Its Official: Warrick-Bailey Cancelled!

Just received word that the bout between Landover, MD's Michael Warrick and Randall Bailey has been cancelled. Apparently, Warriors Boxing, the co-promoters of the bout were not going to risk Warrick's health with a specialist and decided to cancel the bout.

The bout was slated for ESPN2 this Friday. Next week's ESPN2 bout featuring Adelphi's Teddy Reid is still on.

'Too Sharp' Discusses the Business of Boxing!

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #27 - "Too Sharp" Discusses the Business of Boxing!

Former three-time world champion Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson comes aboard to update us on the Michael Warrick situation as well as discuss the business side of the sport.

New Poll: What Beltway Bout do YOU Want to See in 2007?

This new poll question is based on an unofficial award. There was a lot of feedback on this, so I decided to make it a question unto itself.

Which bout do YOU want to see along the Beltway in 2007? There were a number of interesting selections and I added a few of my own. If you choose "other" in the poll, please tell us what bout you would like to see.

Here are the results of the last poll question:
2007 is the 30th anniversary year of Sugar Ray Leonard's pro debut. In your opinion, what was the greatest moment in Leonard's boxing career?

1976 -- Winning the Olympic Gold Medal (6) 10%

November 30, 1979 -- winning his first world championship against Wilfredo Benitez (0) 0%

November 25, 1980 -- regaining the WBC Welterweight title by stopping Roberto Duran (6) 10%

June 25, 1981 -- Winning the WBA Junior Middleweight title over Ayub Kalule (0) 0%

September 16, 1981 -- Defeating Thomas Hearns for the WBA and WBC Welterweight titles (21) 36%

April 6, 1987 -- Defeating Marvelous Marvin Hagler for the WBC Middleweight title (22) 37%

November 7, 1988 -- Defeating Donny Lalonde for the WBC Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight crowns (0) 0%

June 12, 1989 -- Draw in rematch with Thomas Hearns (0) 0%

December 7, 1989 -- His final victory -- unanimous decision in third bout with Roberto Duran (0) 0%

Other (4) 7%

Total Votes: 59 Thanks for participating.

I plan to start my year-long 30th anniversary retrospective of Sugar Ray Leonard within the next couple of weeks.

Michael Warrick Bout in Jeopardy?

I have heard from informed sources that Michael Warrick's nationally televised bout against Randall Bailey scheduled for this Friday night in Key West, FL could be in serious jeopardy.

The unnamed source tells me that Warrick failed his eye test and doctors found a hole in the retina of one of his eyes (the source did not know which one). The source says that Warriors Boxing, who is promoting the contest, plan to send Warrick to a specialist to get another opinion.

If this comes to pass, this will not only mean the cancellation of this bout, but most likely the end of Warrick's career.

I'll keep you posted with any developments.

Gary Russell Jr. Featured in Washington Times!

The Washington Times has jumped on the amateur Beltway Boxing bandwagon with a nice story on top-ranked amateur Gary Russell Jr. in today's edition. The article, written by Mike Jones, is entitled "Dreams of Gold in Gloves" and the paper says it will be one of an occasional series on Russell as he tries to make the 2008 US Olympic Team.

As you probably know, Russell is ranked number one in the country at bantamweight.

In 2006, The Washington Post wrote a number of articles on some of the Beltway's finest amateur boxers including Russell, Franchon Crews, Dominic Wade and, most recently, Luke Runion.

Here is the link you can copy to the article:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20070116-124017-3291r.htm

Hunter, A. Peterson Video Interviews on 'Ringside Report'!

My good friend "Bad" Brad Berkwitt, the owner of Ringsidereport.com, has two video interviews that Beltway Boxing fans might be very interested in. RSR's Brad Cooney talked to the NABO Lightweight champion, DC's own Anthony Peterson and his trainer, Barry Hunter. These are two solid interviews that took place shortly after Anthony and Lamont Peterson won their recent bouts in Biloxi, MS.

There is a link to Ringsidereport.com on this site.

Beltway Boxers on ESPN's Next Two Telecasts!

I've already mentioned that Adelphi, MD junior middleweight Teddy "Two-Gun" Reid will be on ESPN2 on Friday, January 26 as he takes on Richard Gutierrez at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. However, another Beltway Boxer will be on ESPN2 on Friday, January 19.

Landover, MD junior welterweight Michael Warrick returns to action when he faces former WBO and WBA Junior Welterweight champion "The Knock-Out King" Randall Bailey on January 19 from Mallory Square in Key West, FL. This will be Warrick's first action since his devastating ninth-round knockout loss to Demetrius Hopkins in front of a nationally televised ESPN audience on June 7 in Atlantic City. Warrick comes into the bout with Bailey with a record of 18-4, 11 KO's.

Bailey (34-5, 31 KO's) is a native of Miami, FL who won the WBO world title in 1999 and held the WBA crown in 2002. He once challenged DeMarcus Corley for Corley's WBO strap at the DC Armory on January 4, 2003. Bailey currently holds the IBA Intercontinental Junior Welterweight crown and will defend it in this bout against Warrick. Bailey won the IBA title in his last outing, an eighth-round TKO over Shawn Gallegos on October 13 in Hollywood, FL.

Nicklow-Shedrick II Headlines Jan. 27 'Rock and Box' in Pikesville!

Information is coming in about the first Beltway Boxing card of 2007. That card takes place on Saturday, January 27 at the Pikesville National Guard Armory in Pikesville, MD. The card will be Baltimore Pro Boxing's first "Rock and Box" card. The show will feature live music immediately following the boxing action.

The main event is a scheduled six-round middleweight rematch between undefeated Jessie "The Beast" Nicklow of Severn, MD and veteran James Shedrick of Philadelphia. Nicklow won the first bout on September 14 at Martin's West by fifth-round technical decision. Both men suffered cuts during the contest but Shedrick suffered a bad cut above his left eye that forced the bout to be stopped.

Nicklow (8-0,two KO's) is coming off a tough six-round unanimous decision over Temple Hills, MD's Jason Champion on the last Pikesville card on December 7. Shedrick (4-6, two KO's) defeated DC veteran Larry Brothers in his last bout on November 9 at Michael's Eighth Avenue by six-round unanimous decision.

In another rematch, Baltimore rookie middleweight "The Golden Greek" Elias Boulbassis will take on York, SC's Chris Cook in a four-round bout. The two met on the Dec. 7 show in Pikesville and fought to a four-round draw. That bout was Boulbassis's pro debut. Cook will come in with a record on 1-4-1, one KO.

Also slated for the card is the returning Demetrius Davis, who is now fighting as a light heavyweight. Davis (17-11-4, seven KO's) appeared in an exhibition bout on the December 9 card at the Lincoln Theatre in DC, but he is scheduled to face Philadelphia veteran Jameel "Black Gold" Wilson (13-10-2, eight KO's) in a six-round matchup.

Undefeated Baltimore welterweight prospect Tim Coleman is also scheduled to be on this card. Coleman (6-0, two KO's) impressed many in his last outing, scoring a first-round TKO over John Campbell on November 9 at Michael's Eighth Avenue. Coleman is slated to face DC's Pernell Jackson in a four-round bout. Jackson (1-1-1, one KO) has not fought since suffering his first loss against Julio DeJesus by second-round TKO on May 5 in Philadelphia.

Also scheduled to return to action will be female boxer Shelly Sivert of Severna Park, MD. Sivert is coming off a successful pro debut, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Kita Watkins on December 7 in Pikesville. Sivert is scheduled to face undefeated Sharmain Pouncy of Hamlet, NC. Pouncy was also successful in her pro debut, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Annette Joyner on August 19 in Greenville, NC.

Other boxers scheduled to be on the card are Bowie, MD heavyweight Ray (Horace) "The Reason" Grant (2-1, two KO's) and New Castle, DE cruiserweight Richard Stewart, the older brother of "Contender: Season 2" star Michael Stewart. Their opponents are to be determined.

More on this card as it develops.

Tony Thompson Looks for Championship Gold!

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #25 - Tony Thompson Looks for Championship Gold!

The Fans's choice for Beltway Boxer of the Year, DC's Tony "The Tiger" Thompson, reflects on a great 2006 and tells us what's in store for 2007!




UPDATE: The February 16 bout that Thompson referenced is against Timor Ibragimov at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, CA. This bout will be the main event on a Fox SportsNet "Best Damn Sports Show Period Boxing Special."

The BATB 'Digital's Choice' Awards!

Here are my personal choices in the Boxing Along The Beltway Year-End Excellence Awards!

Digital’s choice for Rookie of the Year is…

Jessie “The Beast” Nicklow

The 19-year old middleweight from Severn, MD had an outstanding rookie campaign going 8-0, three KO’s. Nicklow registered good performances in wins over veterans like Anthony Osbourne (a six-round unanimous decision on October 20 and solid prospects like his last performance against Jason Champion (another six-round unanimous decision on December 7). Despite my thought that Nicklow lost the bout against Champion, he showed good improvement, as he did throughout every bout. “Discombobulating” Jones describes Nicklow as having an “old soul” when it comes to his boxing ability. Nicklow seems to show boxing skill that belies his age. He will be one to watch.


Others Deserving Consideration:

Thomas “KO” Snow -- The featherweight from Capitol Heights, MD could be a major player by the end of 2007. Snow has scored knockouts in his last four bouts but has been facing guys who are also at rookie level except in his last outing against 2-9 Mike Salyers. Will need to step up his competition.

Andrew “Doo Man” Farmer – Another 19-year-old who has solid skills. The junior welterweight from Front Royal, VA has good power which helped him in his first four bouts. His first loss in his most recent contest (December 9 against Ken Humphreys) was a minor setback, but with more preparation he can become a major player.


