DAZN Interview With The Russell Family!

The streaming service DAZN has a very nice interview with the Russell Family.  All four of the brothers -- WBC Featherweight champion Gary, Jr., undefeated boxers Antonio and Antuanne and trainer Allan join their father, Gary, Sr. in a nice sit-down interview.

Boxing Returns To Live! Casino October 18th!

Pro boxing returns to Live! Casino in Hanover, MD on Friday, October 18th with a Jeter Promotions card that features a number of Beltway Boxers.

The main event will be an eight-round super middleweight bout between Laurel, MD's Demond "D'Best At It" Nicholson and Devaun Lee of Jamaica, Queens, NY.   Nicholson (21-3-1, 20 KO's) is the reigning WBC USNBC and Maryland State Super Middleweight champion, however, he will not defend those titles in this bout.  Nicholson last fought on March 8th at Live! Casino and scored a first-round knockout over Jessie Nicklow.  Nicholson was scheduled to appear on the May 11th card at Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, VA but he suffered debilitating cramps after the weigh-in and could not compete.

Lee (10-6-1, five KO's) will be trying to break a four-bout losing streak, all against quality opposition.  The streak includes his last outing, an eight-round split decision loss to Brandon Robinson on May 10th in Philadelphia, PA.  Lee competed on The Contender series in 2018, losing to Shane Mosley, Jr. by fifth-round knockout.

In the co-feature, Baltimore, MD heavyweight "Slick" Nick Kisner will be in a six-round contest against returning Clinton, MD boxer Danny "Smooth" Kelly.  The last bout for Kisner (21-4-1, six KO's) ended in a first-round no-contest when he clashed heads with Otto Wallin and suffered a nasty cut in Atlantic City, NJ.  Kelly (9-3-1, eight KO's) returns to the ring for the first time since May of 2016 when he lost a six-round unanimous decision to Stephan Shaw in Carleton, MN.

There is one other bout already slated for the card as Owings Mills, MD lightweight Brandon "Brody" Chambers will be in a four-round rematch against Christopher Haney of Glendale Heights, IL.  The two men fought to a four-round draw at Live! Casino on March 8th.  Since that bout, Chambers (1-0-1, one KO) scored a second-round TKO over Fred Thornton on August 2nd at Live! Casino.  Haney (0-3-2) has not fought since the March bout.

Other locals scheduled to appear on this card are Suitland, MD featherweight "The Ambitious One" Malik Loften (3-1, one KO), Germantown, MD featherweight Ebrima Jawara (2-1, one KO), DC super middleweight "The King's Son" Jerry Odom (16-3-1, 15 KO's), Elkridge, MD lightweight "The Red Comet" Dante Cox (4-1, three KO's), and debuting boxers Jay Stancil III, a super bantamweight from Clinton, MD and Blaze Fidler, a super featherweight from Arnold, MD.

Antuanne Russell Stops Opponent in 32 Seconds in California!

Capitol Heights, MD super lightweight Antuanne "The Last" Russell needed just 32 seconds to knock out late substitute Luis Ronaldo Castillo of Empalme, Sonora, Mexico at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, CA.

Russell pummeled Castillo with both hands before the bout was stopped.  Russell remains perfect at 11-0, 11 KO's.  Castillo falls to 20-5, 15 KO's.

Antonio Russell was scheduled to compete on this card but his bout was scratched.

Davis Wins Silver Medal At Elite Men's World Championships In Russia!

Congratulations to Alexandria, VA lightweight Keyshawn Davis, who won a silver medal at the Elite Men's World Championships in Ekaterinburg, Russia.  Davis's bid for the gold fell short when he lost to Andy Cruz of Cuba by a 5-0 score on Saturday.  This was the third time Davis met Cruz in international competition with Cruz winning all three times.

However, Davis has a lot to be proud of as he had an outstanding tournament, defeating former world champions and Olympic medalist on the way to the silver medal and becoming the first lightweight boxer from the United States to win a medal since 1993.  Davis also won a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru in July.

Hawkins Scores First Round KO; Sigmon Loses By Seventh-Round TKO in Vegas; Pllana Registers Fourth-Round TKO in PA!

