Washington Times Columnist Thom Loverro does a nice profile on one of the truly nice people on the Beltway Boxing scene. Her name is Michelle Myers and she is the first female referee to work a pro boxing match in Washington, DC. Learn more about this interesting lady by hitting this link:
"http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/27/referee-myers-packs-a-punch-in-boxing-ring/">
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Daivii, Richardson Drop Bouts in Erie!
Two Beltway Boxers lost bouts at the Avalon Hotel in Erie, PA. Arlington, VA cruiserweight Otgonbayer Daivii dropped a six-round unanimous decision to Garrett Wilson of Philadelphia, PA. The scores were 58-55 (twice) and 57-56. Daivii's record is now 3-3-1, one KO while Wilson's record rises to 6-2, two KO's.
Also, DC heavyweight Damian Richardson lost by first-round TKO to West Deer, PA's Paul Zalus. Richardson is now 0-2 with both losses coming in the first round. Zalus is 4-0, four KO's.
Also, DC heavyweight Damian Richardson lost by first-round TKO to West Deer, PA's Paul Zalus. Richardson is now 0-2 with both losses coming in the first round. Zalus is 4-0, four KO's.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Samuel Wins Rubber Match Against Dailey; Dietrich Scores 55-Second KO in Baltimore!
Maryland State Super Featherweight champion Tyrell "Da Show Shock A" Samuel of Baltimore won by fifth-round technical decision over Gustavo "The Pit Bull" Dailey of Philadelphia during the main event at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore.
In this bout, the third meeting between the two boxers, Samuel was able to use his jab and strong body attack to back Dailey up in almost every exchange. Dailey tried to come forward but for every punch Dailey landed, Samuel seemed to land two that were harder.
In the fifth round, the two boxers accidently clashed heads, forcing a gash over Samuel's right eye that was dangerous enough for the bout to be stopped. Since the scheduled eight-round encounter was more than halfway over, the judge's scorecards came into play. Judge Gary Camponeschi scored the bout 48-47. Judge John Gradowski saw the bout 49-46 and Judge Malik Waleed witnessed the contest as a shutout for Samuel, 50-45.
With the win, Samuel is now 14-3, six KO's while Dailey falls to 4-7, one KO.
In the co-feature, Baltimore heavyweight "The American Dream" Mike Dietrich took just 55 seconds to knockout fellow Charm City boxer Kevin "The Journeyman" Johnson. Dietrich started immediately landing power shots, knocking down Johnson twice. The second knockout came on a blistering right hand that made Johnson crumble in his own corner. Referee Gradowski wasted no time stopping the contest.
Dietrich raises his record to 12-1, six KO's while Johnson is 3-2, two KO's.
DC heavyweight Abodunrin "Bo" Akinyanju raised his record to 2-0, two first-round knockouts with a crushing stoppage of Wilson, NC's Octavius Davis. Akinyanju dropped Davis twice in the bout, the second knockdown was a vicious body shot that stiffened Davis before he fell to the canvas.
With the loss, Davis is now 1-4-1, one KO.
Also on the card, undefeated cruiserweight Daniel Kooij of Vero Beach, FL scored a fourth-round TKO over veteran William "The Storm" Bailey of Chesapeake, VA. Kooji used a powerful left jab to keep Bailey at bay. By the fourth round, Bailey was completely broken down and referee Waleed called of the bout at 2:46 of the fourth. Kooij is now 6-0, three KO's while Bailey is 10-18-2, five KO's.
The bout between "The American Child" Nick Kisner of Ferndale and Glen Williams of Catonsville was scratched because Williams was not medically approved by the Maryland State Athletic Commission.
Here is the BATB Post-Fight Wrap-Up Show for this event:
Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #190 - Full Report from Du Burns!
"The Fight Doctor" Jerome Spears and I recap the events from Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, MD.
In this bout, the third meeting between the two boxers, Samuel was able to use his jab and strong body attack to back Dailey up in almost every exchange. Dailey tried to come forward but for every punch Dailey landed, Samuel seemed to land two that were harder.
In the fifth round, the two boxers accidently clashed heads, forcing a gash over Samuel's right eye that was dangerous enough for the bout to be stopped. Since the scheduled eight-round encounter was more than halfway over, the judge's scorecards came into play. Judge Gary Camponeschi scored the bout 48-47. Judge John Gradowski saw the bout 49-46 and Judge Malik Waleed witnessed the contest as a shutout for Samuel, 50-45.
With the win, Samuel is now 14-3, six KO's while Dailey falls to 4-7, one KO.
In the co-feature, Baltimore heavyweight "The American Dream" Mike Dietrich took just 55 seconds to knockout fellow Charm City boxer Kevin "The Journeyman" Johnson. Dietrich started immediately landing power shots, knocking down Johnson twice. The second knockout came on a blistering right hand that made Johnson crumble in his own corner. Referee Gradowski wasted no time stopping the contest.