Digital’s choice for Prospect of the Year is…

Tyrell Samuel

One of the most underrated prospects along the Beltway, the 24-year-old featherweight from Baltimore is one of the most exciting boxers in the area. Trained by former world champion Vincent Pettway, Samuel has shown solid knockout power scoring KO’s in five of his last six bouts. His last win (a six-round split decision in a second bout against Carlos Vinan on Sept. 28) was a tough contest against a guy who knew him well. Samuel’s ability to survive that contest showed growth in his career. If he can get some more bouts, look for Samuel to challenge for a regional title in 2007.

Others Deserving Consideration:

Tim Coleman – One of the better young pure boxers in the area, the 22-year-old junior middleweight from Baltimore is only a good power shot away from being a major player in his division by the end of the year. Coleman’s boxing skills will take him far. He scored two solid unanimous decision victories over tough prospects Marquis McConnell and Mushin Correbrey which allowed fans to see what kind of heart he has.

Thomas Snow – See rookie information


Digital’s choice for Performance of the Year is…

Tony Thompson wins NABO and WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight championships with unanimous decision over Dominic Guinn on June 28.

No heavyweight prospect made a bigger move to contender rankings than the 35-year-old from Silver Spring, MD. On June 28, Thompson became a solid player by totally dominating a boxer considered at that time as the best American heavyweight prospect. Dominic Guinn lost that distinction by succumbing to a better boxer’s overall skills. Unfortunately, Thompson’s victory has made him a feared man in the heavyweight division. Hopefully, someone will step up to the plate and face "The Tiger" in 2007.

Others Deserving Consideration:

Emmanuel Nwodo wins USBA Cruiserweight championship with third-round TKO over Chris Thomas on July 1 – Nwodo became a household name in the cruiserweight division with his solid knockout performance over Thomas at the ABC Sports Complex. Like Thompson, the win put Nwodo in the top 10 among the major governing bodies, but has also made him a feared man.

Eric Aiken defeats former IBF Bantamweight champion Tim Austin by six-round TKO on April 1 – Aiken became a household name bouncing back from a tough loss to beat a formidable name in Austin, once regarded as one of the best champions in the world. The win helped Aiken prepare for his eventual world title shot.


Digital’s Choice for Card of the Year is…

December 9 at the Patriot Center

No card had as much buzz before, during and after than the Major League Boxing card at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA. The card had four legitimate drawing cards in Jimmy Lange, Andrew Farmer, Boone Pultz and, yes, JP Flaim of the Junkies. Add three more growing fan favorites in Dean White, Juan Carlos Robles and Jaime Palma as well as two of the better bouts of the year in Lange-Fontaine Cabell and White-Dorin Spivey and you have a card that was truly unmatched this year.

One other note that has been overlooked when people talk about this card: Promoter Joe Hensley learned from the curfew mistake made on the October 7 card. The December 9 card moved swiftly through the night and that helped many people get home at a decent hour.

Others Deserving Consideration:

September 28 at Michael’s Eighth Avenue – This Ballroom Boxing card was a major challenge to Beltway Boxers with three solid matchups; Darnell Wilson vs. Daniel Judah, Ishmail Arvin against David Toribio and the rematch of Tyrell Samuel and Carlos Vinan. Wilson’s bout ended with Judah suffering a separated shoulder, Arvin lost badly to Toribio and Samuel just got past Vinan. There was a lot of drama on this card, the best overall card for Ballroom Boxing in 2006.

September 14 at Martin’s West – Another challenging card for Beltway Boxers. This Baltimore Pro Boxing card included a good matchup between Corey Cummings and Barry Butler that resulted in Cummings’s first loss. Also on the card was the rematch between Mike Paschall and William Gill as well as Jessie Nicklow taking on veteran James Shedrick. Good bouts throughout the card.

August 19 at ABC Sports Complex – This Scott Farmer card had solid Virginia prospects on hand including Farmer’s son Andrew, Terry Roy and Jaime Palma. The fans enjoyed this card extremely well.

Digital’s choices for Promoter/Matchmaker of the Year are:

Jake Smith/Josh Hall (Baltimore Pro Boxing) and Joe Hensley/Nick Tiberi (Major League Boxing)

Both promoting companies gave the Beltway a lot of action in 2006. Baltimore Pro Boxing was able to use two area facilities and one outside location (Ocean City) to put together exceptional cards and showcase outstanding Maryland prospects. Smith and Hall were consistent and prepared their boxers well throughout the year.

Major League Boxing didn’t promote as many cards as their Baltimore counterparts but they should be credited for bringing sustained excitement and local star power to their cards, plus the October 7 and December 9 card brought the biggest crowds in the area.

Both promotional companies plan to be active in 2007 and that is good for the area.


Others Deserving Consideration:

Han Kim (SugarHan Productions) – Not too many promotions could bring a major regional title bout to a boys and girls club location, but Kim did that in 2006 with Emmanuel Nwodo. Kim could be a solid force in 2007.

Gene Molovinsky/Chris Middendorf (Keystone Boxing) – Yes they only promoted one card in 2006 but the February 18 card at the Patriot Center helped keep the growth in Virginia boxing growing. Keystone was the first promotional group to see the value of the Patriot Center (with the Lange-Ballard bout in 2005) and the Lange-Gilbert bout set the tone for the rest of the year in the Commonwealth.

Scott Farmer – This Virginia promoter deserves an A for effort. No promoter worked harder to put on cards than Farmer, sometimes to his detriment. However, Farmer should be credited for giving us a lot of possible Virginia prospects.


Digital’s choice for Rising Contender of the Year is…

Anthony Peterson

This choice was made before Peterson’s most recent performance because he solidified this selection when he won the NABO Lightweight title on June 16 against Adan Hernandez. The undefeated Peterson has already been tabbed as one of the top prospects of the last two years, but this predictor says 2007 is the year he brings a world title home. The power is there, the skill is there. Now it seems to be only a matter of time.

Others Deserving Consideration:

Tony Thompson – The WBO has him ranked third in their rankings. Hopefully this will force the champions or top contenders to look his way.

Lamont Peterson – Possibly has more boxing skill than his brother, but power may be an issue in the junior welterweight division.

Emmanuel Nwodo – Can make a major impact in the cruiserweight division, if he can get an opportunity.


Digital’s choice for Knockout of the Year is…

Jed Phipps KO 1 over David Cleage – January 20 at the Pikesville Armory

Unfortunately, Phipps’s career will be marked for being the recipient of big knockouts more than delivering them, but his last victory was his most dramatic. Phipps landed a classic right hand that dropped Cleage violently to the canvas and brought the Pikesville Armory crowd to his fight faster and louder than any knockout this year. It was a beautiful shot.

Others Deserving Consideration:

Derek Amos TKO 1 over Jason Waller – July 1 at ABC Sports Complex

A true “blink and you missed it” knockout, many people were at the concession stands when this one took place. Everyone felt these two long-time veterans would plod through a six-rounder but Amos made short work of Waller with a solid right hand that Waller did not get up from.

Emmanuel Nwodo TKO 3 over Chris Thomas – July 1 at ABC Sports Complex

Nwodo started this knockout with a picture-perfect right hand that sent Thomas down in the first round. If Thomas had stayed down, this probably would have been the knockout of the year. However, Thomas showed heart and it took two more rounds before another right hand sent Thomas to the canvas for good.

Tyrell Samuel KO 1 over Fred Fleming – May 4 at Michael’s Eighth Avenue

Samuel showed the best use of a double left hook seen all year as he crumpled Fleming in the first round with shots to the head and body.


Digital’s choice for Bout of the Year is…

Maxell Taylor vs. Derek Ennis (six-round draw) – March 9 at Michael’s Eighth Avenue

With all the great bouts that did take place later in 2006, many may have forgotten a bout earlier in the year that many people (myself included) think was the best bout in Ballroom Boxing’s 12-year history. In what was a dangerous bout from its signing, Baltimore’s Taylor matched up with Ennis, an undefeated prospect from Philadelphia, and went six hard rounds with him. Both men were knocked down; Taylor in the third, Ennis TWICE in the fourth. Ennis showed tremendous heart fighting back to get the draw. They say a draw is like kissing your sister, but no one complained about the draw on that night.

Others Deserving Consideration:

Dean White vs. Dorin Spivey (White wins eight-round unanimous decision) – December 9 at the George Mason University Patriot Center

This was a bout that many people are STILL talking about and debating weeks after its conclusion. It was the bout that took a lot of the thunder from the main event and made Dean White a household name in this area. Add the fact that it was a rematch that White wanted badly and the drama was there. The bout lived up to everything people thought it would be.

Juan Carlos Robles vs. Derek Amos (Robles wins four-round unanimous decision) – October 7 at the Patriot Center

Yes, it was the opening bout on the card, but not too many bouts started a card better than this one between a solid rookie and a tough veteran. Many didn’t think Amos stood a chance against the highly regarded youngster Robles, especially after having just one round of action in four years. But the tough Amos fought hard and gave Robles everything he had, only to come up short.

Corey Cummings vs. Barry Butler (Butler wins 10-round split decision) – September 14 at Martin’s West

This was a very interesting cruiserweight matchup between a highly-touted local and a resurgent outsider. Cummings was just getting back into the swing of his career and was undefeated at the time of this matchup, but Butler, who has been a major thorn in the sides of Beltway Boxers for many years, kept Cummings off-balance and didn’t give him a chance to unleash the power he was famous for. Many people thought Cummings won the bout, but Butler deserved the decision.


Digital’s choice for Beltway Boxer of the Year is….

Eric “Mighty Mouse” Aiken

The year that just past did not end the way Aiken wanted, but the featherweight from Forestville, MD had one of the most unique years of any boxer in Beltway Boxing history. In 2006, Aiken went from prospect to also-ran to contender to world champion in a span of just five months.

Aiken started his year on an up note with a seventh-round TKO over Darby Smart on January 20 for the NABA Featherweight title. A non-title loss to Johnnie Edwards in March was a major setback that could have been tough for Aiken to recover, but his stoppage of former world champion Tim Austin on April 1 helped prepare him for what was to come. Because of another boxer’s injury, Aiken was able to gain a world title shot against Valdemir Pereira on May 13 in Boston. Aiken surprised the boxing world by dropping Pereira twice and forcing him to get himself disqualified in the eighth round to win the IBF Featherweight title, becoming the 14th Beltway Boxer to win a world title since 1986.

