Amateur Boxing Comes To Historic Howard Theatre June 2!

There will be an amateur card that will be held at a very unique location in Washington, DC on Friday, June 2.  There will be a card held at the historic Howard Theatre, located at 620 T Street in Northwest DC, that will include a number of local Beltway amateur stars.

There are 21 bouts scheduled for this card.  Here is the proposed bout sheet:

1. Sa’Mari Everette  (Baltimore) vs Pharroh Hamilton (Langdon Rec)

2.  Nameek Rodriguez  (New England) vs Marcell Steele (Keystone)

3.  Rashiem Jefferson III  (Philly) vs Kardan Chatman (No Xcuse)

4.  Isaac Rivera (Philly) vs Jeremiah Williams  (HeadBangers)

5. Mario Rodriguez (New England) vs Ben Johnson (No Xcuse)

6.  Nasir Shelton  (New England) vs Kaliq Harrison  (LyfeStyle)

7. Daryl Palmer (Raw Assassins) vs Jeff Young  (Woodland Tigers)

8.  Marvelous Corbin (Philly) vs Marcus Johnson (Lime Lite)

9.  Cuttino Oliver  (Baltimore) vs Jamal Harvey (Oxon Hill)

10.  Juan Rivera (Philly) vs Cardarius Johnson (HeadBangers)

11.  Gabe Gerena (New Jersey) vs Malik Warren (Baltimore)

12. Adam Ali (New Jersey) vs Leroy Payne  (HeadBangers)

13. Jose Rodriguez (New England) vs Deric Davis  (HeadBangers)

14.  Diego Bengochea (New England) vs Quincy Williams (Lyfe Style)

15.  Yasir Harris (Philly) vs Jalil Hackett (Enigma)

16.  Nick Sullivan (Norfolk) vs Tommy Avelar (Sugar Ray Leonard)

17.  Rashiem Jefferson II (Philly) vs Lamar Odom (LyfeStyle)

18.  Saleem Kelly (New Jersey) vs Brian Avelar  (Sugar Ray Leonard)

19.  Stacey Selby (Baltimore) vs Max Garland (HeadBangers)

20.  Keon Davis (ABC Boxing) vs Kevon Cooke (No Xcuse)

21.  Maurice Winslow (Georgia) vs Lorenzo Simpson (Baltimore)

The card will begin at 7 PM ET. Tickets are $25 General Admission and $40 Ringside. The money for ticket sales will help send 15 boxers who have qualified for the Junior Olympic National Tournament to Charleston, WVA in late June.

The history of the Howard Theatre dates back to 1910 when it was part of the Black Broadway entertainment circuit (also known as the "Chitlin' Circuit").  The Regal Theatre in Baltimore and the Apollo Theatre in New York would later be added to the circuit.  Many of the biggest African-American performers played at the Howard during the theatre's hey day, including Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Nat King Cole along with DC's own Duke Ellington and Marvin Gaye.  The theatre closed down after the riots in 1968 but was reopened in 2012.

Late Result: Baxter Wins Unanimous Decision In North Carolina!

One other result to tell you about from this past weekend. Washington, DC welterweight Jonathan "Bad Badger" Baxter won a four-round unanimous decision over Mychal Bynum of Kinston, NC on May 26th in Raleigh, NC. 

According to reports, Baxter had to avoid not only an early barrage of punches from his opponent but also the food he ate after making weight made him a little nauseous.  Baxter was able to pick up the pace in the bout and bloodied Bynum's nose en route to winning the contest.  No word on the scores.

Baxter is now 6-1, five KO's.  Bynum was making his pro debut.

Rivers, Jr. Makes Quiet Return With Unanimous Decision In California!

As we mentioned in the previous post, Landover, MD featherweight Kevin "K-Smoove" Rivers, Jr. made an unheralded return to boxing with a six-round unanimous decision victory over Roberto "Escorpion" Pucheta of La Villa de Cuerámbaro, Mexico during a charity boxing card at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, CA.

