Juan Rodriguez wins by TKO 2:10 of the first round over Damian Butler. Rodriguez 4-0, four KO's, Butler, 0-3. Rodriguez, 19 years old.

Juan Rodriguez-Damian Butler now in the ring.

Lawrence Jones wins a tough split-decision over Vincent Batteast. Good bout that could have gone either way. Jones is now 3-2-1, one KO. Batteast is 1-2-1.

Jones-Batteast in the ring. Any comments?

Patrick Budd and Robert McConnell fight to a four-round majority draw. Budd 2-1-1, 1KO, McConnell 4-3, 2 KO's

Cruisers in the ring. Robert McConnell vs.Patrick Budd.

Dwayne McRae wins six-round split decision over Theron Johnson. Scores: 59-55 twice for McRae, 58-56 for Johnson. McRae now 6-2, three KO's. Johnson is 3-3.

Second bout--McRae versus Johnson--headed to the ring.

First bout ends in brutal KO fashion. Sergey Kovalev knocks out Francois Ambang at 2:23 of the second round. Kovalev now 6-0, six KO's. Ambang 2-6-1.

Our first bout--Ambang vs.Kovalev is headed to the ring.

We also have this note: Former champ William Joppy lost a 10-round majority decision to Sebastien Demers in Montreal today. Details on the BATB Post-Fight.

We are live from the Patriot Center. Action will start a little later than 7:30. Eight bouts on tap this evening.

Samuel Challenges Spivey for NABA Title in Norfolk April 3!

Baltimore's Tyrell "Da Show Shock'A" Samuel will try to win his first major regional title when he challenges "The Pride of Portsmouth (VA)" Dorin Spivey for the NABA Lightweight title on Saturday, April 3 at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, VA.

Samuel, the Maryland State Super Featherweight champion (14-3, six KO's), fights for the first time at 135 pounds. This will be his first bout since winning two bouts in the trilogy with Gustavo Dailey in 2009. Spivey (36-6, 29 KO's) will be making the first defense of his title that he won on November 6 with a fourth-round TKO over Meacher Major in Buffalo, NY.

Joppy Weighs 169 1/2 for Canadian Clash!

Former WBA Middleweight champion William Joppy is in Montreal, Canada getting ready for a 10-round matchup against Sebastian "Double Trouble" Demers tomorrow night at the Montreal Casino.

Joppy (39-5-1, 30 KO's) weighed in at 169 1/2 for this super middleweight bout and it is the second straight time Joppy has fought in Montreal. On February 29, 2008, Joppy lost a bid for the IBF Super Middleweight title when he was stopped by Lucian Bute in the 10th round. Demers (30-2, 11 KO's) weighed in at 169 1/4 and has won five in a row including capturing the vacant NABF Super Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Nicholson Poulard on November 7 at the Montreal Casino.

Dietrich Benefit Saturday in Dundalk!

Tomorrow night, there will be a benefit gathering at Jimmy's Seafood located at 6526 Holabird Avenue in Dundalk beginning at 7 PM. Admission is $15 and all proceeds will go to the family of Mike Dietrich. Free food will be available.

Weights For The Patriot Center!

Here is the scale watch for the ICE Promotions card at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA:

Jimmy Lange 150 vs. Chase Shields 151

Bayan Jargal 141 1/2 vs. Louie Leija 143

Andrew Farmer 138 1/4 vs. Ikem Orji 138

Juan Rodriguez 143 vs. Damian Butler 145

Lawrence Jones 152 vs. Vincent Batteast 150

Patrick Budd 187 vs. Robert McConnell 189

Dwayne McRae 253 vs. Theron Johnson 221

Francois Ambang 176 vs. Sergei Kovalev (will weigh in tomorrow)

A lot of sound from the weigh-in today at Tyson's Corner Center as a number of folks talked about tomorrow's card.

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #200 - Andrew Farmer Talks Patriot Center!

