First Night Of Washington Golden Gloves Completed!

A packed crowd at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park, MD saw an active opening night of competition during the first night of the Washington Golden Gloves tournament on Saturday.

Because of the postponement of the first round last Saturday, there was action in all three divisions -- Junior, Novice and Open -- on Saturday.  That usually doesn't happen on the first night.

Five champions were crowned in the Junior Division.  Damari Philson of No Xcuse won the title in the 8-9, 70 Pound division with a win over Marcell Steele of Headbangers.  Muhammad Robinson of Upton captured the 11-12, 80 Pound class by defeating Jahmal Harvey of Keystone.

In the 9, 85 Pound division, Thomas Coe, Jr. of Lights Out captured the title with a win over Keystone's Khaliq Harrison.  In the 12, 95 Pound class, Maximus Garland of Headbangers won over Daylynn Jones of #11 Overcomers.  Also, in the 12-13, 85 Pound class, Deric Davis of Headbangers won the title, defeating Ervin Canlas of Keystone.

Here are the results for first-round Junior Division bouts:

13, 112 Pounds: Stacey Selby (No Xcuse) over Kyron Curry (UMAR)

15-16, 152 Pounds: Jaseye Stephens (Hagerstown) over Corey Russ (Woodland)

15-16, 178 Pounds: Aziz McIlwain (Sugar Ray Leonard) over Caleb Andrews (Langdon)

A number of boxers won by walkover in the Junior Division as well:

14-15, 95 Pounds: Kevon Cooke (No Xcuse)

13-14, 106 Pounds: Chamar Flowers (Unattached)

13-14, 120 Pounds: Donte Baytop (UMAR)

14-15, 125 Pounds: Criss Dzaringa (Mobtown)

13-14, 139 Pounds: Nasheed Smith (Headbangers)


There were two stoppages in the Novice Division.  Evegueny Metchenov of Laurel scored a third-round stoppage over Brandon Etheridge of Hillcrest in the 141 Pound class while Ta'vaughn Williams (Unattached) stopped Wesley Best (Enigma) in the first round at 165 Pounds.  Williams, by the way, is the younger brother of highly-touted pro prospect Thomas Williams, Jr. 

One of the better bouts of the evening also took place in the Novice 165 Pound division.  Aaron Anderson (Mack Lewis) won an exciting slugfest over Jalil Hunter (Headbangers).

In the 152 Pound division, David Baker (Laurel) advanced to the next round by defeating Vance Roberts (Langdon).

The following boxers won by walkover in the Novice Division:

123 Pounds: Delonte Rawlings (Old School)

132 Pounds: Stephen Epps (Rosedale)

141 Pounds: Dorian Bostic (UMAR)

152 Pounds: Yohanes Rezene (Lights Out)

165 Pounds:  Aaron Liang (Raw Assassin)

165 Pounds: Quinton Taylor (Tony's Athletic Club)

165 Pounds: Rashad Quarles (Sugar Ray Leonard)

165 Pounds: Verard Roberts (Langdon)

165 Pounds: Stephaun Hobbs (The Answer)

165 Pounds: Rashad Kilpatrick (Keystone)

Two bouts started competition in the Open Division. At 152 Pounds, Shynggskhan Tazhibay (Headbangers) won a decision over Alonzo Thompson (Cherry Lane).  Also, Jordon Payne (Woodland) defeated Kerry Brewster (No Limits) at 165 Pounds.

The Tournament continues on Saturday, March 7 at Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center at 7:30 PM.