Beltway Boxing 2012 -- Prospect Of The Year!

Now comes the Prospect of the Year!

The 2012 Prospect of the Year has done a lot of traveling since his debut just two years ago.  However, he has made a steady progression in his bouts that may put him into position to make a bigger move in 2013.

The 2012 Beltway Boxing Prospect of the Year is:

Thomas “Top Dog” Williams, Jr. (11-0, eight KO’s), light heavyweight, Fort Washington, MD

The 25-year-old son of the former heavyweight contender fought five times in 2012 and scored knockouts in his last four contests.  Three of his performances were in Texas, Alabama and California.  Williams’s last two bouts raised positive eyebrows, especially his first-round knockout of Harley Kilfian on August 4 in Mobile, AL.

However, Williams’s tough fifth-round knockout of Mexican Ricardo Campillo on December 8 in Anaheim, CA opened some doors for him. The win was against a guy with a winning record on the west coast.  This was a good, gritty performance that has led to Williams’s first scheduled eight-rounder coming up on January 12 in Sunrise, FL.  This was a very solid year for Williams and has made him deserving of this selection.

Honorable Mention:

Dusty Harrison (11-0, seven KO’s), welterweight, Washington, DC

The 2011 Beltway Boxing Rookie of the Year was very busy in 2012, appearing in eight contests, seven in his hometown.  The 18-year-old Harrison moved up to a scheduled eight-round contest in just his second year of pro competition.  The fan favorite also faced some adversity as he was knocked down for the first time ever as a boxer (amateur or pro) in his August 25 bout against Marques Jackson but held on to win the contest.

Harrison has made it known that he wants to step up his level of competition in 2013.  Harrison’s new connection with noted attorney Jeff Fried could make things very interesting in the coming months.

Brandon Quarles (9-0-1, two KO’s), middleweight, Alexandria, VA

Quarles fought solid competition in three bouts in 2012.  His six-round unanimous decision win over Omar Sims on February 25 in Millersville, MD set the tone for what would be an interesting year.  Two months later, Quarles would win another six-round unanimous decision over veteran Ike Ezeji in Wilson, NC.

However, Quarles may have received more notoriety from his six-round draw against another tough veteran in John Mackey.  The October 27 bout at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA ended up being a show-stealer on the most-talked about card of the year. Quarles learned a lot during that bout and, despite not getting the win, received a solid matchup on January 11 against fellow undefeated boxer Daquan Arnett in Indio, CA.

Venroy “Hardwork” July (13-0-2, six KO’s), cruiserweight, Suitland, MD

July was the co-winner of this award in 2011 and made almost as strong a case to win it again this year as he fought against mostly veterans in his four bouts in 2012.  After stopping Zeferino Albino in the second round on February 25 at Club One Fitness in Millersville, MD, July won his first eight-round contest by unanimous decision over 13-2 Justin Howes on June 16 at DuBurns Arena in Baltimore.

July then scored back-to-back knockouts on two cards in Winchester, VA against Cullen Jones and former US Olympian Dante Craig. The coming year could be very interesting for July.  Some fans are clamoring for a bout with fellow undefeated Beltway cruiser Nick Kisner.  That would be something to see.

Terron "Kid" Grant (5-0, three KO's), lightweight, White Plains, MD

Grant has benefited by being in the same camp as Seth Mitchell because of the exposure he has received. However, Grant does have talent and resilience.  Grant's three bouts in 2012 showed some solid growth as well as the ability to come back from adversity.  After his first-round knockout of Devirous Sanders on August 4 in DC, Grant got up off the canvas in the first round against Stephan Alexander to win a four-round split decision on October 6 in Alexandria, VA.

Grant also fought on the Mitchell-Johnathon Banks card in Atlantic City and stopped 4-2 Abraham Esquivel in the first round on November 17.  The future looks very bright for this lightweight.

Previous BATB Prospects of the Year:

2006: Tyrell Samuel
2007: Tim Coleman
2008: Bayan Jargal
2009: Mark Tucker
2010: Gary Russell, Jr. and Seth Mitchell

2011:  Maurice Byarm and Venroy July

Tomorrow:  The Knockout Of The Year!

Reola Hunter, Mother of Barry Hunter Passes; Services Set for January 3!

We are getting late word that Reola Hunter, the mother of local trainer Barry Hunter, passed away on December 22. Mrs. Hunter was 82 years old.

