Washington Times Article on McBride-Tyson Aftermath!

On this date a year ago, Kevin McBride made Mike Tyson quit on his stool in the sixth round at MCI (now Verizon) Center in DC. The aftermath of this event has caused interesting ripples over the past 12 months. The aftermath of this event is detailed in an article by Thom Loverro in today's Washington Times.

A lot of the information detailed in the story is very similar to what Mike Swann of 15rounds.com talked about in his two-part expose on this subject. Part one of Swann's report can be found in the December 2005 archives on this blog.

There is one statement that I have to disagree with in Loverro's story and I would like to throw in an editorial here.

Loverro quoted the legendary York Van Nixon who is a former commissioner of the District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission and has been a high-ranking official with the World Boxing Association for a number of years. Van Nixon said the event was "a joke" and it was bad for boxing.

In many ways, the event was good for boxing, especially in DC. The card brought many people out to boxing who normally don't go. The attendance was over 15,000, the largest I can remember for a Beltway Boxing show in many years, if not ever. The event made DC the center of the boxing world for at least a week.

If there is an issue with this card, it's with the aftermath. This deals with how the city, especially the DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission handled the aftermath of arguably the most important card in the city since Joe Louis fought Buddy Baer in Griffith Stadium in May of 1941.

The DC Commission, did not follow up on the wave of excitement generated by the McBride-Tyson card. The commission did not promote themselves and encouarge promoters to put on cards here in the city. This could have been because of the financial problems suffered by co-promoter Marty Wynn because of this card. Maybe the Commission was waiting to see what would happen to Wynn after the card.

But these are the facts, folks:

Since June 11, 2005, The District of Columbia has had a grand total of TWO boxing cards in the city. One of those was the annual Fight Night charity boxing card which is not really open to the general public. So in reality, DC has had ONE card (March 3 at the Lincoln Theatre) since Tyson-McBride.

By contrast, The Ballroom Boxing card on June 15 in Glen Burnie will mark the 20TH card for the State of Maryland since this date last year. Northern Virginia has had TWO cards since Tyson-McBride and has two more slated for July and August.

The lack of activity in our Nation's Capital is a serious issue, folks. The city blew a major chance to become a hotbed after Tyson-McBride. This card should have been used as a catalyst to boost boxing in the city.

The card did a lot for me personally. The week of the card, I was interviewed by a number of radio stations in the area and around the country. I even did an interview at two in the morning with a station in Vancouver, British Columbia after the card was over.

The card was also a catalyst for me to start this blog almost a year ago. If I could see this as an opportunity to expand my territory, why couldn't the commission see the card in the same light?

I know of people who want to promote here, but say they have issues working with the commission which make it difficult. There are other issues as well. The lack of types of venues like Michael's Eighth Avenue or Martin's West in the city with adequate parking and secure surroundings make it difficult to promote shows. Also promoters seem to feel that they have to spend a lot of money to make a lot of money. They go for the big, fancy places because they look good. In boxing, many times you spend a lot of money to LOSE a lot of money.

By contrast, Han Kim is promoting a USBA title bout on July 1 in a venue that MAY seat 2,000 once he reconfigures.

I know I've gone off on a little tangent but there have been lasting effects since this date last year and it goes beyond even what Loverro and, before him, Swann, have been talking about.

Please share your thoughts on this situation.

Franchon Crews Wins Pan American Gold!

Middleweight Franchon Crews of Baltimore has won a gold medal in the Pan American Women's Amateur Boxing Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Crews, the number one-ranked middleweight in the United States, earned her second stoppage victory of the tournament defeating Argentina's Tamara Garcia. Crews earned the stopping by moving out to a 15-point lead, forcing the referee to stop the contest.

Crews was one of three US boxers to win gold medals in Argentina. The American team also captured three silvers and four bronze medals.

Warrick Suffers Ninth-Round Knockout!

Landover, MD junior welterweight Michael Warrick suffered a crushing knockout against Demetrius Hopkins tonight at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

Warrick was actually fighting a solid contest and had to battle a knee that was hurt in the fifth round. Warrick's manager, former world champion Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, told ESPN2 that Warrick hurt the knee in training camp. But still, Warrick seemed to be in the bout, if not possibly leading.

The knockout, quite frankly, will come up in discussions for knockout of the year. Hopkins landed a devastating right hand that sent Warrick to the canvas face first. Referee Randy Newman immediately stopped the contest at 1:59 of the ninth.

Warrick's record drops to 18-4, 11 KO's. Hopkins remains undefeated at 24-0-1. 10 KO's.

Interview with Donna Duva Brooks!

Promoter Donna Duva Brooks joins me to talk about her upcoming ESPN2 card on June 14 in Dover, DE (featuring ring announcer Henry "Discombobulating" Jones) and the possibilities of promoting a card later this year along the Beltway.

