Six Beltway Boxers in National Silver Gloves Finals!

There will be six local amateurs battling for national titles at the Silver Gloves in Kansas City today. Best wishes to the Beltway contingent!

10/11 year-old division:

95lbs. Rafael Medina (R6) vs. Lorenzo Simpson (R3)

110lbs. Messiah Miles (R1) vs. Steven Clark (R3)


12/13 year-old division:

80lbs. Jordan White (R3) vs. Isiah Cuevas (R6)

90lbs. Jasue Vargas (R1) vs. Troy Isely (R3)

201+lbs. Shaka Wiliams (R3) vs. Don Hair (R6)


14/15 year-old division:

106lbs. Ronnell Jackson (R3) vs. Arnold Alejandro (R6)

Results of Beltway Boxers in National Silver Gloves!

There's a whole lot of amateur boxing going on this weekend featuring boxers from the Beltway region. While the Washington Golden Gloves continue tomorrow night at Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center, There is a contingent of locals at the National Silver Gloves in Kansas City, MO. Here is a wrap of how locals did from the blog DC Amateur Boxing:

DC area boxers competed in the first day of the 2011 National Silver Gloves, with four boxers advancing to the semifinals on Friday. In the 10/11 year-old division, Danardo Johnson lost his 90lbs. bout to Andres Borrego of Region 8. Also Donavon Eason lost his 60lbs. bout to Sean Garcia of Region 8.


In the 12/13 year-old division, 2009 National Silver Gloves Champion Jordan White defeated Region 8's Most Outstanding Boxer award winner Evan Sanchez in an 80lbs. contest. 3-time defending National Silver Gloves Champion Zimmie Dickinson def. Carlos Mendoza of Region 7 by RSC in the 1st round of their 95lbs. bout. Keegan Grove lost a decision to James Denson of Region 2 in the 112lbs. division. Troy Isley won his 90lbs against Wylie Tibbets from Region 7.


Ronnell Jackson won his 14/15 year-old 106lbs. bout against Aarkeyse Higdon of Region 2. Finally in the 165lbs. division, Daquan Johnson lost to Chandy Pattiwila of Region 8 and Lamont Roach lost his 125lbs. contest to Martin Urias of Region 8.

Weights From Fairfax!

Here is the scale watch for tomorrow night's ICE Promotions card at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA:

Jimmy Lange 158 vs. Jimmy Holmes 158

William Joppy 173 vs. Cory Cummings 168

Mark Tucker 175 vs. Larry Pryor 174

Todd Wilson 137 vs. Dean White 136

Tony Jeter 161 vs. Mike McFail 160

Scott Sigmon 172 vs. John Terry 171

Abodurin Akinyanju 280 vs. Ron Gamble 257

George Rivera 158 vs. Shakir Ashanti 157

Just a reminder: We will be blogging live from the Patriot Center and we'll have a full BATB Post-Fight Wrap-Up after the card.

Funeral Arrangements for Ronald "Rock" Gibbs!

The arrangements have been made for Ronald "Rock" Gibbs.

Viewing :Chatman’s Funeral Home
5244 Reisterstown Rd
Baltimore, MD
Monday, March 14
2-8 p.m.

Wake - Funeral:Chatman’s Funeral Home
Wake:11:00 a.m.
Funeral Services:11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 15

Cards and Condolences may be sent to:
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Gibbs
3901 West Garrison Ave
Baltimore, Md 21215

Arrest Made in Gibbs Stabbing!

WBFF-TV Fox 45 is reporting that Baltimore City Police have made an arrest in the murder of 17-year-old Ronald "Rock" Gibbs, who trained at Upton Gym.

Police have arrested 30-year-old Terrance Sims and have charged him with first-degree murder. Police say Sims was arguing with Gibbs's sister and when Gibbs came to her defense, Sims stabbed both of them. Gibbs passed away at a local hospital. His sister was treated and released.

Quarterfinal Action at the Washington Golden Gloves This Saturday!

The Junior Division comes closer to conclusion while the Junior and Open Divisions kick into high gear this Saturday, March 12 at the Washington Golden Gloves at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park, MD. Bout time is 7:30 PM.

There is one correction we have to make in the Junior Division. We were told that the 10-11, 100-pound matchup last week was a title bout. That was wrong. With that, here is the scheduled bout sheet:

Junior Division:

10-11, 80 Pounds: Chris Normile (Baltimore Boxing) vs. George Jones (Dunlap Boxing Team)

10-11, 100 Pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Jashim Snyder (Down Under) vs. Umar Ali (Diamonds N Da Ruff)


Novice Division:

132 Pounds: Jamier Hodge (Round One) vs. Brian Rodriguiz (Down Under)

141 Pounds: Andy Quinones (Down Under) vs. Tenkorn Agyeman (Old School)

152 Pounds: Maiwak Dagoot (Down Under) vs. Gregory Wright (Ground Control)

152 Pounds: Joseph Perez (Loch Raven) vs. Devin Wallace (Hillcrest)

165 Pounds: Maurice Mitchell (Old School) vs. Steven Bucci (Ground Control)

178 Pounds: Travis Coley (Old School) vs. Shawn Trueblood (Young Titans)

201+ Pounds: Aaron Bratton (Honeycomb) vs. Alton Mason (Sugar Ray Leonard)


Open Division:

108 Pounds: Gregory Outlaw (Sugar Ray Leonard) vs. Francis Taylor (Langdon)

123 Pounds: Shadeed Floyd (Langdon) vs. Antonio Magruder (Headbangers)

132 Pounds: Roger Blackburn III (Upton) vs. Jonathan Baxter (Tony's Athletic Club)

141 Pounds: Gary Allen Russell (Enigma) vs. Edwin Reyes (Round One)

141 Pounds: Emmanuel Rodriguiz (Down Under) vs. Jordan Jerome (Round One)

152 Pounds: Derek Cannon (Club One) vs. Russell Gaskins (Enigma)

152 Pounds: Cornelius Whitlock (Midtown) vs. Jonathan Burrs, II (Hagerstown)

165 Pounds: Demond Nicholson (Cherry Lane) vs. Reginald Lucas (Upton)

165 Pounds: Lee Snow (Sugar Ray Leonard) vs. Jarrett Hurd (Hillcrest)

201 Pounds: Bryan Townsel (Headbangers) vs. Colby Madison (Charm City)

201+ Pounds: Danny Kelly (Headbangers) vs. Charles Jerome (Round One)

Baltimore Amateur Boxer Killed After Argument!

Very sad news coming out of Baltimore. 17-year-old amateur Ronald "Rock" Gibbs was killed this past weekend after an argument. Gibbs, who trained at the Upton gym, was stabbed along with his sister during the argument. No word yet on why the argument took place, but published reports say Gibbs was defending his sister and trying to stop the argument. According to WBFF-Channel 45, no suspects have been found.

Gibbs was a senior at Carver Vo-Tech who was on pace to graduate this year and was considered a mentor at school and in the gym. Gibbs was ranked fourth in the nation in the PAL Rankings at 141 pounds and advanced to the quarterfinals last year. BATB sends our deepest condolences to the Gibbs family.

Mitchell Scores Easy TKO in Anaheim!

Brandywine, MD heavyweight Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell remained undefeated with an easy second-round TKO over Charles Davis Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

Mitchell scored four knockdowns in the contest -- one in the first and three more in the second -- before the bout was stopped at 1:02. Mitchell is now 21-0-1, 15 KO's while Davis falls to 19-21-3, four KO's.

Open Bouts Highlight Week 3 Of Washington Golden Gloves!

The Open division of the Washington Golden Gloves kicked into the next gear during the third week of competition at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park, MD.

Reigning 152-pound National Golden Gloves champion David Grayton of Headbangers began the defense of his title with a decision over Kevin Ottley of Down Under Gym. Also, 123-pound national runner-up Gary Antonio Russell of Enigma Boxing won his bout by decision over Paul Jerry of Hillcrest.

In other open bouts, Joel Young of Enigma defeated Joseph Rector of Books and Boxing in a 132-pound contest while Demond Nicholson of Cherry Lane and Main Street Gym's Monreco Goldston advanced in the 165-pound division. Nicholson defeated Sulleman Harrington of RPH Boxing Academy while Goldston won a decision over Nathan Lacey of Enigma.

Here are results from the Novice Division:

123 Pounds: Duglas Soto (Down Under) over Toribio Rojas (Round One)

132 Pounds: Brian Rodriguez (Down Under) wins by walkover against Montell Pridgett (UMAR)

132 Pounds: Andrew Barrett (Laurel) over Devin Carter (Hagerstown)

141 Pounds: Johnny DaSilva (Round One) over Seaver Warner (Books and Boxing)

141 Pounds: Andy Quinones (Down Under) RSC-2 over Joseph Gordon (Hillcrest)

141 Pounds: Travis Roberts (Ground Control) over Daniel Gray (Loch Raven)

152 Pounds: Maiwak Dagoot (Down Under) over Robert Vionet (Frederick Fight Club)

152 Pounds: Sam Williams (Dream Team) RSC-3 over Jacob Amegah (Hillcrest)

152 Pounds: Joseph Perez (Loch Raven) over Eaton Criado (Frederick Fight Club)

152 Pounds: Devin Wallace (Hillcrest) over Derrick White (Old School)

165 Pounds: Maurice Mitchell (Old School) over Darren Brown (Keystone)

165 Pounds: Jeremy Trussell (Upton) over Paul Yohn (Ground Control)

165 Pounds: Tim Anderson (No Xcuse) over Keith Samuels (RPH Boxing Academy)

201+ Pounds: Clinton Price, Jr. (Midtown) RSC-2 over Angel Maldonado (Down Under)

Three more championships were decided in the ring in the Junior Division. Kyron Curry of UMAR won the 9 year old, 65 Pound division by decision over Langdon's Salvador Escamilla. Jashim Snyder of Down Under captured the 10-11, 100-pound class with a win over Keith Cooke of Old School. In the 14-15, 125 pound division, Lamont Roach, Jr. of No Xcuse captured the title by RSC-1 over Phillip Poopolo, III of Loch Raven.

One other championship was won by walkover. Deonte Washington of Diamonds N Da Ruff captured the 12-year-old, 95-pound title over Demario Corley of Kenilworth. There was one other bout in the Junior Division. Malik Jackson of Limelite advanced in the 15-16, 119-pound class with a win over Zackary Curry of UMAR.

The Quarterfinals will be on Saturday, March 12 at the Sugar Ray Leonard Center beginning at 7:30. The results from next week's action may not come as quickly here because I will be at the Patriot Center next Saturday, where we will be blogging live.

Mitchell Heading to Middle East on Golden Boy Tour!

Undefeated Brandywine, MD heavyweight Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell, who is scheduled to compete on Saturday, March 5 in Anaheim, CA, has been chosen by Golden Boy Promotions head Oscar De La Hoya to be a part of a week-long tour of the Middle East.

