Monday, March 23, 2015

Jackson-Benson, Hurd, Grayton, Aleem Appear on Card In Valley Forge, PA April 18!

A strong contingent of Beltway Boxers will travel to the Valley Forge Casino Resort in Valley Forge, PA for some very interesting contests on Saturday, April 18.

The main event will pit Landover, MD super middleweight "The Real Deal" Phil Jackson-Benson against a dangerous spoiler in Darnell "Deazol" Boone of Atlanta, GA in an eight-round contest.

Jackson-Benson (15-1, 14 KO's) is coming off a seventh-round TKO over Michael Gbenga on October 8 in Biloxi, MS.  Boone (20-21-4, nine KO's), however, may have the most deceptive record in the sport.

Boone has fought quality opponents like Sergey Kovalev, Brandon Gonzales and Dyah Davis and gave the first losses to future world title challenger Willie Monroe, Jr. and future light heavyweight world champion Adonis Stevenson.  That bout, where Boone stopped Stevenson in the second round, took place in April of 2010 at the Wicomico Center in Salisbury, MD.  Boone was also the first man to drop world champion Andre Ward.

Three other locals will participate in eight-round contests on this card.  Undefeated Accokeek, MD middleweight "Swift" Jarrett Hurd will compete in an eight-rounder for the first time in his pro career against veteran Eric "Murder" Mitchell of Vero Beach, FL by way of Philadelphia, PA.

Hurd (14-0, eight KO's) won a six-round majority decision over Emmanuel Sanchez on December 5 in Chester, PA.  the 45-year-old Mitchell (23-11-2, 11 KO's) is still a tough opponent, battling Harry Joe Yorgey to a six-round draw on July 25 in Wyomissing, PA.  Prior to that bout, Mitchell lost a six-round unanimous decision to Cecil McCalla in January of 2014 in West Orange, NJ.

Undefeated DC welterweight David "Day-Day" Grayton also enters eight-round territory for the first time as he takes on Grayson Blake of State College, PA.  Grayton (10-0, eight KO's) makes his second straight trip to Valley Forge and looks to remain successful there.  Grayton won a four-round unanimous decision over Dominique Foster on November 22.

Blake (6-3, two KO's) will also be in his first eight-rounder after winning a six-round unanimous decision over Anthony Prescott on January 31 in Philadelphia.  Beltway fans may remember Blake when he lost a six-round unanimous decision to Larry Recio at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD on July 18.

Richmond, VA super middleweight "The Chosen One" Immanuwel Aleem (11-0, seven KO's) is also scheduled to participate on this card. Aleem has knocked out his last four opponents.  No word yet on his foe for this bout.


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