Dietrich raises his record to 12-1, six KO's while Johnson is 3-2, two KO's.
DC heavyweight Abodunrin "Bo" Akinyanju raised his record to 2-0, two first-round knockouts with a crushing stoppage of Wilson, NC's Octavius Davis. Akinyanju dropped Davis twice in the bout, the second knockdown was a vicious body shot that stiffened Davis before he fell to the canvas.
With the loss, Davis is now 1-4-1, one KO.
Also on the card, undefeated cruiserweight Daniel Kooij of Vero Beach, FL scored a fourth-round TKO over veteran William "The Storm" Bailey of Chesapeake, VA. Kooji used a powerful left jab to keep Bailey at bay. By the fourth round, Bailey was completely broken down and referee Waleed called of the bout at 2:46 of the fourth. Kooij is now 6-0, three KO's while Bailey is 10-18-2, five KO's.
The bout between "The American Child" Nick Kisner of Ferndale and Glen Williams of Catonsville was scratched because Williams was not medically approved by the Maryland State Athletic Commission.
Here is the BATB Post-Fight Wrap-Up Show for this event:
Gabcast! Boxing Along the Beltway #190 - Full Report from Du Burns!
"The Fight Doctor" Jerome Spears and I recap the events from Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, MD.
Daivii Tips The Scales in Erie, PA!
Arlington, VA cruiserweight Otgonbayer Daivii (3-3-1, one KO)weighed in at 178 pounds for his six-round main event contest at the 25th annual Erie Boxing Classic at the Avalon Hotel in Erie, PA.
Daivii's opponent will be Garrett Wilson of Philadelphia, PA (5-2, two KO's). Wilson tipped the scales at 176 1/2. DC heavyweight Kareem Wilson was slated to be on this card but his bout was scratched.
Daivii's opponent will be Garrett Wilson of Philadelphia, PA (5-2, two KO's). Wilson tipped the scales at 176 1/2. DC heavyweight Kareem Wilson was slated to be on this card but his bout was scratched.
Weights From Du Burns Arena!
Here is the scale watch for tonight's Baltimore Pro Boxing card at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore:
Tyrell Samuel 132 1/2 vs Gustavo Dailey 131 1/2
Mike Dietrich 224 1/2 vs. Kevin Johnson 214
Daniel Kooij 195 1/2 vs. William Bailey 189 1/2
Nick Kisner 195 vs. Glen Williams 195 1/2
Abodurin Akinyanju 284 vs. Octavius Davis 225 1/2
Tyrell Samuel 132 1/2 vs Gustavo Dailey 131 1/2
Mike Dietrich 224 1/2 vs. Kevin Johnson 214
Daniel Kooij 195 1/2 vs. William Bailey 189 1/2
Nick Kisner 195 vs. Glen Williams 195 1/2
Abodurin Akinyanju 284 vs. Octavius Davis 225 1/2
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
BATB Remembers Abe Pollin -- The Boxing Fan!
By now you know that longtime businessman and the owner of the Washington Bullets/Capitals and the visionary behind two state-of-the-art arenas in the Beltway region -- The Capital Centre/USAir Arena and the MCI/Verizon Center -- Abe Pollin passed away today from Corticobasal Degeneration, a rare neurological disease at the age of 85.
Over the next few days, much will be written and said about Mr. Pollin's charitable donations as well as his contributions to professional basketball and hockey and how those sports helped revitalize the areas those arenas served.
As is usually the case in the mainstream media, the sport of boxing will be overlooked and it really shouldn't in this case because the Beltway Boxing scene owes a great debt to Mr. Pollin because he was a true boxing fan. Here is a card-by-card recap of boxing, courtesy of Abe Pollin.
Boxing first came to the Capital Centre on May 21, 1974 when world heavyweight contender Oscar Bonavena defeated Baltimore heavyweight Larry Middleton by 12-round unanimous decision. Bonavena was ranked seventh in the world at that time, Middleton was ranked eighth.
There were two cards in 1975. On July 23, former world champion Emile Griffith won a 10-round unanimous decision over Baltimore's Leo Saenz Floyd Mayweather, Sr. also fought on this card. On August 26, DC legend Johnny Gant fought Harold Weston to a 10-round draw. Also on that card was Olympic bronze medalist heavyweight Duane Bobick.
In 1976, The Capital Centre hosted two cards in April and both featured future heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. On April 5, Holmes scored a second-round TKO over Fred Askew.
But it was the card on April 30 that made the Capital Centre a major player in the boxing world. The April 30 card featured a title defense by "The Greatest" -- Muhammad Ali. Ali won a 15-round unanimous decision over Jimmy Young in a bout many people thought Young may have pulled out. Holmes won a 10-round unanimous decision over Roy Williams. And if that wasn't enough, Ken Norton was on the card and he stopped Ron Stander in the fifth round. Two fights later, Norton would lose a disputed 15-round decision in his third bout against Ali in September of 1976 in Yankee Stadium.
