Beltway Boxing 2017 -- Rookie Of The Year!

Now, it's time for our first award  -- Rookie Of The Year -- given to the Beltway Boxer who achieved the most between November 2016 and November 2017.   And for the first time, the award will be given twice.  One recipient had a much anticipated first year and he did not disappoint.  The other boxer came into the pro ranks under the radar but had a solid rookie season in his own right.

(Photo illustrations by Juan Marshall)

The 2017 Beltway Boxing Rookies Of The Year are:

Antuanne Russell (3-0, three KO’s), super lightweight, Capitol Heights, MD 

                                                                    and

 Jahmal Dyer (4-0, two KO’s), lightweight, Baltimore, MD.

Russell, a 2016 United States Olympian, tailored his first-year campaign in the same way his brother, Antonio (who won this same award in 2015) did.  Russell faced opponents who didn’t have the best record, however, they had a lot of professional experience.  Russell made his pro debut alongside his brothers on May 20th in front of his home crowd at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD, scoring a first-round TKO over Josh Ross.  Then on September 19th, Russell knocked out veteran Jesus Lule in the first round on September 19th in Bethlehem, PA.  Russell scored his third first-round knockout of the year in his first scheduled six-round bout as he stopped Larry Yanez on November 21st in St. Petersburg, FL.  We will see if Russell will make a quick trip to even better competition in 2018.

Dyer competed without a lot of fanfare as an amateur.  However, his first year as a pro gave us a number of quality bouts and performances.  Dyer made his pro debut on March 30th at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD and participated in one of the better bouts of 2017, winning a four-round split decision over Evgueny Metchenov.  Dyer then traveled to Greensboro, NC and scored a first-round TKO over Molique Artis on April 8th.  Dyer returned to the Beltway and needed just 22 seconds to knock out Dwayne Martin at the Sphinx Club in DC on July 15th.  Dyer concluded the year with a four-round unanimous decision over Roger Blankenship in Erie, PA on October 7.  Now that Dyer is beginning to be on people’s radar, it will be interesting to see how he performs in the coming year.

Honorable Mention:

Malik "Lil Leak" Loften (1-0, one KO), featherweight, Suitland, MD.  

Loften only fought once in 2017 but it was arguably the single best performance by a rookie this year.  On June 3, Loften defeated equally debuting Jemour Edwards by fourth-round TKO at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD.   Edwards came out very aggressive during the bout and tried to pressure Loften in the first round.  Loften, however, handled the pressure very well and started to land quality head and body shots of his own that, by the fourth round, overwhelmed Edwards and forced referee Brent Bovell to stop the contest at 2:41.   The bout said a lot for his confidence early.  Loften is scheduled to make an early road trip in February.

Hasim "Goldblooded" Rahman, Jr. (3-0, three KO's), heavyweight, Baltimore, MD.

Rahman, the son of the former undisputed heavyweight champion, is doing a great job making a name for himself in his career.  Rahman made his pro debut in the Beltway on April 14th scoring a first-round TKO over fellow Beltway Boxer Ralph Alexander at the MGM National Harbor Casino in Oxon Hill, MD.  One week later, Rahman was back in the ring scoring another first-round TKO in Warren, MI against Demetrius Shaw.  Then on November 4th, Rahman scored another first-round TKO over veteran James Jones at the Silver Eagle Group Arena in Ashburn, VA.  Rahman's record and reputation also seemed to scare off one boxer in Alabama who decided at the last moment not to step in the ring with him.  Rahman seems to have the tools early on to make a bigger splash in 2018.


Previous Beltway Boxing Rookies of the Year:

2006: Jessie Nicklow
2007: Bayan Jargal
2008: Fernando Guerrero
2009: Dominic Wade
2010: Nick Kisner
2011: Dusty Hernandez Harrison
2012: Duane Mobley
2013: Mike Reed
2014: Lamont Roach, Jr.
2015: Antonio Russell
2016: Mack Allison IV

Next:  The Beltway Boxing Prospect Of The Year!