Champions Crowned at USA Open Amateur Tournament!

In front of a packed house at Tony's Gym in Southeast, DC, seven open champions and two novice titlists were crowned during the second and final day of the USA Open Amateur Championships.

Here are the Novice Champions:

152 pounds: Marquis Taylor (Tony's Gym) defeated Kwame Ritter (Unattached)

201+ pounds: Danny Kelly ( Benning Park) defeated Mike DeSantos (Old School Boxing)

There was also a matched bout in the 65 pounds/8-9 year age group as Gregory Burton (Langdon Recreation Center) defeated Malcolm Lowery of Benning Park.


Now to the Open Championship Bouts with the winners heading to the East Central Regional Tournament in Charleston, WVA on February 13-15.

119 pounds: Marcus Gaddis (Sugar Ray Leonard Center) defeated Antonio Magruder (Headbangers) by disqualification in the third round. Magruder lost three points for holding in the third round. Three points deducted in any round is an automatic disqualification.

125 pounds: Kevin Rivers (Headbangers) defeated Joel Young (Keystone Boxing)

132 pounds: Elvis Modrano (Old School Boxing) defeated Joseph Rector (Books and Boxing)

141 pounds: Gary Allen Russell (Keystone Boxing) defeated Demarcus Wiley (Sugar Ray Leonard) by disqualification in the third round. Wiley lost three points in the final round for holding.

152 pounds: Alantez Fox (Dream Team) defeated Marquis Moore (Keystone Boxing)

165 pounds: Eric Gowan (Jeff Gordon) defeated Mark Baltimore (Sugar Ray Leonard).

178 pounds: Thomas Williams (Cherry Lane) defeated Sulieman Harrington (Hillcrest)

There are also four unopposed Open Champions:

112 pounds: Erick Cruz (Lime Lite)

112 pounds -- Female: Maria Cash (Headbangers)

165 pounds -- Female: Franchon Crews (Keystone Boxing)

201 pounds -- Charles Johnson (Sugar Ray Leonard)

For the first time, we have a BATB Post-Fight Wrap-up for an amateur card. My Fightnews.com colleague "Priceless" Steve Price joins me to analyze the great bouts on this card.

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #145 - Post-Fight From USA Open Amateur Tournament!

"Priceless" Steve Price and I recap the second and final night of great amateur action at the USA Open Tournament at Tony's Gym in Southeast, DC!

Borteye Loses Unanimous Decision in Virgin Islands!

Silver Spring, MD lightweight Benjamin Borteye lost a four-round unanimous decision to undefeated Ryan Kielczewski of Quincy, MA last night in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

According to Fightnews.com colleague Boxing Bob Newman, Kielczewski used his standout amateur pedigree to his advantage,Pot-shotting, combination punching and slick movement helped him cruise to an easy 40-36 victory across the boards.

Borteye is now 0-3 while Kielczewski is 3-0.

Local Amateurs Profiled in Maryland Independent!

There is a nice article in the Maryland Independent concerning the Beltway amateur scene. Reporter Tammy Showalter looks at many of the boxers who will be heading to Independence, MO for the National Silver Gloves tournament in early February.

Here is the link:

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Shayla Mitchell Loses Battle With Cancer!

Sad news to report to you. Shayla Marie Mitchell, the 18-year-old daughter of Centreville, VA boxer "Tattoo" Tom Mitchell passed away on January 28 following her almost two-year battle with Stage 3 Hodgkin's Disease.

One of the great Beltway Boxing images of 2008 took place on November 1 at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA as Shayla Mitchell led her father to the ring for his bout with Yieta Johnson. Mitchell used the bout as a way to raise money for treatment for young cancer patients. Mitchell lost the bout, but gained a lot of support and money for that cause.

The Mitchell Family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, please show your support by sending contributions to:

Growing Hope
PO Box 151
Fairfax Station, VA 22039

Services for Shayla Mitchell will be held on Monday, February 2 at 11 AM at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street in Manassas, VA. The interment will follow at Stonewall Memory Gardens in Manassas.

BATB sends its deepest condolences to the Mitchell Family.

Borteye Weighs 134 1/2 For Bout in US Virgin Islands!