A slew of mostly positive results for Beltway Boxers on Friday, September 20th.  Baltimore, MD super lightweight Malik "Iceman" Hawkins scored a blistering first-round knockout over Al "Machine Gun" Rivera of Santa Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines at the Cannery Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.  After Hawkins dropped Rivera, he could not beat the count and the bout was stopped at 2:45.  Hawkins won his Mayweather Promotions debut easily and is now 17-0, 10 KO's.  Rivera falls to 20-4, 18 KO's.

In the main event on the card, Bedford, VA light heavyweight Scott "Cujo" Sigmon lost by seventh-round TKO to Lionell "Lonnie B" Thompson of Las Vegas.   Reports called the bout a slow-paced affair that resembled a sparring session.  After the seventh round, Sigmon's corner would not allow their man to come out.  Sigmon did not appear at the post-fight press conference but announced his retirement from boxing on his Facebook page, saying in part:

"Tonight, I had no reflexes, no timing, and no chance; boxing retired me tonight.  I am a shell of what I once was, I won't keep going and embarrass myself further.  Thank you, everyone, for the many years of support."

Sigmon's final record is 34-13-1, 17 KO's.  Thompson's raises his record to 21-5, 12 KO's.

At the Parx Casino in Bensalem, PA, Hagerstown, MD super middleweight "The Sexy Albanian" Genc Pllana put on a dominating performance over Jamaal "Da Truth" Davis of Philadelphia, PA en route to a fourth-round TKO.  Referee Gary Rosato mercifully stopped the contest at 2:28 of the round.  Pllana is now 6-1, three KO's while Davis drops to 18-16-1, seven KO's.

Davis Advances To Elite Men's Championships Gold Medal Bout!

One more to go for Alexandria, VA light-welterweight Keyshawn Davis.  Davis won his semifinal bout Friday at the 2019 Elite Men's World Championships in Ekaterinburg, Russia by defeating 2017 World Championship Bronze medalist and 2016 Olympic Silver medalist Hovhannes Bachkov of Armenia by a 4-1 score.

Davis will face Andy Cruz of Cuba in the Gold Medal bout on Saturday.  The two have met before -- in the finals of the Pan American Games qualifier in April and the Pan American Games in July.

Regardless of what happens during the final bout, Davis has made USA Boxing history by being the first lightweight boxer to win a medal at the Elite Men's World Championships in 26 years.  The last lightweight to win a medal was Larry Nicholson.  Davis is only the fourth boxer in USA history to win a medal in the lightweight division, joining Nicholson, Tonga McClain, and the late Pernell Whitaker.  Should Davis win on Saturday, he would be the first American lightweight boxer to win a gold medal at these championships.

Hawkins, Sigmon Weigh In Las Vegas; Pllana Tips Scales in Bensalem, PA!

Three Beltway Boxers weighed in for Friday bouts.  Malik Hawkins weighed in at 144.8 pounds for his 10-round bout against Al Rivera at the Cannery Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.  Rivera came in at 143.6 pounds.  Also on that card, Scott Sigmon came in at 172.4 pounds for his 10-round main event against Lionell Thompson who came in at 173 pounds.  The bouts on the Mayweather Promotions card are scheduled to be shown on Facebook.

At the Part Casino in Bensalem, PA, Genc Pllana tipped the scales at 165.8 pounds for his six-round contest against Jamaal Davis, who came in at 164.9 pounds.

Johnson Weighs 194.4 For Four-Rounder In New York!

Upper Marlboro, MD cruiserweight Charles Johnson weighed 194.4 pounds for his four-round bout against debuting Emmanuel Etienne of Uniondale, NY on Friday, September 20th at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, NY.  Etienne tipped the scales at 190.6.

Davis Wins Quarterfinal Bout At Elite Men's World Championships!

Keyshawn Davis has moved into the semifinals of the Elite Men's World Championships in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Davis won a 5-0 decision over Sofiane Oumiha of France, who was the world champion in 2017 and won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.  The win guarantees at least a bronze medal for Davis, who has registered shutout wins in all three of his bouts during the championships.

Davis has another daunting task in the semis as he will battle Hovhannes Bachkov of Armenia on Thursday.  Bachkov won a bronze medal in the 2017 World Championships and is a two-time European champion.

Davis Advances To Quarterfinals Of Elite Men's World Championships!

Alexandria, VA light-welterweight Keyshawn Davis has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2019 Elite Men's World Championships in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Davis won a 5-0 decision over Michael Matthew Alexander of Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday to move into the semifinals on Wednesday where he will take on 2017 World Champion and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Sofiane Oumiha of France. Should Davis win, he will be guaranteed at least a bronze medal.