We do have an announcement on the services for Mrs. Hunter.  They are as follows:

The services will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at
 
The New Macedonia Baptist Church
4115 Alabama Avenue, SE in
Washington, DC

Wake/Viewing: 10:00am – 11:00am
Funeral Services: Begin at 11:00am

BATB sends its deepest condolences to the Hunter Family.

Beltway Boxing 2012 -- Rookie Of The Year!

We start our Year-End Awards with the Rookie of the Year selection.

One of the recurring themes of the year was “The Next Wave” where a number of highly-decorated amateurs from the Beltway made the next step of punching for pay.

So it is highly ironic that this year’s top rookie was not a Next Wave candidate.  He started boxing at a late age and, quite honestly, we don’t know how long he will be in the business. However, in 2012, this rookie was busier, more successful and did more traveling than any other first-year boxer in this class.

The Beltway Boxing Rookie of the Year for 2012 is:

Duane Mobley (7-0, five KO’s), heavyweight, Upper Marlboro, MD

Yes, the 37-year-old Mobley was not the highly-decorated amateur that the area was known for.  However, Mobley made more of his first pro year than anyone else, fighting seven times and traveling out of the area on a couple of occasions.

Mobley started his career with a solid, four-round unanimous decision win over Dennis Benson at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on February 11.  Mobley’s next four bouts would end in knockout victories, although in his third bout against Baltimore’s Kevin Johnson at Henderson Hall in Arlington, VA on June 23, Mobley faced some adversity when Johnson knocked him down in the first.  Mobley recovered and went on to stop Johnson in the third.

Mobley traveled to Rising Sun, Indiana for a first-round knockout victory and had a win by disqualification in Norfolk, VA in his last outing in October.  We’ve heard it say that heavyweights age differently than other boxers – we’ll see if that benefits Mobley in 2013.

Honorable Mention:

Kevin “K-Smoov” Rivers, Jr. (3-0, two KO’s), super featherweight, Palmer Park, MD

One of the most exciting young boxers to turn pro in the Beltway in some time, Rivers lived up to the advance billing with three solid performances in 2012.  Rivers debuted on September 29 in DC and won a four-round unanimous decision over the dangerous David Warren Huffman.  That bout seemed to do wonders for both men’s careers.  Huffman, who came into the bout at 1-7, is 3-1-1 since the Rivers bout. 

Meanwhile, Rivers went on to score two first-round knockouts against Bobby Wooten and Alan Beeman and both were spectacular in nature.  Rivers will be someone to watch in 2013.

Tyrieshia “Baby Girl” Douglas (2-0, one KO), flyweight, Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD

If women’s boxing plans to use the momentum they received from its debut in the Olympics, boxers like Douglas will have to lead the way.  So far, the 23-year old from DC who trains in Baltimore has lived up to the challenge.  Douglas made her debut on August 4 in DC with a first-round TKO of the equally-debuting Ashley Langston. 

Douglas’s second bout, however, turned a lot of heads at the Jonathan Ogden Foundation card in Cockeysville, MD on November 8.  Facing 2-0 Sherine Thomas, Douglas dominated a solid foe to win a shutout four-round unanimous decision. The two performances earned Douglas Rookie of the Year honors from the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA), who will, no doubt, place a lot of its future on the backs of boxers like Douglas in 2013.

“Swift” Jarrett Hurd (3-0, three KO’s), middleweight, Accokeek, MD

One of the lesser-known of the rookie class coming in, Hurd has made a great impression with three solid knockout victories.   Two of his victories came in the first round but his second contest – a fourth-round knockout over Coy Lambert on November 3 in Washington, DC – that got everyone talking.  Lambert landed face first as a result of a solid straight left hand that immediately stopped what was a competitive contest.  Look for Hurd to keep everyone talking in the coming year.

Greg Newby (4-0, three KO’s), light heavyweight, Washington, DC

Newby has been very busy in his first pro year and the results have been solid.  Newby’s pro debut saw him land a solid body shot to stop the equally-debuting Gavin Hume on August 25 at the Washington Convention Center.  Newby also showed he could perform under the bright lights at Fight Night in DC on November 1 as he stopped Steven Tyner in the third round.  Newby also picked up two wins in seven days in North and South Carolina.