Silver Spring, MD welterweight Benjamin Borteye will look for his first pro win tomorrow night when he faces undefeated Ryan Kielczewski of Quincy, MA at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Borteye (0-2) has fought two tough bouts in his first two outings against Lenwood Dozier and against Juan Rodriguez in the 2008 Beltway Boxing Bout of the Year on November 7 in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Kielczewski (2-0) is coming off a four-round unanimous decision over Luis Rosario on September 6 in Boston, MA.

Borteye weighed in at 134 1/2 while Kielczewski tipped the scales at 132 pounds. Borteye has to lose two pounds before the bout.

This is an interesting card that features the pro debuts of John and Julius Jackson, two sons of former world middleweight champion and Virgin Islands native Julian "The Hawk" Jackson. The card also features a female matchmaker in Lesley Commissiong.

Best Wishes to Virginia Amateur Boxer!

BATB sends best wishes for a speedy recovery to Virginia boxer Roger Belch III of Virginia Beach, VA. The 17-year-old Belch was involved in a very serious automobile accident on January 19. Belch III received multiple serious and life threatening injuries including broken legs, pelvis, a blown diaphragm and many more.

According to his father and coach, Roger Belch II, "The car he was in lost control and flipped, throwing little Roger through the sun roof and the car came to rest on top of him. It had to be lifted off of him with a crane before he could be transported to Nofrolk General Hospital. After one week, he is finally out of the intensive care unit and the doctors say he will be in arduous rehabilitative care for more than a year."

"Little Roger" Belch had accomplished much in his amateur career, winning the state championship and the Virginia/North Carolina Golden Gloves in 2008. Belch lost in the regional Golden Gloves to Kevin Rivers. Belch graduated three weeks early from high school to enter the Army and join the Army boxing team.

If you would like to send a card or donation to the family, here is the address:

1403 South Highway 32
Hobbsville, NC 27946

'Mayhem' Mitchell Added to Feb. 20 Card in Westminster, MD!

Undefeated Brandywine, MD heavyweight Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell has been added to the Maryland Boxing Club card on Friday, February 20 at the Shipley Arena at the Carroll County AG Center in Westminster, MD.

Mitchell (9-0-1, six KO's) is coming off a fifth-round knockout over Jason Bergman on Januaray 23 at Martin's West in Woodlawn, MD. Mitchell's opponent is to be determined.

Some matchups are already set for this card. We've mentioned the main event -- undefeated light heavyweight Mark "TNT" Tucker of Eldersburg, MD (6-0, five KO's) will take on veteran Richard Stewart of New Castle, DE (14-7-2, eight KO's) in Tucker's first eight-round encounter.

Also, Laurel, MD heavyweight "The Big Ticket" Dwayne McRae is scheduled to take on Andrew Jackson of Crossett, AK (3-3, two KO's.)

Another bout slated for the card will be a four-round encounter matching Cumberland, MD junior middleweight Dontre King (1-2-1) against Jamar Freeman of North Carolina (1-0).

Other Beltway Boxers slated to appear on this card are Dean "Pit Bull" White, Antonio Walls and Askia Snyder.

Results and Bout Sheet for USA Open Tournament!

I finally received the results from last Saturday's USA Open Amateur Tournament at Tony's Gym in Southeast DC.

In the Novice category:

141lbs Jose Murphy (Benning Park) deafeated Thomas Soto (Books & Boxing)

152lbs Kwame Ritter (Unattached) defeated Adam Mitchell (DNDR)

152lbs Marquis Taylor (Tony's Gym) defeated Robert Keegan (Unattached)

In the Open category:

119 lbs Marcus Gaddis (SRL) defeated Angelo Rector (Books & Boxing)

132 lbs Elvis Modrano (Old School) won by walkover Russell Gaskins (Keystone)

141 lbs Gary Allen Russell (Keystone) defeated Edwin Reyes (Rd 1) RSC-1

141 lbs Demarcus Wiley (SRL) won by walkover Traon Bynum (Headbangers)

152 lbs Marquis Moore (Keystone) defeated David Grayton (Headbangers)

152 lbs Alantez Fox (Dream Team) defeated Marlon Bolen (Cherry Lane)

178 lbs Thomas Williams (Cherry Lane) defeated Mario Murphy (SRL)

Here is a partial bout sheet for this Saturday's competition:

Novice:
152 lbs: Kwame Ritter (Unattached) v Marquis Taylor (Tony's Gym)

