Davis-Santa Cruz Contest Wins WBA Awards For Bout, Knockout Of The Year!

The October 31st dual championship bout between Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX earned two awards from the World Boxing Association.  The bout was named the WBA's Bout Of The Year and Davis's devastating sixth-round knockout of Santa Cruz was named the Knockout Of The Year.

The bout was full of frantic action as Santa Cruz's straight-ahead style clashed with Davis's technical style. However, in the sixth, Davis landed a powerful left uppercut that crashed into Santa Cruz's jaw and sent him crumpling to the canvas. 

With the win, the undefeated Davis (24-0, 23 KO's) defended his WBA Super Featherweight championship and won the WBA Lightweight title and took one step closer to becoming one of the elite boxers in the sport.

Ellis, Selby Compete In South Carolina January 30th; Davis, Stancil Bouts Move To February!

In an addition to the January Beltway Boxing Schedule, two locals will be competing on a card in South Carolina while two more Beltway Boxers will have their bouts moved to February.

There will be a card at the Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC on Saturday, January 30th. On the card will be Baltimore, MD female lightweight Mia "Killerbee" Ellis who will be in a four-round contest against Myasia Oglesby of North Carolina. Ellis made her pro debut in December of 2019 and scored a first-round TKO over Uneaka Best in Atlanta, GA.  Oglesby has lost her first seven contests and has been TKO'd in every one of them.

The card will also mark the pro debut of Upper Marlboro, MD's Stacey Selby who will take on Jean Saint Phard of Wilson, NC.  Selby has been a very successful amateur for many years, including wins on the local and national levels.  Phard (0-2) comes off a four-round unanimous decision loss to Mikahail Hernandez Hernandez on November 21st in Fort Mill, SC.  This card is being promoted by boxing hall of famer Christy Martin. 

Meanwhile, the card originally scheduled for January 16th has now been moved to Saturday, February 6th at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Washington, PA.  This card will feature locals Nathaniel Lee "ASAP" Davis and Jay Stancil III.  Davis, a super featherweight from Lusby, MD (2-1, one KO) will face undefeated Johnny Spell of Pittsburgh, PA (2-0, 2 KO's) in a four-round bout.  Stancil, a featherweight from Clinton, MD (2-0, one KO) is still looking for an opponent.

Dunton-El Returns For Four-Rounder In Texas!

Baltimore, MD super featherweight Antonio Dunton-El returns to boxing in a four-round contest against Floyd Schofield of Austin, TX on Friday, January 8th at Club Nuestra Raza in Houston, TX.

Dunton-El has not fought since making his pro debut in October of 2019.  He fought to a four-round draw against Blaze Fidler Hernandez in Hanover, MD.  Schofield was successful in his pro debut, scoring a first-round knockout over Richard Esquibel on October 9 in Kissimmee, FL.

Crews-Dezurn Dominates In Dallas Non-Title Affair!

WBC/WBO Female Super Middleweight champion "The Heavy-Hitting Diva" Franchon Crews-Dezurn of Baltimore, MD was dominant en route to a relatively easy eight-round unanimous decision over Ashleigh Curry of St. Joseph, MO Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.

Crews-Dezurn landed at will during the non-title affair with head and body shots.  Curry, who came in overweight for the bout, was punished throughout.  Crews-Dezurn would win by shutout on the scorecards, 80-72.

Crews-Dezurn raised her record to 7-1, two KO's while Curry dropped to 8-14-4, one KO.

Crews-Dezurn Weighs 171.4 For Eight-Rounder In Dallas!

Franchon Crews-Dezurn weighed in at 171.4 pounds for her eight-round non-title bout against Ashleigh Curry on Saturday, January 2nd at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.  Curry came in at 176.2 pounds.   The bout will be part of a card that will be streamed on DAZN.

January Schedule Gets 2021 Started!

A number of Beltway Boxers will be in action to kick off 2021 in the hopes that the next year will be better than the previous one.  Here is the January schedule:

Saturday, January 2nd, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX:  WBC/WBO Super Middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn of Baltimore, MD will be in a non-title, eight-round bout against Ashleigh Curry of St. Joseph, MO.  Crews-Dezurn (6-1, two KO's) received her titles back when her 10-round split decision loss to Alejandra Jimenez on January 11th in San Antonio, TX was changed to a no-decision because Jimenez tested positive for a banned substance. Curry (8-13-4, one KO) has not fought since October of 2019 when she lost by third-round TKO to Savannah Marshall in Newcastle, England.