Rivers, who had not fought since his sixth-round TKO victory over Angel Aispuro in March of 2016 in Washington, DC, won the bout by scores of 60-54, 58-56 and 59-55 to raise his record to 14-1, 10 KO's.  Pucheta, who returns to the ring on the June 3rd card at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD against Marcus Bates, is now 10-11-1, six KO's.

The card raised funds to benefit the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation and its mission to fund life-changing research, care and awareness for pediatric type 1 & 2 diabetes and to help children live healthier lives through diet and exercise.  The card was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

Pro Boxing Returns To Rosecroft June 3!

The first pro boxing card in June will take place on Saturday, June 3 at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD.  This will be a Kings Promotions card.

Undefeated Kings Promotions signee Mykal "The Professor" Fox will headline the card in an eight-round super lightweight bout against "The Hudson Valley Kid" Daniel Sostre of Highland New York by way of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.  Fox, a native of Forestville, MD (13-0, four KO's), fought on the last King's Promotions card at Rosecroft on February 11th  and won an eight-round majority decision over Tre'Sean Wiggins.  Sostre (13-12-1, five KO's) makes his first appearance of 2017 after dropping an eight-round unanimous decision to Derrieck Cuevas on December 10th in Catano, Puerto Rico in a bout for the vacant WBA Fedecentro Welterweight title.  Sostre will look to break a three-bout losing streak.

In the co-feature, Bowie, MD cruiserweight Luther "Lights Out" Smith will be in a six-round bout against Elvin "Koko" Sanchez of Paterson, NJ.  Smith (8-1, seven KO's) is coming off a third-round TKO victory over Carlos Black on March 25th in Washington, DC.  Sanchez (7-3-1, five KO's) has not fought since winning a four-round majority decision over Brad Austin in October of 2014 in North Bergen, NJ.  Sanchez holds a TKO victory over former Beltway Boxer Venroy July that took place in February of 2013 in DC.

Also in a six-rounder, DC featherweight Marcus "The Dream Crusher" Bates will face off with Roberto "Escorpion" Pucheta from La Villa de Cuerambaro, Mexico,  Bates (6-0-1, six KO's), also a Kings Promotions signee, scored a brutal sixth-round TKO over Alec McGee on the February 11th Rosecroft card.  After a tough five rounds, Bates landed the first punch to McGee four seconds into the sixth round and stopped him.  Pucheta (10-11-1, six KO's) will face a Beltway Boxer for the second time in two weeks. Pucheta lost a six-round unanimous decision to the returning Kevin Rivers, Jr. on May 24th during a charity boxing card in Santa Monica, CA.

Forestville, MD super lightweight Tyrek "I.G.B. (I Get Busy)" Irby will battle Brandon "Bam" Sanudo of San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico in a six rounder.  Irby (2-0, one KO) won a four-round unanimous decision over Lamont White on the February 11th Rosecroft card.  Samudo (5-4, two KO's) had a five-bout winning streak snapped with a six-round unanimous decision loss to Thomas Velasquez on May 19th in Philadelphia, PA.

In four-round bouts, Greg "The Sharpshooter" Outlaw of Bowie will take on Mario Perez of Baja California, Mexico in a super lightweight contest.  Outlaw (2-0) comes off a four-round majority decision over Kashon Hutchinson on the February 11th Rosecroft card.  Perez (1-1) lost to the debuting Richardson Hitchins on March 4th in Brooklyn, NY.

Accokeek, MD super welterweight "Slick" Justin Hurd returns to action against Alberto Delgado of Roanoke, VA.  Hurd (2-0, one KO) scored his first pro stoppage on the February 11th Rosecroft card when he stopped Dawond Pickney in the second round.  Delgado (0-1-1) lost to the debuting Joey Veazey on October 22 in Winchester, VA.