Open:

119 lbs: Marcus Gaddis (SRL) v Antonio Magruder (Headbangers)

132 lbs: Elvis Modrano (Old School) v Joseph Rector (Books & Boxing)

141 lbs: Gary Allen Russell (Keystone) v Demarcus Wiley (SRL)

152 lbs: Marquis Moore (Keystone) v. Alantez Fox (Dream Team)

178 lbs: Thomas Williams (Cherry Lane) v Sulleman Harrington (Hillcrest)

There will be other bouts added to the card that begins at 7 PM. I've been told it was standing room only last Saturday so get there early. Tony's Gym is located on 2201 Shannon Place, SE.

Corley Added to Feb. 3 Card in New Jersey!

Former WBO Junior Welterweight champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley has been added to the rescheduled boxing card at the Meadowlands Sheraton Hotel in East Rutherford, NJ.

Corley (32-10-1, 18 KO's) is slated to battle in a 10-round bout against an opponent to be determined. Corley is looking to turn his fortunes around after a rough 2008 in which he lost a 12-round unanimous decision to highly-touted prospect Devon Alexander and two eight-round unanimous decisions to Ashley Theophane and, in a rematch, to former WBO champ Randall Bailey. Corley ended the year on a good note with a first-round knockout over Donnell Logan on December 13.

I'm looking for 2009 to be one of the best years of my career," said Corley in a press release. "I want to fight 6 or 7 times and then win another world title. It will be a great opportunity for me to fight on the East Coast again. I'm looking to put on an exciting fight for the fans. I will do my best to score a knockout."

Two other Beltway Boxers were slated to be on this card when it was originally scheduled in mid-January: Heavyweights "The Big Ticket" Dwayne McRae of Laurel, MD and Hannibal Otey of Baltimore. No official word on whether they will still be on the card.

Virginia Boxers Head To Staunton January 31!

Three Virginia prospects will headline the Pro-Am Boxing Classic on Saturday, January 31 at the Staunton Armory in Staunton, VA.

Charlottsville, VA junior middleweight George "War Time" Rivera will take on "Mean" Rodney Green of Wilson, NC in a six-round contest. Rivera (9-3, three KO's) has not fought since his eight-round unanimous decision victory over Jessie Nicklow on November 1 at the GMU Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA. Green (6-5-1, two KO's) is coming off a fourth-round TKO loss to David Lemieux on May 3 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Also on the card, Waynesboro, VA cruiserweight "El Guero" Juan Carlos Robles will battle veteran Ed "The Iron Man" Gutierrez of Oakland, CA in another six-round encounter. Robles (10-2, five KO's) stopped Tommy Washington, Jr. in the third round in his last outing on September 19 at the Maryland Sportsplex in Millersville, MD. Gutierrez (15-6, six KO's) has lost six straight, but has fought solid competition including two bouts against JD Chapman and one each with David Tua and Matt Godfrey.

Bedford, VA light heavyweight Scott "Cujo" Sigmon (3-1) will take on Alex "Superman" Dill (5-5, two KO's) of Virginia Beach, VA in another six-round battle.

There will also be a women's title match as Durango, CO's Thaddine "Swift Eagle" Johnson will defend her Women's Professional Boxing Association Intercontinental Lightweight title against Amie Iwasaki of New York City.

Five amateur bouts will round out the Major League Boxing-promoted card. The bouts are slated to begin at 6:15 PM.

Martin, Hayes Lose By TKO in Minnesota!

Two Beltway Boxers lost by fifth-round TKOs to undefeated boxers in bouts at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN last night.

Baltimore, MD super featherweight Darrell "Tupac" Martin lost to Wilton "The Pretty Warrior" Hilario of St. Louis Park, MN. This was the first time that Martin has been stopped in his young pro career. Martin's two-bout winning streak was snapped and his record falls to 4-7, one KO. Hilario is now 10-0-1, eight KO's.

Also, middleweight Johnny Hayes, now fighting out of Woodbridge, VA, was stopped by Caleb Truax of Osseo, MN. Hayes also lost his two-bout winning streak and he is now 6-4-1, four KO's. Truax's record rises to 10-0, seven KO's.

Peterson Battles Cherry on Televised Undercard; Russell, Jr Returns to Action February 14!