The next year, DC Boxing Hall of Famer "Irish" Mike Baker headlined a card on April 14, stopping Hyattsville, MD's Ralph Palladin in the eighth round for the Maryland/DC Middleweight title.
But it was May 16, 1977 that was a very special card -- one that served as a turning point in my personal life. Muhammad Ali returned to the Capital Centre for a successful 15-round title defense against Alfredo Evangelista. In attendance that night was a 13-year old boxing fan who was hooked by the thrill of a live boxing card. That fan was me, attending my very first live boxing event. Also on that card were two future hall of famers -- Roberto Duran and Alfredo Escalera. Both were victorious on that night.
On June 21, 1977, Ronnie McGarvey of Hillcrest Heights, MD captured the NABF Featherweight championship with a sixth-round TKO over Miguel Meza. This was one bout after McGarvey made an unsuccessful try at Escalera's WBC Super Featherweight crown in Puerto Rico. On that same card, Ralph Palladin won the NABF Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Gene Wells.
Sugar Ray Leonard would make his first appearance in the Capital Centre on April 13, 1978 stopping Bobby Hayman in the third round. A number of local boxers fought on this card including Lou Benson, Mike Baker, Roland Pryor, Keith Broom, O'Dell Leonard and Johnny Gant. All were victorious.
On November 21 of 1978, Gant would return and win by 10-round TKO over Sammy Ruckard in the main event of a card that would feature victories by Ray Leonard's brother Roger as well as locals Leo Saenz, Steve Hughes, Otis Hooper and Henry Bunch Bey. But it was the Gant victory that set up one of the biggest all-Beltway matchups ever.
The date was January 11, 1979. Sugar Ray Leonard was starting to make his ascension up the welterweight ranks. Johnny Gant was the quintessential hard-nosed veteran. In that bout, youth overcame experience as Leonard scored an eighth-round TKO to win his first regional title -- the Mid-Atlantic Welterweight title.
The number of boxing dates in a year started to dwindle as the seventies became the eighties, but the impact of the cards seemed to increase. By the time the eighties came, Sugar Ray Leonard was WBC Welterweight champion. On March 31, 1980, Leonard made his first title defense against England's Davey "Boy" Green. The bout was carried live on ABC. In the fourth round, Leonard scored one of the sickest knockouts ever, landing a crushing left hook that knocked Green out before he hit the canvas.
In an interesting note on the undercard, Johnny Gant challenged Roger Leonard and lost an eight-round unanimous decision. Also on this card, DC super Bantamweight Derrik Holmes scored a first-round knockout over Issac Vega. The victory propelled Holmes to a WBC Super Bantamweight title shot against Wilfredo Gomez in August of 1980. Holmes was stopped in the fifth round in Las Vegas.
It would be 15 years before boxing would return to the Capital Centre. When it did return, the Capital Centre had a new name -- the USAir Arena. Boxing would return with a vengance bringing a Don King-promoted show that featured the greatest array of Beltway talent ever put together on one show.
The date was April 29, 1995 and the card was "The Beltway Brawl" highlighted by Vincent Pettway's incredible sixth-round stoppage of former three-time world champion Simon Brown. Ten Beltway Boxers were on this show, including former WBC Welterweight champ Maurice Blocker, future WBA Middleweight champ William Joppy as well as Lyndon Paul Walker, Antonio "Starchild" Reese, Ed Griffin, "Dangerous D" Darryl Lattimore and Tim "Da Bamma" Hillie. But many who were in attendance will never forget Darryll Tyson's epic battle with Freddie Pendleton that in hindsight (and Don King even talked about it as did Showtime guest commentator Mike Tyson) should have been on the telecast along with Pettway-Brown and Bernard Hopkins first world title victory over Segundo Mercado. To this day, this was the greatest boxing card I have ever covered.
A few years later, Mr. Pollin opened the MCI Center (now Verizon Center) and boxing played a big part in its development as well. On April 24, 1999 Don King returned to the area and presented the "Triple Jeopardy" card that featured Sharmba Mitchell defending the WBA Junior Welterweight crown against Reggie Green, Keith Holmes regaining the WBC Middleweight title against Hacine Cherifi and Mark Johnson winning his second of three world titles, capturing the vacant IBF Junior Bantamweight crown over Ratanachai Sor Vorapin.
Exactly five months later -- September 24, 1999 -- Holmes made a successful defense of his WBC title against local rival Andrew Council while William Joppy stopped Julio Cesar Green in the seventh round to regain the WBA Middleweight title. There was hope that Holmes would meet Joppy in another MCI Center bout to unify the middleweight titles but it never happened.
More than five years later, boxing would make its final appearance in an Abe Pollin-owned building, but it would be a card that many would remember for years to come. The date was June 11, 2005 and the card would feature Mike Tyson's last appearance in a boxing ring, losing by sixth-round TKO to Kevin McBride as well as victories by Laila Ali and Sharmba Mitchell.