Although Aiken lost his title to Robert Guerrero on September 2, his accomplishments and the short span of time in which he accomplished them makes him the choice for Beltway Boxer of the Year.

Others Deserving Consideration:

Tony Thompson – Winning two regional titles marked a great year.

Anthony Peterson – Has decimated all opponents and holds the NABO Lightweight title.

Emmanuel Nwodo – One of the rising cruiserweight prospects and holds the USBA title.


And those are the Digital’s Choice Awards!

More 'Unofficial Official' Awards!

Here are more of your "Unofficial Official" Awards!

Best looking boxer before and after the fight – Andrew “Doo Man” Farmer

Boxer with the biggest fan base: Andrew "Doo Man" Farmer

Most exciting final round of a fight: Lange vs. Wilt 10/7

Best Boxing Commission in the Beltway – Virginia!

Best Haircut among Beltway Area Boxers – Emmanuel Nwodo and Juan Carlos Robles!

Best promoted shows on an ongoing basis – Jake “The Snake” Smith

Eddie Futch Boxing Humanitarian Award -- “Mr. Mack” Mack Lewis

Most controversial figure on the Beltway Boxing scene -- Chris Middendorf

Amateur Beltway Boxer of the Year-- Gary Russell, Jr.


Bouts I would like to see involving Beltway Boxers -- Dorin Spivey vs. Either Peterson Brother, Dorin Spivey vs. Too Sharp, Tony The Tiger vs. The Rock, Nwodo vs. Ding A Ling Man, Jimmy Lange vs. Derrell Coley, Jimmy Lange vs. Sharmba Mitchell, Jimmy Lange vs. Ishmail Arvin

The What Could Have Been Award – Mike Dietrich and Russ Shiflett

Best Nicknames: Gary “Digital” Williams, Henry “Discombobulating” Jones, “The Resident Physician of Pugilism of Boxing Along The Beltway, The Fight Doctor” Jerome Spears

Best announcing line: The Fight Dr. Jerome Spears when providing commentary on the Juan Carlos Robles vs. Derek Amos fight when Robles stood up between rounds and the effect that must have on Amos, “That must be psychologically debilitating!”

Boxing Announcer that I would like to have my back in a street fight – Terrence “TNT” Crawford! That’s a big dude there!

Best Chin among those in a Beltway area fight: Dorin Spivey, Dean White, Darnell Wilson, Jimmy Lange

Greatest Beltway Boxer of All Time, Sugar Ray Leonard

BATB 'Unofficial Official' Awards!

These were a lot of the "Unofficial Official" Awards that many of you sent in. I'm glad that you had fun with these.

Best ring entrance -- JP Flaim December 9th

Goodwill Gesture of the Year- Joe Hensley for paying full purses on Oct. 7th to the fighters who were caught on the wrong side of the Patriot Center curfew, and to the one whose opponent flunked his physical....And a close runner up would be Mike Sawyer for donating his entire purse that evening to Darfur relief.

The "Putting Your Mouth Where Your Money Is" Award- JP Flaim

Best Lighting -- The Patriot Center

Best Ring Announcer Discombobulating Jones

Worst chin for those involved in a Beltway area fight: Henry Mayes, Jed Phipps

Best looking ring card girl-- Psycho Kara of the Junkettes on October 7th and December 9th

Worst decision of the year-- Lange-Cabell Draw Dec.9; should have been UD Lange

Best Beltway Referee -- Malik Waleed

Best Beltway Photographer Linda Siadys

Best ring entrance music, Jimmy Lange (a mix of Johnny Cash and Metallica)

Comeback fighter of the year: Dean White


More of your awards later this week!

More BATB Awards!

Here are the rest of the Boxing Along the Beltway Year-End Excellence Awards!

The Choice for Promoter/Matchmaker of the year is…

Joe Hensley/Nick Tiberi [Major League Boxing] (49 votes)

This Richmond, VA based company has planted roots along the Beltway and has become one of the major reasons why boxing has taken off in Northern Virginia. Promoter Joe Hensley put on two big shows on October 7 and December 9 which combined brought close to 10,000 fans to the Patriot Center. Hensley, along with Delaware-based matchmaker Nick Tiberi have put quality shows featuring the boxers the fans want to see.

Runners-up: Scott Farmer (19 votes); Jake Smith/Josh Hall [Baltimore Pro Boxing] (six votes)


The choice for Rising Contender of the Year is…

Jimmy Lange (39 votes)

The native of Great Falls, VA had an interesting year with a tough win on December 7 over Thomas Wilt and an even tougher draw on December 9 against Fontaine Cabell. This will probably be the most controversial selection this year because Beltway Boxing Fans seem to be split over how Lange is progressing. Despite the fact that Lange has failed to win two major regional belts, many fans still believe that he is a future contender for a world title.

Runners-up: Andrew Farmer (17 votes); Tony Thompson (10 votes)


The choice for Knockout of the Year is…

Jimmy Lange TKO 10 over Thomas Wilt – October 7 (27 votes)

This was not the classic one-punch knockout that normally wins a vote like this. This was a knockout of attrition. Lange was in a tough bout with the game Wilt. There were many fans that even thought Wilt may have been slightly ahead on points going into this bout. But Lange was able to eventually wear down Wilt and drop him twice in the 10th, the second knockdown coming from solid left hands by the popular Lange.

Runners-up: Derek Amos KO 1 over Jason Waller (19 votes); Andrew Farmer KO 1 over Grant Messer (18 votes)


The choice for Bout of the Year is…

Juan Carlos Robles vs. Derek Amos October 7, the Patriot Center

It wasn’t supposed to be a major bout. It was just supposed to be a four-round bout to open a card. However, the heavyweight matchup between rookie Robles and the veteran Amos turned out to be a tremendous back and forth matchup that tested both men’s mettle. Despite only having one round of action in four years, Amos did not lay down to the powerful Robles. He fought as well as ever during this bout. Robles made some adjustments that belied his lack of experience and enabled him to win the match. The bout brought fans at the Patriot Center to their feet early on the card.

Runners up: Dean White vs. Dorin Spivey, December 9, the Patriot Center/Jimmy Lange vs. Thomas Wilt, October 7 (five votes each)


The Choice for Beltway Boxer of the Year is…

Tony Thompson (46 years)

“The Tiger” had a remarkable year in 2006 winning three titles. Thompson won the Maryland State Heavyweight title in February with a second-round TKO over Brandon Cabell. But it will be his June 28 performance against Dominic Guinn that everybody will remember. Thompson has put himself in a position to make a move in 2007, if anyone wants to take a chance on facing him.

Tomorrow: Your "Unofficial Official" Awards, followed by my personal selections in the year-end categories.

Petersons Impress in Biloxi!

DC's undefeated Peterson Brothers continued their winning ways last night in front of a nationally televised ESPN audience by scoring impressive victories in Biloxi, MS.

Anthony Peterson scored a great win, successfully defending his NABO Lightweight championship with a fourth round knockout over Juan Humberto Garza.Peterson couldn't miss all night and finally floored the game Garza for the count with a right hand. Time was 1:37. A. Peterson is now 22-0, 16 KO's.

Lamont Peterson was also impressive, winning by eight-round unanimous decision over a game Joaquin Gallardo. L. Peterson's record is now 20-0, eight KO's.

Rahman and Reid Update!

ESPN.com's Dan Rafael is reporting that the Feb. 22 televised bout featuring former world heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman may be scratched. It has been reported by Boxrec.com and Rafael that Rahman was scheduled to take on veteran Ray Mercer on the Feb. 22 card at the Mountaineer Race Track in Chester, WVA.

However, Rafael reports that Rahman's promoter, Bob Arum, is mulling over a more lucrative offer from the German promotional company, Universum to have Rahman fight Luan Krasniqi in Germany in March. Arum told Rafael that the remaining obstacle to finalizing the deal is for the Germans to agree to use neutral officials, which is probably a good idea considering how notoriously difficult it is for a foreign boxer to win a decision in Germany.

Ironically, this is the same Krasniqi who turned down an offer from his OWN company a few months ago to fight Tony Thompson in Germany.

Rafael also says that Rahman will enter his next bout -- whoever it is against -- with a new trainer. Reading, PA's Marshall Kauffman will replace Thell Torrance.
Kauffman has been known for his work with Kermit Cintron and is the father of undefeated heavyweight prospect Travis Kauffman, who made his pro debut at Michael's Eighth Avenue last January.

"Rock is no longer with Thell. This last run to the title is going to be with Marshall," Rahman's co-manager Steve Nelson told ESPN.com. "For the last run, it was decided to go with a fresh start. Marshall was in the camp helping us get ready for the Maskaev fight, and he and Rock developed a relationship. We think there is chemistry there."

Another Beltway Boxer returning to action -- according to Rafael -- will be Adelphi, MD junior middleweight Teddy "Two-Gun" Reid. Reid (23-8-2, 17 KO's) will face Richard Gutierrez (19-1,12 KO's) in a 10-round main event on Friday, January 26 from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. The bout will be televised by ESPN2.

Reid is hoping for better fortune at this Connecticut resort than he had at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket. Reid suffered a loss to Rodney Jones and a draw against J.C. Candelo in his last two outings.

One other interesting note: the Boxing Writers Association of America has passed out their ballots for the 2006 "Barney" Awards. Voting goes on until February 12. Two Beltway Boxers – Anthony and Lamont Peterson – are finalists for the Pat Putnam Award for Perseverance. By now, everyone should know that the Peterson Brothers came from homelessness to contenders for world titles. The award was named after one of the great boxing writers of all-time, Sports Illustrated's Pat Putnam, who survived 17 months in a Korean prisoner of war camp. Putnam died in 2005 after a lengthy illness.

The Petersons don’t have easy competition for this award. Among the other finalists are prospect Jason Litzau, referee Joe Cortez and Muhammad Ali.