BATB Podcast Has Premium Stitcher Offer!

Let me talk a moment about the companion to this blog -- the Boxing Along The Beltway Podcast.  This is a podcast we have done primarily on a weekly basis with a News and Notes to update you on the latest in the Beltway Boxing Scene.  This blog and the podcast help each other out in getting the latest news out to you.

The podcast also has special interviews, commentary that I don't post here, and live blow-by-blow action from some local boxing shows. We have a network of podcast venues that carry the BATB Podcast.  We are heard on our hosts -- Spreaker.com, -- as well as on TuneIn.com, IHeartradio.com and on Stitcher.com.  

Now, BATB has a special offer for those who are currently listening or want to listen on Stitcher.com.  You can now listen -- ad-free-- on Stitcher Premium.  Not only can you listen to BATB, but you can also get access to Stitcher original content, bonus episodes, comedy albums and much more.  Stitcher Premium is just $4.99 a month or $34.99 for a full year.  Also, if you use my promo code -- BOXING -- you will get one month of Stitcher Premium for FREE! 

So, if you are a listener on Stitcher -- we thank you and hope you will take advantage of this offer.  If you listen to the podcast on one of the other podcast hubs, we thank you as well.

Davis Wins First Bout At Elite Men's World Championships in Russia!

Alexandria, VA amateur light-welterweight Keyshawn Davis made an impressive debut at the 2019 Elite Men's World Championships in Ekaterinburg, Russia over the weekend.

Davis won a 5-0 decision over Elnur Abduraimov of Uzbekistan in his World Championship debut.  Davis knocked down Abduraimov in the first round en route to the victory.  The win means that Davis is guaranteed to be ranked among the top 16 boxers in the world in his weight class.  Davis returns to action on Tuesday.

Nelson Finishes Career With First-Round Knockout In Sterling, VA!

Ashburn, VA's Tori "Sho Nuff" Nelson ended her highly-decorated career in dominant fashion on Saturday, September 14th by scoring a first-round TKO over Latasha Burton of Houma, LA at the Michael and Son Sportsplex in Sterling, VA.  This bout was part of a Cynation Sports Promotions card.

Nelson won her bout at one minute of the first round and defeated Burton for the second time.  The final record for Nelson is 20-2-3, four KO's.  Included in that record are 11 world titles in four weight divisions and two times being selected as Beltway Boxer of The Year.  Burton's record falls to 4-13 and she was knocked out for the seventh straight time.

In another feature bout, Arlington, VA super middleweight Filip Stankovic registered a first-round TKO over George Sheppard of Richmond, VA.  Stankovic won the bout at 2:54 of the first to raise his record to 6-1, three KO's while Sheppard falls to 1-10-1.

In the only bout on the card to go the distance, Salisbury, MD welterweight "Nasty" Nigel Fennell won a six-round unanimous decision over Darel Harris of Sarasota, FL.  No word on the scores but Fennell went the distance for the very first time and lifts his record to 5-0, four KO's while Harris falls to 2-15-1, one KO.

Washington, DC featherweight Daron "Sweet Tay" Williams scored a second-round TKO over Raymond "Bad Boy" Chacon of Los Angeles, CA.  The bout was stopped at 2:59.  Williams bounces back from his loss in March and is now 8-1, five KO's.  Chacon drops to 7-40-1.

Baltimore, MD lightweight Mack "Papi" Allison IV also righted his career and scored a third-round knockout over Varon Webb of North Carolina.  The bout ended at 2:50 of the third.  Allison is 10-3-1, eight KO's while Webb is 0-4.

Newport News, VA heavyweight Jerry "Slug" Forrest scored a second-round knock out over Martez Williamson of Akron, OH.  Forrest stopped Williamson at seven seconds of the second.  Forrest raises his record to 26-3, 20 KO's.  Williamson falls to 3-26-1.

Debuting Leesburg, VA cruiserweight Calvin Mends scored a second-round TKO over equally debuting Rashad Lipscomb of Danville, VA.  The bout ended at 1:59 of the second.

Ashburn, VA welterweight Allan Johnson made a successful pro debut by registering a first-round TKO over Rondell McGee of Yonkers, NY.  The bout was over at 1:57.  McGee is 0-2.