Suitland, MD super bantamweight Malik Loften makes his pro debut in a four-rounder against Jonel Lorenzo of Newark, NJ.  Loften competed in the Washington Novice Golden Gloves in 2015.  Lorenzo (0-1) has not fought since dropping a four-round majority decision to Michael Stoute in April of 2016 in Huntington, NY.

DC lightweight Jordan "The Kidd" Peters will be in a four-round contest against Bryan Perez-Nevarez of Carolina, Puerto Rico.  Peters (1-0-1, one KO) comes off a four-round majority draw with Hector Bayanilla on April 4th in Bethlehem, PA.   Perez-Nevarez (2-6-1, one KO) will be trying to break a four-bout losing streak including a four-round unanimous decision to Chaise Nelson on May 12th in Philadelphia, PA.

Balogun Wins Unanimous Decision In Florida!

Undefeated Upper Marlboro, MD heavyweight Mike "Silverback" Balogun made a successful first road trip as he won a six-round unanimous decision over veteran Terrence "Big Jim" Marbra of Saint Petersburg, FL on May 26th at the Boca Raton Resort and Spa in Boca Raton, FL.

According to reports, Balogun suffered a flash knockdown early in the bout.  However, Balogun came back to knock Marbra down twice. Balogun went on to win the bout by scores of 59-53 (twice) and 58-54. Balogun is now 11-0, eight KO's.  Marbra falls to 8-5, six KO's.

Balogun Weighs 240 For Friday Bout In Florida!

Mike Balogun weighed in at 240 pounds for his six-round contest against Terrance Mabra Friday at the Boca Raton Resort and Spa in Boca Raton, FL.  Mabra tipped the scales at 217.6 pounds.

Under Armour Signs IBF Champion Davis To Endorsement Deal!

(Photo by Kevin Richardson/Baltimore Sun)

IBF Super Featherweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis has signed an exclusive endorsement deal with Under Armour.  The deal was announced today with the unveiling of new billboards that hover over Interstate 95 in Davis's hometown of Baltimore, MD.

The 22-year-old Davis, who successfully defended his title with a crushing third-round TKO over Liam Walsh on May 20th in London, England, joins fellow world boxing champions Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Anthony Joshua along with legendary Baltimore-area athletes Ray Lewis and Michael Phelps as Under Armour endorsers.  Under Armour's headquarters are in Baltimore.

Here is more on this wonderful story from Jeff Barker of the Baltimore Sun.  http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/under-armour-blog/bs-bz-under-armour-gervonta-davis-20170524-story.html

Balogun Heads To Florida For Friday Fight!

Undefeated Upper Marlboro, MD heavyweight Mike "Silverback" Balogun returns to action on Friday, May 26th in a six-round contest against veteran Terrence "Big Jim" Marbra of St. Petersburg, FL at the Boca Raton Hotel and Club in Boca Raton, FL.  This will be Balogun's first contest outside the Beltway.

Balogun (10-0, eight KO's) won a six-round unanimous decision over Grover Young in his last outing on April 29th at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA.  Marbra (8-4, six KO's) last fought on July 15th and lost a six-round unanimous decision to Justin Jones in Tunica, MS.

PVA To Send 15 Boxers To Junior Olympic Nationals!

The Potomac Valley Association of USA Boxing will be sending 15 locals to the Junior Olympic Youth Open and Prep National Championships that will take place June 26-July 1 at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, WVA.

Here are the members of the PVA Team that earned their berths this past Saturday in Salisbury, MD:

11/12 Age Group:

65 Pounds:  Cardarius Johnson (Headbangers)

80 Pounds:  Marcell Steele (Keystone)

85 Pounds:  Jeremiah Jimison (Oxon Hill),

90 Pounds:  Kaliq Harrison (LyfeStyle)

13/14

85 Pounds:  Lonzo Malcolm (Keystone)

90 Pounds:  Jordan Roach (No Xcuse)

95 Pounds:  Sam Edmonds (HeadBangers)

106 Pounds:  Tyreek Williams (Next Up)

110 Pounds:  Deon Giles (No Xcuse)

114 Pounds: Jalil Hackett (Enigma)

15/16

90 Pounds: Jamal Harvey (Oxon Hill)

101 Pounds:  Ragahleek Bartee (LyfeStyle)

106 Pounds:  Lamar Odom (LyfeStyle)

154 Pounds:  Brian Perry (Woodland Tigers)

165 Pounds: Michael Tymas (No Xcuse)

Recap Of A Very Busy Beltway Saturday!