Abe Pollin was responsible for many successful revitalization projects in the Beltway region. He brought pro basketball and hockey to the DC area and helped reshape the commercial districts in two parts of the area. Mr. Pollin's legacy should also include his love of the sweet science, a love that led to some of the most important bouts in Beltway Boxing history.
Over the next few days, much will be written and said about Mr. Pollin's charitable donations as well as his contributions to professional basketball and hockey and how those sports helped revitalize the areas those arenas served.
As is usually the case in the mainstream media, the sport of boxing will be overlooked and it really shouldn't in this case because the Beltway Boxing scene owes a great debt to Mr. Pollin because he was a true boxing fan. Here is a card-by-card recap of boxing, courtesy of Abe Pollin.
Boxing first came to the Capital Centre on May 21, 1974 when world heavyweight contender Oscar Bonavena defeated Baltimore heavyweight Larry Middleton by 12-round unanimous decision. Bonavena was ranked seventh in the world at that time, Middleton was ranked eighth.
There were two cards in 1975. On July 23, former world champion Emile Griffith won a 10-round unanimous decision over Baltimore's Leo Saenz Floyd Mayweather, Sr. also fought on this card. On August 26, DC legend Johnny Gant fought Harold Weston to a 10-round draw. Also on that card was Olympic bronze medalist heavyweight Duane Bobick.
In 1976, The Capital Centre hosted two cards in April and both featured future heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. On April 5, Holmes scored a second-round TKO over Fred Askew.
But it was the card on April 30 that made the Capital Centre a major player in the boxing world. The April 30 card featured a title defense by "The Greatest" -- Muhammad Ali. Ali won a 15-round unanimous decision over Jimmy Young in a bout many people thought Young may have pulled out. Holmes won a 10-round unanimous decision over Roy Williams. And if that wasn't enough, Ken Norton was on the card and he stopped Ron Stander in the fifth round. Two fights later, Norton would lose a disputed 15-round decision in his third bout against Ali in September of 1976 in Yankee Stadium.
The next year, DC Boxing Hall of Famer "Irish" Mike Baker headlined a card on April 14, stopping Hyattsville, MD's Ralph Palladin in the eighth round for the Maryland/DC Middleweight title.
But it was May 16, 1977 that was a very special card -- one that served as a turning point in my personal life. Muhammad Ali returned to the Capital Centre for a successful 15-round title defense against Alfredo Evangelista. In attendance that night was a 13-year old boxing fan who was hooked by the thrill of a live boxing card. That fan was me, attending my very first live boxing event. Also on that card were two future hall of famers -- Roberto Duran and Alfredo Escalera. Both were victorious on that night.
On June 21, 1977, Ronnie McGarvey of Hillcrest Heights, MD captured the NABF Featherweight championship with a sixth-round TKO over Miguel Meza. This was one bout after McGarvey made an unsuccessful try at Escalera's WBC Super Featherweight crown in Puerto Rico. On that same card, Ralph Palladin won the NABF Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Gene Wells.
Sugar Ray Leonard would make his first appearance in the Capital Centre on April 13, 1978 stopping Bobby Hayman in the third round. A number of local boxers fought on this card including Lou Benson, Mike Baker, Roland Pryor, Keith Broom, O'Dell Leonard and Johnny Gant. All were victorious.
On November 21 of 1978, Gant would return and win by 10-round TKO over Sammy Ruckard in the main event of a card that would feature victories by Ray Leonard's brother Roger as well as locals Leo Saenz, Steve Hughes, Otis Hooper and Henry Bunch Bey. But it was the Gant victory that set up one of the biggest all-Beltway matchups ever.
The date was January 11, 1979. Sugar Ray Leonard was starting to make his ascension up the welterweight ranks. Johnny Gant was the quintessential hard-nosed veteran. In that bout, youth overcame experience as Leonard scored an eighth-round TKO to win his first regional title -- the Mid-Atlantic Welterweight title.
The number of boxing dates in a year started to dwindle as the seventies became the eighties, but the impact of the cards seemed to increase. By the time the eighties came, Sugar Ray Leonard was WBC Welterweight champion. On March 31, 1980, Leonard made his first title defense against England's Davey "Boy" Green. The bout was carried live on ABC. In the fourth round, Leonard scored one of the sickest knockouts ever, landing a crushing left hook that knocked Green out before he hit the canvas.
In an interesting note on the undercard, Johnny Gant challenged Roger Leonard and lost an eight-round unanimous decision. Also on this card, DC super Bantamweight Derrik Holmes scored a first-round knockout over Issac Vega. The victory propelled Holmes to a WBC Super Bantamweight title shot against Wilfredo Gomez in August of 1980. Holmes was stopped in the fifth round in Las Vegas.