Mitchell, along with De La Hoya and fellow Golden Boy prospects Adrian Broner and Daniel Jacobs, will travel in the coming weeks, although the exact date of the trip and locations have not been released because of security concerns. According to Golden Boy's formal announcement, the boxers are "on a mission to boost troop morale, the group will participate in boxing clinics, share techniques and extend their thanks to America's troops serving in the Middle East."

Mitchell (20-0-1, 14 KO's) is slated to face Charles Davis (19-21-3, four KO's) in a 10-round bout at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

A. Johnson Meets F. Ennis in Battle of Undefeated April 2 in Atlantic City!

Oxon Hill, MD light heavyweight Alexander "The Great" Johnson will be involved in his biggest bout to date as he takes on fellow undefeated boxer Farah "Quiet Storm" Ennis of Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, April 2 at Bally's in Atlantic City, NJ.

Johnson (10-0, four KO's) is coming off a second-round TKO over Andre Espeut on November 6 in Waldorf, MD. Ennis (17-0, 11 KO's) stopped Victor Lares in the seventh round at Harrah's in Atlantic City to win the vacant NABF Super Middleweight title. BATB has learned through a press release that Ennis will NOT defend his title against Johnson.

Ennis is the younger brother of junior middleweight contender Derek "Pooh" Ennis, who is the USBA Junior Middleweight champion.

'Cujo' Sigmon Added to March 12 Patriot Center Card; Tucker Opponent Announced!

Bedford, VA super middleweight Scott "Cujo" Sigmon has been added to an already locally star-studded ICE Promotions card Saturday, March 12 at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA.

Sigmon (14-2, nine KO's) was originally scheduled to compete on a card on February 25 in Dover, DE, however, his opponent weighed in more than 20 pounds over the contract agreement. Sigmon has a six-bout winning streak.

Sigmon's opponent will be veteran Robbie "Taz-Mexican" Devil" Tovar of Lafayette, IN (15-6-1, five KO's). Tovar will be trying to break a two-bout losing streak including a loss for the WBC Continental Americas Light Heavyweight title in May of 2009.

Another recent addition to the card -- Mark TNT Tucker -- now has an opponent. His name is Larry "Hitman" Pryor. Pryor (6-8, four KO's) is originally from DC and fights out of Frederick, MD but this will be the first time that he will compete in a Beltway venue.

Both the bouts are slated for eight rounds. As of right now, 12 Beltway Boxers are scheduled to compete on this card. Jimmy Lange is in the main event, the co-main event is the rematch between William Joppy and Cory Cummings, there's an all-Maryland heavyweight clash between Ron Gamble and Abodurin Akinyanju, Todd Wilson takes on Dean White and George Rivera and Tony Jeter are in separate bouts.

'Discombobulating Jones Wins Lifetime Acheivement Award!

Belated congratulations to renowned ring announcer and DC Boxing Hall of Famer Henry "Discombobulating" Jones. The following is a great story from Fightnews.com's Jose Santiago:

Last Friday night during the Georgia Boxing Championship card in Atlanta GA, promoters Greg Barckhoff of Sportsfan Properties along with Shea Bailey of Shea Bailey Promotions honored ring announcer Henry “Discombobulating” Jones with a lifetime achievement award. Jones is often seen across the country at different fight cards announcing. He as been seen on USA Tuesday Night Fights, ESPN and HBO over the past 21 years. He was the first ring announcer at Radio City Music Hall, has announced in Madison Square Garden, Trump Taj Mahal, Constitution Hall, Philly’s Blue Horizon, and other famous venues. He has received Mayoral Proclamations from Washington DC, Maryland, and NY for being the “first prominent African-American Ring Announcer in history. He was recently inducted into the Washington DC Boxing Hall of Fame, the only ring announcer ever to be so honored.

Employed as a Masters Social Worker with the Washington DC Government Dept. of Human Services since ’82, Jones works with teen parents receiving TANF (Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families), to assist them to become self-sufficient, and is also a representative for the Mayors Fatherhood Initiative, assisting young fathers to become empowered to provide for their children.

Jones is an accomplished Author of an inspirational novel, “It’s More Than A Notion!”, which tells about overcoming great adversity through developing even greater character and faith. The Foreword was written by his mentor, ring announcer Michael Buffer of the trademark “Let’s get ready to Rumble!” fame. Schools around the country use his book as a supplemental text on Life Lessons. A documentary is in the works and a movie script is being developed based on his book. Jones can also be seen on the renown HBO series, THE WIRE, episode #57.

His impact goes beyond boxing as he has created several educational initiatives for young men through his “CHAMPS or chumps!” program, connecting students with Scholarships, Internships, Employment opportunities, and other resources as needed to empower them to “score their own Knockouts in Life!” in order to become successful.

Recognizing his positive impact not only in boxing but to society as well is what prompted Barckhoff and Bailey to honor Jones in front of a sold out crowd. The presentation was emceed by Fightnews correspondent Jose E. Santiago.

Jones is father to 29 yr old Hejira, 25 yr old Rasaan, 15 yr old adopted daughter Zameria, and Grandfather to 10 yr old Taajera.

A special congratulation goes out to Henry “Discombobulating” Jones.

Washington Golden Gloves -- Week 3 Bout Sheet!

One division winds down while another starts to gain steam when the third week of competition begins at the Washington Golden Gloves on Saturday, March 5 at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park.

There will be three championships in the Junior Division while the Open Division has some really great matchups including the start of action for one defending national champion.

Here is the scheduled bout sheet:

Junior Division:

9, 65 Pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Kyron Curry (UMAR) vs. Salvador Escamilla (Langdon)

12, 95 Pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Deonte Washington (Diamonds N Da Ruff) vs. Demario Corley (Kenilworth)

10-11, 100 Pounds: Jashim Snyder (Down Under) vs. Keith Cooke (Old School)

13-14, 106 Pounds: Tyrone Russ (Sugar Ray Leonard) vs. Gary Antuanne Russell (Enigma)

13-14, 106 Pounds: Ronnel Jackson (No Xcuse) vs. Rarxavier Austin (Kenilworth)

15-16, 119 Pounds: Malik Jackson (Limelite) vs. Zackary Curry (UMAR)

14-15, 125 Pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Lamont Roach, Jr. (No Xcuse) vs. Phillip Poopolo, III (Loch Raven)


Novice Division:

123 Pounds: Toribio Rojas (Round One) vs. Douglas Soto (Down Under)

132 Pounds: Montell Pridgett (UMAR) vs. Brian Rodriguez (Down Under)

132 Pounds: Andrew Barrett (Laurel) vs. Devin Carter (Hagerstown)

132 Pounds (Female): Mallissa Andre (Old School) vs. Brittany Evans (Sugar Ray Leonard)

141 Pounds: Johnny DaSilva (Round One) vs. Seaver Warner (Books and Boxing)

141 Pounds: Joseph Gordon (Hillcrest) vs. Andy Quinones (Down Under)

141 Pounds: Daniel Gray (Loch Raven) vs. Travis Roberts (Ground Control)

152 Pounds: Maiwak Dagoot (Down Under) vs. Robert Vionet (Frederick Fight Club)

152 Pounds: Jacob Amegah (Hillcrest) vs. Sam Williams (Dream Team)

152 Pounds: Eaton Criado (Frederick Fight Club) vs. Joseph Perez (Loch Raven)

152 Pounds: Devin Wallace (Hillcrest) vs. Derrick White (Old School)

165 Pounds: Maurice Mitchell (Old School) vs. Darren Brown (Keystone)

165 Pounds: Paul Yohn (Ground Control) vs. Jeremy Trussell (Upton)

165 Pounds: Keith Samuels (RPH Boxing Academy) vs. Tim Anderson (No Xcuse)

201+ Pounds: Angel Maldonado (Down Under) vs. Clinton Price, Jr. (Midtown)

201+ Pounds: Eric Pace (Old School) vs. Alton Mason, Jr. (Sugar Ray Leonard)


The schedule for the Open Division features one defending National Golden Gloves champion (David Grayton), one national finalist (Gary Antonio Russell) and one boxer who has already qualified for the US Olympic Trials (D'Mitrius Ballard).

Open Division:

123 Pounds: Gary Antonio Russell (Enigma) vs. Paul Jerry (Hillcrest)

132 Pounds: Zachary McIntosh (Frederick Fight Club) vs. Roger Blackburn, III (Upton)

132 Pounds: Glen Dezurn (UMAR) vs. Jonathan Baxter (Tony's Athletic Club)

132 Pounds: Joel Young (Enigma) vs. Joseph Rector (Books and Boxing)

152 Pounds: Kevin Ottley (Down Under) vs. David Grayton (Headbangers)

165 Pounds: Demond Nicholson (Cherry Lane) vs. Sulleman Harrington (RPH Boxing Academy)

165 Pounds: Monreco Goldston (Main Street) vs. Nathan Lacey (Enigma)

165 Pounds: Andre Thomas (UMAR) vs. D'Mitrius Ballard (No Xcuse)

BATB Post-Fight Wrap-Up Debuts on Cinch Cast March 12!

Rivers, Nicholson Performances Highlight Week Two of Washington Golden Gloves!

Two of the Beltway's -- and the nation's -- best amateurs were featured tonight in the second week of action at the Washington Golden Gloves at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park, MD.

Kevin Rivers, Jr. and D'Mitrius Ballard of the No XCuse Gym both put on strong performances to win their bouts. In the Open Division at 132 pounds, Rivers, who is headed to the USA National Championships in June, scored a RSC-2 against Joshua Davis of Headbangers. Ballard, who has already qualified for the Olympic Trials, also won by RSC-2 against Malik Shelton of Round One in the 165-pound Open Division.

Four more championships were decided in the ring in the Junior Division. In the 10-11 age group at 60 pounds, Kali Edwards of Kenilworth defeated Kevon Cooke of Old School by RSC-1. Donte Baytop of UMAR of Baltimore defeated Dejon Corley of Kenilworth to capture the 10-year-old, 65-pound division title.

At 13-14, 90 pounds, Corey Moore of the Main Street Gym decisioned Traquan Whitley of Tony's Gym to win that championship. Also, in the female 15-16, 150 pound division, Kiera Bell of Tony's Athletic Club scored a RSC-2 over Gilkaswaldrina White of Old School.