Top Rank Promotions has announced that undefeated lightweight Anthony Peterson of DC will indeed be on the televised PPV card on February 21 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This is the part of the twin PPV that features Miguel Cotto.

The opponent for Peterson (28-0, 19 KO's) will be title contender Edner "Cherry Bomb" Cherry of Wauchala, FL (24-6-2, 12 KO's) in a 10-round contest. Cherry's last outing was a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Timothy Bradley for Bradley's WBC Junior Welterweight title on September 13 in Biloxi, MS.

Also, ESPN.com's Dan Rafael is reporting that the next outing for Capitol Heights, MD featherweight Gary Russell, Jr. will be on Saturday, February 14 in Sunrise, FL on the Ricardo Mayorga/Nate Campbell card. The bout for Russell will be a non-televised bout.

Jargal Remains Undefeated With First-Round TKO in Vegas!

Arlington, VA lightweight "The Mongolian Mongoose" Bayan Jargal remained undefeated with a first-round TKO over late sub Walberto Gaxiola of Mexico last night at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

The time of the knockout was 1:56 of the round. This was Jargal's debut bout under the Let's Get It On Promotions banner.

Jargal is now 10-0-1, seven KO's while Gaxiola is 7-6, three KO's and his three-bout winning streak was snapped.

Mayes, Williams Battle to Draw...Again!

After two bouts and 14 rounds, nothing has been settled between Baltimore light heavyweights Henry "Hurricane" Mayes and Willie "For Real" Williams. The two evenly-matched rivals battled to a spirited eight-round draw in front of a packed house at Martin's West in Woodlawn, MD.

This was a rematch of their six-round majority draw on October 3 in Salisbury, MD. It was indeed a fierce battle that is the first candidate for 2009 Beltway Bout of the Year.

The scores were John Gradowski, 77-75 for Mayes; Gary Camponeschi, 78-74 for Williams and Kenny Chevalier, 76-76. BATB scored the bout 78-76 for Mayes with the last two rounds even.

Williams kept his East Coast Light Heavyweight title and now sees his record as 12-3-2, three KO's. Mayes's record is now 7-6-3, four KO's.

The co-feature saw Baltimore junior middleweight James "Keep 'Em Sleepin'" Stevenson remain undefeated with an easy second-round TKO over Darrett Crockett of Rock Hill, SC.

Stevenson dominated from the opening bell and eventually blasted Crockett across the ring with a devastating right hand. Crockett crumpled in his own corner. Referee Camponeschi immediately halted the bout at 1:20 of the second.

Other quick results from the card:

Brandywine, MD heavyweight Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell remained undefeated with a fifth-round stoppage over Adah, PA's Jason Bergman. Mitchell busted Bergman's nose forcing him to quit at the end of the fifth. Mitchell is now 9-0-1, six KO's. Bergman is 8-8-2, five KO's.

Randallstown, MD middleweight Cecil "Too Sharp, Too Fast" McCalla earned a future ESPN2 TV date with a four-round unanimous decision over DC's Antonio "The Dream" Walls. The bout seemed a little closer than the shutout scores (40-35 on all three cards) indicated but McCalla sealed the victory with a solid straight right hand that dropped Walls to the canvas in the third. McCalla is now 4-0, one KO while Walls loses for the first time as a pro and he is 2-1, one KO.

Catonsville, MD light heavyweight "Irish" Glenn Williams won by second-round TKO when opponent John "The Baptist" Terry of Portsmouth, VA had to retire due to a broken hand. Williams is now 6-4-1, five KO's while Terry is now 2-13-3, one KO.

In the opening bout, Ellicott City, MD cruiserweight Robert "The Mac Attack" McConnell scored his first pro knockout stopping Eddie "Lightning Diablo" Otts of Salisbury at 2:00 of the third round. McConnell landed a vicious combination that dropped Otts. Otts got up but was in no condition to continue.

McConnell is now 3-2, one KO while Otts is 0-5-1.


Here is the BATB Post-Fight Wrap-Up for this event:

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #144 - Post-Fight From Woodlawn!

I recap a spirited card of Baltimore Pro Boxing from a packed house at Martin's West in Woodlawn, MD!

Weights for Woodlawn!

