Boxing Along The Beltway

Grayton, Nicholson Eliminated from USA Nationals; Crews Advances!

2012-03-02T21:53:00.002-05:00

The last two men from the Beltway region did not advance into Saturday's finals of the USA Nationals in Fort Carson, CO.

DC 152-pounder David Grayton lost a 24-14 decision to Alex Martin of Chicago, IL while 165-pounder Demond Nicholson of Laurel, MD fell to Terrell Gausha of Cleveland, OH, 22-13.

Baltimore's Franchon Crews bounced back from her loss at the US Women's Olympic Trials and won a bout at 178 pounds stopping Denise Rico of Los Angeles, CA.

Grayton, Nicholson Advance to Medal Round of USA Nationals!

2012-03-02T11:42:00.003-05:00

Two Beltway Amateurs have advanced to the semi-finals of the USA Boxing National Championships in Fort Carson, CO.

In the 152-pound division, David Grayton of DC won a 22-21 decision over Justin DeLoach of Georgia while Demond Nicholson of Laurel, MD moved into the semis at 165 pounds with a 21-20 decision over LeShawn Rodriguez of Long Island, NY.

At 132 pounds, Gary Antonio Russell of Capitol Heights, MD lost a tough 22-21 decision to 2008 Olympian Raynell Williams of Cleveland, OH. Russell Gaskins of DC lost his quarterfinal bout at 165 pounds to Jesse Hart of Philadelphia, 37-17. Also, Jerry Odom of Bowie, MD fell in his bout at 178 pounds to Robert Brant of Minneapolis, MN, 17-14.

Five Beltway Amateurs Advance to Quarterfinals of USA Nationals!

2012-03-01T08:10:00.003-05:00

Five locals have advanced to the Quarterfinal round of the USA Boxing National Championships in Fort Carson, CO.

In the 132-pound class, Gary Antonio Russell of Capitol Heights, MD won a 32-13 decision over Francisco Esparza of Las Vegas, NV. Russell will now face Raynell Williams of Cleveland, OH. Williams won by third-round disqualification over Landover, MD's Kevin Rivers, Jr. No word on why Rivers was disqualified.

To make this matchup an even more interesting affair, Williams is a 2008 US Olympian, which means he was a teammate of Russell's brother, Gary Russell, Jr.

Also moving on will be 2010 National Golden Gloves champion David Grayton of DC. Grayton decisioned Sammie Millhouse of Bambens, SC, 23-14.

Two local 165-pounders advanced to the quarters -- Russell Gaskins of DC won a close, 13-12 decision over Kevin Newman, II of Las Vegas while Demond Nicholson of Laurel, MD decisioned Andre Penn of Rapid City, SD, 19-10.

During Wednesday's morning session, 178-pounder Jerry Odom of Bowie, MD moved into the elite eight with a 17-12 decision over Devaun Lee of Jamaica, Queens, NY.

Some rather surprising losses for Beltway Amateurs during Wednesday's action. Two of the local 141-pounders lost as 2011 National Golden Gloves champ Michael Reed of Waldorf, MD fell to Robert Easter, Jr. of Toledo, OH by a 29-22 score while Antonio Magruder of Suitland, MD lost to Nicholas Delomba of Cranston, RI, 20-8.

In the 178-pound class, Gregory Newby of DC dropped a 29-10 decision to Steven Nelson of Fort Walton Beach, FL. Patrick Harris of Hyattsville, MD lost his bout in the 132-pound division, falling to Lavisas Williams of Rochester, NY, 24-18 while Asia Stevenson of DC lost her bout in the 125-pound female division as she was stopped by Rashida Ellis of Lynn, MA.

BoxingTalk.com Talks With Sigmon!

2012-02-29T13:53:00.005-05:00

Michael Walters of BoxingTalk.com has this interview with Scott "Cujo" Sigmon. Walters also received the same contract that BATB did and filed this interview.

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Walters also received the following from a representative of the Nevada State Athletic Commission regarding the contract:

Top Rank sent over this match-up for approval. I have approved it just now.