Previous BATB Rookies of the Year:

2006: Jessie Nicklow
2007: Bayan Jargal
2008: Fernando Guerrero
2009: Dominic Wade
2010: Nick Kisner

2011: Dusty Harrison

Tomorrow: Prospect Of The Year!

Mitchell Gets Rematch With Banks February 16 in Atlantic City!

Brandywine, MD heavyweight Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell will get an opportunity to prove that what happened last November was a fluke.  Mitchell will get a rematch with Detroit, MI's Johnathon Banks on Saturday, February 16 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.  The scheduled 12-round bout will be the co-feature to Adrian Broner's WBC Lightweight championship defense against former WBA Junior Lightweight titleholder Gavin Rees.  The doubleheader will be televised by HBO.

Boardwalk Hall has not been the kindest of venues for Mitchell (25-1-1, 19 KO's).  Banks stopped Mitchell in the second round on November 17.  Prior to that bout, Chazz Witherspoon rocked Mitchell in the first round back in April before Mitchell stopped Witherspoon in the third round.

Banks (29-1-1, 19 KO's) is unbeaten in his last 10 fights since moving up to heavyweight after being stopped by Tomasz Adamek in the eighth round in a bid for the IBF Cruiserweight title.  Both the NABO Heavyweight and WBC International titles that Banks won in the first bout with Mitchell are slated to be on the line again.

Beltway Boxing 2012 – The Year of Great Possibility and Missed Opportunity!

Today, we begin our look back at Beltway Boxing 2012!  On Sunday, we will begin our Year-End Awards giving you one each day.  For those unfamiliar, we give out awards for the following categories:

Rookie of the Year

Prospect of the Year

Knockout of the Year

Bout of the Year

Card of the Year

Boxer of the Year

But we always start with an overview of the year and with a theme, thus the title "The Year of Great Possibility and Missed Opportunity."

Beltway Boxing 2012 gave fans an opportunity to feel great about the future of the sport in DC, Maryland and Virginia but made fans unsure about its present.  The year saw 21 boxers make pro debuts as well as a tremendous year for the area’s amateur program.  However, many pros had opportunities to take their careers to higher levels but lost quality bouts along the way. 

If BATB chose an amateur boxer of the year, it would definitely be Temple Hills, MD’s D’Mitrius Ballard for his trifecta.  Ballard won the 178-pound open titles at the National Golden Gloves, Ringside World Championships and the National PAL championships.

The Beltway had a very impressive amateur season with locals winning a number of championships.  The highlight of 2012 was the local showing at the National Golden Gloves in Mesquite, NV.  The DC/MD Team dominated the proceedings as Jerry Odom and Gervonta Davis joined Ballard as national champions.  Odom was awarded the “Golden Boy” Trophy as the Outstanding Boxer of the tourney and the DC/MD Team captured the team trophy.  Local boxers have won six national titles at the Golden Gloves in the past three years.

Even administrators for the DC/MD team earned honors as Brent Bovell was named the Outstanding Referee and Curtis Rawlings was chosen as the Outstanding Clerk.

Four other locals along with Ballard won titles at the Ringside World Championships in Kansas City, MO; Lamont Tate (Boys Novice, 9-10, 80 pounds), Kavon Robertson (Boys Open, 11-12, 75 pounds), Jordan White (Boys Open 13-14, 90 pounds), and Lamont Roach, Jr. (Boys Open, 15-16, Blue, 132 pounds).

At the National PAL Tournament in Toledo, OH, Ballard won his fourth straight title.  DC transplant Tiara Brown, a native of Lehigh Acres, FL who trains at the HeadBangers Gym, won the female 125-pound Open title and six Beltway amateurs captured junior titles:  Malik Hawkins (154 pounds), Jason Bell (165 pounds), Lorenzo Simpson (11-12, 110 pounds), Troy Isley (13-14, 110 pounds) Kavon Robertson (11-12, 75 pounds) and Calvin Countess (201+ pounds).

Countess, the native of Abingdon, MD, also had a solid 2012 as he captured the 201+ pounds title at the Junior Olympic National Championships in Mobile, AL.

Also, Baltimore’s Franchon Crews won the USA National Championships at 178 pounds and then captured a silver medal at the Women’s World Championships in Qinhuangdao,  China.  Crews also captured the gold at the Women’s Continental Championships in Cornwall, Canada.