The Beltway Boxing action that took place on Saturday, May 20th wasn't confined to the MGM National Harbor Casino in Oxon Hill or the Copperbox Arena in London, England.  There were a number of Beltway Boxers involved in action throughout the country.

Let's start at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC where the ageless wonder and former WBO Super Lightweight champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley captured the vacant UBF All-America Welterweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over former WBA Super Lightweight champion "Vicious" Vivian Harris of Brooklyn, NY.  In a bout promoters said should have happened 10 or 15 years ago, Corley took the bout by scores of 95-92 and 94-93 (twice). Corley raises his record to 49-28-1, 28 KO's.  Harris falls to 32-12-2, 19 KO's.

On the same card, Leesburg, VA lightweight Eric "El Torito" Hernandez lost for the first time in his pro career, dropping an eight-round unanimous decision to "Mr. Marvelous" Maynard Allison of Siler City, NC.  Allison won the bout by 79-73 across the board to capture the UBF All-America Lightweight title.  Hernandez is now 9-1, five KO's.  Allison's record rises to 8-1, five KO's.

Meanwhile at the Laredo Energy Center in Laredo, TX,  Landover, MD featherweight Jordan "Shortdog" White suffered his first pro loss by a six-round unanimous decision to fellow undefeated boxer Adam Lopez of Glendale, CA in a bout that was shown on FS1.  The White camp told ProAm Fight Talk's Juan Marshall that White broke his left hand in the first round and was hampered the rest of the way.  White would lose by scores of 59-55 (twice) and 60-54.  White drops to 4-1, three KO's while Lopez is now 7-0, three KO's.

A further postscript on what took place during the co-feature at MGM National Harbor.  Leon Lawson, Jr., the uncle of Andre Dirrell who threw a punch at Dirrell's opponent, Jose Uzcategui after Uzcategui was disqualified for landing an after-the-bell punch that knocked out Dirrell, has been indefinitely suspended by the World Boxing Council for his actions.  According to ESPN.com's Dan Rafael, the WBC has suspended Lawson from participating in any WBC-sanctioned fight "in any form or manner."  Lawson is still wanted by local police for his actions.

Russell Retains WBC Featherweight Title!

“Mr.” Gary Russell, Jr. scored a seventh-round TKO over a very game Oscar Escandon of Tolima, Colombia to keep his WBC Super Featherweight championship in the main event of the TGB Promotions card at the MGM National Harbor Casino in Oxon Hill, MD. Russell was in complete control of the contest, dropping Escandon with a solid shot in the third round. The smaller Escandon tried to generate offense but was overpowered by the speed and accuracy of the champion. In the seventh round, Russell rocked Escandon with lefts and rights that sent Escandon into the ropes. Referee Harvey Dock stopped the contest at 59 seconds of the seventh. Russell is now 28-1, 17 KO’s while Escandon is now 25-3, 17 KO’s.

In a bout that ended in a crazy scene, Flint, MI super middleweight Andre Dirrell won the Interim IBF Super Middleweight title by eighth-round disqualification over Jose Uzcategui of Merida, Venezuela. Uzcategui seemed to be in control of the bout until the eighth round when, after the bell rang, Uzcategui landed a crushing left hand that dropped Dirrell face first to the canvas. Referee Bill Clancy immediately ruled the punch came after the bell and Dirrell was awarded the victory. A number of altercations took place in and out of the ring including a member of Dirrell’s corner striking Uzcategui in his own corner after the bout. Dirrell is now 26-2, 16 KO’s while Uzcategui falls to 26-2, 22 KO’s.