It would be 15 years before boxing would return to the Capital Centre. When it did return, the Capital Centre had a new name -- the USAir Arena. Boxing would return with a vengance bringing a Don King-promoted show that featured the greatest array of Beltway talent ever put together on one show.
The date was April 29, 1995 and the card was "The Beltway Brawl" highlighted by Vincent Pettway's incredible sixth-round stoppage of former three-time world champion Simon Brown. Ten Beltway Boxers were on this show, including former WBC Welterweight champ Maurice Blocker, future WBA Middleweight champ William Joppy as well as Lyndon Paul Walker, Antonio "Starchild" Reese, Ed Griffin, "Dangerous D" Darryl Lattimore and Tim "Da Bamma" Hillie. But many who were in attendance will never forget Darryll Tyson's epic battle with Freddie Pendleton that in hindsight (and Don King even talked about it as did Showtime guest commentator Mike Tyson) should have been on the telecast along with Pettway-Brown and Bernard Hopkins first world title victory over Segundo Mercado. To this day, this was the greatest boxing card I have ever covered.
A few years later, Mr. Pollin opened the MCI Center (now Verizon Center) and boxing played a big part in its development as well. On April 24, 1999 Don King returned to the area and presented the "Triple Jeopardy" card that featured Sharmba Mitchell defending the WBA Junior Welterweight crown against Reggie Green, Keith Holmes regaining the WBC Middleweight title against Hacine Cherifi and Mark Johnson winning his second of three world titles, capturing the vacant IBF Junior Bantamweight crown over Ratanachai Sor Vorapin.
Exactly five months later -- September 24, 1999 -- Holmes made a successful defense of his WBC title against local rival Andrew Council while William Joppy stopped Julio Cesar Green in the seventh round to regain the WBA Middleweight title. There was hope that Holmes would meet Joppy in another MCI Center bout to unify the middleweight titles but it never happened.
More than five years later, boxing would make its final appearance in an Abe Pollin-owned building, but it would be a card that many would remember for years to come. The date was June 11, 2005 and the card would feature Mike Tyson's last appearance in a boxing ring, losing by sixth-round TKO to Kevin McBride as well as victories by Laila Ali and Sharmba Mitchell.
Abe Pollin was responsible for many successful revitalization projects in the Beltway region. He brought pro basketball and hockey to the DC area and helped reshape the commercial districts in two parts of the area. Mr. Pollin's legacy should also include his love of the sweet science, a love that led to some of the most important bouts in Beltway Boxing history.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Wade Posts 19-Second Knockout in Tunica!
Largo, MD middleweight Dominic Wade maintained his perfect record with a 19-second knockout of Bradley Thompson of Brookwood, AL last night at Fitzgerald Hotel and Casino in Tunica, MS.
This is the fourth first-round knockout for Wade (5-0, five KO's) in his young pro career and his second that took place in under 30 seconds of the first round. Wade's pro debut took just 28 seconds on March 14 in Tunica as he stopped previously undefeated Chris Davis.
Thompson falls to 15-18-1, 10 KO's.
This is the fourth first-round knockout for Wade (5-0, five KO's) in his young pro career and his second that took place in under 30 seconds of the first round. Wade's pro debut took just 28 seconds on March 14 in Tunica as he stopped previously undefeated Chris Davis.
Thompson falls to 15-18-1, 10 KO's.
Guerrero Faces Nicklow On ShoBox Telecast From Minnesota!
It never fails. Every time I put up a calendar of boxing events, late news comes in forcing me to make an addition to the schedule. This is a BIG addition as well.
BATB has learned that undefeated Salisbury, MD middleweight Fernando Guerrero will take on Baltimore's Jessie "The Beast" Nicklow on Friday, December 18 at the Grand Casino in Hinkley, MN. Although the bout will not be fought on Maryland soil, the consolation is that the card will be shown nationwide on Showtime's ShoBox telecast.
According to sources, the bout will not be for Guerrero's interim NABO Middleweight title that Guerrero (16-0, 13 KO's) won in his last outing by 10-round majority decision over Ossie Duran on October 10 in Salisbury, MD. The bout will be a scheduled 10-round affair that will be fought reportedly at 163 pounds.
Nicklow (19-1-2, seven KO's) will be trying to break a two-bout winless streak, losing to George Rivera by eight-round unanimous decision on November 1, 2008 in Fairfax, VA and battling John Mackey to an eight-round majority draw on June 19 in Glen Burnie, MD. This will be Nicklow's first scheduled 10-round contest.
The two boxers know each other well, having boxed each other five times in the amateurs. Guerrero held a 3-2 edge over Nicklow, but all five bouts were reportedly very competitive.
BATB has learned that undefeated Salisbury, MD middleweight Fernando Guerrero will take on Baltimore's Jessie "The Beast" Nicklow on Friday, December 18 at the Grand Casino in Hinkley, MN. Although the bout will not be fought on Maryland soil, the consolation is that the card will be shown nationwide on Showtime's ShoBox telecast.