A host of locals participated in the Men’s and (for the first time ever) Women’s Olympic Boxing Trials and while no local made either Olympic team, history was made as Antoine and Tyrieshia Douglas became the first sibling duo to participate at the Olympic Boxing trials. 

On the pro side, the year began with the area basking in the glow of Lamont Peterson’s world championship win over Amir Khan last December.  The glow, however, faded through the first few months of the year as allegations of a mystery man at the title bout in DC gave way to Peterson testing positive for synthetic testosterone, which forced the cancellation of the Peterson-Khan rematch.  The WBA stripped Peterson of their title but the IBF allowed Peterson to keep their belt.  Peterson was inactive in 2012 as negotiations for a defense against Zab Judah fell through and one against Kendall Holt were ongoing.

A few pro Beltway Boxers had solid years.  Middleweight Tony “Mo Better” Jeter bounced back from a tough end of 2011 to win two regional titles, the most-talked about contest of the year and get ranked among the top middleweights in the world.  Featherweight “Mr.” Gary Russell, Jr. maintained his status as one of the best feathers in the world with some solid knockout work.  Former WBO Junior Welterweight champ DeMarcus “Chop Chop’ Corley remained extremely relevant scoring two big upsets and winning a NABF title.  Prospects Venroy July and Dusty Harrison were among those who maintained solid, undefeated status.

However, a number of locals had opportunities to put themselves closer to championship competition but did not step up to the plate.  Heavyweights Seth Mitchell, Maurice Byarm, Tony Thompson and former world champ Hasim Rahman lost important, nationally-televised bouts as did junior welterweights Tim Coleman and Ty Barnett and super middleweight Scott Sigmon.

The future looks very bright for the Beltway region as 21 boxers made pro debuts. Locally, the region was very active, hosting 20 cards in 2012.  DC had nine pro cards, the most held in the Nation’s Capitol since 2003. One of the DC cards -- the August 4 card at the Renaissance Hotel -- was historic in that an entirely-female referee crew (Michelle Myers and Sharon Sands) worked the entire card. Northern Virginia hosted seven, two more than 2011.  Maryland, however, fell to just four cards in 2012.

 This year was also a tough year for not only Beltway Boxing Fans but all fans of the sweet science.  A number of notable names connected to our region and to the entire sport left us in 2012.  We say farewell to:

Abodunrin “Bo” Akinyanju, local heavyweight

Louise Barrett Artisst, wife of noted boxing judge and former DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission chair Paul Artisst

Damy Banks, son of local ringside physician Dr. Gregory Banks

Carmen Basilio, legendary hall of fame boxer

Chuck Brown – Godfather of Go-Go and long-time boxing fan

Kimberly Browner, daughter of trainer/manager Tom Browner

Hector “Macho” Camacho, Sr., world champion boxer

Michael Dokes, former heavyweight champion

Angelo Dundee, trainer of Muhammad Ali and two Beltway Boxers – Sugar Ray Leonard and Jimmy Lange

Reola Hunter, mother of local trainer Barry Hunter

Don Eric Marshall, brother of ProAm Fight Talk’s Juan Marshall

Goody Petronelli, trainer of Marvelous Marvin Hagler

Corrie Sanders, former WBO heavyweight champ from South Africa

Al Scott, noted Beltway trainer

Emanuel Steward, legendary trainer of Thomas Hearns and others

Bert Randolph Sugar, legendary author, boxing expert and native Washingtonian

Johnny Tapia, former super flyweight champion

Angelo “Seek and Destroy” Ward, local super featherweight

Sarah White, mother of promoter Cassandra White

That concludes the overview of Beltway Boxing 2012.  On Sunday, the choice for Beltway Boxing Rookie of the Year!

Harrison Teams With Attorney Fried To Handle Boxing Career!

Undefeated Washington, DC welterweight Dusty Harrison will team with noted DC attorney Jeff Fried for the next phase of his boxing career.

According to Harrison's father, Buddy, this will allow the 18-year-old fan favorite (11-0, seven KO's) the ability to remain a free agent and not sign with any promoter.

"Jeff knows his business and this is a great opportunity for Dusty to grow in this business," Buddy Harrison said.