Results of BATB Year-End Awards!

Today, we start our look at the results from the Boxing Along the Beltway Year-End Excellence Awards as voted by you,
the Beltway Boxing Community! These are the results of the first four categories.


I will look at the first two categories in tandem because the results came out in exactly the same order.

The choice for Rookie of the Year and Prospect of the Year is…

Juan Carlos Robles (46 votes for Rookie of the Year, and 39 for Prospect of the Year)


The heavyweight from just inside the Beltway in Waynesboro, VA proved to be the perfect boxer to open cards. After beginning his career in West Virginia with two knockout wins, Robles (5-0, three KO’s) adjusted to slightly tougher competition in the Beltway by surviving two unanimous decisions against Jonathan Felton and Derek Amos. His exciting win against Amos to start the October 7 Patriot Center card had many people talking afterwards, so much so that there will be a rematch that will be the main event of the Rising Stars Card on February 3. His choice as Prospect of the Year was a write-in choice.


Runners-up: Andrew “Doo Man” Farmer (22 votes for Rookie, 23 for Prospect); Jessie “The Beast” Nicklow (four votes in each category)



The choice for Performance of the Year is…

Tony Thompson wins WBC Continental Americas and NABO Heavyweight titles over Dominic Guinn on June 28 (23 votes)

This was a scintillating performance as Tony “The Tiger” Thompson completely dominated a boxer that was considered to be America’s best hope for a world title in front of a nationally televised ESPN audience. Thompson almost had Guinn out late in the bout. Thompson’s performance elevated Thompson to high rankings in the major governing bodies. However, it looks like the performance has scared many a heavyweight because no one seems to want to step forward and challenge this 6-5, southpaw heavyweight.


Runners-up: Eric Aiken defeats former IBF Bantamweight champion Tim Austin by sixth-round TKO April 1 (19 votes); Aiken wins IBF Featherweight championship via eighth-round DQ over Valdemir Pereira on May 13/Juan Carlos Robles wins four-round unanimous decision over Derek Amos, October 7 (six votes—Robles-Amos was write-in vote)



The choice for Card of the Year is…

The October 7 card at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA (46 votes)

This Major League Boxing card had one of the better main events in 2006 as Jimmy Lange returned after his loss to Joey Gilbert to take on Thomas Wilt. Also Dorin Spivey fought a solid bout against Roberto Valenzuela and Juan Carlos Robles fought one of the best bouts of the year against Derek Amos. Despite the fact that a number of boxers did not get a chance to participate because of the curfew, many fans still thought highly of this card.


Runners-up: December 9 at the Patriot Center (41 votes); August 19 at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA (22 votes)

Later this weekend, the results in Promoter/Matchmaker, Rising Contender, Knockout, Bout and Beltway Boxer of the Year along with your “Unofficial Official” Awards!

White-Spivey Video Now Online!

There was a lot of talk and debate about this bout after it was over. Now, you can see it for yourself.

The tremendous eight-round super lightweight bout between Dean "Pit Bull" White and the "Pride of Portsmouth" Dorin Spivey from the December 9 Major League Boxing card at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA is now uploaded to Google and Blogger. The video features play-by-play commentary by yours truly and expert analysis from "The Fight Doctor" Jerome Spears.

You can watch this video by going to http://video.google.com/ and search for Major League Boxing or you can visit www.MajorLeagueBoxing.Blogspot.com and watch the fight on Major League Boxing's Blogger site.

Also available online are the bouts featuring Andrew "Doo Man" Farmer and Juan Carlos Robles from the December 9 card.

Beltway Boxing Schedule Begins Friday, January 5!

First, I hope you and yours had a very happy holiday season and will have a happy and prosperous new year!!

The 2007 Beltway Boxing season will kick off this Friday on ESPN2 as Anthony and Lamont Peterson will start ESPN's Friday Night Fights 2007 schedule from the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Anthony Peterson (21-0, 16 KO's) will be in the main event defending his NABO Lightweight championship against Mexican Lightweight champion Juan Humberto "Ringo" Garza of Cardereyta, MX (28-2, 23 KO's).

A. Peterson, who was named Prospect of the Year by Friday Night Fights's Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas, is currently ranked number four by the WBO and number eight by the WBA. A win on January 5 could lead to a world title shot.

In the co-feature, Lamont Peterson, the WBC US Jr. Welterweight champ (19-0, eight KO's), will fight a non-title eight-round encounter against Juaquin "Killer" Gallardo of San Leandro, CA (17-5-1, six KO's). Peterson is ranked number eight by the WBA.

The first local cards will be held on Saturday, January 27th. Jake Smith's Baltimore Pro Boxing will hold a card at the Pikesville National Guard Armory in Pikesville, MD. Tentatively slated to appear on that show will be Jessie "The Beast" Nicklow and the official pro return of Demetrius Davis.

Also on January 27, Han "Sugar" Kim will hold an amateur show at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA.

A number of Beltway Boxing prospects will appear outside the Beltway on Joe Hensley's Rising Stars show on Saturday, February 3 at the Augusta Expoland in Fisherville, VA. Included on that card is the rematch between Juan Carlos Robles and Derek Amos, as well as Andrew "Doo Man" Farmer.

On February 22, former world heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman returns on a nationally televised card from West Virginia.

Thursday, March 8 will be the 2007 debut of Ballroom Boxing at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD. The original date of January 25 was dropped because of a scheduling conflict at Michael's. To make up for the loss of the January show, promoter Scott Wagner will schedule a card in June, which is normally a vacation month.

Saturday, March 10, back at the Pikesville Armory.

That's what I know so far, but there is talk about other promoters doing shows in the first quarter of this year. I'll keep you posted.

Also, I plan to have results of the Year-End Excellence Awards as well as my personal choices in those categories within the next two weeks.

Hemphill Stopped in Valley Forge!

Woodbridge, VA light heavyweight Andre "Da Heat" Hemphill was stopped in the first round by undefeated Chucky Cavallo of Trenton, NJ during a card on December 29 in Valley Forge, PA.

According to Fightnews.com's Kurt Wolfheimer, Hemphill actually scored the first knockdown of the contest, dropping Cavallo with a counter left hand. However, Cavallo came back quickly and sent Hemphill to the canvas twice, forcing the referee to stop the contest at 2:41 of the first.

Hemphill's record is now 6-6-1, three KO's while Cavallo rises to 13-0, four KO's.

'Da Heat' Hemphill Visits Valley Forge!

Woodbridge, VA light heavyweight Andre "Da Heat" Hemphill will be in action in a featured bout on a December 29th card at the Valley Forge Convention Center in Valley Forge, PA.

Hemphill (6-5-1, three KO's) will participate in his first scheduled eight-round contest as he faces undefeated Chucky Cavallo of Trenton, NJ (12-0, three KO's.

Hemphill has recently turned his career around, going 2-0-1, one KO in his last three bouts, all against previously undefeated boxers. He looked particularly impressive in his last outing, a second-round TKO over Joe McCreedy on October 28 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. I have seen footage of that bout and he did look very tough, much better his last outing here along the Beltway, a six-round unanimous decision loss to Willie "For Real" Williams at Martin's West on September 14.

Hemphill has also been one of the busiest boxers along the Beltway. The match against Cavallo will be his ninth bout this year.

James Brown: 1933-2006!

In a year where I have lost many personal favorites in and out of the entertainment world, no one loss in entertainment comes bigger than this one:

"The Godfather of Soul" is gone!

Legendary singer James Brown died today at the age of 73. To say Brown was just influential is almost insulting. He was an incredible force in music for many years.

"Please, Please, Please," "Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud", "Sex Machine," "Living in America (from Rocky IV)." The names of his songs just roll off the brain.

I have two personal memories of Mr. Brown. One of the first concerts I ever saw was in 1974 when my family took me to see him at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre in DC. For those who don't know, this was an outdoor concert. As Brown started his set, it began to rain and thunderstorm. Brown stopped his show, looked at the crowd and said, "If you all want a show, stay here and I'll give you a show." I got an early indication on why he was "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business."

Many years later, I saw Brown on the American Bandstand 33 1/3 anniversary show. He only performed for about 10 minutes, but managed to change costumes through the set. It was incredible.

James Brown's musical contributions will be felt forever!

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!!

Just a short post to wish everyone in the Beltway Boxing area and beyond a very happy holiday season! Thanks once again for all your support and well wishes throughout the year! Unless some major news comes up, I will talk to you in January.

Don't forget you have just five days to vote in the BATB Year-End Excellence Awards! Deadline is December 29.

Once again, be safe and take care!!

Rahman Back in Action in February!!

Former two-time world heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman returns to action on Thursday, February 22 at the Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in West Virginia. The Baltimore native will fight in the 10-round main event bout on the card against an opponent to be determined.

This will be Rahman's first bout since losing the WBC Heavyweight crown to Oleg Maskaev on August 12 in Las Vegas.

It is interesting to note that Joe Mesi will also be on the card, fighting in a 10-round co-feature. There is talk that if Rahman and Mesi win their bouts, a possible matchup between the two will take place.

The two bouts will be televised live by the Versus Network (formerly the Outdoor Life Network).

One Week Remains in the Voting for the BATB Year-End Excellence Awards!

You have one week to go to vote in the Boxing Along the Beltway Year-End Excellence Awards!


Once again, to vote, go to the November 2006 archives and look over the choices in each category. Once you have completed your ballot, send it to beltwayboxing@hotmail.com.

The deadline is Friday, December 29 at 11:59 ET.

A reminder: Don't complain about the results if you haven't participated! I will announce the results on Thursday, January 25.

Major League Boxing Forms 'Rising Stars' Division!

Although promoter Joe Hensley technically lives outside the Beltway area in Richmond, VA, his recent contributions to this area through his promotional company Major League Boxing should be highly appreciated. Hensley brought two quality shows to the Patriot Center in Fairfax this year.