There are a number of walkover champions for this week:

8, 55 Pounds: Deric Davis (Old School)
9, 70 Pounds: Donovan Plummer (Dream Team)
10-11, 70 Pounds: Juan Jenkins (Upton)
12, 90 Pounds: Mansabory Conde (Club One)
10, 95 Pounds: Lorenzo Simpson (Upton)
15, 95 Pounds: Tyjuan Wells (Hillcrest)
14, 100 Pounds: Martez Small (Enigma)
13-14, 119 Pounds: Manuel Rodriguez (Round One)
15-16, 165 Pounds: Malik Lewis (Mack Lewis)
13, 170 Pounds: William Cook (Old School)
15, 201 Pounds: Kamanta Heade (Keystone)
16, 178 Pounds: Devar Ferhadi (Frederick Fight Club)


In other Junior Division bout results:

12, 95 Pounds: Deonte Washington (Diamonds N tha Ruff) defeated Titus Murphy (Main Street)

15-16, 119 Pounds: Malik Jackson (Limelite) decisioned Carlton Gray (Dream Team)

15-16, 119 Pounds: Jalonte Cole (No Xcuse) over Joshua McKoy (Upton)

14-15, 125 Pounds: Lamont Roach (No Xcuse) over Devante Tolbert (Tony's Gym)

14-15, 125 Pounds: Phillip Poopolo, III (Loch Raven) RSC-2 over Delray Brown (Old School)


In the Novice Division:

141 Pounds: Drayvontay Rawls (No Xcuse) over Kenneth Britman (Dunlap Boxing)

141 Pounds: Tenkoran Ayeman (Old School) over Cornell Hines (Sugar Ray Leonard)

141 Pounds: Travis Roberts (Ground Control) over Jacob Okiya (Old School)

152 Pounds: Devin Wallace (Hillcrest) RSC-2 over Donnell Wahl (Sugar Ray Leonard)

165 Pounds: Steven Bucci (Ground Control) over Christopher Watson (Diamonds N Da Ruff)

178 Pounds: Edward Lay (Sugar Ray Leonard) over Ryan Watson (Main Street Gym)

A number of current and former pros were in attendance tonight including DC Boxing Hall of Famers Roger Leonard, Jermaine Fields, Isra Girgrah Wynn and Darryll Tyson as well as James Baker, DeMarcus Corley (Dejon's father), Tony Jeter, Fernando Guerrero and Dominic Wade.

Action resumes on Saturday, March 5 at 7:30 PM at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center. The crowds the last two weeks have been tremendous -- standing room only. You need to get your ticket and get there early.

Beltway Boxing Top Prospects Battle in Anaheim March 5!

The 2010 co-Beltway Boxing Prospects of the Year -- Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell and "Mr." Gary Russell, Jr. -- will be part of a card on Saturday, March 5 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

Mitchell, a heavyweight from Brandywine, MD (20-0-1, 14 KO's), will take on Charles Davis of Tucson, AZ (19-21-3, four KO's) in a scheduled 10-round contest. Mitchell has been on a roll as he has scored knockouts in his last five bouts and and seven in his last eight. Davis is winless in his last five but his last bout was an eight-round draw against former heavyweight contender Monte Barrett on January 22 in White Sulphur Springs, WVA. Davis has also fought the likes of Dominic Guinn and Kevin Johnson.

Russell, a featherweight from Capitol Heights, MD (14-0, nine KO's), will face veteran Adolfo "El Terror" Landeros of Hidalgo, MX (20-17-1, nine KO's) in a bout slated for eight rounds. Russell is coming off a seventh-round technical decision over Feidor Viloria on January 28 in San Diego, CA. Landeros has lost seven in a row, but this will be his third straight bout against an undefeated opponent.

Potomac Valley, South Atlantic Fuel Large Contigent to USA Nationals!

The Potomac Valley and South Atlantic Associations of USA Boxing will make up a large portion of the contingent of East Central Region 2 boxers that will head to Colorado Springs, CO for the USA Boxing National Championships in June.

PVA boxers won six titles and SAA competitors captured two crowns at the recent East Central Region 2 championships at the Hampton Convention Center in Hampton, VA.

Representing the PVA are:

Gregory Outlaw (108 Pounds-Flyweight)

Gary Antonio Russell (123 Pounds-Featherweight)

Kevin Rivers, Jr. (132 Pounds-Lightweight)

Gary Allen Russell (141 Pounds-Light Welterweight)

Jerry Odom (178 Pounds-Light Heavyweight)

Asia Stevenson (132 Pounds-Light Welterweight-Female)


Advancing from the SAA:

Tyrieshia Douglas (112 Pounds-Bantamweight-Female)

Franchon Crews (165 Pounds-Light Heavyweight-Female)


Rounding out the East Central Region Number 2 contingent:

Males:

Emmanuel Folly, Middle Atlantic (114 Pounds-Bantamweight)

Moshea Aleem, Virginia (152 Pounds-Welterweight)

Immanuel Aleem, Virginia (165 Pounds-Middleweight)

Anthony Tettis, Alleghany Mountain (201 Pounds-Heavyweight)

Fred Lathom, Alleghany Mountain (201+ Pounds-Super Heavyweight)


Females:

Rayleen Williams, Middle Atlantic (119 Pounds-Featherweight)

Samantha Griffith, Alleghany Mountain (141 pounds-Welterweight)


Bernard Roach of Potomac Valley will serve as one of the coaches along with Omar Aleem of Virginia, who has two sons (Moshea and Immanuel) on the team.

Bout Sheet for Second Night of Washington Golden Gloves!

Here is the scheduled bout sheet for the second night of action at the Washington Golden Gloves, which will take place on Saturday, February 26 at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park, MD. The first bell is at 7:30 PM.

JUNIOR DIVISION:

10-11, 60 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Kevin Cooke (Old School) vs. Kali Edwards (Kenilworth)

9, 65 pounds: Kyron Curry (UMAR) vs. Mekell Lowery (Kenilworth)

10, 65 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Dejon Corley (Kenilworth) vs. Donte Baytop (UMAR)

10-11, 70 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Cornell Gray (Kenilworth) vs. Juan Jenkins (Upton)

13-14, 90 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Traquan Whitley (Tony's Gym) vs. Corey Moore (Main Street Gym)

12, 95 pounds: Deonte Washington (Diamonds N Da Ruff) vs. Titis Murphy (Main Street)

13-14, 106 pounds: Fernando Reyes (Old School) vs. Ronnell Jackson (No Xcuse)

13-14, 119 pounds: (CHAMPIONSHIP): Manuel Rodriguez (Round One) vs. Zackary Curry (Upton)

15-16, 119 pounds: Carlton Gray (Dream Team) vs. Malik Jackson (Limelite)

15-16, 119 pounds: Jalonte Cole (No Xcuse) vs. Joshua McKoy (Upton)

14-15, 125 pounds: Lamont Roach (No Xcuse) vs. Devante Tolbert (Tony's Gym)

14-15, 125 pounds: Deray Brown (Old School) vs. Phillip Poopolo, III (Loch Raven)

15-16, 150 pounds Female (CHAMPIONSHIP): Kiera Bell (Tony's Athletic Center) vs. Gilkaswaldrina White (Old School)

15-16, 165 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Kennard Keels (Enigma) vs. Malik Lewis (Mack Lewis)

16, 178 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Jaequone Nance (NOMIS) vs. Devar Ferhadi (Frederick Fight Club)

NOVICE DIVISION:

123 pounds: Omar Barnes (Club One) vs. Michael VanEmmerick (Main Street Gym)

141 pounds: Drayvontay Rawls (No Xcuse) vs. Kenneth Britman (Dunlap Boxing)

141 pounds: Tenkoran Ayeman (Old School) vs. Cornell Hines (Sugar Ray Leonard)

141 pounds: Daniel Gray (Loch Raven) vs. Alex Llivicusca (Baltimore Boxing)

141 pounds: Travis Roberts (Ground Control) vs. Jacob Okiya (Old School)

152 pounds: Donnell Wahl (Sugar Ray Leonard) vs. Devin Wallace (Hillcrest)

165 pounds: Christopher Watson (Diamonds N Da Ruff) vs. Steven Bucci (Ground Control)

165 pounds: Enaka Beteck (Main Street Gym) vs. Keith Samuels (RPH Academy)

165 pounds: Derrick Brent (Kenilworth) vs. Tim Anderson (No Xcuse)

178 pounds: Edward Lay (Sugar Ray Gym) vs. Ryan Watson (Main Street Gym)


OPEN DIVISION:

132 pounds: Kevin Rivers, Jr. (No Xcuse) vs. Joshua Davis (Headbangers)

141 pounds: Ronald Gibbs (Upton) vs. Jordan Jerome (Round One)

165 pounds: Malik Shelton (Round One) vs. D'Mitrius Ballard (No Xcuse)

Junior Titles Crowned on First Night of Washington Golden Gloves!

Five Junior Washington Golden Gloves titles were captured during the first night of competition at the Washington Golden Gloves at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center last night.

Gregory Burton of Langdon Recreation Center defeated Shadid Bond of Charm City to win the 11-12 age group at 85 pounds. In the 15-16 age group at 132 pounds, Jordan Peters of Tony's Gym defeated Joseph Lamb, Jr. from the Frederick Fight Club. Peters's gym mate, Michael Peoples, stopped (RSC-3) Samual Paulay of Langdon to win the 15-year-old age group at 141 pounds.

Also, Dillon Haymon of Frederick Fight Club won the 16-year-old age group at 152 pounds defeating Jarell Harris of Round One while Upton's Malik Titus defeated Davonte Robinson of Dunlap Boxing Club to win the 13-14 age class at 187 pounds.

A number of other titles were won by walkover. Here is that list:

8-9, 60 pounds: Stacey Selby (Langdon)

8, 75 pounds: Inmer Diaz (Round One)

10, 75 pounds: Malik Dixon (Tony's Gym)

8, 80 pounds: Markel Willis (Diamonds N Da Ruff)

12, 75 pounds: Tariq Gaston (Langdon)


In Novice Division action, Devin Carter of Hagerstown advanced in the 132 pound division with a win over Robrigo Gabriel of Frederick Fight Club. Paul Yohn of Ground Control Academy advanced the 165 pound class with a win over Joseph Herbert of Innerstate Connection.

There was one bout in the Open Division. Jonathan Baxter of Tony's Athletic Club won by disqualification over Davon Boone of Enigma. Boone was penalized for slapping with the side of the glove too many times.

Washington Golden Gloves action continues this Saturday, February 26 at Sugar Ray Leonard Center beginning at 7:30 PM. We'll have the proposed bout sheet later in the week.

Guerrero Successfully Defends NABF Title!

Fernando Guerrero of Salisbury made a successful defense of his NABF Middleweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Derrick "Superman" Findley in front of a packed house at the Wicomico Civic Center.

Guerrero scored no knockdowns but dominated Findley throughout the contest. Judges Gary Camponeschi and John Gradowski scored the bout 99-91, while Don Risher saw a shutout for Guerrero, 100-90.

Guerrero is now 21-0, 16 KO's while Findley falls with 17-5, 11 KO's.

Guerrero's brother, Alex, also remained undefeated (5-0-1, two KO's) with a four-round unanimous decision over Reyshawn Myers (3-6, two KO's.

There was a major upset on the card as veteran Doel Carrasquillo of Lancaster, PA stopped previously undefeated Denis "Momma's Boy" Douglin of Marlboro, NJ in the third round. Carrasquillo (15-17-1, 13 KO's) was knocked down in the first round but came back to stop Douglin (12-1, eight KO's). Carrasquillo has fought a number of times in the Beltway area and has given tough battles to Beltway Boxers like Emmanuel Taylor and Tim Coleman.

In other bouts on the card, Cleveland, OH's "Showtime" Shawn Porter (18-0, 13 KO's)defended his NABF Welterweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Anges Adjaho of Buffalo, NY (25-5, 14 KO's) Undefeated Winter Haven, FL welterweight Joseph Elegele (11-0, nine KO's) stopped Keuntray Henson of Albuquerque, NM (3-3)in the second round.