According to sources, the bout will not be for Guerrero's interim NABO Middleweight title that Guerrero (16-0, 13 KO's) won in his last outing by 10-round majority decision over Ossie Duran on October 10 in Salisbury, MD. The bout will be a scheduled 10-round affair that will be fought reportedly at 163 pounds.
Nicklow (19-1-2, seven KO's) will be trying to break a two-bout winless streak, losing to George Rivera by eight-round unanimous decision on November 1, 2008 in Fairfax, VA and battling John Mackey to an eight-round majority draw on June 19 in Glen Burnie, MD. This will be Nicklow's first scheduled 10-round contest.
The two boxers know each other well, having boxed each other five times in the amateurs. Guerrero held a 3-2 edge over Nicklow, but all five bouts were reportedly very competitive.
A Personal Note of Thanks!
(Photo by John DeFreitas, The Washington Informer)
Since we are coming upon the Thanksgiving holiday and since I received the biggest honor I have ever received last week, it's only fitting that I take a moment to say thank you to a number of people individually and collectively.
I've had a couple of days to reflect after receiving my induction into the DC Boxing Hall of Fame and I know there were things I wanted to say in my speech but didn't. Also, I do want to repeat some things that I did say.
First, to my fellow members of the Class of 2009: All told inspiring stories, especially those of amateur category winners George W. Cupp and Reynard Knight, who both overcame adversity to forge strong amateur careers. Also, fellow outstanding contributor award winner Jeff Thames, whose dedication to some of the great boxers in this area cannot be matched.
It was an honor to sit at the same table with David "Bigfoot" Johnson, a large man with an even bigger heart. Even now, he could probably give some heavyweights trouble.
To Kevin Rivers Sr. and Jr: Thank you for your work as well. Kevin Jr. is truly one of the young boxers who I feel will carry this sport in this area to new heights and it won't take him long to do that. It's great also to see the unique bond he has with his father.
To Andrew Council and Isra Girgrah Wynn: It's truly an honor to be in the same class with two people who exude such class and who I have spent a lot of time with. Council is one of only two boxers who never won a world title to be on my list of the top 10 Beltway Boxers of the last 25 years (the other was Darryll Tyson). Council is someone I admire greatly.
As far as Isra Wynn is concerned, In the ring, she ranks right up there with the likes of Laila Ali and Christy Martin as a trailblazer in women's boxing. When the International Boxing Hall of Fame starts inducting women, the three of them should go in together. What she has done post-boxing (with her husband Marty) is just as inspiring -- promotion, entrepreneuriship and a star of an American Gladiators-style show that was taped in Lebanon.
And of course, there's the man that I have had the pleasure to share a microphone with for almost 20 years around the Beltway: "The Fight Doctor" Jerome Spears. One of my favorite things to say in this area is "alongside "The Fight Doctor" Jerome Spears, I'm Gary "Digital" Williams." The wealth of knowledge that this man has about the sport of boxing and his enthusiasm in sharing makes this business so much fun. I'm glad to say I am sharing this honor with him.
There are so many people I have to thank -- including the promoters, matchmakers, commission members, trainers and of course the boxers themselves. There are those who deserve special notice because without them, I probably wouldn't have had the opportunities to do what I do.
Gilbert Ware -- Mr. Ware was the Deputy Commissioner of the DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission. Mr. Ware was the first member of a commission to give me an opportunity to start broadcasting cards in the area. Mr. Ware trusted me sight unseen and I will always be grateful.
Cleveland Burgess -- The first matchmaker I worked with. In the days of Boxing Spotlight, he always let his support of the show be known publicly. I truly miss his enthusiasm.
Henry "Discombobulating" Jones -- a true mentor, confidant and friend. Watching him go through and overcome some of the struggles he has faced in being the first regularly working African-American ring announcer has inspired me to keep doing what I've been doing.
"Panama" Mike Payne -- A lot of who I am in the Beltway Boxing community is a result of a vision that was shared with "Panama." When I first started doing this, I was unaware that someone else shared the same vision. When Discombobulating Jones introduced me to Panama, it could have been an adversarial situation since we were working the same territory. Instead, Panama and I became a mutual admiration society and both of us worked hard to give the Beltway Boxing community the press it deserves. Payne's untimely passing left a serious void in that coverage and myself and others have tried to fill that void in his memory.
Finally, thanks to all the Beltway Boxing fans who truly support the boxers and who have supported me in all my endeavors. Your support and well wishes have truly been appreciated.
Beltway Boxers In Travel Mode!
The end of 2009 will see Beltway Boxers travel to a number of venues around the country and around the world.
DC heavyweight Kareem Wilson (0-3) will look for his first pro win on Wednesday, November 25 at the Avalon Hotel in Erie, PA when he faces the debuting James Shorter of Elkhart, IN.