Keith Kizer

Executive Director

Nevada Athletic Commission

Pictures of Sigmon Contract for Pavlik Bout!

2012-02-29T10:34:00.004-05:00

These are the pictures of the contract that was signed by Scott Sigmon for the proposed bout with Kelly Pavlik. Draw your own conclusions.

Tougher Day For Beltway Amateurs At US Nationals!

2012-02-28T20:13:00.006-05:00

At the US Nationals in Fort Carson, CO, Beltway amateurs stumbled a little bit during the second round of competition, but a number of locals moved on to the next round.

The evening session is still going on but three local 132-pounders advanced into the next round. Kevin Rivers, Jr. of Landover, MD won a 19-9 decision over Sonny Frederickson of Toledo, OH while Gary Antonio Russell of Capitol Heights, MD decisioned Joshua Jones of Philadelphia, PA 17-9. Also, Patrick Harris of Hyattsville, MD won his bout by a 20-12 decision over Kenneth Thomas, Jr. of Indianapolis, IN.

At 152 pounds, 2010 National Golden Gloves champion David Grayton of DC won by walkover against Lavelle Hadley of Youngstown, OH.

The locals had mixed success at 165 pounds. Russell Gaskins of DC won a 30-25 decision over Puol Both of St. Paul, MN, 30-25. However, D'mitrius Ballard of Temple Hills, MD lost a 15-10 decision to Jesse Hart of Philadelphia, PA and Jeremy Trussell of Baltimore fell to Mark Hernandez of Fresno, CA, 22-16. Demond Nicholson of Laurel, MD won his bout at 165 but it went to number of punches against Charles Cue of Jacksonville, FL 11-11 (32-30).

Also, Hasim Rahman, Jr. won his bout by RSC against Keith Busch of Chandler, AZ in the 201 pound competition.

The morning session gave some of the Beltway Boxers troubles. Malik Jackson of DC lost by walkover to Joseph Gonzalez of Houston, TX at 108 pounds. In the 123-pound class, Gervonta Davis of Baltimore lost by disqualification to Joet de Jesus Gonzalez of Glendora, CA.

Also at 123-pounds, Kenneth Wesley of Germantown, MD lost a 29-17 decision to Mario Ayala of Sacramento, CA while 201+ pounder Danny Kelly fell to Laron Mitchell of San Francisco, CA, 10-6.

The Beltway did have some winners during the morning session. In the 141-pound division, Antonio Magruder of Suitland, MD and Michael Reed of Waldorf both advanced. Magruder won an 18-11 decision over Kameron Jones of Rowlett, TX while Reed, the 2011 National Golden Gloves champion, captured a 21-8 decision over Kevin Watts of Lancaster, CA.

Also advancing at 141 was Cortland Perkins of Baltimore who won a 27-21 decision over Danson Rellez of Mountain View, HI.

The local 178-pounders also advanced today. Jerry Odom of Temple Hills, MD won a 22-19 decision over the hometown boxer, Jeffrey Spencer of Fort Carson. DC's Gregory Newby scored one of the few RSC's of the day as he stopped Luai Barakat of Headland, AL.

Pavlik Declines April Bout With Sigmon!

2012-02-28T12:00:00.003-05:00

Apparently, Kelly Pavlik does not want to fight Scott "Cujo" Sigmon after all. Telling the Youngstown (Ohio) Vindicator newspaper that there was no contract signed, Pavlik has decided to take a bout on March 17. The bout with Sigmon was slated for April 14.

“There was never a fight scheduled for sure against him!” Pavlik wrote in his text. “He was the one that went to some boxing site! (Guess he means this one.)

“I wish I could fight the kid — he is horrible!”

I've talked to Sigmon since the word got out on this and he assured me that a contract had indeed been drawn up with Top Rank for this contest.

Writing on his Facebook page Monday night, Sigmon said, “I sadly regret to inform everyone that 37-2 Kelly Pavlik not to fight me. That’s right, he is afraid to fight [an] unskilled, protected ‘club’ fighter.”

