Beltway Boxing 2017 -- Knockout Of The Year!

We now come to the Knockout Of The Year.   There weren’t a lot of quality knockouts during Beltway Boxing 2017.  However, a few did stand out and one, because of the quality of opposition, got the nod in a very close vote.

The 2017 Beltway Boxing Knockout Of The Year is:

Luther Smith KO 1 over Darnell Pierce -- February 11th, Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD.

Smith was making a transition from heavyweight down to cruiserweight.  In his second cruiserweight contest, Smith faced undefeated Pierce of Killeen, TX who spent some time in the area in the military.  The two southpaw cruiserweights were feeling each other out in the early part of the round when suddenly, Smith sent a straight right hand that landed hard on Pierce and dropped him to the canvas.  Pierce barely beat referee David Braslow's count but was not fit to continue.   It was a truly stunning knockout, especially given Pierce’s won-loss record at the time.  Pierce has not fought since.

Honorable mention: 

Marcus Bates KO 6 over Alec McGee, February 11th, Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD

This knockout on the very same card came very close to winning the top honor.  The two men had a very competitive bout as they were able to exchange solid shots.  As the bout entered the sixth round, it looked like Bates was going to go the distance for the first time in his pro career.  However, just as the bell rang to start the round, Bates threw a powerful straight right hand that sent McGee to the canvas. Referee Brent Bovell did not bother to count and the bout ended at four seconds of the sixth round.  This was the fifth time Bates has knocked out his opponent in the final round of a contest.


Jahmal Dyer KO1 over Dwayne Martin, July 15th, Sphinx Club, Washington, DC. 

On the other end of the spectrum, Dyer’s crushing knockout over Martin needed just 22 seconds of the first round. Dyer sent an overhand right crashing against Martin's head that froze Martin and sent him face first to the canvas.

Previous Beltway Boxing Knockouts of the Year:

2006: Jed Phipps KO1 over David Cleage -- January 20, Pikesville Armory, Pikesville, MD.

2007: Elias Bouloubassis KO1 over Vincent Robbins -- March 10, Pikesville Armory, Pikesville, MD.

2008: Seth Mitchell TKO2 over Alexis Cruz Medina -- May 29, Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, MD.

2009: Tony Jeter KO1 over Keith Gross -- September 26, George Mason University Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA.

2010: Jimmy Lange KO 10 over Joe Wyatt -- November 6, George Mason University Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA.

2011: Kevin Womack KO4 over Benjamin Olinga -- November 19, Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, MD

2012: Kevin Rivers KO1 over Bobby Wooten --  November 3, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

2013: Jarrett Hurd KO2 over George Armenta -- December 6, Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD

2014: Marq Johns TKO 2 over Luis Hernandez --July 18, Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD

2015: Travis Reeves TKO 6 over Samar Barakat --July 9, Tall Cedars Hall, Parkville, MD

2016:  Sam Crossed KO1 over Mike Estus -- August 19, Crystal City Hilton, Crystal City, VA

Next:  The Beltway Boxing Bout Of The Year!