Scene From Joe Gans Tribute!

Marvin McDowell of the UMAR Gym in Baltimore (left) receives a special award from local actor Kevin Grace during the Joe Gans Memorial service held earlier this week. Mr. Grace has done incredible work in bringing the legacy of the Baltimore native and first African-American to hold a world championship back to its much-needed prominence.

McCalla Added to August 14 Norfolk Card!

Undefeated Baltimore middleweight Cecil McCalla has been added to the Saturday, August 14 card at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, VA.

McCalla (12-0, four KO's) will take on veteran John Hoffman of St. Paul, MN (11-25, three KO's) in a six-round contest. McCalla is coming off a six-round unanimous decision win over Ruben Galvan on June 19 in Niagra Falls, NY. Hoffman has lost his last five bouts by knockout.

This is the same card that features Hasim Rahman taking on Damon Reed in the main event and Henry Buchanan against Bobby Jordan.

Mitchell Makes Ring Magazine 'New Faces' Column!

Undefeated Brandywine, MD heavyweight Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell is the subject of the "New Faces" column in the latest issue of The Ring Magazine. Columnist Joseph Santoliquito profiles Mitchell's transition from football star to boxer.

This is the September issue with Andre Ward on the cover. This article was written prior to Mitchell's win over Derek Bryant.

McBride Wins Masters at Ringside Tournament!

We told you that nine Beltway Boxers won titles at the recent Ringside World Championships in Kansas City, MO. Well, we left one out. And there is a nice story behind this championship.

Tai McBride won a championship in the Masters Division of the Ringside event. McBride is the founder of Diamonds In The Ruff gym in Forestville, MD. Competing in this event was a challenge to the close to 80 kids registered in the program. The challenge was to show the kids that you can chase your dreams at any point in your life -- even at age 46.

McBride gave up his favorite foods and modeled the discipline that he wants to see in all his boxers. That helped him win a championship in Kansas City against a younger, taller and heavier opponent.

Congratulations to Coach McBride for being a shining example for many in the area to follow!

We've also learned that Myke Stewart of Reisterstown, MD won his second straight Masters title at 177+ pounds during the Ringside event. The 44-year-old Stewart defeated 36-year-old Paul Reyes of Dallas, TX.

York Van Nixon Memorial Service August 14!

The memorial service for former WBA Vice President and DC Boxing and Wrestling chair York Van Nixon will be held on Saturday, August 14 at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 630 E Street, SW in DC.

The repast will be held at 700 7th Street, SW, level B Party Room.

Baltimore Sun Celebrates Joe Gans!

Don Markus of the Baltimore Sun has put together an article on the continued efforts spearheaded by local actor Kevin Grace to honor the life and acheivements of Baltimore's own world boxing champion Joe Gans.

Here is the article:

"http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-sp-joegans-anniversary-0808-20100808,1,4853149,full.story"

Beltway Amateurs Win Nine Ringside Titles!

Beltway amateurs brought back nine titles from the Ringside World Championships in Kansas City, MO.

Jordan White of Waldorf, MD captured the 11-12, Open 80 Pound title defeating Logan Yoon of Honolulu, HI.

Rayvon Drayton of Washington, DC won the 13-14, 95 pounds Novice crown with a win over Caleb Valdez of Palacious, TX.

Oxon Hill, MD's Daron Williams took the 13-14, 106 pound Novice crown defeating Deion Sparks of Brooklyn, NY.

Jalonte Cole of DC won the 13-14 114 pound Open Blue title by decision over Adan Rodriguez of Wichita, KS.

Mykal Fox of Forestville, MD won the 13-14, 101 pound Open Red championship, defeating Christian Bermudez of Ridgewood, NY.

Aujee Tyler of Temple Hills, MD won to the 15/16 year-old 106 pounds Open Championship defeating Ernesto Delgadillo of Dallas, Texas.

Jerry Odom of Bowie, MD won Men's 178 pound Open Division Championship defeating Robert Brandt of Minnesota. Brandt is ranked #2 in the 178lbs. division and was #1 in 2009. Brandt is also the 2010 National Golden Gloves Champion at 178lbs.

Antoine Douglas of Burke, VA won the Open 152 pound division by defeating Michael Guerrero of Kansas.

