Delante Perkins (Cherry Lane).

In other Novice Division results:

123 Pounds: Cody Woodland (Woodland) over Preston Gatling (Hillcrest)

132 Pounds: Juan Melsur (Infinite) over Stephen Blaylock, Jr. (No Xcuse)

141 Pounds: Siprano Zeledon (Headbangers) over Gregory Blakeney (Dream Team)

165 Pounds: Francisco Bustos (Champions) over Dayshawn Jones (UMAR)

165 Pounds: Tyrell Boyd (Upton) over Mark Dunkin (Headbangers)

201 Pounds: Phillip Murray (Laurel) over Jordan Scott (Sugar Ray Leonard)

201+ Pounds: Johnathen Surratt (Tony's Gym) over Shaka Williams (NOMIS)

Two other boxers won by walkover:

152 Pounds: Monyae Gregory (Upton)

178 Pounds: Jordan Payne (Woodland)

Congratulations also to Jesse Reyes (Old School) who was the champion at 15, 95 Pounds in the Junior Division.

The Washington Golden Gloves Championship Finals will be on Saturday, March 29 at 8 PM at the Waldorf Jaycees Community Center, located at the intersection of Routes 301 and 5 in Waldorf, MD.  Tickets are General Admission $25 ($30 at the door), Reserved $35 ($40 at the door) and Ringside $45 ($50 at the door).  For ticket info, call 301-843-6165.