Former two-time world champion Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy and won a 12-round unanimous decision over Kiryl Relikh of Minsk,Belarus to become the top WBA contender in the Super Lightweight division. Relikh seemed outwork Barthelemy throughout the contest and was credited with a knockdown by referee Kenny Chevalier in the fifth round. Barthelemey would land a solid left hook to the body that dropped Relikh late in the eighth round. However, the judges saw Barthelemy winning the contest. John Gradowski scored the bout 116-110. Judge Henry Gant saw it 115-111 and Don Risher saw the bout 117-109. Barthelemy remains undefeated at 26-0, 13 KO’s and Relikh is now 25-3, 16 KO’s.

Davis Defends IBF Title With Brutal Third-Round TKO!

Baltimore, MD's Gervonta "Tank" Davis successfully defended his IBF Super Featherweight title with a brutal third-round stoppage of mandatory challenger Liam Walsh of England tonight at the Copperbox Arena in London, England.

Davis imposed his will on the slightly-taller Walsh and subsequently broke the challenger down in front of his home fans throughout the bout.  Davis would knock Walsh down with an overhand right in the first minute of the third round before the bout was stopped at 1:11 seconds.

Davis is now 18-0, 17 KO's while Walsh loses for the first time and he is now 21-1, 14 KO's.

Marin Remains Undefeated With Unanimous Decision!

Silver Spring, MD bantamweight Alexandru "Spartan" Marin remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over 100-fight veteran German "Panteonero" Meraz of Agua Prieta, MX in the final undercard bout at the MGM National Harbor Casino in Oxon Hill, MD.

Marin spent the majority of the contest cutting the ring off on Meraz and landing crisp hook shots and uppercuts.  Meraz was in no danger of being knocked down but he was unable to generrate any offense.  Marin won by shutout on all three scorecards, 60-54 to, raise his record to 13-0, nine KO's. Meraz is now 55-44-1, 32 KO's, one NC.

We are in an intermission as we get ready for the televised contests.

Antonio Russell Stops Fuentes In Three!

Gary Antonio Russell has scored a third-round TKO Jovany Fuentes of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. After a relatively close first round, Russell was able to drop Fuentes late in the second round with a solid left hook to the body followed by a right uppercut.  Russell finished the contest early in the third round when he dropped Fuentes with a vicious right hook.  Referee Brent Bovell stopped the bout at 22 seconds of the third.

Russell remains undefeated with a record of 8-0, five KO's while Fuentes drops to 7-9, six KO's.

Next up, bantamweight Alexandru "Spartan" Marin of Rockville, MD by way of Romania (12-0, nine KO's) will take on German Meraz of Agua Prieta, Mexico (52-43-1, 32 KO's, one NC) in a scheduled six-round bout.

Antuanne Russell Wins Pro Debut!

Capitol Heights, MD super lightweight Antuanne "The Last" Russell made short work of Joshua Ross of Monroe, LA in his pro debut.  The 2016 US Olympian dropped Ross with a straight left hand midway through the first round then landed a series of shots that dropped Ross two more times before referee Bill Clancy stopped the contest at 2:25 of the first round.

Ross is now 2-4-4.

Antonio "Another" Russell (7-0, five KO's) is heading to the ring to face Jovany Fuentes of Bayamon, Puerto Rico (7-8, six KO's) in a scheduled six -round super bantamweight bout.

Breedy Wins Unanimous Decision!

Clinton, MD featherweight Cobia "The Soldier" Breedy has won the opening contest today at MGM National Harbor Casino in Oxon Hill, MD capturing a six-round unanimous decision over a game Wilfredo Garrica of Ponce, PR.