In the opening bout, Saleem Kelly, a debuting welterweight from Cliffwood, NJ, won a third-round TKO over equally debuting Deandre Anderson of Birmingham, AL.  The bout was stopped at the three-minute mark.

Cory Sanders heads Cynation Sports.  The matchmaker was Brian Dillon.  The ring announcer was Henry "Discombobulating" Jones.

Russell Brothers Trek To Bakersfield, CA September 21!

The Undefeated Russell Brothers of Capitol Heights, MD return to action on Saturday, September 21st for bouts at the Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield, CA.

Bantamweight Antonio "Another" Russell will be in a 10-round bout against former world title contender David "Severo" Carmona of Mexico City, Mexico.  Russell (15-0, 11 KO's) comes off a 10-round unanimous decision win over Francisco Pedroza on July 13th in Minneapolis, MN.  The last bout for Carmona (21-6-5, nine KO's) took place in May of 2018 when he lost a contest for the WBA Super Flyweight championship by seventh-round stoppage in Fresno, CA.  Carmona could not have won the title anyway because he was overweight.  Carmona has also had bids for the WBO Super Flyweight title.

Super lightweight Antuanne "The Last" Russell will compete in an eight-round contest against Sebastian Diaz Maldonado of Aguascalientes, Mexico.  Russell kept his perfect record (10-0, 10 KO's) intact with a third-round TKO over Larry Ventus on the same July 13th card in Minneapolis.  Maldonado (16-4-1, 12 KO's) travels to the United States for the first time and returns to action for the first time since April of 2018 when he stopped the debuting Juan Daniel Pineda in Aguascalientes.

The two bouts may be televised on FS1.

Crews-Dezurn Wins Second World Title; Fox Dominates With Shutout Decision!

Two quality wins for Beltway Boxers on Saturday.  Baltimore, MD's "The Heavy-Hitting Diva" Franchon Crews-Dezurn captured her second world title with a 10-round unanimous decision over late substitute Maricela "La Diva" Cornejo of Los Angeles, CA at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA.  Crews-Dezurn successfully defended her WBC Super Middleweight championship and won the vacant WBO Super Middleweight title.

According to Fightnews.com's Miguel Maravilla and Rocky Morales, Crews-Dezurn beat Cornejo to the punch throughout the bout and landed the harder and heavier shots.  Judges Carla Caiz and Pat Russell scored the bout 98-92 while Daniel Sandoval saw a 97-93 score.  The bout was a rematch of a contest that took place almost one year ago to the day (September 13, 2018) where Crews-Dezurn won a 10-round majority decision to win the WBC title.  Crews-Dezurn raises her record to 6-1, two KO's while Cornejo falls to 13-4, five KO's.

At the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA, Mykal "The Professor" Fox of Upper Marlboro, MD put on a dominating performance en route to a 10-round unanimous decision over Eudy "AK-47" Bernardo of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Fightnews.com's Kurt Wolfheimer gave this description of the bout:  Fox, ranked number 15 by the WBA (at welterweight), took over in the second round, unloading various combinations that forced Bernardo on the defensive.

The slick Fox continued to rack up the points as he stepped in and out of the pocket with four and five punch combinations throughout rounds three through seven. Bernardo’s nickname was AK47, but Fox’s movement and superior boxing ability completely disarmed him and he could land only single shots on occasion.

Fox wobbled Bernardo in the eighth round a straight left-right combo up the middle but he covered and survived. The boxing lesson continued throughout the final two rounds as Fox kept him a bay and circled around the ring with snapping shots.

All three judges scored the bout a shutout for Fox, 100-90.  Fox is now 21-1, five KO's while Bernardo drops to 25-5, 18 KO's.

Crews-Dezurn, Fox Weigh-in For Cross Country Bouts!

Two Beltway Boxers hit the scales for their bouts on both coasts that will take place on Saturday, September 14th.  One of the bouts has changed dramatically.

(Photo by Stacy Verbeek)

Franchon Crews-Dezurn weighed in at 167.8 for her WBC Super Middleweight title defense at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA.  Originally, Crews-Dezurn was scheduled to face WBC Heavyweight champion, Alejandra Jimenez.  However, for some unknown reason, the bout was scrapped.

 A familiar foe will take Jimenez's place, however, in Maricela "La Diva" Cornejo of Los Angeles, CA.  Cornejo (13-3, five KO's) dropped the WBC title to Crews-Dezurn by 10-round majority decision almost one year to the day by majority decision in Las Vegas, NV.    Since that bout, Cornejo won an eight-round unanimous decision over Erin Toughill on January 27th in Hollywood, CA.  Cornejo weighed 166.8 for this bout against Crews-Dezurn. 