Wade Wins Unanimous Decision in Salisbury!

Largo, MD middleweight Dominic Wade won a relatively easy four-round unanimous decision over Grover Young of Tennessee tonight in front of a packed house at the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury as well as a nationally televised ESPN2 (and ESPN 3-D) audience.

All three judges (Dave Braslow, Kenny Chevalier and Don Risher) saw the fight 40-36 in favor of Wade, who is now 10-0, eight KO's. Young loses for the first time and he is 4-1, two KO's.

The main event -- Fernando Guerrero vs. Derrick Findley for Guerrero's NABF title -- is coming up. On the telecast, ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas did a nice "Fight Plan" with young boxers from the Main Street Gym in Salisbury.

Weights From Salisbury, MD!

Here's the scale watch for tomorrow's 3-D Card from the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, MD:

Fernando Guerrero 157.5 vs Derrick Findley 160

Shawn Porter 144 vs Anges Adjaho 149.5
(Adjaho given one hour to lose 2.5 lbs)

Dominic Wade 165.5 vs Grover Young 168

Alexis Guerrero 195 vs Rayshawn Myers 189

Joseph Elegele 143 vs Keuntray Henson 151

Denis Douglin 154.5 vs Doel Carrasquillo 154

The telecast will begin at 9 PM ET. If you have 3-D capability, this will be a historic night for you!

First Round Washington Golden Gloves Pairings!

Juniors and Novice Boxers will be on display during the first round of competition at the Washington Golden Gloves on Saturday, February 19 at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park, MD. There are six scheduled championship bouts in the Junior Division.

Here are the scheduled bouts:

Junior Division:

8-9, 60 Pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Donald Ford (Kenilworth) vs. Stacey Selby (Langdon)

9, 65 Pounds: Salvador Escamilla (Langdon) vs. Donovan Plummer (Dream Team)

10-11, 70 Pounds: Malik Warren (Charm City) vs. Juan Jenkins (Upton)

10, 75 Pounds: Malik Dixon (Tony's Gym) vs. Malcolm Lowery (Kenilworth)

11-12, 85 Pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Shadid Bond (Charm City) vs. Gregory Burton (Langdon)

10-11, 100 Pounds: Umar Ali (Diamonds N Da Ruff) vs. Corey Russ (Sugar Ray Leonard)

15-16, 132 Pounds(CHAMPIONSHIP): Jordan Peters (Tony's Gym) vs. Joseph Lamb, Jr. (Frederick Fight Club)

15, 141 Pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Michael Peoples (Tony's Gym) vs. Samuel Paulay (Langdon)

16, 152 Pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Jarell Harris (Round One) vs. Dillon Haymon (Frederick Fight Club)

15-16, 165 Pounds: Malik Lewis (Mack Lewis) vs. Sanquan Long (Tony's Athletic Club)

13-14, 187 Pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Malik Titus (Upton) vs. Davonte Robinson (Dunlap Boxing Club

Novice Division:

132 Pounds: Devin Carter (Hagerstown) vs. Robrigo Gabriel (Frederick Fight Club)

132 Pounds: Jamier Hodge (Round One) vs. Todd McElveen (Mack Lewis)

152 Pounds: Marshall Thompson (Enigma) vs. Jacob Amegah (Hillcrest)

165 Pounds: Christopher Watson (Diamonds N Da Ruff) vs. Steven Bucci (Ground Control)

165 Pounds: Nolan Arnold (Club One) vs. Justin Cuffee (Enigma)

165 Pounds: Paul Yohn (Ground Control) vs. Joseph Herbert (Innerstate Connection)

201 Pounds: Calvin Jones, IV (Tony's Gym) vs. Dontrae Grayton (NOMIS)

201+ Pounds: Shelton Graves (Mack Lewis) vs. Simon Rojas (Young Titans)

201+ Pounds: Montreal McMorris (Tony's Gym) vs. Aaron Bratton (Honeycomb)

Open Division:

132 Pounds: Jonathan Baxter, Jr. (Tony Athletic Club) vs. Davon Boone (Enigma)

165 Pounds: Gregory Newby (Limelite) vs. Jarrett Hurd (Hillcrest)

The card begins at 7:30 PM.

Buchanan Bout Against Vargas Postponed!

Henry "Sugar Poo" Buchanan's bout against former world champion Fernando Vargas scheduled for April 16 at the Hard Rock Cafe and Casino in Las Vegas has been postponed. Vargas was recently diagnosed with pneumonia and bronchitis and has not been able to train. A new date is slated to be announced within the next two to three weeks.

Tucker Wins Unanimous Decision in New York!

Eldersburg, MD light heavyweight Mark TNT Tucker remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Ray Smith of Little Rock, AK last night at BB King's Blues Club and Grill in New York City.

Tucker, who is ranked seventh by the WBO, won all three of the judges's cards by a 59-55 decision to raise his record to 15-0, seven KO's. Smith is now 9-5, three KO's.

THIS JUST IN: Tucker has been added to the Saturday, March 12th card at the George Mason University Patriot Center. Tucker will battle in an eight-round contest against an opponent to be named later.

Kisner, Sigmon Score Knockouts in Charlotte!

Two Beltway-area boxers registered knockout victories this past Saturday at the Sports Center in Charlotte, NC.

Ferndale, MD heavyweight "The American Child" Nick Kisner remained undefeated with a first-round knockout over Charlotte heavy James Pratt. The 2010 Beltway Boxing Rookie of the Year won his bout in just 51 seconds to raise his record to 7-0, five KO's). Pratt is now 2-8, two KO's.

Also on the card, Bedford, VA super middleweight Scott "Cujo" Sigmon won by third-round TKO over Frank Armstrong of Winston-Salem, NC. Sigmon is now 14-2, six KO's and has won six bouts in a row. Armstrong is 4-17-3, three KO's.

Sigmon is slated to take on his most notable foe -- Miguel "Macho" Hernandez of Chicago, IL -- on Friday, February 25 at Dover Downs in Dover DE. Hernandez was a participant in the second season of "The Contender." Hernandez (20-11, 10 KO's) has had a rough go as of late as he has lost six in a row.

Tucker Weighs 174 For New York Battle!

Mark TNT Tucker weighed in at 174 pounds for his contest tomorrow night at BB King's Club and Grill in New York City. His opponent, Ray Smith, tipped the scales at 176. Those of you who have the SNY Channel can watch the bout on the Broadway Boxing show at 8 PM ET.

Amateur Boxing Results and Reminders!

Sorry for the late post on last Saturday's exciting Jeter Promotions amateur card at Club One Fitness in Millersville, MD. There was some solid talent on display in front of a standing-room-only crowd.

One of the top 140-pounders in the country, Mike Reed, was one of the featured boxers and The Dream Team Gym forced Paul Hollwedel of the United States Naval Academy into retiring from the contest after the first round.

The opening bout saw Kevin Ottley of the Down Under Boxing Club in Salisbury, MD punch his ticket to the upcoming South Atlantic Regional Tournament in Hampton, VA with a win over Club One's Derek Cannon.

The featured bout was the Maryland State 145-pound title bout between Paul Yohn of Ground Control in Baltimore and Black Belt Academy's Cody Denton. Yohn won by RSC-1 when Denton suffered a busted nose.

Other bouts on the card:

106 pounds: Alex Ortega (Club One) dec. Jashim Snyder (Down Under)

145 pounds-female: Kiera Bell (Tony's Athletic Club) dec. Yadiry Beyar (Main Street)

90 pounds: Mansabory Conde (Club One) RSC-3 Titus Murphy (Main Street)

125 pounds: Omar Barnes (Club One) dec. Douglas Escalante (Down Under)

160 pounds: Chris Bertucci (Naval Academy) dec. Monreco Goldston (Main Street) Bertucci is the reigning National Collegiate champion in his weight class.

175 pounds: Ed Lay (Sugar Ray Leonard Center) dec. Chris Cleary (Black Belt Academy)

170 pounds: Danny Cannaday (Club One) dec. Sulleman Harrington (Run and Shoot)

170 pounds: Dean Bartch (Club One) dec. Sean Hunt (Naval Academy)

175 pounds: Nolan Arnold (Club One) RSC-2 Ed Tseng (Balance Gym)

130 pounds: Leon Edge (Club One) RSC-3 Hooman Hashemi (Balance Gym)

145 pounds: Ed Maselli (Honeycomb Gym) dec. Tim Sheils (Club One)

145 pounds: Travis Roberts (Ground Control) dec. Steven Foster (Club One)

142 pounds: Maiwak Dagoot (Down Under) dec. Tristan Setzer (Naval Academy)

135 pounds female: Amelia Moore (Club One) dec. Wanna Sribunnak (Club One)

Don't forget, the Washington Golden Gloves begin on Saturday, February 19 at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park, MD.

TNT Tucker Travels to New York Wednesday!

Undefeated NABO Youth Light Heavyweight champion Mark TNT Tucker returns to action on Wednesday, February 9 at BB King's Blues Club and Grill in New York City. The Eldersburg, MD resident (14-0, seven KO's) will battle Ray Smith of Little Rock, AK (9-4, three KO's) in a bout slated for eight rounds.

Tucker has not fought since winning the NABO Youth Title on June 19 in Oakland, CA with an eight-round unanimous decision over Billy Bailey. Smith has lost two out of three, suffering TKO losses to Ismayl Syllakh and Curtis Stevens.

Jake Smith Interviewed on Boxingtalk.com!

Baltimore Boxing promoter Jake "The Snake" Smith is the subject of a nice interview by Benny "Big Dog" Henderson, Jr. of Boxingtalk.com. Smith discusses his work with Ballroom Boxing promoter Scott Wagner on their Friday, February 11 amateur show at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie.

Here is the interview.

"http://www.boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php?aid=21224">

Barnett, A. Guerrero, Recio Added to February 18 Salisbury Card!

A number of Beltway Boxers have been added to the Friday, February 18 card at the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, MD.

DC lightweight Ty Barnett returns to action as he faces Manuel Perez of Denver, CO in an eight-round contest. Barnett (18-1-1, 12 KO's) last fought on July 24 and won an eight-round unanimous decision over Tyrese Hendrix in Tunica, MS. Perez (15-6-1, three KO's) broke a two-bout losing streak with a first-round knockout over Richard Conchas on October 29 in Sheridan, CO.

Undefeated Salisbury cruiserweight Alex Guerrero is on the card and he will face Rayshawn Myers of Cleveland, OH (3-5, two KO's) in a four-round bout. Guerrero (4-0-1, two KO's) scored a second-round TKO in his last bout over Dustin Schnakenburg on September 25 in Tunica, MS. Guerrero's brother Fernando (20-0, 16 KO's) headlines this card putting his NABF Middleweight title on the line against Derrick "Superman" Findley (17-4, 11 KO's) of Gary, IN.

Also scheduled for this card will be the pro debut of Lanham, MD welterweight Larry Recio who will face Felton, DE's Mike Denby (3-8-3, two KO's)in a four-rounder. Long-time Beltway Boxing observers have watched the 20-year-old Recio grow up through the amateurs, competing in many of the major tournaments locally and throughout the nation and the world.