Ballroom Boxing Card Features Exciting Local Main Event!

The next Ballroom Boxing card at Michael's Eighth Avenue on Thursday, June 15 features a potentially outstanding main event with serious Beltway implications.

The main event will be an eight-round contest between undefeated Baltimore middleweight Ismail “The Arsenal” Arvin (13-0-2, six KO’s) and DC veteran Purcell “Hard Rock” Miller (21-4-1, 17 KO’s).

In the co-feature, Baltimore heavyweight Jed Phipps (17-4, 10 KO’s) looks to bounce back against veteran James “The House” Stanton, Philadelphia (17-6, eight KO’s) in a six-round contest.

Also on the card, undefeated featherweight Tyrell Samuel of Baltimore (6-0, four KO’s) will take on Margarito Lopez, Philadelphia (8-14-1, three KO’s). This will be Samuel’s first scheduled six-rounder.

Brandon Artis a light heavyweight from Virginia, will make his pro debut vs. Reuel Williams (0-1) of Delaware.

And undefeated welterweight Tim Coleman of Laurel (4-0, one KO) is also slated to be on the card.

Two more bouts are slated for this card and it looks like it will be a great one. Keep in mind, this will be the last Ballroom Boxing card scheduled until after their summer break. I'll have a complete preview later this week!

White Holds Casal To Draw!

In what many would consider a major surprise, Smithsburg, MD's Dean "Pitbull" White held highly touted unbeaten lightweight Nick Casal to an eight-round majority draw last night in Las Vegas.

The bout was a slugfest that resulted in two 76-76 cards along with one card favoring Casal 78-74.

White's record is now 13-4-1, six KO's while Casal's record is 14-0-1, 12 KO's.

Those who know how White battles figured he would give Casal some difficulty and we were right!

A. Peterson Title Bout Moved to June 16 on ESPN2!

Undefeated DC Lightweight Anthony Peterson's bout for the vacant NABO Lightweight title has been moved up a day.

Instead of being buried on the undercard of the Jermain Taylor-Winky Wright matchup, Peterson's bout will be the main event on a free outdoor card in Memphis on Friday, June 16. The bout will be televised on ESPN2.

Peterson's opponent remains the same, Adan Hernandez of El Paso, TX. Peterson will be the third Beltway Boxer that will appear on ESPN2 this month. Junior welterweight Michael Warrick of Landover will take on Demetrius Hopkins on Wednesday, June 7 in Atlantic City and Heavyweight Tony "The Tiger" Thompson of Silver Spring will battle Dominick Guinn on Wednesday, June 28 from Houston, TX.

Crews Wins First International Bout!

Baltimore middleweight Franchon Crews recorded her first international win in quick fashion, stopping Canada’s Maude Bergeron in the second round of their bout at the Pan American Amateur Boxing Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Crews is ranked number one in the United States in her weight class.

The event continues until June 8.

Three DC-Area Boxers Honored at 1976 Olympic Reunion in Canastota!

As part of this year's induction ceremonies at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY, there will be a 30th anniversary reunion of perhaps the greatest United States Olympic Boxing team of all-time: The 1976 US Olympic Boxing team.

This team had a definite Beltway Boxing presence as three of its members lived in the Washington, DC area. Of course, we all know about gold medalist and hall of famer Sugar Ray Leonard, but other members from DC included silver medalist Sgt. Charles Mooney and Louis "Heidi" Curtis.

According to IBHOF Executive Director Ed Brophy, Leonard, Mooney and Curtis are among eight members of the team that have confirmed their attendance at the hall's induction ceremony on June 11. Also slated to attend are fellow gold medalists Leon Spinks, Howard Davis Jr. and Leo Randolph. along with team members Chuck Walker and Davey Armstrong.

Led by Leonard and Leon and Michael Spinks, the 1976 squad captured five gold medals, one silver and a bronze during the Games in Montreal.

One Rumor Confirmed!

I can now confirm that Smithsburg, MD's Dean "Pit Bull" White WILL be on the undercard of the Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo this Saturday night in Las Vegas. White will face undefeated Nick "Hands of Gold" Casal of Niagra Falls, NY in this contest.

That should be an interesting matchup. White has the capabilities of giving Casal some difficulty.

Beltway Rumor Mill...

There are a couple of rumors floating around the Beltway that deserve some mention.

There is talk that former WBA Super Lightweight champion Sharmba Mitchell will be involved in a welterweight title bout on August 12 in Las Vegas. Mitchell may be facing WBO Welterweight titleholder Antonio Margarito on the undercard of the WBC Heavyweight title bout between champion Hasim Rahman and Oleg Maskaev.

I've read reports that say the choice comes down to either Mitchell or former WBO Junior Welterweight champ Felix Flores. This may end up being an easy choice in Mitchell's favor because Flores has a bout scheduled for this Friday, June 2. If Flores doesn't come out of this bout well, Mitchell may end up getting the shot.