The contest has added significance because the vacant WBO Super Middleweight title will also be on the line.  The bout will be streamed live on DAZN.

(Photo by Deborah Carbone/King's Promotions)

Meanwhile, at the Wind Creek Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, PA, Mykal Fox tipped the scales at 141.8 for his 10-round contest against Eudy Bernardo, who weighed in at 141.3.

Weights From Sterling, VA!

Here is the scale watch for the Cynation Sports Promotions card that will be held Saturday, September 14th at the Michael and Son Sportsplex in Sterling, VA:

Filip Stankovic 168.5  vs. Lenwood Dozier 165

Tori Nelson 153 vs. Latasha Burton 157

Daron Williams 124 vs. Raymond Chacon 126

Mack Allison IV 134 vs. Varon Webb 135

Calvin Mends 198 vs. Rashad Lipscomb 198

Nigel Fennell 147 vs. Darel Harris 143

Allan Johnson 151 vs. Rondell McGee 147

Jerry Forrest (will weigh-in today) vs. Martez Williamson 201

Saleem Kelly 150 vs. Deandre Anderson 149

The card is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM.

'Iceman' Hawkins Signs With Mayweather Promotions!

When Malik "Iceman" Hawkins steps into the ring on Friday, September 20th in Las Vegas, he will do so as a member of The Money Team.

The 23-year-old, undefeated, Baltimore, MD native signed a contract with Mayweather Promotions.  The official signing ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Upton Boxing Gym in Baltimore. Hawkins (16-0, nine KO's) joins his gym mate, former two-time world champion Gervonta Davis, as a member of the Mayweather Promotions family.

Hawkins, who was named BATB's Prospect Of The Year in 2017, will make his Mayweather debut on a Mayweather Promotions card on September 20th when he takes on Al "The Machine Gun" Rivera of the Philippines (20-3, 18 KO's) in a 10-round bout.

Amateur Cards Continue Along The Beltway In September!

The rest of September will have its fill of Beltway amateur cards.  Here's what we have in store:

On Saturday, September 14th, the legendary Mack Lewis Boxing Gym will host a card to benefit the Mack Lewis Foundation.  The show is scheduled to feature top boxers from the Baltimore area.  All tickets are $25 and the card is slated to feature anywhere from 10 to 20 bouts.  The Mack Lewis gym is located at 913 North Bond Street in Baltimore.  The first bout is at 5 PM. For details, call 443-506-6539.

The NOMIS Gym is having its NOMIS Boxing Fight Night on Saturday, September 21st at the Mary Virginia Merrick Center, located at 4275 4th Street in Southeast Washington, DC.  This card is not only scheduled to bring in boxers from the Beltway but also from New Jersey, North Carolina, and Florida.  This is also a fundraising event and tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth.  The card gets underway at 6 PM.  The weigh-in will be at the NOMIS Boxing Center, located at 2403 Benning Road in Northeast DC and starts promptly at 10 AM.  Call 202-316-2380 for more information.

Then on Saturday, September 28th, the amateur action returns to Baltimore as Baltimore Boxing Promotions will have a card at the Horseshoe Casino.  Unlike an amateur card a few years ago that was held outdoors at the Horseshoe Casino, this one will take place inside the casino theater.  This means you must be at least 21 years old to attend the card.  A host of local boxers will participate on this card.  General Admission tickets are $40 and VIP tickets are available.  For more information, call 410-375-9175.

'Iceman' Hawkins and 'Cujo' Sigmon Prepare For 10-Round Bouts In Las Vegas September 20th!

Two locals will be involved in 10-round bouts at the Cannery Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, NV on Friday, September 20th.

Undefeated Baltimore, MD light-welterweight Malik "Iceman" Hawkins returns to action against Al "The Machine Gun" Rivera of Santa Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines.   Hawkins (16-0, nine KO's) is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Steele on July 27th in Baltimore.  Rivera (20-3, 18 KO's) makes his first appearance in the United States riding a three-bout winning streak.  However, Rivera has not fought since July of 2018 when he knocked out Heri Andriyanto in Magallanes, Philippines.