Joppy, Cummings Rematch March 12 at Patriot Center!

Former three-time WBA Middleweight champion William Joppy and Maryland State Super Middleweight titleholder Cory "Black Ice" Cummings will battle in a 10-round rematch on Saturday, March 12 at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA.

The two men met on November 6 at the Patriot Center and fought to a spirited 10-round majority draw. Joppy got the nod on one of the scorecards, 96-94, while the other two judges saw an even contest at 95-95.

Cummings (17-4-1, 13 KO's) has not fought since the November contest but Joppy (39-7-2, 30 KO's) is coming off a six-round KO loss to Beibut Shumenov for the WBA Light Heavyweight title on January 8 in Kazakhstan.

Wade Remains Undefeated With Sixth-Round TKO!

Largo, MD's Dominic Wade scored a sixth-round TKO over Brian Norman of Atlanta, GA Saturday night at the Fitzgerald's Hotel and Casino in Tunica, MS. Wade dominated Norman especially in the fourth and fifth rounds before stopping Norman in the sixth.

Wade's record is now 10-0, eighth KO's while Norman falls to 17-11, five KO's.

CinchCast -- The New Home of the BATB Post-Fight Wrap-Up Show!

What you are seeing is the brand new home for the Boxing Along The Beltway Post-Fight Wrap-Up Show. Unfortunately, the Gabcast service I had been using for the past three years went out of business at the end of 2010. I know a couple of others that use CinchCast -- including Michael Amakor of FightKings.com and it comes recommended. So we will try this in the very near future and see what happens.

'The Reason' Grant Travels To West Virginia Friday!

Bowie, MD heavyweight Horace Ray "The Reason" Grant returns to action on Friday, February 4 in a 10-round contest for the vacant IBC Continental Heavyweight championship at the New Morgantown Event Center in Morgantown, WVA.

Grant (15-2, nine KO's) last fought on April 2 in DC and won a four-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Felton . Grant's opponent will be Jason "Ironman" Bergman of Washington, PA (14-9-2, 10 KO's) Bergman is coming off a first-round knockout over Jason Freeman on December 17 in Monroeville, PA.

Neither man has gone the scheduled 10-round distance. Both man are the same height (6'2) and about the same weight. Should be interesting.

Russell, Jr. Remains Undefeated in San Diego!

Capitol Heights, MD featherweight and 2008 US Olympian "Mr." Gary Russell, Jr. remained undefeated with a seventh-round technical decision victory over Feider Viloria of Colombia in front of a nationally televised Telefutura audience at the Four Points Sheraton in San Diego, CA.

The bout was stopped in the seventh round when an accidental headbutt opened a cut over Viloria's right eye. Russell was in control of the bout throughout and dropped Viloria in the fifth round. Russell took the scorecards 70-62 (twice) and 69-63.

Russell is now 14-0, nine KO's while Viloria is 23-8-1, 16 KO's.

Wade Weighs 167 for Tunica Tussle!

Dominic Wade and his opponent, Brian Norman, both weighed in at 167 pounds for their six-round matchup tomorrow night at Fitzgerald's Hotel and Casino in Tunica, MS.

'Sugar Poo' Buchanan to be Vargas's Foe in Return Bout!

Capitol Heights, MD super middleweight Henry "Sugar Poo" Buchanan has been picked as the opponent for the returning former world champion "Ferocious" Fernando Vargas on April 16 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas, NV.

Vargas (26-5, 22 KO's) is returning after a three-year hiatus. The 33-year-old from Oxnard, CA has not fought since losing a majority decision to Ricardo Mayorga in November of 2007.

Buchanan (20-2, 13 KO's) last fought on August 14 defeating Bobby Jordan, Jr. via ninth-round TKO in Norfolk, VA.

Russell Jr. Weighs 127 for Telefutura Battle in San Diego!

"Mr." Gary Russell, Jr. and his opponent, Feider Viloria, weighed in at 127 for their eight-round contest tonight at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in San Diego, CA. The bout will open tonight's "Solo Boxeo" telecast on the Telefutura network tonight at 11:30 ET.

Lange Returns to Patriot Center March 12!

On the 12th of March, Great Falls, VA's Jimmy Lange will headline his 12th show at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA.

The opponent for Lange will be the "Fighting Schoolteacher" Jimmy Holmes of DeMotte, IN. The bout will be a scheduled 10-rounder that will be fought at 160 pounds.

Lange (34-4-2, 24 KO's) is coming off the 2010 Beltway Boxing Knockout of the Year -- a 10th round stoppage of Joe Wyatt November 6 at the Patriot Center. Lange won the NABA Junior Middleweight title with the win, but he will not be defending the title in this bout.

Holmes (19-1-2, one NC, 10 KO's) scored a first-round TKO over Joseph Harden on December 17 in Hammond, IN. Holmes is indeed a schoolteacher as he teaches physical education at an elementary school in Roselawn, IN.

The undercard is starting to take shape as well. Undefeated Alexandria, VA junior welterweight Todd "White Lightning" Wilson will make his third straight appearance at the Patriot Center in a six-round encounter. According to Wilson's Facebook page, Wilson (9-0, three KO's) will take on veteran Dean "Pit Bull" White of Smithsburg, MD (15-10-2,seven KO's).

Wilson has scored knockouts in his last two bouts, including a third-round stoppage of Corey Goodwin at the last Patriot Center show in November. White has not fought since battling Verquan Kimbrough to a tough eight-round draw at the Washington Hilton Hotel and Towers on November 5, 2009.

In a battle of young local heavyweights, Ron "Heavy Duty" Gamble of Arnold, MD (1-0, one KO) will take on Abodurin "Bo" Akinyanju of Landover, MD (3-1, three KO's) in a four-round contest.

Gamble, a former four-year football starter at the University of Connecticut, made his pro boxing debut on November 10 at DC Star Nightclub in Washington and scored a second-round TKO over Vashawn Tomlin. Akinyanju is coming off his first pro loss, a four-round split decision to Kevin Howard on November 6 in Waldorf, MD.

The two men have met before in the amateurs with Gamble winning a decision in the 2009 Washington Golden Gloves semifinals.

Charlottsville, VA middleweight George "Wartime" Rivera also returns to action on this card as he faces Shakir "The Assassin" Ashanti of Greensboro, NC in a six-round encounter. Rivera (11-6, four KO's) will be trying to break a two-bout losing streak, dropping losing to John Mackey and James Stevenson. Ashanti (16-9, four KO's) has not fought since winning an eight-round split-decision over Alex Quiroga on July 25, 2009 at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Stevensville, MD middleweight Tony "Mo Better" Jeter (10-2-1, nine KO's) will bring his eight-bout unbeaten streak to the Patriot Center against an opponent to be determined. Jeter has scored knockouts in four of his last five outings.

Amateur Boxing Returns to Millersville February 5!

Jeter Promotions is hosting an amateur boxing card on Saturday, February 5 at Club One Fitness, 1131 Benfield Boulevard, Suites M-Q, in Millersville, MD.

There will be a good number of bouts on tap, including a Maryland State amateur championship bout between Cody Denton of Black Belt Academy and Paul Yohn of Ground Control.

You can call Club One at 443-802-6101 for details on how to purchase tickets.

'Dis-Com-Bob-u-lating' Jones Tells Story To Boxingtalk.com!

DC Boxing Hall of Famer Henry "Dis-Com-Bob-u-lating" Jones has had a strong story to tell over the past 20-plus years. Much of the story involves, quite frankly, the racist attitudes that some have had against African-American ring announcers.

Jones recently told his story to Boxingtalk.com and got an interesting response.

Here's the original story:

"http://www.boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php?aid=21143">


Brad Jacobs responded this way to Jones's comments:

"I don't want to address any of the baseless comments made by Mr. Jones. However, I will say that at the USA network, we chose to you use the consistent services of Mark Beiro at that time, just like our counterparts at HBO and Showtime would have the choice to use who they wanted to announce their fights. This was no slight against Mr Jones or any of the other dozen ring announcers who would have liked to have that platform at the time."


Jones's response to Jacobs can be found here:

I read the response from Brad Jacobs regarding my allegations of his unfair practice against me back in the day. It's a curious thing...how some people CHOOSE NOT to remember things...while others like me CAN'T FORGET the wrongs done against them! I can only FORGIVE, and that olive branch goes to you too Brad. SHALOM! However, the fact of the matter in this case was how he kept bringing in Ed Derian from Philly over me for the televised bouts, while giving me kudos for my wonderful announcing of the undercard. It was always Ed Derian, not my friend Mark Beiro from Florida, when the USA network came to DC to showcase our fighters Sharmba Mitchell, Derrell Coley, Daryll Tyson, and Reggie Green back in the '90's. Now, I don't want anyone to get it twisted either- I may call myself "Dis-com-bob-ulating" Jones, in homage to the late, great, loquacious one Howard Cosell- but I am very coherent at all times, and being a Masters Social Worker for 28 yrs you can bet your last I have documents and can easily obtain sworn affadavits to back what I say.

Baseless you say Brad. I don't think so. That's why they call the informative film version we are creating ...a Documentary.

Breadman, I've given 21 straight yrs to our not always so Sweet Science, taken great pride in always doing a professional job on the mic, gotten better each time out and helped many. I guess I was naive to think the bigwigs in the sport I loved would show me some love back but that has been far and few between. Over the years the stress and strain has affected my health and even cost me my marriage. No one has really ever thought about it but WHY HASN'T THERE EVER BEEN A BLACK RING ANNOUNCER on tv on a consistent basis like my Caucasian colleagues Buffer, Lennon Jr and Derian, all of whom have had this position on lock for the past 30 or so yrs! I've met my modern day contemporaries Lupe Contreras, Joe Martinez, Joe Antonnacci and give them kudos for their mic skills but what all of them have in common is that Promoters intervened on their behalf with the networks to get them their televised gigs. No one except DC fighter Mark "2Sharp"Johnson was willing to stand up to the networks for me, when he put it in his contract for me to announce his Championship bout on ESPN in DC against Arthur "Flash"Johnson back in February '98. Afterwards, Promoter Cedric Kushner lauded my performance and took me on the road with he and Mark to Trump Taj Mahal. Where are you Ced? We can help each other again good buddy!

No disrespect to any of the present ring announcers...but truth be known....I'm the best Ring Announcer most fans have never seen (or heard!). Ali said "it ain't braggin' when you can back it up!" Just as we rank our fighters Pound-for-Pound....I'm willing, ready and able to put myself up against any of my fellow ring announcers and let the fans decide who is best..."SOUND-4-SOUND!" Any challengers?

Breadman, I've also been announcing MMA bouts for the past 4 yrs and those fans and fighters seem to appreciate my creativity and personalized ring intros even more. If UFC honchos Dana White, and my old buddy from boxing Marc Ratner, are the astute businessman I think them to be, they will dust off the package I put in Marc's hands and bring me on board to capitalize on getting the different demographic base Dana and Rampage Jackson said is needed. Who better to draw young black fans to mma than having me on the mic? Black can turn to GREEN real quick with a little vision and daring!