D'Mitrius Ballard of Temple Hills, MD won the 165 pound Open title by defeating Marcus Chapman of Indiana.

Boxing Returns To ABC Bingo Hall August 29!

An old Beltway Boxing landmark will have the sport come through its doors once more on Sunday afternoon, August 29 when Han Kim's Sugar Han Promotions will have a boxing card at the ABC Auditorium/Bingo Hall, 6200 Little River Turnpike in Alexandria, VA. The card will begin at 4:30 PM.

Just to clarify: This is not the ABC Sports Arena where both Kim and Scott Farmer have promoted shows in the past few years. This is the original ABC Auditorium where a number of boxers especially those based in Virginia, fought battles in the early to mid 90's. Among the boxers that fought there were Keith Holmes, Andrew Maynard and Andrew Council as well as the promoter, Han Kim.

Scheduled to appear on this card are Zain "Tiger" Shah, the returning "Money" Mike Sawyer and John "No Mercy" Mackey.

Beltway Amateurs Advance to Finals of Ringside Championships!

DC Amateur Boxing is reporting that 13 boxers so far have advanced to the finals of the Ringside World Championships in Kansas City, MO. Here is the list:

Daron Williams of Oxon Hill, MD advanced to the 13/14 year-old 106pounds Novice Championship after defeating Francisco Zuniga from Alamo, TX by RSC in the 3rd round.

Mykal Fox of Forestville, MD advanced to the 13/14 year-old 101 pounds Open Championship after defeating Angel Trevino of Freeport, TX.

Carlton Gray of Capitol Heights, MD advanced to the 13/14 year-old 110 pounds Open Championship after defeating Robert Tamez of Houston, TX by RSC. This was Gray's second consecutive RSC of the tournament.

Emmanuel Rodriguez of Salisbury, MD advanced to the finals of the Men's 17-34 152 pounds Novice Division defeating Rylan Doepker of Saskatoon, SK, Canada.

Jordan White of Waldorf, MD advanced to the 11/12 year-old 80 pounds Open Championship after defeating Aaron Perez of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Rayvon Drayton of Washington, DC advanced to the 13/14 year-old 95pounds Novice Championship after defeating Jameson Pasigan of Hawaii.

Aujee Tyler of Temple Hills, MD advanced to the 15/16 year-old 106pounds Open Championship after defeating Leopoldo Martinez of Laredo, TX.

Kareem Martin of Clinton, MD advanced to the 13/14 year old 145 pounds Open Championship after defeating Chase Calloway of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Keeshawn Williams of Clinton moves into the finals of the 13/14 year old 85 pounds Novice Championship by defeating Alberto Vargas of El Centro, CA.

Jerry Odom of Bowie, MD stopped Payton Boyea of Sacramento, CA in the second round to advance to the finals of the Men's 178-pound Open Division.

Antoine Douglas of Burke, VA moved into the finals of the Open 152-pound division by defeating Apollo Sample of Dallas, TX.

Jabri Melvin of Princess Anne, MD won his semi-final bout in the Men's 17-34 Open 141-pound division by defeating Deontae Lawrence of Toledo, OH.

D'Mitrius Ballard of Temple Hills, MD advanced to the 165-pound Open Green final by winning his bout over Lukas Welniak of Toronto, Canada.

In other bouts:

Zimmie Dickinson lost to Rahim Gonzales of Sylmar, CA in the 13/14 year-old 90 pounds. Open Division semifinal on Friday.

Lamont Roach, Jr. lost to Abel Mendoza of Midland, TX in the 13/14 year old 125 pound Open semifinals.

Demond Nicholson lost to Samuel Clarkson of Cedar Hill, TX in the Men's Open 178 pound semifinals.

Beltway Amateurs in Semis of Ringside World Championships!

The Beltway has a number of amateurs that have advanced to the semifinals of the Ringside World Championships in Kansas City, MO. Courtesy of the blog DC Amateur Boxing, here is a synopsis of who has advanced:

2009 National Silver Gloves Champion Jordan White won his 2nd bout in as many days to advance to the semifinals of the Ringside World Championship on Thursday in the 11/12 year-old 80lbs. Open division. He defeated Lionel Tijerina of La Blanca, TX this morning.


