Beltway Boxing 2017 -- The Bout Of The Year!

Great bouts were few and far between within the Beltway limits in 2017 but a few did stand out and the bout chosen as the best of the year took place on one of the area’s highest profile cards.

The 2017 Beltway Boxing Bout Of The Year Is:

Glenn Dezurn, eight-round unanimous decision over Leroy Davila, April 14th, MGM National Harbor Casino, Oxon Hill, MD

The bout was one of the feature bouts on the card and it took place in front of a nationally televised (Showtime) audience.  Dezurn was taking a step up in class as he faced a fellow undefeated boxer who was a former US amateur champion.

The two participated in some brutal exchanges in close throughout the bout.  Dezurn seemed to land the harder blows in many of those exchanges.  Midway through the bout, Davila altered his game plan to include side-to-side movement.  However, Dezurn was successful in cutting the ring off. The two talented boxers ended the contest with a fierce eighth round that saw both men land crushing shots. All three judges scored the bout 78-74 for Dezurn, who became a fan-friendly TV boxer based on the victory.  Dezurn would have two more televised bouts in 2017.

Honorable Mention:  

Donald Wallace six round unanimous decision over Tahir Thomas, January 13th, Michael’s Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, MD

This was the early leader for this award in 2017.  Wallace and Thomas exchanged solid shots during the contest.  Thomas took an early advantage by knocking down Wallace with a counter right hand in the third round.  However, Wallace recovered and took control of the contest as Thomas seemed to wear down.  Wallace continued the assault en route to winning the contest.  Judges Ken Chevalier and Don Risher scored the bout 57-56 and judge John Gradowski saw the bout 59-55.

Gregory Clark four-round split decision over Patrick Rivera, February 11th, Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD

The bout, the opening contest on this card, set the tone for the rest of this night.  Rivera took the early advantage in the contest as he landed some punishing shots.  By the end of the second round, however, Clark was able to turn the tide of the bout by hitting Rivera with some solid shots with his right hand.  Clark was able to get the nod on the cards of judges David Braslow and Gradowski (39-37) while Chevalier scored the bout for Rivera (39-37).

Jahmal Dyer four-round split decision over Evgueny Metchenov, March 30th, Michael’s Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, MD

Both men showed great fundamentals for boxers making their pro debuts.  In the second round, Metchenov seemed to gain an advantage as he rocked Dyer with a flurry of punches.  However, during the flurry, Dyer landed a punch that knocked out Metchenov's mouthpiece.  The stoppage to return the mouthpiece seemed to give Dyer new life and he was able to remain competitive in the contest.  Dyer would win on the scorecards of judges Don Risher and Brent Bovell (39-37).  Paul Wallace saw the bout for Metchenov (39-37).

Previous Beltway Boxing 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.

2011:  Lamont Peterson 12-round split decision over Amir Khan, December 10, Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

2012: Brandon Quarles D6 John Mackey, October 27, George Mason University Patriot Center (now Eagle Bank Arena), Fairfax, VA

2013: Mike Reed KO 6 over Rameses Gil, September 7, Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD

2014: Tony Jeter 10 round majority decision over Jimmy Lange , November 15, George Mason University Patriot Center (now Eagle Bank Arena), Fairfax, VA

2015: Jennifer Salinas 10-round unanimous decision over Melissa St. Vil, November 12, Martin’s Valley Mansion, Cockeysville, MD

2016: Jordan White, six-round unanimous decision over Jose Elizondo, November 5, Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD.

Next:  The Card Of The Year!