I'm not going to belabor this dispute of wrongdoing with Brad or anyone else Breadman but thank you for letting me vent a little in this forum. I've been holding it in all my career, now I can let it go...and let GOD. It's just that I am not the type of person to go along to get along when someone urinates on me and wants me to think it's rain! Feel me? I know you do. Ok good brother, take care, and may the Power of your pen always be mightier than any sword used against you. Peace......

Russell Jr. Travels To San Diego For Televised Bout!

The Beltway area's 2010 Co-Prospect of the Year, "Mr." Gary Russell, Jr. , returns to action this Friday night, January 28, when he takes on Feider Viloria of Colombia at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in San Diego, CA. The eight-round bout will open this Friday's Solo Boxeo telecast on the Telefutura Network at 11:30 PM ET.

Russell (13-0, nine KO's) has scored knockouts in seven of his last eight bouts. Russell's last outing was a six-round unanimous decision win over Guadalupe DeLeon on October 28 in Los Angeles. This will be Russell's first scheduled eight-round contest.

Viloria (23-7-1, 16 KO's) has lost three of his last four to competition with great records. Viloria lost a 10-round unanimous decision to Irving Berry for the WBA International Featherweight title. Viloria has also fought twice for world featherweight and superfeatherweight crowns in his career.

Washington Golden Gloves Registration Begins Saturday!

Registration and physical examinations for the 2011 Washington Golden Gloves will be held on Saturday, January 29th and Saturday, February 5 at the Hillcrest Heights Bingo Hall located at 4104 23rd Parkway in Hillcrest Heights, MD. Registration is from 9 AM to noon on both days.

The drawing and pairings for the first round will be on Saturday, February 12 at 10 AM at the Hillcrest Heights Bingo Hall.

The Golden Gloves Tournament will begin on Saturday February 19 at 7:30 PM at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park, MD and will continue every Saturday evening through March 19.

The Washington Golden Gloves Championships will be held on Friday, March 25 at the Waldorf Jaycees Community Center in Waldorf, MD. That will be followed by the Regional Championships that will be held on Friday, April 15 in Waldorf.

Amateur Boxing in Southeast DC January 29!

An amateur boxing tournament sponsored by the Potomac Valley Association of USA Boxing and DC Boxing Hall of Famer Juice Gatling will take place on Saturday, January 29 at Tony's Gym, 2201 Shannon Place in Southeast DC. The doors will open at 6 PM. .
For more information, call Candy Jacobs at 301-675-2003 or Juice Gatling at 240-353-0564. (Sorry for the confusion, the bout sheet I put on here was not the right one.)

The weigh-in will be at Tony's Gym on Saturday afternoon beginning at noon.

Corley Stopped in Eighth in Argentina!

DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley suffered eight knockdowns at the hands of Lucas Matthysee before being stopped in the eighth round tonight in Mendoza, Argentina.

Matthysee was in control from the very beginning though Corley held his own. Corley was down eight times in the fight including three times in the final round where the referee rightfully waved the fight off after the last knockdown. Corley to his credit beat the count rather easily each time but was a lot worse for wear after the knockdowns in round eight. Matthysee picked up the vacant WBO Intercontinental super lightweight title with the win. Golden Boy Promotions and Aranobox promoted the event.

Corley is now 36-16-1, 22 KO's while Matthysee, a native of Argentina, is now 28-1, 26 KO's.

'The Mouthpiece' Profiles Boxer/Attorney Venroy July!

In the middle of 2010, I met a very talented young writer out of Philadelphia -- George Headley Hanson, Jr. Hanson writes a column called "The Mouthpiece" in which he profiles boxers -- past and present.

Hanson's most recent column is on undefeated cruiserweight prospect Venroy July of Suitland, MD by way of St. Catherine, Jamaica. Hanson is also originally from Jamaica and this gives a special turn on this competitor.

Hanson's columns appear on my buddy Michael Amakor's site www.fightkings.com and on www.boxingcommunity.org.

Here is the link to the article:

"http://www.fightkings.com/boxing/featured-article/in-living-color%e2%80%94venroy-%e2%80%9cso-special%e2%80%9d-july/"

Beltway Boxers --Where Are They Ranked in the World?

Earlier this week we looked at Beltway Boxers and where they are ranked among the nation's best. Now we take a look at Beltway Boxers rank in the four major world governing bodies (WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO).

World Boxing Council

Heavyweight

#9: Tony Thompson

#39: Seth Mitchell

Light Heavyweight

#38: Mark Tucker

Middleweight

#6: Fernando Guerrero

Junior Welterweight

#15: Tim Coleman

#20: Lamont Peterson

Lightweight

#34: Daniel Attah


World Boxing Association

Light Heavyweight

#13: William Joppy

Middleweight

#8: Fernando Guerrero

Junior Welterweight

#6: Lamont Peterson

#14: Tim Coleman

International Boxing Federation

Heavyweight

#11: Tony Thompson

Junior Welterweight

#6: Lamont Peterson

#7: Tim Coleman


World Boxing Organization

Junior Welterweight

#7: Lamont Peterson

Middleweight

#2: Fernando Guerrero

Light Heavyweight

#7: Mark Tucker

Corley Tips Scales in Argentina; Coleman, Peterson Bouts May Be Off!

Former WBO Junior Welterweight champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley and his opponent, Lucas Matthysse, weighed in at 139 pounds for tonight's contest for the vacant WBO Intercontinental Super Lightweight title at El Polideportivo Vicente Polimeni de Las Heras in Mendoza, Argentina. The bout will be televised on Telefutura and HBO Plus beginning at 11:30 PM ET.

BATB is hearing that USBA Junior Welterweight champion Tim "Pitbull" Coleman is out of his January 29th contest against Vernon Paris. Coleman announced on his Facebook page that he suffered an injury in training that knocks him out of the contest. Update: The injury was to his right shoulder.

Also, there is word that Lamont Peterson may not be involved in the title bout with Amir Khan in April. Some published reports say that Peterson may have priced himself out of the running for the bout.

Doghouse Boxing Profiles E. Taylor and Byarm!

Long-time boxing scribe Ken Hissner of DoghouseBoxing.com has written two nice recent profiles on young Beltway prospects.

Here is one on undefeated Baltimore welterweight Emmanuel "Tranzformer" Taylor

"http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Ken/Hissner011111.htm">

And here's one on undefeated DC-based heavyweight Maurice "The Freight Train" Byarm

"http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Ken/Hissner011211.htm">

Fox 5 Profiles 'Mayhem' Mitchell!

WTTG-TV Channel 5's Dave Ross has a nice profile on the Beltway's 2010 Co-Prospect of the Year Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell and his quest to "bring a belt back to the Beltway."

Seth 'Mayhem' Mitchell Trying To Bring The Belt Back To The Beltway: MyFoxDC.com

Beltway Boxing Looking Into 2011!

A poster asked who are the people to watch out for in 2011 along the Beltway? I started to answer until I received some regional rankings for January 2011. This information showed that a number of Beltway Boxers could be in position to do some great things this year.

Now, many people don't put a lot of stock on rankings from governing bodies. What the info does do is at least give the boxing public some ideas on who to look out for to see if they deserve that ranking.

A number of Beltway Boxers are listed through the regional and world rankings. Today we look at the regionals (NABF, USBA and NABO) to see where Beltway Boxers are. Later in the week, we will take a look at the world rankings.

NABF Rankings

Heavyweight: #1: Tony Thompson
#10: Seth Mitchell

Light Heavyweight: #14: Mark Tucker

Super Middleweight: #6: Henry Buchanan
#15: Mike Paschall

Middleweight: NABF Champion: Fernando Guerrero

Super Lightweight: #4: Tim Coleman
#9: Ty Barnett

Lightweight: #11. Daniel Attah


USBA Rankings

Heavyweight: #3: Tony Thompson
#11: Seth Mitchell

Light Heavyweight: #10: Mark Tucker

Super Middleweight: #8: Henry Buchanan
#9: Mike Paschall

Middleweight: #6: Fernando Guerrero

Junior Middleweight: #12: Ishmail Arvin

Junior Welterweight: USBA Champion: Tim Coleman
#4: Lamont Peterson

Lightweight: #5: Anthony Peterson


NABO Rankings

Heavyweight: #2: Tony Thompson
#5: Seth Mitchell

Light Heavyweight: #10: Mark Tucker (NABO Youth Champion)

Super Middleweight: #15: Mike Paschall

Middleweight: #11: Dominic Wade

Welterweight: #14: James Stevenson

Junior Welterweight: #2: Tim Coleman

Lightweight: #4: Ty Barnett

Featherweight: #2: Gary Russell, Jr.

L. Peterson Slated For WBA Title Tilt in April, Says Manchester Paper!

The Manchester (England) Evening News is reporting that DC junior welterweight Lamont Peterson will challenge for the WBA Junior Welterweight title against champion Amir Khan on April 16 at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester.

If this comes to fruition, this will be the second world title bout for Peterson (28-1-1, 14 KO's), who lost a tough unanimous decision to WBO champ Timothy Bradley in December of 2009 in Rancho Mirage, CA. Since that bout, Peterson has fought twice scoring a seventh-round TKO over Damian Fuller and fighting Victor Ortiz to a 10-round draw.

Khan (24-1, 17 KO's) will be making the fourth defense of his title that he won at the M.E.N. Arena in July of 2009.

Beltway Promoters Host 'The Future' February 11!

A joint promotion between Ballroom Boxing and Baltimore Boxing will bring Beltway Boxing fans a night of Olympic-Style amateur boxing on Friday, February 11 at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD. The card will be known simply as "The Future."

Combined, Scott Wagner of Ballroom Boxing and Jake Smith of Baltimore Boxing have promoted more than 150 cards in the Baltimore area. In a recent press release, both men said they are looking forward to working together on this amateur card.

“Scott and I have always been close and I have the utmost respect for him,” said Smith. “He built a franchise at Michael’s with the Ballroom Boxing series and I’ve also promoted all of my cards in the area, so together I really think we are going to make a major impact.”

“They always said two heads are better than one," Wagner said. We have completely different methods of promotion which is a thing of beauty because there are so many different angles we can approach. It’s definitely going to be exciting to see what we’ll come up with collectively.”

Doors will open at 6:30 with the first bout slated for 8 PM. Ticket prices start at $30 with VIP tables of 10 going for $350. Call 410-766-7474 for details.

Beltway Boxers Begin 2011 Campaigns!

A number of Beltway Boxers start their 2011 campaigns in the next couple of weeks. Here's a rundown:

Reston, VA super middleweight Lawrence Jones travels to the Crowne Plaza in Albany, NY on Saturday, January 22 for a six-round contest against Schenectady, NY's Markus Williams. Jones (3-3-2, one KO) last fought on November 6 and lost a four-round unanimous decision to Brandon Quarles at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA. Williams (6-1, one KO) is coming off a six-round unanimous decision win over Deferson Legrand on November 13 in Albany.