Also on the card will be Bedford, VA light heavyweight Scott "Cujo" Sigmon who will be in the main event contest against veteran Lionell "Lonnie B" Thompson of Las Vegas by way of Buffalo, NY.  Sigmon (34-13-1, 17 KO's) has won his last two bouts including a 10-round unanimous decision victory over previously undefeated Ronnie Glass on April 13th in Lynchburg, VA.  Thompson (20-5, 11 KO's) last contest took place almost exactly a year ago on September 22nd when he defeated Derrick Findley by 10-round unanimous decision in Las Vegas. 

Roach November 9th Title Shot Has A Location, Reports ESPN!

The WBO Super Featherweight title bid for undefeated Upper Marlboro, MD's Lamont Roach, Jr. may have a location.  ESPN.com's Dan Rafael is reporting that Roach's bout against newly crowned WBO champion Jamel Herring will take place in Fresno, CA on Saturday, November 9th.

Roach, Jr. (19-0-1, seven KO's) is currently ranked number two by the WBO and has won three regional title belts. Roach, Jr. is the mandatory challenger for Herring (20-2, 10 KO's), who won his title on May 25th when he defeated Masayuki Ito by unanimous decision in Kissimmee, FL.

The bout will headline a card that will be shown on ESPN+.

September 14th Virginia Card Features Nelson Farewell!

The next live pro card in the Beltway will take place on Saturday, September 14th at the Michael and Son Sportsplex in Sterling, VA.  This Cynation Sports Promotions card will be a very special one because it is scheduled to be the final bout for a Beltway Boxing legend.

Ashburn, VA's Tori "Sho Nuff" Nelson has said that this bout will be her swan song, the close of a nine-year career that has been one of the most decorated in Beltway Boxing history.  Nelson (19-2-3, three KO's) is an 11-time world champion in four weight divisions.  She is one of three boxers and the first female to be named Beltway Boxing Boxer of the Year twice.  In May of 2014, Nelson made headlines when she knocked out the legendary Mia St. John in the second round in Annandale, VA.  Her only losses were to two future hall of fame boxers -- Claressa Shields and Christina Hammer.

Nelson is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision win over Sanna Turunen on December 1st in Washington, DC.  On September 14th, Nelson will face Latasha Burton of Houma, LA in an eight-round rematch bout.  The two fought each other in November of 2017 in Ashburn, VA with Nelson winning by second-round stoppage when Burton fell ill at the end of the round.  Since that bout, Burton (4-12) has lost two more times, all by knockout.  Burton has been knocked out or stopped in her last six bouts, including a first-round TKO loss to future world champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn.

In a key, all-Beltway super middleweight eight-round bout, Filip Stankovic of Arlington, VA will face off with veteran Lenwood "Mr. Composure" Dozier of Suitland, MD.  Stankovic, a native of Nis, Serbia (5-1, two KO's), won his last bout by third-round TKO over Patrick Pierre on June 1st in Waldorf, MD.  Dozier (10-24-3, five KO's) is looking for his first win since September of 2016.  In his last outing, Dozier lost by fourth-round TKO to Ismael Villareal on August 16th in Nashua, NH.

Greenbelt, MD cruiserweight "The Vanilla Gorilla" Sam Crossed will take on another veteran, Edgar Perez of Chicago, IL in a six-round encounter.  Crossed (8-0, five KO's) last fought on December 1st in DC and won a tough, six-round split decision over Twon Smith.  Perez (7-26, three KO's) is looking to break a seven-bout losing streak that includes a first-round stoppage by Jerry Forrest on December 8th in Norfolk, VA.  Perez has also lost to Beltway Boxers Demond Nicholson, Jerry Odom, and Antoine Douglas.

DC super bantamweight Daron "Sweet Tay" Williams looks to bounce back from his first pro loss as he battles Raymond "Bad Boy" Chacon of Los Angeles, CA in a six-round bout. Williams (7-1, four KO's) lost by eight-round unanimous decision to Oleg Dovhun on March 2nd in Pittsburgh, PA.  Chacon (7-39-1) comes off a four-round unanimous decision loss to Abel Mendoza on July 20th in Midland, TX.

Baltimore, MD super featherweight Mack "Papi" Allison IV will be in a six-round contest against Varon Webb of North Carolina.   Allison (9-3-1, seven KO's) lost his last contest by six-round unanimous decision to Luis Gerardo Perez Salas on May 25th in Oxon Hill, MD.  Webb (0-3) comes off a four-round unanimous decision to Jose Ibarra on December 15th in Columbia, SC.  Webb has also lost to Dante Cox by third-round TKO in August of 2018 in Hanover, MD.