On Saturday, November 28, former WBO Junior Welterweight champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley (36-11-1, 21 KO's) will travel to Samara, Russia to face Fariz Kazimov (10-1-1, three KO's) in a scheduled 10-round contest. This will be Corley's third trip to a former Eastern Bloc country. Corley is 2-0 with two KO's.
On Wednesday, December 2, DC superfeatherweight Ron "Teflon" Boyd looks to break a four-bout losing streak at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA. Boyd (6-9, two KO's) will face undefeated Michael Perez of Newark, NJ in a six-round contest that will be on the undercard of the Bernard Hopkins-Enrique Orenlas bout.
On Friday, December 11, undefeated Arlington, VA lightweight "The Mongolian Mongoose" Bayan Jargal (13-0-2 nine KO's) will take on Guadalupe Diaz of Chicago, IL (5-6-3, one KO) in a co-feature bout at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV.
Bedford, VA light heavyweight Scott "Cujo" Sigmon (7-1, three KO's) travels to the Tri-State Sport Complex in Aston, PA on Saturday, December 19 for a six-round contest against veteran Ariel "Iron" Espinal of Brooklyn, NY (6-11-2, three KO's).
All of these bouts come IN ADDITION to the bouts already discussed here. To recap:
Thursday, December 3, Manhattan Center, New York City -- Tim Coleman vs. Mike Arnaoutis for the vacant USBA Junior Welterweight title. The bout shown on VERSUS.
Thursday, December 3, Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY -- former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Hasim Rahman returns to action against an opponent TBA.
Friday, December 4, Essex County College, Newark, NJ -- Joshua Snyder takes on Jerome Ellis in an eight-round contest.
Saturday, December 5, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ -- Tony Thompson battles Chazz Witherspoon in a 10-round encounter.
And the big one: Saturday, December 12 -- Lamont Peterson challenges Timothy Bradley for Bradley's WBO Junior Welterweight title at the Aqua Caliente Resort and Casino in Rancho Mirage, CA. The bout will be shown on Showtime.
And of course, we still have three definite cards slated for the Beltway to end the year -- Wednesday, November 25 is the Baltimore Pro Boxing card at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore. Then, TNT Promotions and the Maryland Boxing Club have their card on Friday, December 11 at the Shipley Arena in Westminster, MD. The final card of 2009 will be on Saturday, December 19 at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD. This will be a pro-am card with Baltimore Pro Boxing handling the pro side and Old School Boxing taking care of the amateur part of the card.
There is a card slated for Tuesday, December 15 at the Washington Convention Center but as of now, the card is still up in the air according to sources.
DC heavyweight Kareem Wilson (0-3) will look for his first pro win on Wednesday, November 25 at the Avalon Hotel in Erie, PA when he faces the debuting James Shorter of Elkhart, IN.
On Saturday, November 28, former WBO Junior Welterweight champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley (36-11-1, 21 KO's) will travel to Samara, Russia to face Fariz Kazimov (10-1-1, three KO's) in a scheduled 10-round contest. This will be Corley's third trip to a former Eastern Bloc country. Corley is 2-0 with two KO's.
On Wednesday, December 2, DC superfeatherweight Ron "Teflon" Boyd looks to break a four-bout losing streak at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA. Boyd (6-9, two KO's) will face undefeated Michael Perez of Newark, NJ in a six-round contest that will be on the undercard of the Bernard Hopkins-Enrique Orenlas bout.
On Friday, December 11, undefeated Arlington, VA lightweight "The Mongolian Mongoose" Bayan Jargal (13-0-2 nine KO's) will take on Guadalupe Diaz of Chicago, IL (5-6-3, one KO) in a co-feature bout at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV.
Bedford, VA light heavyweight Scott "Cujo" Sigmon (7-1, three KO's) travels to the Tri-State Sport Complex in Aston, PA on Saturday, December 19 for a six-round contest against veteran Ariel "Iron" Espinal of Brooklyn, NY (6-11-2, three KO's).
All of these bouts come IN ADDITION to the bouts already discussed here. To recap:
Thursday, December 3, Manhattan Center, New York City -- Tim Coleman vs. Mike Arnaoutis for the vacant USBA Junior Welterweight title. The bout shown on VERSUS.
Thursday, December 3, Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, NY -- former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Hasim Rahman returns to action against an opponent TBA.
Friday, December 4, Essex County College, Newark, NJ -- Joshua Snyder takes on Jerome Ellis in an eight-round contest.
Saturday, December 5, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ -- Tony Thompson battles Chazz Witherspoon in a 10-round encounter.
And the big one: Saturday, December 12 -- Lamont Peterson challenges Timothy Bradley for Bradley's WBO Junior Welterweight title at the Aqua Caliente Resort and Casino in Rancho Mirage, CA. The bout will be shown on Showtime.