Results and Bout Sheet for Washington Golden Gloves!

2012-02-28T08:57:00.003-05:00

Here are the results from this past Saturday's Washington Golden Gloves at Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center in Palmer Park, MD:

JUNIOR DIVISION:

9 years, 65 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Deric Davis (Old School) over Dennis Ziegler (Langdon)

10-11 years, 75 pounds: Salvador Escamilla (Langdon) over Donte Baytop (UMAR)

12 years, 75 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP):Rudy Cuazitl (Main Street) wins by walkover against Cornell Gray (Kenilworth)

10 years, 80 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Kyron Curry (UMAR) over Kobe Moore (Main Street)

14-15 years, 112 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Francois Scarboro, Jr. (Sugar Ray Leonard) wins by walkover against Fernando Reyes (D-Block)

16 years, 178 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Jordan Payne (Sugar Ray Leonard) over Justin Linz (Loch Raven)

NOVICE DIVISION:

123 pounds: Marcus Bates (Old School) over Hector Soto (Down Under)

132 pounds: Jefri Gutierrez (Laurel Boxing) over DeAngelo Coleman (Hillcrest)

132 pounds: Donte Alston (Enigma) over Nicholios Fields (RPH Academy)

132 pounds: Andrew Barrett (Laurel Boxing) over Guruar Karyah (Midtown)

141 pounds: Samual Paulay (Langdon) wins by walkover against John Mejurada (Books and Boxing)

141 pounds: Drayvontay Speed-Rawls (No Excuse) over Eric Johnson (Keystone Boxing)

152 pounds: Jacob Gabiam (Laurel Boxing) over Michael Alston (unattached)

152 pounds: Dillon Hayman (Frederick Boxing) over Kenji Konishi (Laurel Boxing)

165 pounds: Steve Bucci (Ground Control) won by walkover against Chris Wills (Sugar Ray Leonard)

165 pounds: Tim Anderson (No Excuse) over Rigoberto Cruz (Sugar Ray Leonard)

165 pounds: Ryan Watson (Main Street) wins by walkover against Johnny Trussel (Upton)

OPEN DIVISION:

141 pounds: Emmanual Rodriguez (Down Under) wins by walkover against Roger Blackburn (Upton)

Now, here is the bout sheet for this Saturday's action, once again at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center:

JUNIOR DIVISION:

9-10 years, 70 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Stacey Shelby (Langdon) vs. Erick Tudor (Books and Boxing)

11-12 years, 70 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Chamar Flowers (Headbangers) vs. Djabril Burton (Books and Boxing)

10-11 years, 75 pounds (CHAMPIONSHIP): Quartez Lott (Langdon) vs. Salvador Escamilla (Langdon)

14-15 years, 154 pounds: Richard Foxwell (Loch Raven) vs. Luciano Romeo (Club One)

CHAMPIONS:

13 years, 92 pounds (FEMALE): Yessenia Reyes (D-Block)

15 years, 201+ pounds: Shaka Williams (NOMIS)

MASTERS DIVISION (CHAMPIONS):

152 pounds (FEMALE): Stacy Sneeringer (LA Boxing)

165 pounds: Jairo Maya (Books and Boxing)

NOVICE DIVISION:

132 pounds: Dardo Larrizo (LA Boxing) vs. Raul Santana (Books and Boxing)

141 pounds: Yurii Polishchuk (LA Boxing) vs. Samual Paulay (Langdon)

152 pounds: Jacob Amegah (Hillcrest) vs. Richard Lee, III (NOMIS)

165 pounds: Steve Bucci (Ground Control) vs. Dale Goldston (Laurel)

165 pounds: Taylor Ross (New Life Church) vs. Tremain Wilson (LA Boxing)

178 pounds: Gregory Clark (NOMIS) VS. Nico Williams (Enigma)

178 pounds: Chris Clearly (Black Belt Academy) vs. Justin Rice-Moore (LA Boxing)

201 pounds: Albi Sadikas (LA Boxing) vs. Marquette McMillion (Down Under)