Daron Williams won on Wednesday but had a bye on day two to also advance to the semifinals of the 13/14 year-old 106lbs. Novice division. He defeated Alfred Wyatt.


Patrick Harris lost on Wednesday to Amhed Mahmood of Detroit in the 15/16 year-old 119lbs. division.


Joshua Davis lost to Tyler Asselstine of Kingston, Ontario on Wednesday in the 17-34 year-old Men's Open 132lbs. division.


Under-19 Champion D'mitrius Ballard advanced on Wednesday defeating Ryan Baulk of St. Catherines, Ontario in the 17-34 year-old Men's Open 165lbs. division.


Antoine "Action" Douglas advanced in the 17-34 year-old Men's Open 152lbs. division on Wednesday after defeating Cody Crawley of Petersburgh, Ontario.


3-time National Silver Gloves Champion Zimmie Dickinson defeated Kelvin Davis of Virginia on Thursday morning to advance to Friday's semifinals where he will face 2010 National Jr. Golden Gloves champion Rahim Gonazales of California.


Mykal Fox advanced to the semifinals on Thursday in the 13/14 year-old 101lbs. Open division with a victory of Eric Bui of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.


Carlton Gray advanced to the semifinals in the 13/14 year-old 110lbs. Open division with a first round RSC of Cody Brown of Deroche, British Columbia.


Marcus Wright lost in the 13/14 year-old 106lbs. Open division to Otahl Saunders of Minneapolis, Minnesota.


2010 National Junior Olympic Champion Aujee Tyler defeated Stephen Fulton of Philadelphia in the 15/16 year-old 106lbs. division.


Jalonte Cole also advanced to the semifinals in the 13/14 year-old 114lbs. Open division by defeated Logan O'Connor from Rochester, Minnesota.

'Mayhem' Mitchell SportsTalk Appearance Postponed!

Due to the thunderstorms that hit the area, Seth Mitchell's appearance on NewsChannel 8's SportsTalk will not take place this evening. The storms have played havoc on some area roads and show personnel could not make it to the studio.

Mitchell has been tentatively been rescheduled for Wednesday, August 11. We'll keep you posted.

Keystone Boxing Hosts Amateur Show in Clinton August 7!

There will be an amateur show coming to the OCC (Outreach Christian Center) Sports Arena in Clinton, MD on Saturday, August 7 beginning at 6 PM. There are 15 bouts scheduled and a number of them will be female bouts.

The OCC is located at 6701 Clinton Manor Drive. Tickets can be purchased by calling 301-899-2430.

York Van Nixon Obituary!

He made history in boxing as the first black vice president of the World Boxing Association. He was so well-known that Don King was his best man at his wedding in 2002. And he was a real estate mogul that sold some of the first embassy properties in DC to newly independent African countries.

Such was the extraordinary life of York Van Nixon who passed away on August 1 of cancer at the age of 84.

Mr. Van Nixon was born on a reservation in Idaho in 1926. He eventually made his way to DC where he was a semi-pro baseball and also worked as a professional wrestler known as "Vitamin Van," one of the few African-American pro wrestlers in the business in the 50's. Mr. Van Nixon wrestled with Bobo Brazil and "Big Daddy" Lipscomb against the likes of Antonino Rocca and Buddy Rogers.

Mr. Van Nixon graduated from Howard University with a degree in property management and parlayed that degree into becoming a real estate mogul. A February 2009 issue of Hill Rag said Mr. Van Nixon "was living the good life with ninehouses, a Cadillac and a Lincoln, and a 36-foot yacht christened the York V. But this wealth clouded his business judgment when he opened the VIP Lounge, the first African-American supper club in DC. Eartha Kitt headlined opening night. Celebrities crowded through its doors, but employees stole from him to the point of bankruptcy."

In the 70's, DC Mayor Walter Washington appointed Mr. Van Nixon to the DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission, where he led the commission until the early 80's. Mr. Van Nixon also was a judge for numerous world title bouts. He then became the first minority to hold an office with the World Boxing Association, first as a vice president and then as the International Commissioner. Congress also nominated Van Nixon to serve as chair of a Federal Boxing Commission.

