Beltway Amateurs Draw Opponents For First-Round Bouts At US Olympic Trials!

Even before the first-round of the Men's US Olympic Boxing Trials begin in Mobile, AL today, we already know that one of our seven Beltway amateurs will be heading into the challenger's bracket of the double-elimination tournament.

This is because two locals will meet in the 178-pound bracket's first round of competition. Jerry Odom of Bowie, MD will take on Capitol Heights, MD's Shaborn Ryals during the evening session.

The five other locals will be boxing in the afternoon session today. Here are their matchups:

108 Pounds: Gregory Outlaw, Glenarden, Md., vs. Santos Vasquez, Sparks, Nev.

141 Pounds: Michael Reed, Waldorf, Md., vs. Duran Caferro, Helena, Mont.

141 Pounds: Pedro Sosa, Bronx, N.Y. vs. Gary Allan Russell III, Capitol Heights, Md.

165 Pounds: D’Mitrius Ballard, Temple Hills, Md., vs. Martez Jackson, Valdosta, Ga.

165 Pounds: Antoine Douglas, Burke, Va., vs. Damarius Russell, Camp Lejeune, NC.

The great blog DC Amateur Boxing will be in Mobile for both the US Olympic Trials and the US Junior National Championships that begin on August 2. Any results you don't see here, you can get complete coverage on that site. The link can be found in the Links section.

Byarm, Harrison Win Unanimous Decisions in Mississippi!

Beltway Boxers Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm and Dusty Harrison won unanimous decisions tonight at the Fitzgerald Hotel and Casino in Tunica, MS.

Byarm defeated Rodricka Ray of Jackson, TN by four-round unanimous decision. No official word on the scores. Byarm remains undefeated with a record of 12-0-1, eight KO's. Ray, who moved up from cruiserweight for this bout, falls to 3-5-1, one KO.

Harrison won a four-round unanimous decision over Trenton Titsworth of Omaha, NB. Harrison pitched a shutout on all three judges cards and is now 2-0. Titsworth is now 3-13-1, two KO's.

Byarm, Harrison Hit Scales in Tunica!

Maurice Byarm and Dusty Harrison weighed in for their bouts at the Fitzgerald's Hotel and Casino in Tunica, MS.

Maurice Byarm 246 vs. Rodricka Ray 248

Dusty Harrison 147 vs. Trenton Titsworth 143

Nelson Wins WBC Female Middleweight Title!!

The Beltway has a new world champion! Ashburn, VA's Tori Nelson has captured the vacant WBC Female Middleweight title with a 10-round split decision over Lorissa Rivas at the Jean Pierre Coliseum in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago!

According to the Trinidad Guardian newspaper, Nelson won the bout 97-93 and 96-94 on two of the judges's scorecards while Rivas took one card, 97-93. A correspondent for the Women's Boxing website WBAN said Nelson took the fight to Rivas in a "Joe Frazier" style and gave her all throughout the bout. Considering Rivas (who was born in the US but has Trinidadian citizenship),had fought her last four bouts in Trinidad, Nelson had to have done a lot to win the title in Rivas's backyard. By the way, Rivas told local papers in Trinidad that she would knock out Nelson in two rounds.

So, after only five pro bouts, Tori Nelson (4-0-1) is now a world champion! Rivas's record falls to 4-2, three KO's. By the way, Nelson is the third female world champion the Beltway has had in the last 10 years, following in the footsteps of DC Boxing Hall of Famer "The Raging Beauty" Isra Girgrah Wynn and Lisa "Too Fierce" Foster Cohen.

Peterson Gains IBF Mandatory With 12th Round KO!

DC junior welterweight Lamont Peterson scored a 12th round knockout over Victor Cayo tonight at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas tonight, earning a mandatory title shot against champion Amir Khan.

It took almost the entire bout but Peterson eventually wore down the game Cayo with late-bout pressure resulting in the knockdown in the latter stages of the 12th round. Cayo could not beat referee Kenny Bayless's count and the bout was stopped at 2:46 of the round.

Peterson raises his record to 29-1-1, 15 KO's. Cayo suffers just the second loss of his career and he is now 26-2, 18 KO's.

Harrison Receives More Boxing Press!

There is definitely increased media coverage around DC welterweight Dusty Harrison There has been one local and one worldwide video package concerning Harrison as he prepares for his bout Saturday at Fitzgerald's Hotel and Casino in Tunica, MS. By the way, Harrison's opponent for that four-rounder has changed. Harrison will now be facing Trenton Titsworth of Omaha, NB (3-12-1, two KO's.)