Fried (pronounced Freed) is well known in the boxing and sports business, having advised boxers like Lamont Peterson, Tony Thompson and Sharmba Mitchell along with other sports notables like NBA players Steve Francis, Ty Lawson and Monta Ellis, golfer Corey Pavin and CBS Sports announcer James Brown.

"I am totally committed to moving Dusty to the welterweight title," Fried told BATB.  "We are looking to get Dusty back in the ring in February."

Beltway Prospects Take Step Up Bouts in January!

If January's calendar holds to form, Beltway Boxing 2013 will begin with a number of locals traveling around the country to take, in many cases, very important bouts.

Saturday, January 5 is slated to mark the return of former USBA Junior Welterweight champion Tim "Pit Bull" Coleman of Baltimore, MD.  Coleman (19-3-1, five KO's) will try to bounce back from two high-profile TKO losses to Kendall Holt and Vernon Paris when he faces the returning Nick "Hands of Gold" Casal of Niagra Falls, NY at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA.  Casal (22-4-1, 17 KO's) is entering the ring for the first time since being attacked by his girlfriend's ex and other attackers swinging golf clubs in May of 2012.  Casal required 300 stitches to save his life as he suffered gashes to the front and back of his head.

BATB has already mentioned the Friday, January 11 ShoBox appearance of undefeated Alexandria, VA middleweight Brandon Quarles when he faces undefeated Daquan Arnett of Winter Park, FL in an eight-round contest at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, CA.  Apparently, that will not be the only ShoBox appearance for a Beltway Boxer this month.

Two weeks later, on Friday, January 25, Baltimore junior welterweight Emmanuel "Tranzformer" Taylor will take on Raymond "Tito" Serrano of Philadelphia, PA in a 10-round co-feature that will take place at the Paramount Theater in Huntington, Long Island, NY.

Taylor (15-1, 10 KO's) bounced back from suffering his first pro loss in November 2011 by winning a six-round majority decision over George Sosa on October 12 in Philadelphia.  Serrano (18-1, eight KO's) will be trying to come back from his first pro loss -- a fifth-round stoppage to Karim Mayfield on May 18 in Albany, NY for the NABO Junior Welterweight title.  Since July of 2012, Serrano has been training in DC with Barry Hunter at the HeadBangers Gym.

Also coming up in January, undefeated Fort Washington, MD light heavyweight Thomas "Top Dog" Williams, Jr. will travel to the BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL on Saturday, January 12 in an eight-round contest against an opponent to be determined.  Williams (11-0, eight KO's) will be looking to notch his fifth straight knockout victory.  We may also --finally-- get a chance to have the pro debut of Baltimore junior middleweight Jeremy Trussell as he is slated to be on a card at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ on Saturday, January 19.  Trussell was actually looking to make his pro debut in 2012 but many scheduled bouts fell out on him.

Baltimore Amateur Card Marks Amateur Swan Song For 'Tank' Davis!

The first Beltway amateur card for 2013 will take place on Saturday, January 12 at the Shake 'N' Bake Skating Rink located at 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore, MD.  This will be a special card as it will mark the amateur finale for one of Baltimore's best amateurs in recent memory.

This card will be the finale amateur appearance for 2012 National Golden Gloves 123-pound champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis, who plans to turn pro in the near future.  Davis has won a number of amateur titles throughout his amateur career including the Silver Gloves and National PAL's. 

Tickets for the event are from $20 to $40 and the card will begin at 7 PM.  The card is sanctioned by the South Atlantic Association of USA Boxing, who recently named a new president in James Hogan.  It has been a memorable recent time for Hogan, who also welcomed a new addition to his family, a baby girl.  Congratulations!

Noted Beltway Trainer Al Scott Passes!

We are still trying to get details, but long-time Beltway trainer Al Scott has passed away after a long illness.

Scott was best known for Beltway moments like the one pictured above.  Scott is on the left of the above picture with co-trainer Leonard Langley celebrating with NABF Junior Welterweight champ Reggie 'Showtime" Green.  Scott, Langley and Vardell McCann helped guide a group of boxers known as the "Hard Corps" (Green, Derrell Coley, Gerry Payne and Reuben Bell) to a number of regional titles in the early to mid-90's.  Scott was a fixture in the Beltway Boxing scene until about four years ago when his health started to take a turn for the worse.

I was doing the TV show Boxing Spotlight during those days when the "Hard Corps" was riding high and you could not find a nicer, more humble man than Al Scott.  He was just a joy to be around and he will be truly missed by the Beltway Boxing Community.