On May 13, 2006, DC government proclaimed "York Van Nixon Day" in the city for his more than 50 years of boxing service. Mr. Van Nixon is survived by his wife, Panitda, sons York Van Nixon III and Steven Nixon. three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Gans Honored By US Congress!

As a followup to the post about Joe Gans, I received a copy of the latest Congressional Record that features a resolution by the Democratic Senator from Maryland, Ben Cardin honoring Gans on the 100th anniversary of his passing. I do want to thank Bailey Fine of Senator Cardin's office for passing this along.


Remembering Joe “The Old Master” Gans



Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I encourage my colleagues to join me in marking the 100th anniversary of the passing of Joe ``The Old Master'' Gans, a great American who inspired millions with his feats in the boxing ring. At a time of pervasive racial discrimination and inequality, Gans provided the country with a glimpse of the true potential of African Americans by rising to the top of what was then the most popular sport in America.

   Gans had the humblest of beginnings. He was born in Baltimore, MD, in 1874, and orphaned 4 years later. Then, he was raised by a foster mother in a segregated world in which the future seemed to hold no more for him than the same menial labor he performed at the Baltimore harbor in his teenage years. In an ironic twist of fate, the racist conditions that hemmed in his world eventually lifted him out of it. His incredible talent for boxing was first discovered when he emerged victorious in a Battle Royale, a cruel sporting event in which white gamblers bet on which of 10 black youths thrown together in a ring would be the last standing.

   In the years that followed, Gans honed his skills and accumulated success after success as a lightweight boxer, becoming famous for his perceptive, impregnable defensive tactics and devastating counterpunch. With an easy one-punch knockout victory in 1902, Gans first earned the world lightweight title, at the time the greatest athletic achievement made by an African American. Four years later, he solidified his hold on the title, which he would keep until 1908, with his victory over Matthew ``Battling'' Nelson on Labor Day, 1906, in Goldfield, NV.

   The Goldfield fight, held outdoors under a blazing Sun, drew an audience of 8,000 people. The purse was $30,000. Gans's foster mother, Maria Grant, sent him a telegram urging him to ``bring home the bacon,'' a phrase that caught on in the media accounts when Gans won what was dubbed ``the fight of the century'' after 42 grueling rounds. It was the longest gloved championship match recorded under Marquis of Queensbury rules.

   Despite winning the fight, Gans received much less prize money than his white opponent who lost. But the winnings were enough for Gans to found the Goldfield Hotel, a leading incubator of Black culture where, among others, the great jazz pianist Eubie Blake first attracted notice. Gans' achievements became a beacon of hope for the African-American community. The prominent preacher and civil rights leader Francis J. Grimke once remarked that the great Booker T. Washington had done much for African Americans, but he ``never did one-tenth to place the black man in the front rank as a gentleman as has been done by Joe Gans.''

   Gans was one of the first practitioners of scientific gloved boxing, following the era of bare-knuckles fights. Nat Fleischer described his footwork as ``beautiful side-stepping, and legwork'' in ``Black Dynamite.'' The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Gans ``was in and away or inside as it suited him best, with will-o-the-wisp elusiveness.'' Jack Johnson said, ``Joe moved around like he was on wheels.'' All in all, he fought in three divisions--featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight--for 18 years, compiling over 150 career wins and over 100 knockouts.

   The remarkable life of Joe Gans was cut short at age 34 when he succumbed to tuberculosis. I ask my colleagues to join me, a century after his death, in recognizing the inspiring accomplishments of an American hero whom the great Baltimore writer H.L. Mencken called ``probably the greatest boxer who ever lived.''

Old School Gym ReOpens!

The Old School Boxing Gym had its grand opening today. This picture of local boxing legends (and me) was taken by Juan Marshall.

Front row (l-r): Maurice "Mighty Mo" Adams, Junious Hinton, Bobby Magruder and Claude Boger. Back row (l-r): Yours truly, Buddy Harrison (owner of Old School Boxing) and two-time former WBC Middleweight champion Keith Holmes.

Former WBA Official York Van Nixon Passes!

Very sad news. Former World Boxing Association Vice President and former chair of the District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission York Van Nixon passed away yesterday in Washington, DC. Sources tell BATB that Mr. Van Nixon had cancer.