Here's a link to an NBC4 story reported this week by Darcy Spencer:

"http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/17-Year-Old_Boxing_Phenom_in_Prince_George_s_Washington_DC-126289233.html">

The second video story is the first of a series of videos produced by my good buddy Alec Kohut of MaxBoxing.com called "The Dusty Harrison Project." It's about 20 minutes long, but it's worth watching.

Peterson Weighs 140 for IBF Eliminator Bout!

Lamont Peterson (right) hit the Super Lightweight limit of 140 pounds for his 12-round IBF Elimination bout against Victor Cayo on Friday at the Cosmopolitan Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Cayo tipped the scales at 139 1/2.

The bout will be the main event on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights (which can also be seen on ESPN3.com on your computer.) The show is slated to begin at 9 PM ET.

Tori Nelson Profiled in Loudon Times, Leesburg Today!

There are two nice local articles on Ashburn, VA middleweight Tori Nelson as she prepares for her WBC Female Middleweight title bout Friday in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Jason S. Rufner of the Loudon Times put together this article:

"http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/sports/article/local_school_bus_driver_gears_up_for_shot_at_world_boxing375/">

From Leesburg Today comes this article from Jeff Schneider:

"http://www.leesburg2day.com/more_a/loudoun_living/article_f5fd7054-b3b6-11e0-a76c-001cc4c03286.html">

Peterson and Cayo Surrounded by Legends at Press Conference!

A nice picture that was taken at the Lamont Peterson-Victor Cayo press conference showed up on Fightnews.com . Peterson (far left) and Cayo (far right) had two special visitors at their press conference -- Hall of famers Mike Tyson and Roberto Duran. Peterson faces Cayo Friday night, July 29 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The bout will be on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.

Beltway Boxers Win Medals at Junior Golden Gloves!

Congratulations to two Beltway amateurs who won medals at the Junior Golden Gloves in Mesquite, NV this past weekend.

Lamont Roach, Jr. of Upper Marlboro, MD captured the gold medal in the 15-16, 125 pound division while Ronnel Jackson, also of Upper Marlboro, brought home a silver medal in the 13-14, 114 pound class.

Busy Weekend For Local Pros!!

If everything holds together, this will be a busy weekend for local pros across the country. Along with the bouts we have already mentioned (Lamont Peterson vs. Victor Cayo on Friday in Las Vegas, Tori Nelson on Friday in Trinidad for the WBC Female Middleweight title, Maurice Byarm and Dusty Harrison Saturday in Tunica, MS), other boxers are slated to be in action this weekend as well.

Two locals will be looking for their first pro wins on a card at the Asylum Arena in Philadelphia, PA on Friday, July 29. DC heavyweight Damian Richardson returns to action for the first time in almost two years when he faces Georgiy Guralnik of Pennsylvania in a four-round bout. Richardson (0-2) made his pro debut in DC in October of 2009 to Abodurin Akinyanju by first-round knockout. Richardson has yet to get out of the first round of any pro bout. Guralnik (1-0) made his pro debut in January of this year and won a four-round unanimous decision.


Another local heavyweight -- Alexandria, VA's Antonio Robertson -- will take on undefeated John Lennox in another four-round bout. Robertson (0-2-1) has yet to compete in the Beltway region and will make his second trip to Pennsylvania after battles in Rhode Island and California. His last bout was a four-round draw with Randy Eastman on May 21 in Reading, PA. Lennox (5-0, two KO's) is quickly coming back after a four-round TKO victory over Donnie Crawford on July 9 on the Erislandy Lara-Paul Williams card in Atlantic City, NJ.

Byarm, Harrison Have Opponents For Tunica July 30!

Two Beltway Boxers will be making appearances at the Fitzgerald's Hotel and Casino in Tunica, MS on Saturday, July 30.

Undefeated DC heavyweight Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm will participate on the show in a six-round contest against veteran Anthony Moore of San Diego, CA. Byarm (11-0-1, eight KO's) battled to a six-round draw in his last outing against Homero Fonseca on June 17 in Austin, TX. Moore (8-21-2, six KO's) has fought only once since 2001 and will be trying to break an 11-bout losing streak.

DC welterweight Dusty Harrison will also be in Tunica in a four-round contest against Jamar Hampton of St. Louis, MO. Harrison (1-0) made an impressive pro debut against Alphonso Alexander on June 11 in Southhaven, MS. Hampton (1-4, one KO) has lost three straight and has not fought since October of 2010.

Cordaro Simpkins Killed in Virginia Beach Shooting!

