Thursday, July 05, 2018

Ferhardi Returns; Corley Rematches Against Harris; Kisner Faces Sigmon In July!

As of now, there are no pro boxing cards slated for the Beltway area in July.  However, a number of locals will be involved in bouts outside the area during the month.

We have already talked about one bout -- Lamont Roach, Jr. facing Deivi Julio "El Cabo" Bessa for the vacant WBO International Super Featherweight title in Cancun, Mexico on Friday, July 20th.  That bout will be televised live on ESPN.

There are two bouts that will take place on Saturday, July 21st.  Undefeated Frederick, MD super middleweight Devar "Jengawar" Ferhadi returns to action in a six-round contest against George Sheppard of Newport News, VA at the Caswell Civic Center in Yanceyville, NC.  Ferhadi (7-0, six KO's) has not fought since August of 2016 when he scored a third-round TKO over Christopher Petty in Crystal City, VA.  Ferhadi is in the last stages of medical school in his native Kurdistan -- he is slated to graduate next June.

Sheppard (1-3-1) comes off a four-round majority draw against Richard Williams, Jr. on April 14th in Norfolk, VA.  Sheppard is 1-2 against Beltway Boxers, losing his first two contests against Jason Bell and Leo Alcanera before notching his only win against Carlos Cruz in August of 2017 in Norfolk.

Also on July 21st, there will be a rematch of former world super lightweight champions as former WBO champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley of Washington, DC takes on former WBA titleholder "Vicious" Vivian Harris of Brooklyn, NY at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN.  The contest will be a scheduled 12-rounder for the vacant American Boxing Federation Continental Americas Super Lightweight title.  The last time these two veterans met was in May of 2017 where Corley (51-29-1, 28 KO's) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Harris (32-12-2, 19 KO's) in Raleigh, NC.  Both men were knocked down during the bout -- Corley in the first round and Harris in the seventh.

Since that bout, Corley has fought three times, winning two of the three.  In his last outing, Corley won a 12-round unanimous decision over Patrick Lopez on April 7th in Lagos, Nigeria for the German version of the WBU Lightweight title.  Harris has not fought since the last encounter with Corley.

On Saturday, July 28th, two Beltway veterans will face off at the Hollywood Casino in Columbus, OH.  "Slick" Nick Kisner of Baltimore, MD will battle Scott "Cujo" Sigmon of Lynchburg, VA in a 10-round cruiserweight contest. Kisner (20-4-1, six KO's) makes his second straight (and third overall) trip to the Hollywood Casino where Kisner won a 10-round unanimous decision over Brian Holstein on March 3rd.  This was the second win over Holstein.

Sigmon (31-12-1, 16 KO's) bounced back from his 10-round unanimous decision loss to Roy Jones, Jr. on February 8 by winning an eight-round unanimous decision over Alan Stephenson in Salem, VA.

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