201+ pounds: Garrett Denton (Black Belt Academy) vs. Marcus Phelps (Hillcrest)

OPEN DIVISION:

132 pounds: Joel Young (Enigma) vs. Jordan Peters (Old School)

141 pounds: Bomani Farmer (Honeycomb) vs. Cornell Hines (Sugar Ray Leonard)

141 pounds: Joe Rector (Books and Boxing) vs. Courtland Perkins (Upton)

141 pounds: Jarell Harris (Sugar Ray Leonard) vs. Emmanuel Rodriguez (Down Under)

CHAMPIONS:

141 pounds (FEMALE): Amelia Moore (Club One)

Once again, the action begins at 7:30 PM.

Beltway Amateurs Begin Work at USA Nationals!

2012-02-27T22:08:00.004-05:00

A number of Beltway Amateurs started work in the 2012 USA Nationals in Fort Carson, CO. Action got underway on Sunday and a number of local 165-pounders were in action.

In an all-Beltway bout, D'Mitrius Ballard of Temple Hills, MD defeated Marquis Moore of Fort Washington, MD, 18-17. Russell Gaskins of DC stopped Cory Barnes of Montebello, CA.

Demond Nicholson of Laurel, MD won a 19-8 decision over Scott Deering of Bridgeton, MO. Also, Antoine Douglas of Burke, VA decisioned Tavion Bush of Pensacola, FL, 19-8.

In the 201+ pound division, DC's Danny Kelly won a 19-9 decision over Ryan Jones of Janesville, WI.

Now, let's catch up on today's action. In the afternoon session, the 132-pounders took center stage. Landover, MD's Kevin Rivers won a 17-14 decision over Ray Lugo of Tampa Bay, FL. Gary Antonio Russell of Capitol Heights, MD won a 23-13 decision over Eduardo Garza of Rowlett, TX.

Patrick Harris of Hyattsville, MD decisioned Anthony Burgin of Atco, NJ, 20-16.

The morning session showcased the 141-pounders. Cortland Perkins of Baltimore won a 24-15 decision over Burim Beqiri of Kentwood, MI. Michael Reed of Waldorf, MD captured a 19-16 victory over George Rincon of Carrollton, TX. Antonio Magruder of Suitland, MD advanced by stopping Derrell Williams of San Antonio, TX.

The event continues through March 3.

Mitchell Faces Witherspoon April 28 In Atlantic City On HBO Telecast!

2012-02-27T12:29:00.003-05:00

Undefeated Brandywine, MD heavyweight Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell announced on his Facebook page that he will be facing Chazz "The Gentleman" Witherspoon of Paulsboro, NJ on Saturday, April 28 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.

The bout will be a 10-round co-feature bout on the Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson rematch and will be televised by HBO, marking Mitchell's second straight appearance on the network. Mitchell (24-0-1, 18 KO's) is coming off a solid second-round TKO win over Timur Ibragimov on the Capital Showdown card at the Washington Convention Center. Mitchell has knocked out his last nine opponents.

Witherspoon (30-2, 22 KO's) has won his last four bouts by stoppage since his December 2009 ninth-round TKO loss to Tony Thompson . That bout, ironically, was also at Boardwalk Hall. Witherspoon began his pro career in the Beltway area with his first two bouts scoring knockouts at the Washington Convention Center and Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD. In fact, three of Witherspoon's first eight bouts were in Glen Burnie.

CNN Profiles Lamont Peterson!

2012-02-26T01:30:00.001-05:00

The Peterson Saga makes worldwide news as CNN gives a nice profile of the Unified World Super Lightweight champion. Here's Mark McKay.

Here's the Recap From Millersville!

2012-02-26T01:20:00.001-05:00

Recap of the card from Club One Fitness in Millersville, MD:

Tony Jeter wins UBO All-Americas Middleweight title with eight-round unanimous decision over Jose Felix.

Brandon Quarles wins six-round unanimous decision over Omar Sims.

Venroy July scores second-round TKO over Zeferino Albino.