With that in mind, I bring this announcement to you for your comments. This is an idea Hensley has that, if successful, will truly benefit a number of boxers along the Beltway (especially in Virginia) and could serve as a model for other promotions around the country. Here is the story as it is appears on Fightnews.com:

Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League have minor league systems and the National Basketball Association has its Developmental League.

Now a promotional company in Richmond, Virginia has formed a “developmental league” that hopes to groom boxers in preparation for the big time.

Major League Boxing, a company headed by Joe Hensley, recently announced a “Rising Stars Division” that will showcase the best and brightest young talent in the region. The boxers will participate on cards that will have only four and six-round bouts.

“This is a way of developing local fighters so that they can get fights right here in Virginia,” Hensley said in a press release. “We want to get these guys fights, keep them active and hopefully, one or two or possibly a handful of them can make the step from rising star to the ‘Big Show’.”

“The fights will be competitive,” Hensley said. “Of course we want to get these guys experience and get them fights. But you can’t get anywhere in boxing beating up on chumps. Everyone who fights on “Major League Boxing’s Rising Stars” shows will have to earn their keep. They are going to have to fight. The fans deserve a good show. The cream will rise to the top anyway. If you can fight, you can fight. If you can’t, well, that’s just the way it is. Maybe boxing is not for you.”

The first Rising Stars show is scheduled for Saturday, January 13 at the Augusta Expoland in Fisherville, VA. Headlining the show will be a number of Virginia boxers that have appeared on undercards of bigger Major League Boxing shows that were recently held at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA.

The main event on the January 13 show will be a rematch between undefeated first-year cruiserweight Juan Carlos Robles of Waynesboro, VA and veteran Derek Amos of Dumfries, VA. In their last meeting on October 7 in Fairfax, Robles won a tough four-round unanimous decision in what was the opening bout on the card. Since that bout, Robles (5-0, three KO’s) won by second round TKO over Dan Sheehan in Fairfax on December 9 in the first bout on that card.

Robles will be participating in his first scheduled six-round encounter against Amos (14-23, nine KO’s), a boxer who has fought a number of quality cruisers and heavyweights during his career, including Chris Byrd, Monte Barrett and Tony Thompson.

The co-feature will have undefeated light-heavyweight prospect Adam “The Real Deal” Seal of Caroline County, VA. Seal (3-0, two KO’s) is coming off a second-round TKO over Ken Carey on December 9 in Richmond. Seal will be taking on Portsmouth, VA veteran William “The Storm” Bailey (5-12-2, two KO’s) who is coming off a four-round unanimous decision loss to Reggie LaCrete on Dec. 9 in Fairfax.

Also scheduled for this card will be highly-touted 19-year-old junior welterweight Andrew “The Doo Man” Farmer of Front Royal, VA. Farmer may benefit from this type of card the most because he will be coming off his first pro loss, a four-round majority decision to Ken Humphreys on the Dec. 9 Fairfax card. The opponent for Farmer (4-1, four KO’s) is still to be determined but the bout is scheduled to be Farmer’s first six-round contest and may give Farmer and his fans a true opportunity to see where he stands in the sport.

Also scheduled to appear is Norfolk, VA’s Antwon “Supreme” Barrett. Barrett will also have something to prove on January 13th. Barrett suffered a setback in his pro debut on November 9 in Glen Burnie, MD when he lost by third-round technical knockout to Martin Wright. Barrett will be taking on Edward “Nuckie” Anderson from Richmond, VA (3-7, three KO’s. The bout is scheduled for 4 rounds in the junior welterweight division.
Other bouts include Staunton, VA’s own amateur champion George Rivera. Rivera will be making his pro debut against veteran “The American Dream” Jay Watts from Virginia Beach, VA. Watts (2-8, two KO’s) is coming off a first-round TKO win over DC-area media personality JP Flaim on December 9th in Fairfax, VA.

In a six-round heavyweight special attraction, Charlottesville, VA’s “Big Lonnie C” Alonzo Cutchins will take on Stafford, VA’s “The People’s Champ” Jonathan Felton. Cutchins (7-15, six KO’s) is coming off a four-round unanimous decision loss to Boone Pultz on December 9 in Fairfax. Felton (2-5, two KO’s) lost by second-round TKO to Lenroy Thomas in his last outing on October 23 in Woodlawn, MD.

Rounding out the card will be cruiserweight Gairy Campbell from Richmond, VA by way of Jamaica. Campbell will be taking on an opponent to be determined in his pro debut.

Hensley said Major League Boxing will continue to run shows at the Patriot Center. Recent shows have featured many top regional stars including Jimmy Lange, Purcell Miller and Dean White participating in 12, 10 and eight-round encounters.

"Rising Stars is another avenue to develop talent in a smaller, more intimate atmosphere,” Hensley said. “Our plan is to have three shows at the Patriot Center in 2007 and four shows at the August Expoland in 2007. Keep guys busy and active and develop talent, that’s what we’re trying to do.”


UPDATE: Joe Hensley informed me today that the date of his first Rising Stars card has been moved to Saturday, February 3.

Barnett Draws in Lemoore!

Fightnews.com is reporting that DC lightweight Tye Barnett battled Raymundo Gonzalez to a four-round draw last night in Lemoore, CA.

I will add details on this result when they become available.

Luke Runion Featured in Washington Post!

(photo courtesy of USAboxing.org)

Once again, the Washington Post does a nice story on one of our amateur Beltway Boxers. This time it's Luke Runion, the super heavyweight from the University of Maryland, who is ranked number four in the country. Liz Clarke profiles him in the story "His Major is the Sweet Science" which can be found by following this address:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121302384.html

In just this year alone, the Post has done nice stories on Franchon Crews, the Russell Family and Dominic Wade.

Barnett Battles in Lemoore, CA Tomorrow Night!

Undefeated DC lightweight Tye Barnett will participate in a Goossen-Tutor undercard tomorrow night in Lemoore, CA.

Barnett (8-0, six KO's) will take on Raymundo "Panadero" Gonzalez of Mexico (7-5-1, three KO's) in a bout scheduled for either four or six rounds.

A lot of people along the Beltway don't know much about Barnett. That's because he has only fought once in his hometown and that was on the Mike Tyson-Kevin McBride undercard on June 11, 2005 at Verizon Center. Barnett won a four-round unanimous decision over Mike Salyers on that card.

Now, Barnett is now being managed by former world champion Sharmba Mitchell so hopefully he will fight more in DC.

Amateur Boxing Tournament at SRL Center December 15-16!

DC Boxing legend Julius "Juice" Gatling is presenting an amateur boxing tournament on Friday and Saturday, December 15th & 16th at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center 7707 Barlowe Road in Palmer Park, MD.

Friday's action begins at 7:30 pm and Saturday's card starts at 7 pm.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For more information, call (240) 353-0564.

If you want to box in the tournament, call for an application and then fax the application to 301-292-4618.

Peterson Brothers Kick-Off 2007 Beltway Boxing Season!

Barring any major changes in the schedule, DC's undefeated Peterson Brothers will be the first Beltway Boxers to be in action in 2007.

And they will be in action on national television.

The Petersons will headline the first ESPN2 Friday Night Fights telecast of the year from the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi on Friday, January 5.

Anthony Peterson (21-0, 16 KO's) will be in the main event defending his NABO Lightweight championship against Mexican Lightweight champion Juan Humberto "Ringo" Garza of Cardereyta, MX (28-2, 23 KO's).

A. Peterson, who was named Prospect of the Year by ESPN, is currently ranked number four by the WBO and number eight by the WBA. A win on January 5 could lead to a world title shot.

In the co-feature, Lamont Peterson, the WBC US Jr. Welterweight champ (19-0, eight KO's), will fight a non-title eight-round encounter against Juaquin "Killer" Gallardo of San Leandro, CA (17-5-1, six KO's). Peterson is ranked number eight by the WBA.

Full Report from DC!

For those who could not hear Quentin Coles's report from the "Black and Brown" Throwdown at the Lincoln Theatre in DC. Here is a written account with information provided by legendary boxing writer JR Jowett of Boxing Digest Magazine.

DC Bantamweight Clarence "Untouchable" Vinson made his return after a two-year layoff a successful one as he scored an eighth-round technical knockout over Jose German Cruz of Ocotlan, MX. According to Jowett, Vinson started early in this contest, scoring heavy to the body and head. Although Cruz stayed in the bout, Vinson increased his output and by rounds five and six, he was totally in control of the bout.

Vinson finally finished it in the eighth with a lot of pressure, forcing referee Oliver Murray to stop the contest at 1:29 of the round. Vinson's record is now 15-2, six KO's. Cruz falls to 2-4, one KO.

In the co-feature, undefeated Capitol Heights, MD featherweight Thomas "KO" Snow stopped Mike Salyers of Rush, KY at the end of the ninth round. Jowett called the fight a good one albeit one-sided in favor of Snow. In the third round, Snow landed a solid right hand that had Salyers hurt but he wouldn't go away.

Referee Marshall Cunningham penalized Snow for hitting on the break in the sixth round but Snow regrouped and punished Salyers in the remaining rounds. Between the ninth and 10th rounds, the doctor in attendance stopped the contest because of a bloody nose and seemingly evident blood filling in Salyers's left ear.

With the win, Snow raises his record to 8-0, six KO's. This was Snow's fourth straight knockout victory. Salyers is now 2-10, two KO's. He has lost seven straight.

According to Jowett, two local heavyweight prospects scored crushing knockout victories. Horace "The Reason" Grant of Bowie, MD scored a first-round knockout over Chris Brown of Ashland, KY. All it took was one thunderous left hook by Grant to drop Brown to stay.

Grant is now 2-1, two KO's while Brown is 1-2, one KO.

Also, "Big" Phil Brown of Upper Marlboro, MD registered a first-round KO over the debuting Thomas Gillispie of Ashland, KY. Jowett said Brown had Gillispie stumbling and bumbling all over the ring before a left hook sent Gillispie to the floor for good. The knockout was Brown's first of his pro career and he is now 3-0.