We will pass along arrangements when we receive them.  My deepest condolences to the family.

Maryland Amateurs Win Bouts in York, PA!

Three Maryland amateurs won bouts on a pro-am card in York, PA Friday night.  Two of the winners came out of the Main Street Gym in Salisbury.  Shawn Woolford won a 3-0 decision over Ramses Brown of the Combat Gym in Bell Mawr, NJ at the Novice 152 pound division.  Also, Ryan Watson captured a 2-1 decision in the 165 Open class over Babar Shah of the Lincoln Way Gym in York.

In another 165 Open bout, Baltimore Boxing's Jerome Featherstone notched a RSC-3 over Bakula Simpson of the Harrisburg Boxing Club in Harrisburg, PA.  According to reporter JR Jowett who sent BATB the results, the bout was relatively even until Featherstone trapped Simpson against the ropes and landed a brutal left-right combination that sent Simpson crashing to the canvas.

Whitlock Draws In Pro Debut!

Hanover, MD junior welterweight Cornelius Whitlock battled to a four-round draw in his pro debut with Mikkel Lespiere of Brooklyn, NY Thursday night at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. 

According to boxing reporter JR Jowett, Whitlock had to settle for a draw despite knocking down Lespiere twice in the third round.  However, Jowett says Whitlock threw very few punches in the fourth allowing LesPierre to salvage a draw as all three judges scored the bout 37-37.  Lespiere's record is 1-0-1, one KO.

Harrison Off January 12th Card at Rosecroft; Rivers, Hurd, Hayman, Odom Added to Card; Murphy, Davis to Make Debuts!

There is a lot of movement with the Keystone Boxing card slated for Saturday, January 12th at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD.  The big news is that undefeated DC welterweight Dusty Harrison will not be on the card.

As Harrison told BATB in the most recent Post-Fight Wrap-Up, the camp wanted to step-up the competition.  However, finding that competition proved to be difficult, so Harrison will wait until the February card at the Washington Convention Center.

As of right now, the previously announced six-round matchup between Beltway junior middleweights Alantez "Slyaza" Fox of Forestville, MD and "Relentless" Julius Kennedy of Baltimore, MD is the main event, but that could change, according to Keystone officials.

Two other bouts are set for this card.  District Heights, MD super featherweight Renaldo "Misunderstood" Gaines returns to action in a four-round contest against Baltimore's Darrell Martin.  Gaines (3-1) is coming off a four-round unanimous decision over Alan Beeman on November 3 at the Washington Convention Center.  Martin (4-13, one KO) will be trying to break a seven-bout losing streak.

Also, "The King's Son" Jerry Odom of DC (1-0, one KO, one NC) will take on Anthony Madden of Biloxi, MS (0-2) in a four-round super middleweight bout.

 Beltway Boxers Kevin "K-Smoov" Rivers, Jr., Dillon "The Stalker" Hayman and "Swift" Jarrett Hurd are all slated to be on the card.  No word yet on opponents.

There will also be a pro debut on the card.  Palmer Park, MD cruiserweight Mario Murphy is slated to battle against Lamont Capers of Hawley, PA (1-0). 

(Updated as DeAndre Davis and Anthony Cintron are no longer on the card.)

Wilson Winchester Loss Overturned; Thompson Battles Price in Liverpool; Peterson-Holt Goes to Purse Bid!

BATB has learned that the recent loss suffered by Alexandria, VA junior welterweight Todd "White Lightning" Wilson has been overturned by the Virginia State Commission.  On December 1 in Winchester, VA, Wilson was stopped in the second round by Jose Angel Roman.  However, the commission has overturned the result based on medical issues in the Roman camp and the bout has been declared no contest. Wilson remains undefeated at 14-0, four KO's.

DC heavyweight Tony "The Tiger" Thompson will return to action on Saturday, February 23 as he faces undefeated David Price of Liverpool, England at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.  Thompson (36-3, 24 KO's) will be looking to bounce back from his sixth-round TKO world championship loss to Wladimir Klitschko on July 7 in Berne, Switzerland.

Price (15-0, 13 KO's) is regarded as one of the emerging contenders in the heavyweight division as he holds both the British and Commonwealth titles and having knocked out more established British heavies Matt Skelton and Audley Harrison along the way.