Fort Valley, VA junior welterweight Andrew "The Doo Man" Farmer talks about his matchup with Laurel, MD's Ikem "The Warrior" Orji tomorrow night at the Patriot Center!




Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #201 - 'Cold Blood' Budd Weighs-In on McConnell Matchup!

Dumfries, VA cruiserweight "Cold Blood" Patrick Budd talks about his matchup with Ellicott City, MD's Robert "MacAttack" McConnell!




Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #202 - 'MacAttack' McConnell Talks About Patriot Center Cruiserweight Matchup!

Here's Robert McConnell as he gives his thoughts about his matchup with Patrick Budd!



Now for the main event:


Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #204 - Jimmy Lange Gives Insight on Main Event!

Great Falls, VA junior middleweight Jimmy Lange talks about defending his WBC USNBC Junior Middleweight title against Chase Shields at the Patriot Center!



Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #206 - 'White Tiger' Shields Talks About His Bout With Lange!

"The White Tiger" Chase Shields of Houston, TX talks to BATB about his title shot against Jimmy Lange!



And two DC Boxing Hall of Famers weigh in on the card:

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #203 - ICE Promotions Matchmaker JD Brown Talks About His Card!

DC Boxing Hall of Famer JD Brown talks about putting together the Patriot Center card!




Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #205 - Ring Announcer Jones Weighs In on..The Weigh-in as well as the Card!

DC Boxing Hall of Famer Henry "Discombobulating" Jones talks about the unique weigh-in at Tyson's Corner Center and gives his thoughts on tomorrow's card!



This reminder: We hope to (barring a bad connection) be blogging live with results from the Patriot Center and we'll have a full BATB Post-Fight Wrap-Up Show later in the evening.

Mike Dietrich Passes!

(Photo by Linda "Great Shot" Siadys)

This one is really tough and very sad. Baltimore heavyweight boxer “The American Dream” Mike Dietrich died suddenly Tuesday in Baltimore, MD. Dietrich was 26 years old. No word was given on the cause of death.

Dietrich was a five-time national amateur boxing champion and was 12-1, six KO’s as a pro. Dietrich was in training for a bout on the March 20th boxing card at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore.

Dietrich made his pro debut on November 19, 2004 with a four-round unanimous decision over Victor James in Baltimore then followed that with his first pro knockout on December 3, 2004 at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, PA. Dietrich knocked out Jermaine Livingston in the first round.

Dietrich’s career was momentarily derailed by an incident in December of 2005 when he was stabbed during an altercation. Dietrich returned to action in May of 2007 with a four-round unanimous decision victory over Jonathan Felton at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore.

After two straight knockout wins, Dietrich suffered his only loss – a third-round knockout to Wes Taylor on April 18, 2008 in Pikesville, MD. Ironically, Dietrich was scheduled to meet Taylor in a rematch on March 20. Dietrich’s last bout was a first-round knockout over Kevin Johnson on November 25 at Du Burns Arena.

Funeral arrangements have been completed for Dietrich. The viewing will be held on Sunday, March 7 at Connelly Funeral Parlor, 7110 Sollers Point Road, Dundalk, MD. The times will be 3-5 PM and 7-9 PM. The funeral will be held on Monday, March 8 at 10 AM, also at Connelly Funeral Parlor.

There will be a repast at Baltimore Boxing and Fitness, 506 1/2 S. Broadway in Baltimore after the funeral.

BATB sends its deepest condolences to the Dietrich Family as well as to everyone who enjoyed watching Mike Dietrich box. This video is on the Baltimore Boxing website and it is a fitting tribute to this young man who was a true fighter -- in and out of the ring.




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Nicklow Responds to Sigmon!

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #199 - 'Beast' Nicklow Responds to 'Cujo' Sigmon!

The war of words continue as the battle for the East Coast Middleweight championship gets closer. Here, Baltimore's Jessie "The Beast" Nicklow responds to his opponent Scott "Cujo" Sigmon with a prediction!