The card got off to a rough start for the locals. In the opening bout on the card, DC junior welterweight Reggie "The Mechanic' Holly was stopped in the third round by Carlos Cisneros of Los Angeles by way of El Salvador. Holly was dropped in both the first and second rounds of the contest. Then in the third, according to Jowett, Cisneros nailed Holly with a right hand before Holly was able to get out of his own corner. Referee Marshall Cunningham called the fight off at :15 of the third.

Holly's loss drops him to 6-2, two KO's. Cisneros is now 8-14-1, five KO's.

In the only fight that went the distance, veteran Larry "The Gladiator" Brothers of DC lost a four-round unanimous decision to Shon McCourt of Selma, NC. McCourt who at 6'5" had a MAJOR height advantage over Brothers and Jowett said he kept the bout at a distance and poked just enough punches to win the bout. All three judges scored the bout 40-36.

Brothers's record is now 6-22-3, four KO's. He has lost seven in a row and is winless in his last nine. McCourt is now 2-0, one KO.

Thanks again to Quentin Coles of BlackEye on Sports (heard on www.im4radio.com Friday's from 8-10 pm ET) and JR Jowett of Boxing Digest magazine (monthly on your newsstands) for their coverage of this card.

BATB Year-End Excellence Awards -- Update!

I've decided to give everyone an update on the voting for the Boxing Along The Beltway Year-End Excellence Awards. Maybe if you see the current totals, this will get more people voting.

Remember, all the information for the awards can be found in the November 2006 archives in the November 20th posting. Action from the Pikesville card on December 7 and the two cards in DC and in Fairfax on December 9 CAN be considered in your voting. Please send your ballot to beltwayboxing@hotmail.com. The deadline is Friday, December 29.

Rookie of the Year: Andrew "Doo Man" Farmer is leading the voting with 16 votes. Second is Juan Carlos Robles with six votes and Jessie "The Beast" Nicklow has two votes.

Prospect of the Year: Farmer is also leading this category with 17 votes. In second place is Nicklow with three votes followed by Tim Coleman with two.

Performance of the Year: This is a close race with three performances tied for first. Eric Aiken's April 1 defeat of Tim Austin, Aiken's IBF title victory of Valdemir Pereira on May 13 and Emmanuel Nwodo's USBA Cruiserweight title victory over Chris Thomas on July 1 each have three votes.

Card of the Year: There is a possible runaway in this category as the August 19 boxing card at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA has 15 votes. That card featured Andrew Farmer vs. Grant Messer and Jaime Palma vs. Randy Dobbs. In second is the October 7 Patriot Center card that had Jimmy Lange taking on Thomas Wilt. That card has seven votes.

Promoter/Matchmaker of the Year: The man who promoted the August 19 card -- Scott Farmer -- is leading in this category with 15 votes. The Major League Boxing team of Joe Hensley and Nick Tiberi are second with eight votes. Jake Smith and Josh Hall of Baltimore Pro Boxing have three votes.

Rising Contender of the Year: Andrew Farmer -- a write-in candidate -- is leading in this category with 15 votes. Jimmy Lange is second with five votes and Tony "The Tiger" Thompson has four votes.

Knockout of the Year: Farmer's first round knockout of Grant Messer on August 19 is leading this category with 15 votes. Lange's 10th round TKO of Thomas Wilt is second with three.

Bout of the Year: There is a tie for first in this category between two bouts that appeared on the same card. The Juan Carlos Robles bout with Derek Amos and the Lange-Wilt matchup from October 7 at the Patriot Center are leading with six votes each.

Beltway Boxer of the Year: Andrew Farmer is surprisingly ahead in this category -- again as a write-in candidate -- with 15 votes. Tony Thompson has seven votes.

If you have problems with the way the voting is going, you can change it. VOTE!!! Don't forget to include your "Unofficial Official" award that you will create and honor. Once again, send your ballot to beltwayboxing@hotmail.com. The deadline is Friday, December 29!

Full Report from Fairfax!

Once again, for those who couldn't hear the audio report, here is how things went at the George Mason University Patriot Center.

In an exciting contest, Great Falls, VA’s Jimmy Lange and Orlando, FL’s Fontaine “The Flame” Cabell battled to a 12-round draw in a contest for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Junior Middleweight title in the main event of a Major League Boxing card at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA.

The two similar-looking boxers waged an intelligent contest that was hampered at times by injuries suffered by both men. Both boxers injured their hands in the second round. Also in the second, there was an accidental head clash that caused a gash on the left side of Lange’s head. Despite this, however, Lange was able to use a stiff left jab that gave him the early advantage in the contest.

In the middle of the contest, however, Cabell seemed to take over as he was able to initiate the action in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. Cabell’s jab was especially strong during this point in the contest and left their marks over Lange’s face.

In the final stages of the contest, the two men exchanged opportunities with jabs and body shots. Lange was the most effective during this point as he landed solid body shots.

The judge’s scores were very different. Greg Coleman saw the bout 117-111 in favor of Lange. Phil Kornberg saw the bout 116-112 for Cabell. Judge Vaughn LaPread saw the draw at 114-114. My scorecard saw the bout for Lange, 116-113.

Cabell said he thought he won the bout, but he was satisfied with the draw.

“I thought they were going to rob me,” Cabell said. “I had a premonition that I may get a draw. I knew it was going to be tough, but I had nothing to lose.”

Lange was more subdued after the battle.

“It wasn’t a tough fight, it was more of a tedious fight,” Lange said. “I thought I won though. I’d love to do it again.”

Lange’s record is now 27-3-2, 19 KO’s while Cabell, who stopped a three-bout losing streak, has a record of 22-6-2, 17 KO’s.

In a very exciting co-feature, junior welterweight Dean “Pit Bull” White of Smithsburg, MD won a measure of revenge with an eight-round unanimous decision over “The Pride of Portsmouth, VA” Dorin Spivey.

The bout was a rematch of a November 1998 bout in which Spivey stopped White in the seventh round. In this contest, White initiated the action early with strong right hands keeping Spivey at bay.

After Spivey successfully used his body shots in the third and fourth rounds, White started to take over the contest. He continually got his shots off first and kept Spivey from using his power shots. All three judges (Vaughn LaPread, Jerry Payne and Tommy Nowlin) scored the bout 77-75, I scored the bout the same way.

White said the difference between this fight and the last bout with Spivey was aggression.

“I think I was more aggressive and more relaxed,” White said. “It also helped that I won the early rounds.”

With the win, White raised his record to 14-5-1, six KO’s. Spivey’s record falls to 34-5, 28 KO’s.

In other bouts on the card, former WBO Cruiserweight champion Boone Pultz of Annandale, VA returned to action after an 11-year layoff and won a six-round unanimous decision over Alonzo Cutchins of Charlottsville, VA.

Pultz, who turned 47 years old earlier this year, participated in a clinch fest with the 45-year-old Cutchins who was fighting for only the second time in nine years. Pultz landed just enough punches to gain the victory while Cutchins seemed willing only to hang on to his taller opponent.

Judges LaPread and Kornberg scored a shutout for Pultz, 60-54 while Judge Payne scored the bout 59-55, the same as I did. Pultz’s record rises to 24-1, 15 KO’s while Cutchins’s record falls to 7-15, six KO’s.

In a minor upset, Ripley, TN junior welterweight “The Next Greatest” Ken Humphreys won a four-round majority decision over previously undefeated Andrew “The Doo Man” Farmer of Front Royal, VA.

Farmer got off to a great start, landing solid shots with his jabs and right hooks. The 19-year old Farmer was able to win the early rounds with these tactics.

But in the third, Humphreys seized the momentum of the bout with a solid left hand that sent Farmer to the canvas. Farmer got up from the knockdown, but Humphreys was able to dominate the rest of the bout and go on to the victory.

Judge Kornberg saw the draw at 38-38. Judges LaPread and Coleman scored the bout 38-37 and 38-36 for Humphreys. I saw the bout 38-37 for Humphreys, who broke a two-bout losing streak with the victory.

Farmer is now 4-1, four KO’s while Humphreys is 3-2, two KO’s.

Another Virginia junior welterweight, Jaime “The Punisher” Palma of Front Royal increased his winning streak to three as he was able to capture a close, four-round split decision over Reggie Sanders of Fort Wayne, IN.

In the third round, Palma survived two solid Sanders right hands and managed to stay on his feet. Palma came back in the final round with a solid performance and eked out the victory. Judges Payne and Coleman saw the bout 39-37 for Palma while Judge LaPread scored the bout 39-37 for Sanders. I thought the bout was a draw, 38-38.

With the win, Palma reaches the .500 mark with a record of 10-10-1, two KO’s while Sanders falls to 12-37-4, two KO’s.

Bronx, NY light heavyweight Reggie “Concrete” LaCrete won a four-round unanimous decision over William “The Storm” Bailey of Chesapeake, VA.

Bailey got off to a good start by landing solid shots. However, fatigue seemed to set in and LaCrete took over, working well inside with uppercuts and short hooks. This work led to the victory. All three judges and my unofficial scorecard gave the bout to LaCrete, 39-37.

LaCrete, who is managed by Jackie Kallen, is now 2-0, one KO. Bailey’s record is 5-12-2, two KO’s.

Waynesboro, VA heavyweight Juan Carlos Robles raised his record to 5-0, three KO’s by punishing Brockton, MA’s Dan Sheehan en route to a second-round TKO.

Robles landed solid head and body shots that Sheehan had no answer for. Sheehan’s corner stopped the contest at 2:59 of the second round, much to Sheehan’s chagrin. Sheehan’s record is now 10-36 with four KO’s.

In a special attraction bout, the pro debut of DC-area radio talk show host “The Latin Donkey” JP Flaim was short and painful. Flaim’s opponent, “The American Dream” Jay Watts of Virginia Beach, VA, knocked Flaim down within the first 15 seconds of the bout. Watts knocked Flaim down three more times before referee Malik Waleed called a halt to the bout just before the end of the first round. With the win, Watts raised his record to 2-8, two KO’s.

