Beltway Boxing 2014 -- Bout Of The Year!

Unlike 2013 where the Beltway Bout Of The Year was a difficult choice, that wasn't the case in 2014.  This year's winner had a good amount of pre-fight hype and the fact that the bout was a rematch that was more than two years in the making and the contest turned out to be a better bout than the first made this an easy choice.

The Beltway Boxing Bout Of The Year for 2014 is:

Tony Jeter Wins 10-Round Majority Decision Over Jimmy Lange, November 15, George Mason University Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA.

The first bout between the two Beltway fan favorites in October 2012 was a war that ended in some controversy.  Jeter won that contest via split decision despite having four points deducted against him.

The rematch was also brutal.  However, there were some subtle differences.  Jeter used a great series of uppercuts and body shots to establish his gameplan.  However, Lange, who had not fought since the last Jeter contest, moved better laterally in the rematch.

Jeter was very effective with his inside attack and kept Lange off balance.  In the middle rounds, Lange came back strong and established his jab well.  However, Jeter closed the show with nice combinations to win the bout and the NABA USA Middleweight title that went with it.  This was rare in that the sequel was better than the original.

Honorable Mention (in chronological order):

Marcus Bates Four-Round Draw With Stephon McIntyre, January 17, Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD

Bates faced adversity in this contest as McIntyre nailed him with a right hand in the second round.  Bates recovered from the knockdown and both men traded solid shots until the bell.

Joshua Davis Six-Round Split Decision Win Over Joel Flores, March 7, Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD

This bout was a close one as both men landed some great shots.  Davis might have received the win because he was able to knock Santiago down in the sixth round.  The bout was a very impressive contest.

Tori Nelson 10-Round Split Decision Win Over Arlene Blencowe, September 27, ABC Sports Complex, Springfield, VA

This was the toughest title defense for Nelson, the WIBA Welterweight champion.  Blencowe came all the way from New South Wales, Australia and came very close to bringing the belt back to her home country.   Blencowe came out firing and rocked the champion in the first round.  However, Nelson maintained her composure and landed enough blows throughout the contest to hold on to the title.


Previous BATB Bouts of the Year:

2006: Maxell Taylor six-round draw with Derek Ennis, March 9, Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, MD.

2007: John Mackey six-round unanimous decision over Tony Cygan, December 7, Pikesville, MD

2008: Juan Rodriguez TKO 3 over Benjamin Borteye, November 7, Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, MD

2009: Cory Cummings TKO 9 over Demetrius Davis, May 29, Du Burns Arena, Baltimore, MD

2010: Jessie Nicklow 10-round unanimous decision over Scott Sigmon, March 20, Du Burns Arena, Baltimore, MD/Nicklow 10-round draw with Julius Kennedy, September 17, Du Burns Arena/Sigmon 10-round unanimous decision over Kennedy, December 11, Pikesville National Guard Armory, Pikesville, MD.

2011:  Lamont Peterson 12-round split decision over Amir Khan, December 10, Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

2012: Brandon Quarles D6 John Mackey, October 27, George Mason University Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA

2013: Mike Reed KO 6 over Rameses Gil, September 7, Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD

Tomorrow: The Beltway Boxing Card Of The Year!