Breedy managed to land some solid shots throughout the contest but took some hard shots from Garrica at times.  Breedy won the bout by scores of 59-55 twice and 58-56.  Breedy remains undefeated at 9-0, three KO's.  Garrica drops to 3-7-1, two KO's.

Now in the ring, the pro debut of Gary Antuanne "The Last" Russell as he takes on Joshua Ross of Monroe, LA (2-3-4). 

Breedy Begins Card From MGM National Harbor Casino!

Hi again everyone!  We are back at the MGM National Harbor Casino card in Oxon Hill, MD for the TGB Promotions card.

Action is already in the ring as undefeated Clinton, MD featherweight Cobia "The Soldier" Breedy (8-0, three KO's) is battling Wilfredo Garrica of Ponce, PR (3-6-1, two KO's) in a six-round contest.

The majority of Beltway Boxers will be on the undercard that will go on up until the Gervonta Davis-Liam Walsh contest that will kick off the Showtime telecast at six PM ET.

Beltway Boxers Vie For Regional Straps In Raleigh!

Two Beltway Boxers will try to win minor regional championships Saturday on a card at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC.

In a battle of experienced former world champions, former WBO Super Lightweight champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley of Washington, DC will battle former WBA Super Lightweight titleholder "Vicious" Vivian Harris in a 10-round bout for the vacant UBF All-Americas Welterweight title.

Corley (48-28-1, 28 KO's) had a four-bout winning streak snapped in his last outing when he dropped a controversial 10-round unanimous decision to undefeated prospect Jovanie Santiago on April 7th in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.  Corley dropped Santiago during the contest, which was for the UBF International Super Lightweight title.

Harris (32-11-2, 19 KO's) has not fought since being knocked out in the fourth round by Prichard Colon in September of 2015 in Toronto, Canada.  Harris will be looking to break a two-bout losing streak.

Also on the card, undefeated Leesburg, VA super lightweight Eric "El Torito" Hernandez will take the biggest step of his young career when he faces "Mr. Marvelous" Maynard Allison of Siler City, NC in a 10-round bout for the vacant UBF All-Americas Lightweight title.  Hernandez (9-0, five KO's) last fought on December 10th and won a six-round unanimous decision over Roy Garcia in Springfield, VA. 

Allison (7-1, five KO's) has won two straight since suffering his only loss to Ladarius Miller on September 16th in Las Vegas, NV. In his last outing, Allison won a six-round unanimous decision over veteran Joseph Figueroa on April 8th in Greensboro, NC.  Neither boxer in this bout has gone past six rounds.

J. Davis Scores Seventh-Round TKO In Philly Main Event; Rodriguez Drops Six-Round Decision!

Washington, DC super featherweight Joshua "Dynamite" Davis notched a big win Friday night when he stopped Carlos Rosario of Pennsauken, NJ in the seventh round at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA.

Despite being out of action since November of 2015, Davis was in complete control of the contest.  Davis knocked Rosario down in the second and sixth rounds then battered Rosario enough in the seventh round to force referee Gary Rosato to stop the bout at 1:49.  Davis raises his record to 11-1, five KO's while Rosario falls to 7-2, four KO's.

Also on the card, Manassas, VA super lightweight Juan "The Savior" Rodriguez lost a six-round unanimous decision to undefeated Tyrone Crawley of Philadelphia.  Rodriquez got off to a good start in the first round but Crawley was able to adjust and gain control of the rest of the contest.  Crawley won by scores of 59-55 and 60-54 (twice).  Rodriguez is now 7-7-1, five KO's while Crawley remains undefeated at 7-0.

White Weighs 124 For Texas Six-Rounder!

Jordan White tipped the scales at 124 pounds for his six-round contest Saturday night at the Laredo Energy Center in Laredo, TX.  White's opponent, Adam Lopez, also weighed in at 124.

The bout is part of a card that will be shown on FS1 tonight beginning at 10 PM ET.  However, no word on whether White's bout will be shown.