Three locals will make pro debuts on this card.  Baltimore, MD super middleweight Tyrell Boyd will face off with George Sheppard of Norfolk, VA in a four-round bout.  Boyd is a former regional Novice Golden Gloves champion.  Sheppard (1-9-1) lost by fourth-round TKO in his last outing on August 2nd in Kissimmee, FL.

Ashburn, VA welterweight Allan Johnson will be in a four-round contest against Rondell McGee of Yonkers, NY.  McGee is 0-1.

Also, Calvin Mends, a cruiserweight from Leesburg, VA by way of Accra, Ghana will take on the equally-debuting Rashad Lipscomb of Danville, VA.

Other bouts are scheduled for this card.

Hurd Decides Not To Take Rematch Against Williams; December 14th Bout Off!

Former Unified Super Welterweight champion "Swift" Jarrett Hurd has decided not to take his contracted rematch against new champion Julian "J-Rock" Williams in December.

The Accokeek, MD native (23-1, 16 KO's) lost his titles to Williams by unanimous decision in one of the best bouts of the year on May 11th at the Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, VA.  The two were scheduled to face each other in a rematch on Saturday, December 14th in Brooklyn, NY.

After his win, Williams said that Hurd and any other opponent in future bouts would have to agree to performance-enhancing drug testing by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) at least 90 days prior to competition.  No word on whether Hurd would agree to that.

There is also speculation that Hurd, who is one of the bigger boxers in the 154-pound class, might move up to 160 pounds and compete as a middleweight.

M. Fox Risks World Ranking In September 14th Bout In Bethlehem, PA!

Upper Marlboro, MD welterweight Mykal "The Professor" Fox is officially a world-ranked contender.  Fox (20-1, five KO's) is ranked 15th in the world by the WBA.

Fox will risk that ranking on Saturday, September 14th when he takes on Eudy "Ak-47" Bernado of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in a 10-round bout at the Wind Creek Events Center (formerly the Sands Bethlehem Events Center) in Bethlehem, PA.

Fox is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Fazliddin Gaibnazarov on May 11th in Tucson, AZ.  Bernado (25-4, 18 KO's) bounced back from a March loss by winning a six-round unanimous decision over Jesus Alberto Morales on July 5th in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico.

By the way, Fox is not the only world-ranked boxer in his family.  Older brother Alantez "SlyAza" Fox is currently ranked third in the world by the WBO and 13th by the IBF.

Gervonta Davis Reportedly Vacates WBA Super Featherweight Title; Ranked Number One At Lightweight!

According to the most recent World Boxing Association rankings, Baltimore, MD's Gervonta "Tank" Davis is no longer the super featherweight champion.  Apparently, Davis has vacated his title and will now compete as a lightweight.

The WBA has ranked Davis (22-0, 21 KO's) as the number-one contender to the WBA's 135-pound title, held by Vasyl Lomachenko.  Lomachenko is the Unified Lightweight champion, having added the vacant WBC championship to the WBA and WBO titles with a unanimous decision win over Luke Campbell in London, England.

Davis comes off a blistering second-round knockout victory over Ricardo Nunez on July 27th in front of a sellout crowd in his hometown of Baltimore.

Although Davis will, at least for the time being, not have proposed bouts against boxers such as IBF Super Featherweight champ Tevin Farmer or WBC Featherweight titleholder Gary Russell, Jr., a contest against Lomachenko would be an incredible pay-per-view showdown.   BATB will keep you posted on any developments.

Beltway Boxers Win Bouts In Minneapolis!

Two local boxers picked up victories Saturday at the Minneapolis Armory in Minneapolis, MN.

Landover, MD welterweight Tyrek "I.G.B" Irby scored a fifth-round knockout over Lucas Andres Dadamo of Capitan Bermudez, Santa Fe, Argentina.  No word on the time of the knockout.  Irby remains undefeated at 8-0, three KO's while Dadamo evens his record at 2-2-2, one KO.

Also, Baltimore, MD middleweight Aaron Anderson won a six-round unanimous decision over Akeem Black of Milwaukee, WI.  No scores were available.  Anderson is now 6-0, four KO's while Black falls to 5-4, two KO's.