The other rumor involves Smithsburg, MD super featherweight Dean "Pit Bull" White. I'm hearing that White will be on this Saturday's Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo undercard in Las Vegas. White will be moving to 140 pounds to face undefeated Nick "Hands of Gold" Casal of Niagra Falls, NY.

White (13-4, six KO's) has not fought since February 23 when he evened the score with Mike Ricasa at Martin's West, winning an eight-round decision. In Casal, however, White faces one of the rising star prospects in the junior welterweight division. Casal (14-0, 12 KO's, one NC) impressed many folks along the Beltway when he fought Martinus Clay and stopped him in the first round in June 2005 at Michael's Eighth Avenue. After that bout, however, Casal tested positive for cocaine and the result was changed to a no-contest.

Casal was suspended for six months and did not return to the ring until January of this year. He has won three straight bouts since the suspension, two by knockout.

If this bout comes to pass and White wins, it will be one of the biggest upsets in 2006. I will keep you posted on both rumors.

Amateurs Deliver Incredible Show in Woodlawn!

If you'll remember, the last thing Jake "The Snake" Smith said in my interview with him was "support the amateurs." Hundreds of people took that advice to heart last night at Martin's West in Woodlawn, MD.

An estimated crowd of 900 packed the house to witness a card that probably set a new standard for amateur boxing along the Beltway.

In one of the featured bouts of the evening, Gary A. Russell (Allen to his family and friends)of Enigma Boxing in DC, won by decision over Charm City Boxing's Emmanuel Taylor in a 136-pound bout. Both young men showed exceptional skills during the contest, demonstrating why they are both highly ranked in their weight class.

Both also showed that their boxing bloodlines remain strong. Russell is the younger brother of Gary Russell, Jr., the number one ranked bantamweight in the United States and third-ranked in the world. Taylor is the younger brother of pro junior middleweight Maxell "The General" Taylor. By the way, Emmanuel Taylor participated in his 180th amateur bout last night; at the age of 15.

Last night was also the amateur swan song for 165-pounder Elias Boulabassis of the Baltimore Boxing Club. Boulabassis went out in grand style, knocking down Daniel Ankers of the Lincoln Way Club of York, PA three times before the contest was stopped in the second round.

Boulabassis, who will carry the nickname "The Golden Greek," is scheduled to make his pro debut on August 12 in Ocean City, MD.

But the bout that everyone will be talking about was the only women's bout on the card. Heather Monroe won a decision over her Baltimore Boxing Club compatriot Tanisha Kemp in one of the most exciting slugfests seen in recent memory.

Kemp was in control of the action in the first round, pummeling Monroe enough to gain two standing eight-counts. However, Monroe fought back bravely and earned a standing eight-count of her own.

The third round was a two-minute give-and-take slugfest that had fans out of their seats throughout Martin's West. Monroe did just enough to earn the win.

In other bouts on the card:

185-pound Novice: Glenn Carey of Baltimore Boxing won a decision over fellow club member Jason Saddler.

182-Novice: Lloyd Thomas of Upton Boxing forced the referee to stop the contest in the first round against Baltimore Boxing's Darryl Wirtz.

178-Novice: Eric Ward of Baltimore Boxing won by retirement in the third round against compatriot Michael Snowden.

142-Novice: Eric Lowe of Loch Raven won a decision over Mpoyi Mukankol of Washington, DC Boxing and Fitness.

165-Novice: Richard Lin of Baltimore Boxing won by decision over teammate Zeke Crane.

190 Pound: Robert Reed of DC Boxing and Fitness scored the stoppage of the night, dropping Joel Edwards of The Next Level gym in Baltimore with a crushing right hand in the second round.

152 Pound: Lenwood Dozier of BXF Gym in Millersville, MD won by decision over Ricky Johnson of Keystone Boxing Gym in Marlow Heights, MD.

201+ Pound: Dorsett Barnwell of Enigma won when Mark Orendorff of Baltimore Boxing retired in the third.

201+ Pound: Tavon Sol of The Next Level wins by decision over Zakki Scott of DC Boxing and Fitness.

This was a tremendous amateur show that in many ways had the feel of a pro show. There were some great bouts, you had devastating stoppages and a very enthusiastic crowd.

This card was the best amateur show I have seen in person since the 2001 Platinum Gloves. Just an incredible card!

Warrick Talks About His 'Too Sharp' Relationship!

In the second part of my interview with Michael Warrick, he continues talking about his managerial relationship with former three-time world champion Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson.

Michael Warrick Discusses June 7 Bout!

Landover, MD junior welterweight Michael Warrick talks about his June 7 ESPN2 bout against Demetrius Hopkins in Atlantic City.