On Friday, January 28, undefeated Suitland, MD cruiserweight Venroy July (5-0-1, two KO's) will take on Pedro Martinez (5-4, three KO's) in a six-round encounter at the National Guard Armory in Philadelphia. July is coming off a six-round unanimous decision over DeLeon Tinsley on June 10 in Johnstown, PA. Martinez last fought on October 16 and lost a four-round decision to Elvin Sanchez in Union City, NJ.

We've already mentioned that USBA Junior Welterweight champion Tim "Pitbull" Coleman will be facing undefeated Vernon Paris in a catchweight bout at 143 pounds on Saturday, January 29 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, MI. That bout will be the co-feature contest on the Devon Alexander-Timothy Bradley card, however, the bout will NOT be televised.

Also on January 29th, Undefeated Largo, MD middleweight Dominic Wade returns to the Fitzgerald's Hotel and Casino for a six-round contest against veteran Brian "The Assassin" Norman of Atlanta, GA. Wade (9-0, seven KO's) is coming off a second-round TKO over Freddie Montoya at the Fitz on September 25. Norman (17-10, five KO's) has faced a number of Beltway Boxers during his career including Henry Buchanan (twice), Demetrius Davis, Fernando Guerrero, Reginald Taylor and Carlos Jones. Norman has lost his last two and hasn't fought since November of 2009.

Beltway Boxer of The Year -- 2010!

And now -- Finally -- The Beltway Boxer of the Year for 2010. Normally, the boxer who gets this award usually has a long body of work during the year. Usually, they have a number of bouts during the year. However, those bouts should allow them to make a firm impact on the entire boxing scene. One man along the Beltway made a major impact on the boxing scene throughout the country as well as along the Beltway. And it only took one bout for him to do it.


Digital's Choice for Beltway Boxer of the Year is:

Tim Coleman, welterweight, 18-1-1, five KO's, Baltimore, MD. It does help when your one bout is in front of a nationally televised ShoBox audience, but Coleman answered a lot of questions about himself to the general boxing public. Coleman's third-round knockout of Patrick Lopez on October 1 would have been the runaway Knockout of the Year in the area if it had happened along the Beltway. The punch did make a number of knockout of the year polls around the sport and for a guy with only five knockouts, that says a lot.

The win also said that Coleman's USBA Welterweight title win over Mike Arnaoutis in 2009 was not a fluke, Many in the sport said that Coleman did not deserve that victory, but Coleman ascended into true contender status on that night. Against Lopez, Coleman cemented that status.

Coleman also continued to prove that he can win with the bright lights on. The win over Lopez was Coleman's second straight on national television, helping to exorcise Coleman's only loss -- a ShoBox scrap against James De La Rosa in 2007.

Tim Coleman did the best job in preparing himself for the Championship level. He already has a nice bout coming up against undefeated Vernon Paris on January 29 in Pontiac, MI. The bout will be at a catchweight at 143 pounds. A great way to start the new year, indeed. Coleman's perfomance in 2010 could lead to a fabulous 2011.

DC Wins Silver Gloves Regional Team Title in North Carolina!

A team of DC-area amateurs have won the regional Silver Gloves Championships in Wilmington, NC over the weekend.

Eight area boxers won titles during the event and a few more won unopposed. Here is the list courtesy of the blog DC Amateur Boxing:

65lbs. Travian Carpenter (VA) def. Maliek Warren (DC)
70lbs. Mike Guerrier (FL) def. Kavon Robertson (VA)
75lbs. Keshawn Davis (VA) def. Mike Williams (NC)
80lbs. Ameer Brown (DC) def. Khalid Johnson (SC)
85lbs. Gregory Burton (DC) def. Sema'j Young (NC)
90lbs. Danardo Johnson (DC) def. Frank Prado (VA)
110lbs. Steve Clark (DC) def. Dalton Bodie (SC)


12/13 year-old division
90lbs. Troy Isley (VA) def. Talon Caravalho (NC)
95lbs. Zimmie Dickinson (DC) def. Sebastian Fundura (FL)
100lbs. Rayvon Drayton (DC) def. Teofino Lopez (FL)
106lbs. Antonio Williams (FL) def. Mack Allison (DC)
125lbs. Tyshawn Wilson (Va) def. Brandon Sinex (SC)
125lbs. Kaylyn Price (SC) def. Brook Perry (NC)


14/15 year-old division
95lbs. Jonathan Santana (VA) def. Jose Santana (FL)
100lbs. Kelvin Davis (VA) def. Demetrius Lewis (DC)
106lbs. Ronnell Jackson (DC) def. Dazzel Middleton (SC) via DQ
112lbs. Antonio Vargas (FL) def.Carlton Gray (DC)
119lbs. Neslan Machado (FL) def. Jalonte Cole (DC)
125lbs. Lamont Roach Jr. (DC) def. Timothy Hunter (SC)
132lbs. Erickson Lubin (FL) def. Tra-Kwon Pettis (GA)
139lbs. Laquan Smith (GA) def. Samuel Paulay (DC)
147lbs. Mark Reyes (FL) def. Demetrius Martin (DC)
201lbs. Alberto Fundura (FL) def. Calvin Countess (DC)

Beltway Boxing Knockout of The Year!

The 2010 Beltway Boxing Knockout of the Year was an interesting one. It was a one-punch knockout that came late in a bout. But it was one of those surprising ones that took a lot of heart for one boxer to stay in the contest long enough to uncork the one punch.

Digital's Choice for Beltway Boxing Knockout of the Year is:

Jimmy Lange KO 10 Joe Wyatt, November 6, George Mason University Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA.

The native of Great Falls, VA had reached a crossroads in this contest against the Richmond, VA-based Wyatt. Despite two earlier knockdowns, Lange still seemed to be a step behind Wyatt when it came to aggression. By the time the bout reached the 10th round, two judges had the bout even on the scorecards. Both boxers were cut along the face. Both boxers dug deep. But with about a minute to go, Lange went just a little bit deeper and found the strength to land a right hand that dropped Wyatt for the count. This was an amazing victory that may have been the best Lange has had in his career.

Beltway Boxing Bout(s) of the Year -- 2010!

There were a number of exciting bouts that took place during 2010 along the Beltway, but this area had a unique trilogy that involved three area boxers. The bouts so equally exciting that I really couldn't choose one over the other. So:

Digital's Choices for Beltway Boxing Bouts of the Year are: The Nicklow-Sigmon-Kennedy Trilogy

Bout Number 1: Jessie Nicklow UD 10 over Scott Sigmon, March 20, Du Burns Arena, Baltimore, MD. Out of the three bouts, this one probably had the most buildup. Both boxers and their fan bases hurled barbs for two months before the bout took place. This very blog became a home base for the thoughts of the two warriors and their fans.

When the bout finally took place, there was a strong presence for Sigmon as hundreds of fans made the trip from the Lynchburg area. In the contest, Nicklow took the early lead with some solid accurate shots. Sigmon came back strong through the middle rounds before Nicklow caught his second wind and went on to win the bout. Two judges saw a close bout at 97-93 and 96-94. One judge saw the bout 97-91. Two great situations took place after the bout. Nicklow proposed marriage to his girl friend, Beth (who accepted) and Nicklow and Sigmon patched up whatever differences they had. In fact, in a very classy move, Nicklow asked this reporter to take down his audio interview from the blog (which I did) because he thought he might had taken this anger too far.

Bout Number 2: Jessie Nicklow D 10 Julius Kennedy, September 17, Du Burns Arena

Nicklow's win over Sigmon led to a bout that was more than a year in the making. Kennedy actually called Nicklow out after a victory in June of 2009. Kennedy finally got his wish in what was one of the closest bouts I have ever witnessed.

As a point of full disclosure, reporting the bout was secondary for me. I worked that bout as the supervisor for the World Boxing Foundation, as this was a bout for the WBF All-Americas Middleweight title as well as the Maryland State Middleweight title. It was an incredible honor for me personally.

What I said about the bout is still probably the best way to describe the contest: "A member of the Maryland State Athletic Commission had the best description of the bout when he said that the two boxers were "mirror images of each other." That is what made this bout so fascinating. Sometimes the two would throw the same sequence of punches at exactly the same time. The two sparred with one another, but this bout did not resemble a sparring session in any way.

I told that same MSAC representative after the fourth round of the contest that I didn't think either boxer was leaving with the belts tonight. That's what happened. Both men deserved to win the bout and neither man deserved to lose. Both men fought with passion and both men looked as good as I have seen them in a while."

One other item that should be noted: Nicklow prepared for this bout by sparring with Sigmon. That served as a very unique transition for the final bout in the trilogy.

Bout Number 3: Scott Sigmon UD 10 over Julius Kennedy, December 11, National Guard Armory, Pikesville, MD

The Maryland State Athletic Commission was extremely prepared for this one.This one had the possibility of getting out of hand going in. There wasn't as much pre-fight vitrol before the bout, but there was the opportunity for this one to get out of hand.

Let me say that any of the great referees in the state could have handled this bout. However there was a perception of bias from one side. Therefore (either by accident or by design) the MSAC removed any doubt of bias in the ring by bringing in a great out-of-town referee -- Bill Clancy -- to handle that bout.

I was doing the interview that you may have seen on the site about women's boxing and actually missed the first round. As I rushed to my seat to see round two, I passed by Nicklow, who was sitting ringside in a neutral corner wearing a "Cujo" t-shirt. I asked him (since he fought both boxers) who would win the bout. Nicklow said Sigmon would win because he would put too much pressure on Kennedy.

That is pretty much what happened. During the contest, Sigmon looked more in control than ever before as he moved forward with purpose and landed good shots from awkward angles. Kennedy hit Sigmon with some hard shots but Sigmon seemed to walk through them. Kennedy lost two points courtesy of referee Clancy because of low blows and fought most of the bout with a right eye that was closing throughout the contest.

However, the bout was marred by a melee between supporters of both camps, reportedly including Nicklow. Sitting in front of Sigmon supporters, I must say I was appalled by some of the racist and quite ignorant comments by some of them. Honestly, I don't know if the same was said on the other side of the room, but I know a reporter (who will remain nameless) who wanted to use the martial arts training that the reporter has on one of those fans.

Despite this, the bout put a wonderful bow on what was an unique group of moments in recent Beltway Boxing history.


Other bouts deserving consideration:

James Stevenson UD 10 over George Rivera, March 20, Du Burns Arena, Baltimore

On a card where emotions ran high throughout the evening, this main event contest sent the crowd over the edge. Two young veterans fought very well during the bout. Stevenson dominated the first five rounds but got a little cocky during the sixth. That opened the door for Rivera to battle back by putting on the pressure.

Then came the eighth round where Rivera received an accidental low blow. Moments later, supporters from both camps battled outside the ring. Both boxers showed extreme class in trying to stop their followers from battling. Stevenson closed the show in fine fashion.

Unfortunately, the win was the only highlight in a tough year for Stevenson, who lost his father later in 2010.