Saturday, January 16th, Elevations Event Center, Chester, PA:  Silver Spring, MD super lightweight Dieumerci "Elephant" Nzau will be in a six-round contest against Shinard Bunch of Trenton, NJ.  Nzau, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (11-13, eight KO's), will look to break a nine-bout losing streak that includes a four-round unanimous decision loss to Daiyan Butt on November 7th in Philadelphia, PA.  Bunch (10-1, nine KO's) has knocked out six of his last seven opponents, including a first-round KO of Christian Danilo Guido on November 7th in Rock Hill, SC.

Also on this card will be Annapolis, MD super lightweight David "The Demolisher" Veras Pena who will be in a four-rounder against Tahmir Smalls of Philadelphia, PA.  Pena (0-3-1) last fought on November 7th in Philadelphia and lost by first-round TKO to Nafear Charles.  Smalls (2-0, two KO's) scored a fourth-round knockout of Kaywann Sistrunk on February 29th in Hockessin, DE.

Saturday, January 16t, Washington County Fairgrounds, Washington, PA:  Lusby, MD super featherweight Nathaniel Lee "ASAP" Davis will be in a four-round contest against Johnny Spell of Pittsburgh, PA.  Davis (2-1, one KO) comes off a four-round majority decision victory over Varon Webb on February 9th in Vienna, VA.  Spell (2-0, two KO's) has not fought since December of 2019 when he scored a first-round TKO over Philip Ryan Carroll in Salem, WVA.

Clinton, MD featherweight Jay Stancil III will be in a four-round contest against an opponent to be determined.  Stancil (2-0, one KO) comes off a first-round TKO of Antonio Lucaine on February 28th in Hanover, MD. 

Suitland, MD middleweight Davonn Boone will be in a four-rounder against Eric Lomax of Pittsburgh, PA.  Boone (1-2) lost by four-round unanimous decision to Jahvel Joseph on February 8th in Atlantic City, NJ.  Lomax (2-0, one KO) scored a second-round TKO over Ryan McIntosh on March 7th in Cheswick, PA.

Glen Burnie, MD super welterweight Duane Thompson II will be in a four-round bout against Leonidas Fowlkes of Winchester, VA by way of Baltimore, MD.  Thompson (1-0, one KO) won his pro debut on October 31st with a first-round TKO of Xzaviar Ford in Columbia, SC.  Fowlkes (1-0) was also successful in his pro debut, capturing a four-round majority decision over Adrian Diaz in Parkesburg, WVA on November 7th.

Saturday, January 30th, Shrine Exposition Center, Los Angeles, CA:  Upper Marlboro, MD super middleweight Alantez "SlyAza" Fox is scheduled to be in a 10-round contest against undefeated Jose Armando Resendiz of Compostela, Nayarit, Mexico.  Fox (27-2-1, 12 KO's) comes off a big 10-round unanimous decision victory over Marcos Antonio Hernandez on December 26th at the Shrine Expo Center.  However, he did suffer a cut over his left eye.  According to Boxrec, Fox has been suspended by the California State Athletic Commission until February 24th.  Resendiz (11-0, eight KO's) competes for the first time in the United States after winning all of his contests in his native Mexico.

Fox Battles And Earns Win In Los Angeles!

Upper Marlboro,  MD super middleweight Alantez "SlyAza" Fox didn't let a cut deter him from putting together a nice performance in winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Marcos "Madman" Hernandez on Saturday at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, CA.  The bout headlined a PBC Fight Night telecast on FS1 and Fox Deportes.

In the fourth round, the two boxers clashed heads and Fox suffered a cut over his left eye.  Fox went back to work and used an outstanding jab to control the rest of the bout and win by scores of 96-94, 97-93 and 98-92.  

Fox raises his record to 27-2-1, 12 KO's while Hernandez falls to 14-4-1, three KO's.

Fox Weighs 167.2 For 10-Rounder In Los Angeles!

Alantez Fox tipped the scales at 167.2 pounds for his 10-round encounter with Marcos Hernandez on Saturday, December 26th at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, CA.  Hernandez weighed in at 166.6 pounds.  The bout will headline a card that will be shown on FS1 and Fox Deportes beginning at 6 PM ET.

RIP Tracy Fagan -- 1968-2020!

I purposely waited a while before I posted this.  I wanted to get more information and, hopefully, get an official statement.  I was unsuccessful.  Probably because the recent passing of Tracy Fagan has hit a lot of people very hard.

Tracy Fagan, a lady many called the backbone of the Virginia Department of Licensing and Occupational Regulations, passed away on December 9th at the age of 52.  Yes, David Holland was the Chair but Tracy made sure everything went smoothly.