Breaking News: Anthony Peterson Battles for NABO Lightweight Crown June 17!

Undefeated DC lightweight Anthony Peterson will try for his first regional pro title when he takes on Adan Hernandez of El Paso, Texas for the NABO Lightweight title on Saturday, June 17 at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis, TN. The bout will be on the Jermain Taylor-Winky Wright undercard.

Peterson (17-0, 13 KO's) is ranked seventh in the latest NABO rankings and is coming off a third-round stoppage of Jermaine White in front of a nationally televised ShoBox audience on April 28 in New Town, ND.

Hernandez (14-4, five KO's) has not fought since losing a 10-round unanimous decision to Carlos Contreras in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in February 2005.

A Peterson win would put him in the WBO top 10, helping position him for a world title shot. A win would also mean that both Peterson Brothers would currently hold regional titles. Lamont Peterson (17-0, seven KO's) holds the WBC United States Junior Welterweight title and is currently ranked number 20 in the May WBC rankings.

Aiken, Corley Guest on 'Fight to the Finish!'

Tonight at 11 pm Eastern time, you have an opportunity to hear two Beltway Boxers guest on a worldwide internet radio show.

Newly-crowned IBF Featherweight champion Eric "Mighty Mouse" Aiken and former WBO Junior Welterweight titleholder DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley will be guests on the groundbreaking internet boxing talk show "Fight to the Finish" with host Macke Roberts. The show is a mixture of boxing and hip-hop music that is very exciting and can get uncensored.

The show can be heard by going to www.fantalklive.com and will run from 11 pm to midnight ET.

USBA Cruiserweight Title Bout in Virginia July 1!

I mentioned last week that there was a USBA Cruiserweight title bout possibly scheduled for this summer in the area. Well, according to promoter Han Kim, the bout is a done deal.

Baltimore-based Emmanuel Nwodo will take on Chris "Cold Steel" Thomas of Chicago, IL for the vacant USBA title on Saturday, July 1 at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA.

Nwodo, a native of Nigeria, raised his record to 19-4, 15 KO's with an easy first-round TKO over Ron Krull on April 29 at the ABC Complex. Nwodo is ranked sixth in the latest USBA rankings. This will be just Nwodo's second bout under Kim's promotional banner.

Thomas (16-4-2, 14 KO's) is fourth in the USBA rankings and will be making his first appearance in 2006. In his last outing, Thomas battled Billy Willis to an eight-round draw in December 2005 in Harvey, IL.

Kim also said that the card will feature Virginia boxers "Money" Mike Sawyer and Zain and Ali Shah along with Gaithersburg, MD heavyweight Calvin Riley. Also scheduled on the card will be the return of Fort Washington, MD heavyweight Derek "Hollywood" Amos.

Kim added that he will be expanding the ABC Sports Complex to hold 1200-1500 fans.

Hill Loses Decision in Florida!

The winning streak is over for Reisterstown, MD's "Diamond" Matt Hill. The always-game junior middleweight lost a four-round unanimous decision to Hollywood, FL welterweight Ed Paredes (7-1, three KO’s) this past Friday in Pompano Beach, FL. According to Fightnews.com, Paredes was simply too tall, too strong and too talented for Hill (8-29-2, four KO’s). Paredes scored at will with effective combinations and solid right hands to the head in the four-rounder. There were no knockdowns in the bout, but Hill was wobbled a few times.

Hill was carrying a two-bout winning streak coming into the contest.

'Diamond' Hill Goes For Third Straight Win Tonight in Florida!

Last night when I did my interview with Jake Smith, I mentioned that he was in Florida. However, I didn't mention why he was there.

Tonight in Pompano Beach, Reisterstown, MD junior middleweight "Diamond" Matt Hill will take on Ed Paredes in a scheduled four-round encounter. Hill (8-28-2, four KO's) will try for his third consecutive victory coming off two four-round unanimous decision wins in Pikesville in March and April.

Paredes, who fights out of Hollywood, FL, is 6-1, three KO's.

This bout will be on the undercard of the ESPN2 card that features the IBF Super Middleweight title elimination bout between Yusef Mack and Alejandro Berrio.

Amateur Boxing Event in Alexandria on Saturday!

The Alexandria Boxing Club is having an amateur show tomorrow afternoon beginning at 5:30 pm. It will be at the Alexandria Boxing Club gym on 901 Wythe Avenue, off of Route 1 in Old Town.

As Jake Smith said in his audio interview, boxing fans should make a team effort to continue to support our amateur programs. While I can't come to every amateur show, the least I can do is to help publicize the card.

So, if you have an AMATEUR show coming up in the near future, let me know by sending me an email to digital_fightnews@hotmail.com. Please make sure you have all the details you want about your show.

This is for AMATEUR BOXING SHOW PROMOTERS ONLY. Thanks.