Beltway Boxing 2011 -- Bout of the Year!

Truly there is no doubt about the 2011 Beltway Bout of the Year. The bout was the result of two calculated risks -- one that succeeded and one that failed. The bout was also THE best bout that I have seen along the Beltway in my 27-year history of covering boxing in the DMV. Suffice it to say that weeks after the bout, folks around the local, national and international boxing scene are STILL talking about it and the fallout has been incredible for the participants involved.

The BATB Bout of the Year is:

Lamont Peterson 12 round split decision over Amir Khan -- December 10, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC.

This bout was as important a contest as I have seen in this area. Yes, we've had title bouts before (contrary to what the media tended to say during this week), but this had more going for it. There was of course, the world champion who wanted to prove his worth by defending his title against the number-one challenger in the challenger's hometown. There was also that challenger who turned down $300,000 to fight Khan earlier in favor of a $10,000 bout, then won a title eliminator that made him eligible to face Khan anyway.

In the end of course, Peterson's gamble paid off while Khan's didn't. The result is that the bout has been named one of the best of 2011 by most boxing media and Peterson's win moved one local writer to call the victory the best sports story in DC in 2011. We need not be redundant in saying how great the bout itself was.

Honorable Mention:

Joshua Snyder eight-round split decision over Maxell Taylor, November 3, Martin's Valley Mansion, Cockeysville, MD.

This bout could have been a dictionary definition of the term "phone-booth fight." These two young veterans were in each other's chests for most of the bout. Finally in the seventh round, Snyder was finally able to get Taylor off of him and was able to win the bout. Two great boxers in action.

Omar Sims four-round majority decision over Barry Trotter, November 19, Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, MD.

Another bout fought in close. In their short careers, both men have been in some very exciting fights. We thought we would get the same when they fought each other and we weren't disappointed. The two landed good in close shots before Sims was able to get the victory.

Previous BATB Bouts of the Year:

2006: Maxell Taylor six-round draw with Derek Ennis, March 9, Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, MD.

2007: John Mackey six-round unanimous decision over Tony Cygan, December 7, Pikesville, MD

2008: Juan Rodriguez TKO 3 over Benjamin Borteye, November 7, Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, MD

2009: Cory Cummings TKO 9 over Demetrius Davis, May 29, Du Burns Arena, Baltimore, MD

2010: Jessie Nicklow 10-round unanimous decision over Scott Sigmon, March 20, Du Burns Arena, Baltimore, MD/Nicklow 10-round draw with Julius Kennedy, September 17, Du Burns Arena/Sigmon 10-round unanimous decision over Kennedy, December 11, Pikesville National Guard Armory, Pikesville, MD.

Next: Beltway Boxer of the Year!