Sad news just slightly out of the Beltway region, but because he has fought here as an amateur on some of the regional Golden Gloves teams, it deserves mention here.

Chesapeake, VA super featherweight Cordaro Simpkins died early Saturday morning as a result of gunshot wounds suffered during an altercation Friday night a resort in Virginia Beach, VA. Simpkins turned 22 years old earlier this month.

According to the Tampa Bay (FL) Examiner, Simpkins and his friends got into an altercation with several males ending with the boxer being shot. The unknown suspects fled the area on foot and the case remains under investigation by the department's Homicide Squad. Simpkins, who had fought most of his pro bouts in Tampa, was pronounced dead at one AM this morning.

Simpkins (5-1) was a top amateur in the Tidewater area of Virginia who participated in the Regional Golden Gloves held in Waldorf, MD numerous times. Simpkins turned pro in July of 2009 and won his first five bouts before losing his last outing by fifth round TKO in Charlotte, NC in October of 2010. Simpkins was trained and managed by former world champion Nate Campbell.

Simpkins is survived by his father Daniel Lamb, his mother Wanda Revels, Stepmother Deberrah Hart, Stepfather Reynard Revels, Brothers Daniel Lamb Jr., Christopher Lamb, David Lamb, and countless aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.


BATB sends its deepest condolences.

Russell Wins Unanimous Decision in Vegas!

Using what ESPN.com Boxing Writer Dan Rafael called in a tweet "insane hand speed," "Mr." Gary Russell, Jr. won an eight-round unanimous decision over Eric "El Loco" Estrada tonight at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

According to published reports, Russell dominated his opponent with extremely fast combinations throughout the contest, scoring a knockdown in the seventh round. Russell went on to win by shutout on all three judges cards, 80-71.

Russell remains undefeated at 17-0, 10 KO's. Estrada falls to 9-2, three KO's.

Post Profiles Douglas Siblings!

Amy Shipley of the Washington Post has a nice profile of history in the Beltway Boxing scene. Antoine and Tyrieshia Douglas are the first brother-sister duo to participate in the Olympic Boxing trials -- this is the first time for women boxing in the Olympics.

But it is the backstory of the Douglas duo that makes this story so wonderful. Here's the link:

"http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/tyrieshia-and-antoine-douglas-hope-to-make-2012-olympics-a-shared-redemption-tale/2011/07/08/gIQA5kCMUI_story.html">

Russell Gets Press Prior To Vegas Bout!

Boxing writer Ryan Maquinana has written a nice story on "Mr." Gary Russell, Jr. as he prepares for his bout tonight at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV. Here is the link:

"http://www.boxingscene.com/-gary-russell-jr-it-runs-family--41856">

Coleman Battles Paris August 5 in California!

USBA Junior Welterweight champion Tim "Pitbull" Coleman of Baltimore will take on undefeated Vernon "Iceman" Paris of Detroit, MI in a 10-round non-title bout on Friday, August 5 at the Chumash Resort and Casino in Santa Ynez, CA. The bout will be shown on ESPN2.

Coleman (19-1-1, five KO's) is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Sergio Rivera on April 29 in Las Vegas. Coleman returns to the Chumash Casino where he successfully defended his USBA title with a third-round knockout over Patrick Lopez in front of a nationally televised Showtime audience in October of 2010.

Paris (24-0, 14 KO's) last fought on January 29 and won an eight-round unanimous decision over veteran Emmanuel Augustus at the Silverdome in Pontiac, MI. Some might remember Paris competing at the DC Armory in April of 2007 and scoring a seventh-round TKO over Alain Hernandez.

Russell Jr. Weighs 126 For Las Vegas Battle!

Gary Russell, Jr. weighed in at 126 pounds for his eight-round bout against Eric Estrada tomorrow night at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Estrada tipped the scales at 128.

Russell's Opponent Changes For Saturday Night in Vegas!

The opponent for "Mr." Gary Russell, Jr. for Saturday, July 23 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas has changed. The undefeated 2008 Olympian will now face Eric "El Loco" Estrada of Chicago, IL in what is now going to be an eight-round contest that may or may not be televised by HBO.

Estrada (9-1, three KO's) is coming off a six-round unanimous decision over James Lester on March 25 in River Grove, IL. Estrada's only loss was to undefeated Luis Cruz via sixth-round knockout in June of 2010.

Tori Nelson Shows Appreciation For WBC Title Shot!

Something you don't always see -- a fighter giving thanks for a title shot. In this video, Tori Nelson has a message for her fans as well as thanks for the WBC title shot she gets at the end of the month.