The promoter of the card was Joe Hensley of Major League Boxing. The matchmaker was Nick Tiberi.

MORE RANDOM OBSERVATIONS: Take away Boone Pultz's bout and JP Flaim's contest and this was a very solid card. There were some great performances on this card.

Let's put Dean White where he belongs on the list of great performances on this card -- right at the top. White was really solid in this contest against a very good opponent in Dorin Spivey. White told anyone who would listen that this was the bout he was working towards when he made his return two years ago. White showed what hard work and tenacity will do for you. It was an exceptional performance.

As far as the main event, maybe it was the injury to Jimmy Lange's right hand, but in my opinion, Lange helped make the bout a little tougher than it should have been. He did not throw his right much at all in the contest and let Fontaine Cabell get off first throughout. Cabell came in with a really good game plan and at times he executed the plan well. I thought Lange won the bout, but I don't think he was truly on top of his game.

Andrew Farmer's performance and the outcome of his bout against Ken Humphreys should give you a better idea of why I was so angry about Farmer's last bout against Billy Mitchem in Springfield last month. Each bout is part of a growing process and the Mitchem "fight" did not allow him to grow. Farmer went from a bum in Mitchem to a tough guy in Humphreys and didn't get a chance to grow in between. You may remember Humphreys from his loss to Reggie Holly last March at the Lincoln Theatre in DC. Humphreys has improved drastically since that bout and Farmer simply wasn't ready for him.

Farmer, by the way, is currently the leading vote-getter for a number of categories in the Boxing Along the Beltway Year-End Excellence Awards, including Rookie of the Year and Rising Contender of the Year.

Another rookie of the year candidate did exactly what he was supposed to do in his bout. Juan Carlos Robles did a good job in stopping Dan Sheehan. Robles is slow of foot but heavy of hand. It will be interesting to see his development.

The resurgence of Jaime Palma has also been fun to watch. Palma has a lot of heart. The way he stood up to Reggie Sanders's punches in the third round showed a lot of grit. 2007 could be a very interesting year for "The Punisher."

I've known Boone Pultz for a number of years. I covered him in the early 90's. He is one of the nicest people that I have come across in my 19 years of covering Boxing Along the Beltway. That is why it was painful to see him lumber around the ring. Alonzo Cutchins didn't make things any better by grabbing and holding him, but it was not a pretty sight by any means.

I will say two things about JP Flaim's bout: One: Flaim did something that I could never do and I'm twice his size and that's get into a boxing ring. He tried his best by getting up three times and that showed a lot of heart.

Two: Flaim and his "Junkies" cohorts should be thanked and commended for bringing in a new audience to the area boxing scene. I dare say that there were a lot of people in attendance at the Patriot Center who had never been to a live boxing card. Hopefully, a good portion of those folks will come to more cards based on this show and "The Junkies" deserve a lot of credit for making that happen. According to the Washington Post, the announced attendance was 5,437.

Post-Fight Wrap-Up from Fairfax!

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #24 - Post-Fight Wrap-Up from Fairfax!

"The Fight Doctor" Jerome Spears and I talk about tonight's action from the George Mason University Patriot Center. This recap includes interviews with both Jimmy Lange and Fontaine Cabell as they discuss their draw in the WBC Continental Americas Junior Welterweight title bout.

Recap of the 'Black and Brown Throwdown'!

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #23 - Post-Fight Wrap-Up From DC!

Boxing Along The Beltway Special Correspondent Quentin Coles recaps the action from tonight's "Black and Brown Throwdown" at the Lincoln Theatre. I thank Quentin for stepping in and doing this report, helping BATB to give complete coverage of tonight's boxing twin bill. Quentin can be heard every Friday night from 8-10 PM ET on his show "BlackEye on Sports" on www.im4radio.com.

Dean White Discusses Big Win!

(photo taken by Andre Williams, MMPV)

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #22 - 'Pit Bull' White Discusses Victory Over Spivey!

Smithsburg, MD junior welterweight Dean "Pit Bull" White discusses his eight-round unanimous decision victory over "The Pride of Portsmouth" Dorin Spivey tonight at the George Mason University Patriot Center.

Flaim-Watts Bout Live on WJFK Radio!

Tonight's undercard bout that features JP Flaim of "The Junkies" and "The American Dream" Jay Watts from the George Mason University Patriot Center will be broadcast live on WJFK-FM 106.7 at approximately 9 pm ET.

Handling the announcing honors will be noted boxing and horse racing writer and announcer John Scheinman. He will be joined by two of Flaim's co-hosts on "The Junkies," Cakes and Lurch.

And this reminder: There are scheduled to have post-fight shows from Fairfax AND DC that you can hear early tomorrow morning (after midnight) on Gabcast and right here.

Full Report from Pikesville!

For those who could not hear the audio post-fight wrapup from the National Guard Armory in Pikesville, MD, here is my written report.

On a card billed as “Bombs Away on Pearl Harbor Day,” heavyweight Ralph “Wild Wild” West delivered a crushing blow when he used a powerful right hand to send hometown hero Jed “The Punisher” Phipps to the canvas in the first round of the main event at the Pikesville National Guard Armory in Pikesville, MD.

West, who fights out of Nixa, Missouri, pressured the Baltimore native Phipps early by trapping him along the ropes and landing powerful shots to the body and head. Midway through the first West landed a right hook over Phipps’s left hand. Phipps crashed to the canvas and remained there for approximately five minutes. Referee Malik Waleed only counted to four before waving off the bout at 1:58 of the round.

“I saw him holding his left a little low and I landed the shot,” West said. “I think he was a little inexperienced.”

West broke a two-bout losing streak with the victory and raised his record to 17-9-1, 15 KO’s. Phipps has now lost three in a row and falls to 17-6, 10 KO’s.

The co-feature bout was a human chess match that saw Severn, MD junior middleweight prospect Jessie “The Beast” Nicklow maintain his undefeated record with a tough, six-round unanimous decision over Jason Champion of Capitol Heights, MD.

The 31-year-old Champion started off strong in the bout by using good ring generalship drawing the 19-year-old Nicklow into clinches that referee Kenny Chevalier repeatedly had to break. The turning point in the bout may have come in the fourth round when Nicklow landed a left hand that dropped an off-balance Champion to the canvas. Champion quickly recovered from the knockdown and seemingly turned the tide of the bout in the fifth round with strong boxing skills. Nicklow was able to finish the bout in seemingly better shape in the sixth stanza.

Judges John Gradowski and Don Risher scored the bout 58-55 while Judge Malik Waleed saw the bout 58-56. My scorecard saw the bout for Champion, 58-55. Nicklow’s record is now 8-0, two KO’s while Champion, who beat Nicklow in the amateurs, drops to 3-2, two KO’s.

In a female bout, national amateur champion Shelly Seivert of Pasadena, MD made a successful pro debut by winning a four-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Kita Watkins of Carson, AR. Seivert showed good fundamentals throughout the contest as she put combinations together to win the bout. Watkins is now 2-1, one KO.

In other bouts on the card, Baltimore middleweight “The Golden Greek” Elias Bouloubassis battled York, SC’s Chris “The Hitman” Cooke to a four-round majority draw. Bouloubassis, a Marine Corps veteran who was making his pro debut, tried to pressure Cooke but Cooke’s awkward style made things rough for him. Judge Gary Camponeschi scored the bout for Cooke 39-37 while judges Don Risher and Malik Waleed scored the draw at 38-38. I saw the bout for Bouloubassis at 39-37.
Cooke’s record is now 1-4-1, one KO.

La Plata, MD light heavyweight Nick Caroleo defeated “The Dancing Machine” Robert Evans of Philadelphia by second-round technical knockout. Early in the second round, Evans a punch with his left hand and separated his shoulder. The incident forced referee John Gradowski to stop the bout at the 28-second mark. Caroleo, who saw his first action in more than a year, remained undefeated with the victory and his record is 3-0, two KO’s. Evans is now 0-2.

Heavyweight “Irish” Glenn Williams, now fighting out of Catonsville, MD, won his second straight bout scoring a second-round TKO over Derrick Martin of Gaffney, SC. Williams used sharp combinations to the body and head and broke Martin down throughout the contest. Williams is now 4-3-1, four KO’s. Martin is now 1-1, one KO.

In a super middleweight bout, Wilmington, DE’s Reuel Williams scored a crushing first-round KO over Baltimore’s Henry “Hurricane” Mayes. In the second minute of the round, Williams launched a devastating right hand that sent Mayes tumbling to the canvas. Referee Waleed didn’t bother to count and Williams notched the first knockout of his pro career. Williams is now 3-1, one KO while Mayes is 5-2, four KO’s with two no-contests. The two no-contests were originally knockout losses for Mayes that were changed when his opponents tested positive for banned substances.

In the opening contest, highly-touted amateur Dalemalik Robeson-El of Baltimore won his pro debut when he scored a third-round technical knockout over Michael Ciccone of New Brunswick, NJ. Robeson-El, who was ranked in the top 10 in the country as a light heavyweight in the amateurs, scored knockdowns with both hands before referee Camponeschi stopped the bout at one minute of the third. Ciccone’s record is now 1-2.

The promoter of the card was recent Maryland Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Jake “The Snake” Smith. The matchmaker was Josh Hall.

MORE RANDOM OBSERVATIONS: I believe it is painfully evident that this should be the last boxing card for both Jed Phipps and Henry Mayes. Both of them have suffered terrible knockouts in their careers, especially in recent months.

Phipps was absolutely stretched against Ralph West and it seems obvious that he will never live up to the promise that he showed when he started his pro career in 2002. At that time, I used to get many emails from fans heralding him as the next big thing in the heavyweight division. I don't get those emails anymore.

As far as Mayes is concerned, he only gets knocked out one way: one punch -- down he stays. I have not seen him get back up that well after a knockdown. Normally after just nine fights, you say maybe a guy can turn a career around. But in this case, unless Mayes suddenly learns how to avoid a right hand, it's not even worth it.