And of course, we still have three definite cards slated for the Beltway to end the year -- Wednesday, November 25 is the Baltimore Pro Boxing card at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore. Then, TNT Promotions and the Maryland Boxing Club have their card on Friday, December 11 at the Shipley Arena in Westminster, MD. The final card of 2009 will be on Saturday, December 19 at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD. This will be a pro-am card with Baltimore Pro Boxing handling the pro side and Old School Boxing taking care of the amateur part of the card.
There is a card slated for Tuesday, December 15 at the Washington Convention Center but as of now, the card is still up in the air according to sources.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Meet the Washington DC Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2009!
(Photo by John DeFreitas, Washington Informer)
Here is the Washington DC Boxing Hall of Fame induction class of 2009 (from left to right):
David "Bigfoot" Johnson (pro category), Gary "Digital" Williams (outstanding contributor), Kevin Rivers, Jr. (winner of James Balukevich award for Outstanding Amateur Boxer for 2009), Reynard Knight (amateur category), Kevin Rivers, Sr. (amateur category), "Raging Beauty" Isra (Girgrah) Wynn (pro category-first female to be inducted in the pro category), "The Fight Doctor" Jerome Spears (outstanding contributor), Jeff Thames (outstanding contributor) and George W. Cupp (amateur boxer) Unable to attend: Andrew Council (pro category)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Third Samuel-Bailey Bout Added to Pre-Thanksgiving Card in Baltimore!
The third bout between Baltimore's Tyrell "Da Show Shock A" Samuel and Gustavo Dailey of Philadelphia, PA has been added to the Baltimore Pro Boxing Pre-Thanksgiving card on Wednesday, November 25 at Du Burns Arena in Baltimore.
Both Samuel (13-3, six KO's) and Dailey (4-6, one KO's) hold a victory over the other. Dailey won a six-round split decision on July 17 in Westminster, MD. Samuel evened the score in Westminster on September 25, capturing an eight-round unanimous decision. This contest will be another eight-round contest.
We've also learned that Ferndale, MD heavyweight Nick Kisner will make his pro debut against Catonsville, MD's "Irish" Glenn Williams (6-4-1, five KO's).
As far as Mike Paschall is concerned, while I have not talked to him personally, numerous sources have said he is recuperating well.
Both Samuel (13-3, six KO's) and Dailey (4-6, one KO's) hold a victory over the other. Dailey won a six-round split decision on July 17 in Westminster, MD. Samuel evened the score in Westminster on September 25, capturing an eight-round unanimous decision. This contest will be another eight-round contest.
We've also learned that Ferndale, MD heavyweight Nick Kisner will make his pro debut against Catonsville, MD's "Irish" Glenn Williams (6-4-1, five KO's).
As far as Mike Paschall is concerned, while I have not talked to him personally, numerous sources have said he is recuperating well.
'TNT' Tucker Defends USBO Title Against 'El Gallo' Armenta December 11 in Westminster!
USBO Light Heavyweight champion Mark "TNT" Tucker will make the first defense of his title against George "El Gallo" Armenta on Friday, December 11 at the Shipley Arena in Westminster, MD.
The undefeated Tucker (12-0, seven KO's) of nearby Eldersburg, MD won the USBO title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jim Strohl in front of a packed house at the Shipley Arena on September 25. Tucker is facing the comebacking Armenta of Silver Spring, MD (13-4, 11 KO's) who returned to the ring after an almost five-year absence and scored a fourth-round TKO over William Johnson on August 27 in Hagerstown, MD.
Soon as we get the information, we'll tell you about the rest of the card.
The undefeated Tucker (12-0, seven KO's) of nearby Eldersburg, MD won the USBO title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jim Strohl in front of a packed house at the Shipley Arena on September 25. Tucker is facing the comebacking Armenta of Silver Spring, MD (13-4, 11 KO's) who returned to the ring after an almost five-year absence and scored a fourth-round TKO over William Johnson on August 27 in Hagerstown, MD.
Soon as we get the information, we'll tell you about the rest of the card.
Locally-Produced All-Female Card Heads to The Bahamas!
The success of the recent all-female amateur boxing cards that were held at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD has stretched throughout the boxing world. The promotional group Women In Support Together (W.I.S.T), headed by "The Fightlady" Wanda Bruce, will temporarily move the show out of the area. WAY out of the area.
The next stop in the "Road To London" Boxing series will be at the Towne Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas on Saturday, November 28.
No word yet on who from this area will be on the card. W.I.S.T. is working with noted boxer and trainer Bonnie Canino in this endeavor.
W.I.S.T. is planning another local show in December but no official word on date and location.
The next stop in the "Road To London" Boxing series will be at the Towne Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas on Saturday, November 28.
No word yet on who from this area will be on the card. W.I.S.T. is working with noted boxer and trainer Bonnie Canino in this endeavor.
W.I.S.T. is planning another local show in December but no official word on date and location.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