Bout Sheet for Day Three of Washington Golden Gloves!

The Open Division of the Washington Golden Gloves Tournament kicks off this Saturday, March 6 at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park, MD. at 7:30 PM. There will be Junior and Novice Division bouts as well. Here is the scheduled bout sheet:

Junior Division:

9 Years, 60 pounds (championship): Dejon Corley (Kenilworth) vs, Chamar Flowers (Headbangers)

9-10 Years, 75 pounds (championship): Shadid Bond (Charm City) vs. Gregory Burton (Langdon Recreation)

14-15 Years, 125 pounds: Jason Bell (D-Block) vs. William Flowe (Hillcrest)

15-16 Years, 141 pounds: Demetrius Martin (D-Block) vs. Christian Burton (Old School)

14-15, Years, 152 pounds (championship) : Carl Harper (Sugar Ray Leonard) vs. Da'Quan Johnson (Kentland)

16 years, 152 pounds (championship): Brian Rodriguez-Lopez (Down Under) vs Xavier Ward (Supreme Defense)

We have one unopposed champion this week: 8 years, 75 pounds : Cyrus Murphy (Main Street Gym)

Novice Division:

141 pounds: Cortland Perkins (Upton) vs. Johnny DaSilva (Round One)

141 pounds: Emmanuel Rodriguez (Down Under) vs. Stephen McDonald (Young Titans)

152 pounds: Calvin Rowe (Hillcrest) vs. Allen Brown (Kentland)

152 pounds: Dennis Monroe (Benning Park) vs. Kevin Ottley (Down Under)

152 pounds: Austin Plummer (Supreme Defense) vs. Kevin Thompson (Upton)

165 pounds: Charles Burgess (Round One) vs. Marshall Thompson (Keystone)

178 pounds: Marcus Nureni (Cherry Lane) vs. Duane Morrison (Down Under)

178 pounds: Chaka Balamani (Old School) vs. Brevan Woyziah (Frederick Fight Club)

178 pounds: Ryan Watson (Main Street Gym) vs. Willie Cooper (Old School).

201 pounds: Kelvin Deda-O (Round One) vs. JC Arggri (Frederick Fight Club)

201 pounds: Glen Wright (Baltimore Boxing) vs. Michael Johnson (Old School)

201 pounds: Andre Ward (Young Titans) vs. David Ridley (Old School)

201+ pounds: Travis Torain (BAA) vs. Jamar Johnson (Sugar Ray Leonard)

201+ pounds: Kenneth Campbell (Books and Boxing) vs. Andre Watson (Baltimore Boxing)


Open Division:

123 pounds: Angelo Rector (Books and Boxing) vs. Shadeed Floyd (Langdon Recreation)

132 pounds: Kevin Rivers (Headbangers) vs. Joel Young (Keystone)

141 pounds: Michael Reed (Dream Team) vs. Edwin Reyes (Round One)

141 pounds: Terence Beatty, Jr. (Next Level) vs. Nate Davis (Old School)

141 pounds: Terron Grant (Dream Team) vs. Nathaniel Davis (Old School)

141 pounds: Jonathan Burrs, II (unattached) vs. Chris Warden (Old School)

152 pounds: David Grayton (Headbangers) vs. Jonathan Williams (Benning Park)

165 pounds: Reginald Lucas (Upton) vs. Jacob Schaper (Hagerstown)

Due to my commitment to attend the card in Fairfax, VA, I will not be able to blog live from Palmer Park. If all goes well, I will be blogging live from the Patriot Center this Saturday night.

'Cujo' Sigmon Talks About March 20th Battle!

Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #198 - 'Cujo' Sigmon Discusses March 20 Battle!

Bedford, VA middleweight Scott "Cujo" Sigmon talks about his March 20th East Coast Championship battle against Jessie "The Beast" Nicklow and has some pointed words for another Beltway Boxer!