Jimmy Lange KO 10 Joe Wyatt, November 6, George Mason University Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA

This was another great story in heart. Lange and Wyatt showed tremendous heart throughout the contest. In fact, Wyatt was the main aggressor in the contest but was knocked down twice by Lange's counter right hands. Both men suffered tough cuts before Lange landed a crushing right hand that sent Wyatt out for the count. This is the reason why Jimmy Lange has the fan base that he does. It's that simple. It may not make him a full-fledged contender, but it will keep his fan base growing.

Joppy Stopped in Sixth in Championship Bout!

Former three-time world champion William Joppy was stopped in the sixth round last night in his bid for the WBA Light Heavyweight title against champion Beibut Shumenov at the Ice Mansion in Shyment, Kazakhstan.

The former Kazakhstan Olympian, now fighting out of Las Vegas, floored Joppy in the fifth round with a powerful right and seconds into the sixth round, he fired a vicious left hook to Joppy’s body that resulted in him taking a knee and being 10-counted out.

Joppy's record is now 39-6-2, 30 KO's. Shumenov is now 11-1, seven KO's.

Joppy Weighs 174 1/2 for WBA Title Bout!

William Joppy weighed in at 174 1/2 for his WBA Light Heavyweight title bout against Beibut Shumenov later today in Kazakhstan. Joppy said the following about his opportunity:

“I felt welcomed here when I first walked off the plane. We’ve been on a roller-coaster ride with the changing of opponents. Me and Beibut have in common that we both trained for totally different style fighters. Beibut is a great fighter. I’ve watched some of his fights but there’s not something I haven’t seen before. And he’s fought orthodox fighters before. I’m here to give a great, memorable fight like sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns in their first fight. I came here to fight Gayrat Ahmedov and fell into a world title fight. Wow! It’s going to be a barn-burner.”

Salisbury Hosts First ESPN 3-D Boxing Telecast; Guerrero, Wade on Card!

The Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, MD will be the site for a historic boxing telecast on Friday, Feb. 18. ESPN Friday Night Fights will televise bouts on the card in 3-D for the very first time.

The main event on the card will be hometown hero and NABF Middleweight champion Fernando Guerrero (20-0, 16 KO's) defending his title against Saul Roman (33-8, 28 KO's) of Mexico. Also on the card will be undefeated Largo, MD middleweight Dominic Wade (9-0, seven KO's) who will face Grover Young of Tennessee (4-0, two KO's) in a six-round contest. If time permits, the Wade bout will also be shown in 3-D.

Joppy Contends for WBA Light Heavyweight Title Saturday..We Think!!

Former three-time WBA Middleweight champion William Joppy will contend for the WBA Light Heavyweight championship this Saturday against Beibut Shumenov in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.

Joppy was already slated to be on the undercard, however, when Shumenov's unification bout with WBO titleholder Juergen Brahmer fell out, promoters sought for and got WBA approval for Shumenov to defend against Joppy. Shumenov is 10-1, six KO's. Joppy is 39-6-2, 30 KO's and is coming off a 10-round draw with Cory Cummings last November at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA.


Now we say "we think" because rumors continue to swirl that the card will or has been cancelled. No word on that yet but we will continue to check.

We will also have the rest of the BATB Awards this weekend.

Guerrero, Mitchell, Wade, Russell Make ESPN Best Prospects List!

Four Beltway Boxers made Dan Rafael's ESPN.com list of the top 25 prospects in the world. Rafael selected the two Beltway Boxing Prospects of the Year -- Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell and "Mr." Gary Russell, Jr. -- along with Dominic Wade and Fernando Guerrero.

We'll let Mr. Rafael tell the reason for his choices.

Seth Mitchell (28, heavyweight, Golden Boy, 20-0-1, 14 KOs):

In the desert, it's nice to find an oasis. In the land of American heavyweight prospects, it's nice to find Mitchell, one of the few bona-fide, up-and-coming big men. Although he's 28, he started boxing late because he was busy playing college football at Michigan State before a knee injury derailed his NFL hopes. He has come a long way in his two-year career and is clearly the best American heavyweight prospect. The 6-foot-2, 243-pound Brandywine, Md., fighter is fundamentally sound and has shown improvement fight after fight. He's a hard worker with a good attitude and just needs rounds and experience. In 2010, he won all five of his bouts by knockout while facing experienced opponents such as Derek Bryant and Taurus Sykes.


Gary Russell Jr. (22, featherweight, Golden Boy, 13-0, 9 KOs):

Russell was a phenomenal amateur and the 2008 U.S. Olympic team bantamweight, but he didn't box in Beijing because he passed out on the eve of his first bout trying to make weight and was disqualified from the tournament. It was a bitter disappointment that he's trying to make up for as a pro featherweight. So far, so good. Russell has dynamic talent, perhaps the fastest set of hands in the sport and sound defense. The Capitol Heights, Md., southpaw went 7-0 in 2010 and probably would have had at least one more win, but it's hard to find opponents for him. (One fight fell out at the last minute.) It wouldn't be a surprise to see him on the pound-for-pound list in a few years.

Fernando Guerrero (24, middleweight, Prize Fight, 20-0, 16 KOs):

Guerrero is a blue-chip prospect with strong amateur credentials that include junior Golden Gloves, international Junior Olympics, National Golden Gloves and U.S. national titles. And that's not all: He has charisma, power and is a big ticket seller in Salisbury, Md., where he has lived since childhood after moving from the Dominican Republic. With a growing fan base and improving skills, he could someday be a serious factor. He has gotten good gym work as a sparring partner for Paul Williams. A hand injury early in the year limited Guerrero to just three fights in 2010, but he won each, including the best win of his career: a decision against experienced Ishe Smith. He opens his 2011 campaign in Salisbury on Feb. 18 as the headliner on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights."


Dominic Wade (20, super middleweight, Prize Fight, 9-0, 7 KOs):

Wade, who turned pro in March 2009, was a standout amateur, having won four consecutive Silver Gloves national titles. He has all the tools, especially an exciting style and outstanding power that he has used to turn out the lights on opponents. The Largo, Md., product took up boxing at age 9 and is one of those prospects who managers and promoters talk about wishing they could work with, which says something in a sport in which competitors rarely give somebody else's fighter credit. The only knock on Wade has been a bit of immaturity and a work ethic that hasn't always been stellar. If he can button that down, the sky's the limit.

BATB Prospect(s) of The Year -- 2010!

Now for the Prospect of the Year for 2010! If there was one aspect of Beltway Boxing that made solid strides it was among our prospects. A number of prospects made nice strides on their way to possible contendership in 2011. Two of those prospects made the best strides towards a world ranking.

Digital's Choices for Beltway Boxing Prospects of the Year are:

Gary Russell, Jr. (13-0, nine KO's), featherweight, Capitol Heights, MD and Seth Mitchell (20-0-1, 14 KO's), heavyweight, Brandywine, MD.

Russell had an outstanding 2010. Reminiscent of three-time world champion and Beltway legend Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, Russell spent half of the year applying his trade on the west coast where he became a fixture on the Club Nokia shows in Los Angeles. Six of his seven bouts ended in knockouts no later than the second round. The most notable win for the 2008 US Olympian was his first-round stoppage of former world champion Mauricio Pastrana in July.

Heavyweight Mitchell really stepped his game up in 2010 as he went five-for-five -- five wins, five knockouts. Also notable is that all five of Mitchell's victories came against boxers with .500 or better records. Four of Mitchell's five wins came on the west coast against the likes of Johnnie White, Derek Bryant and Taurus Sykes and put him in full view of the bigwigs of his promotional company, Golden Boy Promotions. 2011 could be a very big year for the former Michigan State linebacker, who has moved seamlessly into the eight and 10-round bouts.

Others Deserving Consideration:

Emmanuel Taylor, (10-0, eight KO's) welterweight, Baltimore, MD. One of the busier prospects in 2010, Taylor was 6-0, four KO's and made a nice jump to six-round contests. Taylor's most notable win came against formerly 15-1 Ayi Bruce on May 7 in Huntington, NY. Taylor stopped Bruce in the third round. Three of his wins came against shop-worn veterans Doel Carrasquillo, Chris Cook and Joey Ortega.

Dominic Wade (9-0, seven KO's), middleweight, Largo, MD. The 2009 Beltway Boxing Rookie of the Year fought four times in 2010 against over-.500 competition and knockouts were a little harder to come by. However, Wade did begin his ascent into the six-rounds where the knockouts came back. Wade stopped both his foes in his six-round contests.


Maurice Byarm (10-0, seven KO's), heavyweight, Washington, DC Byarm made solid strides in 2010 with five victories, three by knockout. Two of his wins (against Jason Freeman and Winston Thorpe) were against young undefeated boxers. Started moving into the six-round bout, but two of his bouts were against late substitutions that cut the bouts to four rounds. A very likable prospect who is steadily building a fan base.

BATB Rookie of the Year -- 2010!

We start our look back at 2010 with the Rookie of the Year. Unlike 2009, where we had a solid class of 24 rookies, 2010 saw only 10 make appearances for the first time as pros, and most of them only had one bout. What was good for this year was that the four top rookies would probably have challenged for this designation in just about any year.

Digital's Choice for Beltway Boxing Rookie of the Year is:

Nick Kisner (6-0, four KO's), heavyweight, Ferndale, MD. The 19-year-old's much anticipated first year as a pro lived up to expectations as the highly-touted amateur rocketed to six wins against tough competition. Kisner started his year with a four-round majority decision over Francois Ambang on January 11 in Fort Washington, MD. That was Kisner's only bout at cruiserweight. The rest of 2010 saw Kisner compete at heavyweight where he scored knockouts in four of his remaining five bouts. One of the interesting questions of 2011 is where will Kisner finally find his optimum weight class. Some pundits outside the Beltway say Kisner may be the best at light heavyweight. One thing is for sure, the talent Kisner has will be comparable no matter what weight class he competes in.

Others Deserving Consideration:

Brandon Quarles (3-0, one KO), middleweight, Alexandria, VA. The 24-year-old middleweight is quickly becoming a fan favorite by winning two close unanimous decisions against Vincent Batteast and Lawrence Jones. A very exciting boxer who will be fun to watch in 2011.

Tori Nelson (2-0-1), middleweight, Ashburn, VA. We don't know how long Nelson will be a pro, but she will be exciting to watch. After a successful amateur career, Nelson has won two bouts over middleweight prospects Shelly Seivert and Rachel Clark. One of the new breed of female boxers who have actually trained as an amateur in the sport and that training is already paying dividends.

Alantez Fox (3-0, two KO's), welterweight, Fort Washington, MD. Already signed by TKO Promotions, the 18-year-old Fox has only boxed six rounds in his short pro career, but the tall welterweight has definitely shown promise. It will be interesting to see how his career goes in 2011.

Coleman Makes 'New Faces' Column in Ring!

USBA Junior Welterweight champion Tim "Pitbull" Coleman received more publicity to end 2010. Coleman made the "New Faces" column in "The Bible of Boxing,"Ring Magazine.

Also in the February 2011 issue of the Ring there is an obituary on Baltimore trainer Mack Lewis compiled from different sources, including yours truly.

By the way, the BATB Year-End awards were delayed because my youngest daughter had foot surgery. I look to bring the awards to you this week.