Tracy was an absolute joy to work with, whether as a reporter or a ring announcer.  You could tell that she loved her job and was very serious about her work. One of my favorite moments with Tracy was a historic one.  In September of 2014 on a card at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA, Tori Nelson fought Arlene Blencowe for the vacant WIBA Welterweight title.  The two boxers were women.  The referee was a woman.  All three judges were women and Tracy was the event inspector.  The only male in the situation was me as the ring announcer.  There was a lot of pride that night and Tracy was a major reason why.

Tracy was a remarkable woman.  On the job, she was definitely no-nonsense.  Off the job, she was as friendly and caring as anyone could be.  It will be very tough going to a Virginia boxing card and not see her there.  She will definitely be missed and eternally loved.

Fox Battles Hernandez In Televised 10-Rounder December 26th In Los Angeles!

Upper Marlboro, MD super middleweight Alantez "SlyAza" Fox will participate in a 10-round contest against Marcos "Madman" Hernandez of Fresno, CA on Saturday, December 26th at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, CA.  The bout will headline a PBC Fight Night on FS1 and Fox Deportes that will begin at 6 PM ET.

Fox (26-2-1, 12 KO's) last fought on August 15th against Habib Ahmed and battled to a no-contest.  Prior to that contest, Fox lost an opportunity to win the WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight title in December of 2019, getting knocked out by Liam Williams in the fifth round in London, England.

Hernandez (14-3-1, three KO's) will look to bounce back from an eight-round unanimous decision loss to Kevin Newman on November 1st in Las Vegas, NV. Hernandez has fought quality opponents including former world champion Jeison Rosario and Quatavious Cash.  Hernandez was one of the boxers on the fifth season of The Contender in 2018.

Conde Scores TKO In Pro Debut!

Laurel, MD super middleweight Mansaborie "The Punisher" Conde won his professional debut scoring a third-round TKO over Ricardo Vasquez Becerrill of Kinston, NC on December 19th at the Escape Ballroom in Greenville, SC.

Conde swarmed Becerill throughout the contest landing head and body shots.  A nice left hand to the body finished the bout at 1:38 of the third round.  

Becerrill's record falls to 1-4-1, one KO.

Russell Wins Technical Decision In Connecticut!

Capitol Heights, MD bantamweight Antonio "Another" Russell won a seventh-round technical decision over former world champion Juan Carlos Payano of Miami, FL by way of the Dominican Republic on Saturday, December 9th at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.  The bout was shown on Showtime.

The two men clashed heads in the fifth round, leading to a nasty cut over Payano's left eye.  The bout would be halted one second into the seventh round. Russell was leading on the scorecards, 58-56 and 59-55 (twice).  With the win, Russell remains undefeated at 18-0, 12 KO's while Payano falls to 21-5, nine KO's.

Quarles Scores Third-Round TKO in Mexico!

Alexandria, VA middleweight Brandon "Bulldog" Quarles scored a third-round TKO over Lauro Alcantar of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico on Friday, December 18th at the Gimnasio Profit Cross in Agua Prieta.  This was Quarles's first bout in more than a year as he spent that time recovering from a nearly fatal motorcycle accident.

Quarles sent Alcantar to the canvas in the first and second rounds before a nice body shot earned Quarles the stoppage in the third round.  Quarles now has a record of 22-5-1, 11 KO's while Alcantar falls to 9-10-1, one KO.

Russell, Payano Weigh 199 For Showtime Battle in Connecticut!

Antonio Russell and Juan Carlos Payano both weighed in at 119 pounds for their 10-round nationally-televised bout on Saturday, December 19th at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

The bout will be the first bout on a Showtime tripleheader that will begin at 10 PM ET.

Dezurn Scores Second-Round TKO In South Carolina!

Baltimore, MD featherweight Glenn Dezurn picked up another knockout victory on Saturday, December 11th scoring a second-round TKO over veteran Pablo Cupul of San Diego, CA by way of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico at the Convention Center in North Charleston, SC.

The knockout came at 2:50 of the second round.  The win was the third straight for Dezurn and raises his record to 12-2-1, eight KO's.  Cupul loses for the sixth consecutive time and his record falls to 10-32, five KO's.

Antonio Russell Returns For 10-Rounder in Connecticut!

Undefeated Capitol Heights, MD bantamweight Antonio "Another" Russell returns to action in a scheduled 10-round contest against former world champion Juan Carlos "Baby Pacquiao" Payano of Miami, FL by way of La Vega, Dominican Republic.  The bout will be held at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT, and will kick off a Showtime telecast.