I will provide more details on Mr. Van Nixon's life later this evening, but suffice it to say, he was well known in boxing on a local, national and international scale.

The following is a resolution celebrating Mr. Van Nixon's life from Gilberto Mendoza, president of the WBA:

RESOLUTION


The Executive Committee Members of the World Boxing Association join the grieve of the Van Nixon Family.


CONSIDERING


1. - That Mr. York Van Nixon passed away on August 1, 2010 in Washington D.C., USA.

2. - That Mr. York Van Nixon was the WBA International Commissioner.

3. - That Mr. Van Nixon is an inspiration of a family united by the moral and ethics principles.


AGREES:


1. - Regret deeply the sensible pass away of Mr. York Van Nixon.

2. - Give our condolences to his parents and relatives.

3. - To carry a solidary support message in these moment of mourning and sadness of the Van Nixon family, hoping that the light of God lessens the trace of pain and the eternal resurrection faith.

4. - To give this resolution to his parents and relatives.


Given in Turmero, Venezuela on the Second day of the month of August, 2010.


Gilberto Mendoza
President

Centenary Celebration For Joe Gans on August 10!

On Tuesday, August 10, there will be a very special historical event. The Veteran Boxers Association, Ring 101 of Baltimore will host a public memorial to celebrate the life of the first African-American world champion boxer -- Baltimore's own Joe Gans.

One hundred years ago on August 10, 1910, Gans -- a world lightweight champion from 1902 to 1908 -- died of incurable tuberculosis at his mother's home on Argyle Street. The boxer known as "The Old Master" was just 35 years old. The funeral was Baltimore's largest to date with more than 10,000 people attending.

The public service will begin at noon and will be held at Mount Auburn Cemetery, the oldest African-American owned and operated cemetery in the city, dating back to 1872. The cemetery is located at 2630 Waterview Avenue in Baltimore. The service will be officiated by Bishop Joseph Gans and will include boxers, community and church affiliates from Baltimore and DC. There will be a horse-drawn carriage and award-winning saxophonist Lou Tibbs.

You are allowed to bring floral tributes but you are asked to be at the graveside no later than 11:45 AM.

If you would like an idea on how Joe Gans fought, here is some rare footage of a bout with Gans defending his world lightweight title against Kid Herman on New Year's Day 1907 in Tonopah, NV. There is no sound on this footage.

Gyms Reopen This Month!

Two well-known gyms have new facilities this month. One opens today. The Old School Boxing Gym -- recently closed at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD -- has moved to 4750 Clifton Road in Temple Hills, MD. The grand opening is indeed today at 6 PM.

For those of you living in the Salisbury, MD region, The Main Street Boxing Gym is having the grand opening of their new facility at 310 Bowl Drive in Salisbury on Saturday, August 21 and that event will include an amateur boxing card. The bouts will begin at 7:30 PM.

Sigmon, Taylor Win By TKO in Charlotte!

Bedford, VA's Scott "Cujo" Sigmon scored a third-round TKO over Anthony Cannon at the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, NC Saturday night. No details, but Sigmon described Cannon on his Facebook page a "real tough opponent."

Sigmon raises his record to 10-2, four KO's. Cannon is now 4-15, one KO.

Baltimore welterweight Emmanuel "Tranzformer" Taylor also won by third-round TKO, defeating Joey Ortega of Lowell, MA. Taylor is 9-0, eight KO's. Ortega falls to 3-18, one KO.

Four Beltway Amateurs Win Ohio State Fair Titles!

Congratulations to four Beltway Amateurs who won titles at the James "Buster" Douglas boxing tournament at the Ohio State Fair.

Ameer Brown of Palmer Park, MD won the 85 pound junior division. Demetrius Young of Largo, MD captured the 90 pound intermediate division crown.

Kashif Muhammad-Brown from Palmer Park won the junior division title at 119 pounds while Chris Forbes of Capitol Heights captured the senior title at 125 pounds.

Other locals placed within the top five in their divisions. Nardo Johnson of Capitol Heights was the second runner-up in the junior division at 95 pounds. Daquan Johnson of Capitol Heights was runner up in the 165 pound intermediate division and Steve Clark of Bowie was second runner-up in the junior division at 101 pounds.

Well done indeed by this Beltway contingent!