Here is the scale watch for tomorrow night's Baltimore Pro Boxing card at Martin's West in Woodlawn, MD:

Willie Williams 176 vs. Henry Mayes 175

James Stevenson 154 1/4 vs. Darrett Crockett 151 1/4

Seth Mitchell 247 1/4 vs. Jason Bergmann 255 1/4

Cecil McCalla 159 1/2 vs. Antonio Walls 159 1/2

Glenn Williams 173 vs. John Terry 171

Robert McConnell 195 1/2 vs. Eddie Otts 194

Martin Looks For Third Straight Win Saturday in Minnesota!

Baltimore, MD super featherweight Darrell Martin will look for his third straight victory on Saturday, January 24 at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN.

Martin (4-6, one KO) will battle undefeated Wilton "The Pretty Warrior" Hilario of St. Louis Park, MN by way of the Dominican Republic (9-0-1, seven KO's) in a six-round encounter.

This will be Martin's second straight bout against an undefeated opponent. Martin stopped Jules Blackwell in the third round on December 5 in Philadelphia. Hilario is coming off a six-round unanimous decision victory over Jose Alfonso Rodiguez on October 11 in Hinckley.

In the co-feature on this card, middleweight John Hayes of Woodbridge, VA (6-3-1, four KO's) will take on undefeated Caleb Truax of Osseo, MN. (9-0, six KO's)

McRae, Otey New Jersey Bouts Postponed Until Feb. 3!

The card that was slated to be held at the Meadowlands Sheraton Hotel in East Rutherford, NJ tomorrow night has been postponed until Tuesday, February 3.

Beltway heavyweights "The Big Ticket" Dwayne McRae of Laurel, MD and Hannibal Otey of Baltimore were slated to appear on the show in separate bouts. Darwish Brothers Promotions said that the show was jeopardized by the inability of a key fighter to make weight and an injury to another.

No word yet on whether McRae or Otey will still be on the card.

Jargal Battles McNickols on Jan. 23 in Las Vegas!

Undefeated Arlington, VA lightweight "The Mongolian Mongoose" Bayan Jargal makes his first 2009 appearance this Friday, January 23 at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

Jargal (9-0-1, six KO's) will take on Gulfport, MS's Carl McNickols (5-2, five KO's) in a six-round encounter. This will be Jargal's first outing under the Let's Get It On promotional banner. For McNickols, this will be his second straight step up in competition. McNickols was stopped in the fourth round by undefeated prospect Mark Davis on Sept. 27 in Tunica, MS.

McCalla-Walls Added to Jan. 23 Card in Woodlawn.

A matchup between two undefeated members of the 2008 Beltway Boxing rookie class has been added to the Baltimore Pro Boxing card on Friday, January 23 at Martin's West in Woodlawn, MD.

Baltimore middleweight Cecil McCalla (3-0, one KO) will take on DC's Antonio Walls (2-0, one KO) in a four-round encounter. McCalla was originally scheduled to take on Keith Gross, but that has been changed.

And there is added incentive for this bout. The winner is slated for a televised bout on February 20th in Fort Lauderdale, FL that will open up an ESPN2 Friday Night Fights telecast.

In other updates on the card, Catonsville, MD light heavyweight "Irish" Glenn Williams (5-4-1, four KO's will take on John "The Baptist" Terry of Portsmouth, VA (2-12-3, one KO) in a four-round bout.

Also, Baltimore middleweight Emmanuel Taylor will not make his pro debut on this card.

The rest of the card remains the same with Willie "For Real" Williams defending his East Coast Light Heavyweight title against fellow Baltimore boxer Henry "Hurricane" Mayes in a rematch. Also, Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell of Brandywine, MD takes on Jason Bergman in a six-round heavyweight bout and James "Keep 'em Sleepin' Stevenson will go up against Darrett Crockett in a six-round welterweight battle.

Davis Wins Unanimous Decision in Kissimmee!

BATB receives word that DC super middleweight Demetrius Davis scored a big upset by winning a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Rowland Bryant of Altamonte Springs, FL on Saturday night in Kissimmee, FL.

A representative from the promoters -- Final Forum Boxing -- emailed me to say that the bout was the best of the entire card.

Davis raises his record to 19-14-5, seven KO's and is unbeaten in his last three bouts, two of those bouts were against undefeated prospects. Bryant is now 14-1, nine KO's.