Russell (17-0, 12 KO's) last fought on February 8th and won by six-round disqualification over Jesus Martinez in Allentown, PA.  Russell will compete with a heavy heart because of the recent passing of his younger, non-boxing brother known as Bussa.

Payano (21-4, nine KO's) will be trying to break a two-bout losing streak.  Payano lost by 12-round unanimous decision to Daniel Roman on September 26th at Mohegan Sun. Payano held the WBA Bantamweight title from 2014-2016.

Quarles Returns For Six-Rounder In Mexico!

Alexandria, VA middleweight Brandon "Bulldog" Quarles returns to action on Friday, December 18th when he takes on Lauro Alcantar of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico in a six-round contest at Gimnasio Profit Cross in Agua Prieta.

Quarles (21-5-1, 10 KO's) has not fought since March of 2019 when he lost an eight-round split decision to Aaron Coley in Oxon Hill, MD.  Alcantar (9-9-1, one KO) is 0-6-1 in his last seven bouts and is coming off a second-round TKO loss to Hector Nava on November 24th at the Gimansio Profit Cross.

Chaney Knocks Out Bergman In Three!

 Undefeated Baltimore, MD heavyweight Cassius Chaney scored a third-round knockout over Jason "Ironman" Bergman of Birmingham, AL on Saturday, December 12th at the Champion Boxing Gym in Jonesboro, GA,

According to reports, Chaney stalked Bergman for two rounds, then dropped him with a barrage of punches in round three. Bergman beat the count but was floored again by a big right hand. The time was 2:23.  Chaney is now 20-0, 14 KO's while Bergman falls to 27-19-2, 18 KO's.

Jackson Scores First-Round Knockout In South Carolina!

 Oxon Hill, MD welterweight Akeem "Action Action" Jackson scored a first-round knockout over Jakhari "The Riddler" Ross of Charleston, SC by way of Fort Knox, KY on a card in North Charleston, SC.

According to reports, Jackson used a jab to set up a straight left hand and knocked out Ross at the two-minute mark.  The win evens Jackson's record at 2-2, two KO's.  Ross is now 1-1, one KO.

December Beltway Schedule!

 Here is a list of where Beltway Boxers are scheduled to compete during December:

Friday, December 11th, North Charleston, SC -- Baltimore, MD super bantamweight Glenn Dezurn will be in a six-round contest against Pablo Cupul of San Diego, CA by way of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.  Dezurn (11-2-1, seven KO's) last fought on December 14th and won a four-round unanimous decision over Michael Gaxiola in Covington, KY.  Cupul (10-31, five KO's) will be trying to break a five-bout losing streak including a first-round TKO loss to Martino Jules on February 8th in Allentown, PA.

Saturday, December 12th, Champion Boxing Gym, Jonesboro, GA -- Two undefeated Baltimore heavyweights are in separate bouts against opponents to be determined.  Cassius Chaney will be in a scheduled eight-round bout.  Chaney (19-0, 13 KO's) is coming off a fourth-round TKO win over Chauncy Welliver on August 28th in Kissimmee, FL. Muhsin Cason (6-0, three KO's) returns for a four-round encounter.  Cason has not fought since November of 2019 when he won a six-round unanimous decision over Montez Brown in Glen Burnie, MD.

Saturday, December 19th, Escape Ballroom, Greenville, SC -- Two locals are slated for this card.  Frederick, MD cruiserweight Larry "Hitman" Pryor will battle another veteran in Tahlik Taylor of Freeport, NY. No word on how many rounds this is for.  Pryor (13-22, seven KO's) is riding a two-bout winning streak with back-to-back first-round knockouts.  Taylor (3-15-1, one KO) will look to break a five-bout losing streak over a three-year period.  The card will also mark the pro debut of Laurel, MD middleweight Mansaborie "The Punisher" Conde who will take on Ricardo Vasquez Becerril of LaGrange, NC.  Conde was a veteran participant in the Washington Golden Gloves tournament.  Becerril (1-3-1, one KO) looks to build off his first pro victory, a second-round TKO over Alexander Akkan on November 21st in Fort Mill, SC.

Saturday, December 19th, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX -- Columbia, MD super middleweight Ashton "The Goon" Sykes will take on undefeated Alexis Espino of Las Vegas, NV in a six-round bout that will be on the Canelo Alvarez-Callum Smith undercard.  Sykes (5-3, one KO) looks to build on a three-bout winning streak featuring a four-round unanimous decision win over previously undefeated Isiah Hart on March 7th in Cheswick, PA.  Espino (6-0, four KO's) comes off a six-round unanimous decision over Delvecchio Savage on February 29th in Frisco, TX.