About the co-feature: Although I thought Jason Champion won the bout, I was still impressed by Jessie Nicklow. You tend to forget he is just 19 years old. Champion was, by far, Nicklow's toughest opponent and while he still has more to learn, he showed toughness and heart in that bout. It was a chancey move to take the bout, but in this case, Nicklow benefited from the bout. I think Champion will bounce back nicely as well.

I don't think Glenn Williams will be a world champion anytime soon, but this was the best I've seen from him. Williams took Martin's heart in that bout with his barroom brawling style.

Overall, the debuting boxers on the card looked pretty decent. I was very impressed with Dalemalik Robeson-El. He showed good power in both hands and nice patience. Shelly Seivert has some more to learn but I liked the way she put her combinations together. I thought Elias Bouloubassis let the emotion of the evening get to him a little bit. When I saw him as an amateur, I definitely saw more poise from him. There was too much emotion for him on this night, plus he faced a guy with a very weird style.

This seems to be the year of the separated/dislocated shoulder. It's happened at least three times this year. Nick Caroleo has had two bouts in his career where he benefitted from injury delays. In his win last November, his bout had to be delayed after the first round when another boxer on the card had to receive more medical attention. In this bout, another injury. I still don't know how good Caroleo really is.

Weights for DC and Fairfax!

Here are the scale watches for both the "Black and Brown Throwdown" at the Lincoln Theatre in DC and the Major League Boxing card at the George Mason University Patriot Center. Both shows are tomorrow night.

The "Black and Brown" Throwdown:

Clarence Vinson 119 vs. Jose Cruz 120

Thomas Snow 127 vs. Mike Salyers 130

Horace Grant 261 vs. Chris Brown 232

Demetrius Davis 177 vs. Dhafir Smith 182 This bout is now an exhibition contest.

Phill Brown 293 vs. Thomas Gellespe 266

Shon McCort 173 vs. Larry Brothers 171

Reggie Holly 143 vs. Carlos Cisneros 141


The Major League Boxing card:

Jimmy Lange 151 ½ vs. Fontaine Cabell 151
(12 rounds for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Junior Middleweight title)

Dean White 135 vs. Dorin Spivey 137

Boone Pultz 232 vs. Alonzo Cutchins 252

Juan Robles 210 vs. Danny Sheehan 222

Andrew Farmer 135 vs. Ken Humphreys 134

Jaime Palma 134 vs. Reggie Sanders 132

Reggie LaCrete 178 vs. William Bailey 182

JP Flaim 156 vs. Jay Watts 154

Post-Fight Wrap-up from Pikesville!

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #21 - Post-Fight Wrap-up from Pikesville!

"The Fight Doctor" Jerome Spears and I discuss the action that took place during the "Bombs Away on Pearl Harbor Day" Baltimore Pro Boxing card at the Pikesville National Guard Armory tonight.

Ralph West Describes Knockout of 'Punisher' Phipps

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #20 - Ralph West Describes Knockout of 'Punisher' Phipps!

Missouri heavyweight Ralph "Wild Wild" West describes his devastating first-round knockout of Baltimore's Jed Phipps in Pikesville, MD tonight. The knockout came at 1:58 of the round.

Scale Watch for Pikesville Tomorrow Night!

Here are the weights for tomorrow night's "Bombs Away on Pearl Harbor Day" card at the Pikesville National Guard Armory (Beltway Boxers in bold):

Jed Phipps 223 1/2 vs. Ralph West 252

Jessie Nicklow 151 3/4 vs. Jason Champion 150 1/4

Elias Boulbassis 163 vs. Chris Cook 158 1/4

Nick Caroleo 176 3/4 vs. Robert Evans 177 1/2

Henry Mayes 170 vs. Reuel Williams 171 3/4

Glenn Williams 205 3/4 vs. Derrick Martin 203

Dalemanik Roberson-El 179 vs. Michael Ciccone 176

There will be a women's pro bout featuring the debut of Shelly Sievert as she takes on Katia Watkins and there are a number of amateur bouts also scheduled for this show.

A reminder: we will have a post-fight wrap-up show on Gabcast following the conclusion of the card. I'm guessing that it will be on the blog well after midnight Eastern time.

New Poll: What Was Sugar Ray Leonard's Crowning Acheivement?

A little preview of something I plan to do all throughout next year:

The year 2007 will be a special one here along the Beltway. 2007 is the 30th anniversary year of the pro debut of perhaps the greatest Beltway Boxer of all-time: Sugar Ray Leonard. On February 5, 1977, Leonard made his pro debut at the Baltimore Civic Center and won by six-round unanimous decision over Luis Vega.

Throughout the coming year, the plan is to talk to the people who know him best and those who have been inspired by his championship legacy.

Hopefully, I will be able to talk to Mr. Leonard himself at some point during 2007.

To preview this celebration, I am putting up a new poll. In your opinion, what was Sugar Ray Leonard's greatest boxing moment? I have chosen nine of his great moments. Please participate in the poll. Thank you.

This is the December 9 Lincoln Theatre Card!

This is a complete rundown of the December 9 card at the Lincoln Theatre card according to promoter Cassandra White and matchmaker Jack Crider. Since we have not talked as much about this card, this is written in a more detailed form. If time allows, I will do the same for the Patriot Center show.

By the way, these two cards as well as the December 7 card in Pikesville, MD CAN be considered for the Boxing Along The Beltway Year-End Excellence Awards. (We need more votes for that, by the way, please VOTE!!!)


District of Columbia native Clarence “Untouchable” Vinson makes his return to boxing on Saturday, Dec. 9 when he headlines a boxing card at the historic Lincoln Theatre in DC.

The 2000 US Olympic bronze medalist (14-2, six KO’s) will take on Fidencio “Baby Boy” Reyes of Garland, TX in an eight-round contest that will mark Vinson’s first action since November of 2004 when he lost a 12-round unanimous decision to Cesar Morales for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Bantamweight title.

Reyes (10-4-1, three KO’s) is coming off a six-round unanimous decision loss to undefeated Nestor Rocha on July 14 in San Antonio, TX.

The co-feature is scheduled to be a 10-round bout between undefeated Capitol Heights, MD featherweight Thomas “KO” Snow and veteran Mike Salyers of Rush, KY. In his last outing, Snow (7-0, five KO’s) scored a first-round TKO over Fernando Hernandez on November 11 in Wilson, NC. The knockout was Snow’s third straight in the first round. All five of Snow’s knockouts have come within the opening three minutes. Salyers has lost six straight bouts including a four-round unanimous decision to Vernon Paris on February 4 in Auburn Hills, MI.

DC light heavyweight Demetrius Davis is also scheduled for this card. Like Vinson, Davis is also making a return to boxing after a long absence. This will be Davis’s first action since October of 1998 when he lost a unanimous decision to Thomas Tate for the NABF Super Middleweight title. Davis (17-11-4, seven KO’s) will fight a six-round bout against veteran Tiwon Taylor of Las Vegas. Taylor (24-13-1, 18 KO’s) is looking to break a five-bout losing streak where all five losses have come by knockout to boxers with a combined record of 95-4-4 when Taylor fought them.

In other bouts scheduled for the card, DC welterweight Reggie “The Mechanic” Holly will battle a four-round bout against Tony Green of Indianapolis, IN. Holly (6-1, two KO’s) is coming off a four-round unanimous decision over Ken Humphreys on the last Lincoln Theatre card on March 3. Green (0-2) is looking for his first win after being stopped in the first round in his first two outings.

Two local heavyweight prospects will also be in action in separate four-round bouts. Horace “The Reason” Grant of Bowie, MD (1-1, one KO) will take on Chris Brown of Kentucky (1-0, one KO) while “Big” Phil Brown of Upper Marlboro, MD (2-0) will battle Thomas Gillespie of Kentucky who is making his pro debut.

Also on the card will be light heavyweight Mike “The Pit Bull” Vallejo of Miami, FL. Vallejo (0-1) will see his first action since his appearance on the Fox Television boxing reality series “The Next Great Champ” in July of 2004. Vallejo lost his bout with eventual champion Otis Griffin by four-round unanimous decision.

Here is the card for the December 9 Patriot Center show!

We've talked about this card a lot but according to promoter Joe Hensley of Major League Boxing and his matchmaker Nick Tiberi, here is the card for December 9 at the George Mason University Patriot Center:

Main Event-- for the vacant WBC Continetal Americas Jr. Middleweight Title and a Top 10 WBC World Ranking!

Jimmy Lange, Great Falls, VA (27-1-1, 19 KO's) vs. Fontaine Cabell, Florida (21-6-1, 16 KO's)


Co-Feature -- Eight-round rematch --

Dean "Pit Bull" White, Smithsburg, MD (13-5-1, six KO's) vs. "The Pride of Portsmouth" Dorin Spivey, Portsmouth, VA (34-4, 28 KO's)


Special Attraction -- four rounds

"The Latin Donkey" J.P. Flaim , Bowie, MD (pro debut) vs. "The American Dream" Jay Watts, Newport News, VA (1-8, one KO)


Other bouts:

Former WBO Cruiserweight champ Boone Pultz , Waldorf, MD (24-1, 15 KO's) vs. Alonzo Cutchins, Charlottsville, VA (7-14, six KO's) --six rounds

Andrew "Doo Man" Farmer , Front Royal, VA 4-0, four KO's vs. Ken Humphreys, Ripley, TN (2-2, two KO's) -- four rounds

Jaime "The Punisher" Palma, Front Royal, VA (9-10-1, two KO's) vs. Reggie Sanders, Fort Wayne, IN (12-36-5, two KO's) -- four rounds

Juan Carlos Robles, Waynesboro, VA (4-0, two KO's)vs. Marion "Jackhammer" Wilson, Hillcrest Heights, MD (12-40-4, five KO's)-- has NEVER been stopped in a contest-- four rounds

Reggie LaCrete, New York, NY (1-0, one KO) vs. William "The Storm" Bailey, Chesapeake, VA (5-11-2, two KO's) -- four rounds