Both men are ranked -- Price is ninth by the WBC, Thompson is 10th by the IBF.  The bout will be shown on WealthTV.

IBF Junior Welterweight champion Lamont Peterson may finally return to action.  Peterson's proposed title defense against former world champ Kendall "Rated R' Holt went to a purse bid today.  Only one promotional group -- Gary Shaw Promotions -- placed a bid.  The bout cost $50,000 and must take place within 90 days.

A. Douglas Travels to Newark, NJ Friday Night!

Burke, VA middleweight Antoine "Action" Douglas returns to action on Friday, December 21 for a four-round bout against Rogelio Saldana of Hesperia, MI at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ.

Douglas (2-0, two KO's) stopped Carlos Lopez in the fourth round in his last outing on November 10 in Millsville, NJ.  Saldana (1-3, one KO) won his pro debut but has lost his last three.

Guerrero To Face Quillin For WBO Title February 9 in Brooklyn!

Salisbury, MD middleweight Fernando Guerrero will challenge undefeated "Kid Chocolate" Peter Quillin for Quillin's WBO Middleweight title on Saturday, February 9 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.  The bout will be shown on Showtime's Championship Boxing series and will be the co-feature to Danny Garcia's defense of the WBA and WBC 140-pound titles against Zab Judah.

Guerrero (25-1, 19 KO's) has won four straight since his fourth-round stoppage loss to Grady Brewer in June of 2011.  This includes his last outing where he stopped JC Candelo in six rounds on November 3 in Humble, TX.

Quillin (28-0, 20 KO's) will be making the first defense of his title that he won at the Barclays Center on October 20.  Quillin defeated Hassan N'Diam N'Jikam by 12-round unanimous decision, knocking down N'Jikam down six times along the way.

Services for Don Eric Marshall Announced!

 (Courtesy of Juan Marshall)

The services for 27-year-old Don Eric Marshall, the younger brother of ProAm Fight Talk's Juan Marshall have been announced.

The services will be on Saturday, December 22 at Clinton Baptist Church located on 8701 Woodyard Road in Clinton, MD.

The viewing will be from 9 AM to 11 AM and the service will begin at 11 AM.

Newby Wins Unanimous Decision in South Carolina!

Just a week after scoring a first-round knockout in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, undefeated DC light heavyweight Greg Newby traveled to Columbia, South Carolina this past Saturday and won a four-round unanimous decision over the debuting Craig Booking of Columbia. 

Details are sketchy, but sources tell BATB that Newby performed very well.  This is the first time Newby has gone the distance and he remains undefeated at 4-0, three KO's.

Cochran Wins Unanimous Decision in Los Angeles!

Alexandria, VA featherweight Jerren "Hardknocks" Cochran wins a four- round unanimous decision over Chris Lopez of Arizona tonight at the LA Sports Arena in Los Angeles.

Cochran avoided the pressure put on by Lopez and kept control throughout the bout.  Judges gave the bout to Cochran by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 (twice).  Cochran remains undefeated at 7-0, three KO's.  Lopez loses his first bout and falls to 5-1, two KO's.

Andrews Stopped In Los Angeles!

Stuart's Draft, VA junior middleweight Richard Andrews has been stopped in the third round by 2012 US Olympian Errol Spence tonight at the LA Sports Arena in Los Angeles. 

With the loss, Andrews is now 5-3-3, two KO's.  Spence is 2-0, two KO's.

Quarles Battles on ShoBox January 11 In California!

Undefeated Alexandria, VA middleweight Brandon Quarles will make a nationally-televised appearance when he faces fellow undefeated boxer Daquan Arnett of Winter Park, FL on Friday, January 11 at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, CA.  The bout is slated for eight rounds and will be shown on Showtime's ShoBox: The New Generation series.

Quarles (9-0-1, two KO's) comes off a tough six-round draw against John Mackey on October 27 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA.  This will be Quarles's first scheduled eight-rounder.

Arnett (9-0, six KO's) is a former 2009 Junior National Champion (he defeated local D'Mitrius Ballard that year.  Ballard would win the rematch in 2010) who came off the canvas in his last bout to score a fourth-round TKO over then-undefeated Jeremiah Wiggins on November 9 at the Fantasy Springs Casino.  Like Quarles, Arnett is participating in his first scheduled eight-rounder.