Lee Snow wins four-round unanimous decision over Stephen Franklin.

Jeter Wins UBO Title By Unanimous Decision!

2012-02-25T23:43:00.002-05:00

Tony Jeter gets redemption with an eight round unanimous decision over Jose Felix. Scores were 78-73, 80-71 and 79-72. Jeter wins the vacant UBO Middleweight title and is now 13-3-1, nine KO's. Felix is now 11-12-2, four KO's. Post-Fight Wrap-Up is,hopefully, coming up shortly. Until then, Good Night from Millersville!

Eighth Round is Tough one!

2012-02-25T23:42:00.003-05:00

Both men use everything possible to get through this round, some of it not so legal. This might be a very close fight on the judge's cards. This one was hard to describe by words, so I decided to give a blow-by-blow attempt on this one.

Round 7 Gets Ugly!

2012-02-25T23:34:00.002-05:00

In what has been a brutal bout, things turned ugly in the seventh when Felix complained of being hit by a low blow. Felix then lifted Jeter and takes him down to the canvas. Ugly round.

Felix Puts On Pressure in Sixth Round, but Jeter Does Not Fold!

2012-02-25T23:28:00.002-05:00

Great sixth round. Felix landed his best punches of the night so far. A brutal left hand stuns Jeter. Jeter lands a low blow and he is warned by Chevalier. Jeter landed a solid double left hook and comes back strong in the latter stages of the round. Anybody's round.

Jeter-Felix II Round 5!

2012-02-25T23:24:00.002-05:00

The bout was momentarily stopped for a cut around Jeter's right eye. Doctors let it go. Nice round for both men. Felix might have eeked that one out with some solid combos.

Halfway Through!

2012-02-25T23:19:00.002-05:00

A battle of two veterans in this one. Jeter's landing nice combinations but Felix is hanging on like a veteran should. Felix is getting in a couple of shots and they have made Jeter step back. Jeter has done just a little more so far.

Jeter-Felix II Better than Jeter-Felix I!

2012-02-25T23:15:00.002-05:00

After three rounds, the rematch of this contest is definitely more competitive. Jeter has been repeatedly warned by Chevalier to not hit behind the head. If it happens again, there will be a point taken away. Jeter has landed the harder blows and combinations so far.

Jeter-Felix Round 2!

2012-02-25T23:12:00.002-05:00

Both men forget about their jabs and throw power shots. Both men are warned for kidney shots and shots behind the head. Jeter is a little more accurate in the second. Jeter 10-9.

Jeter-Felix II Getting underway! Round 1!

2012-02-25T23:00:00.002-05:00

Both men circle each other and Jeter about a minute in, lands a solid right hand and drops Felix, but referee Kenny Chevalier calls it a slip claiming both men get their legs tangled. Later, Felix drops Jeter with a short right hand. That is ruled a knockdown.

Jeter then returns the favor with a right hand of his own. Jeter wins the round but the war is just beginning.

Quarles Wins Unanimous Decision!

2012-02-25T22:49:00.002-05:00

Brandon Quarles wins a tough six-round unanimous decision over Omar Sims. Judge Ken Chevalier scored the bout 58-56, John Gradowski had it 59-55 and Steve Rados had a shutout for Quarles, 60-54. Thinking Sims didn't get enough credit on Rados's card. Quarles remains undefeated at 9-0, two KO's while Sims is 6-4-4, three KO's.

Main event -- Tony Jeter-Jose Felix II is next for the UBO Middleweight title.

Bout Ends in Three-Minute Slugfest!

2012-02-25T22:45:00.002-05:00

A great bout ends with both men slugging it out for three solid minutes. Both did more missing than landing, but it looked like Quarles landed more shots in the exchanges. Quarles may have won this bout but it should be a close score!

Close Fifth Round For Quarles-Sims!

2012-02-25T22:41:00.002-05:00

Very close round for both boxers. I'm tempted to call it even since neither man had a clear advantage. Quarles was slightly more effective from the outside than Sims was from the inside. Quarles, 10-9.

Quarles Back to Basics In Round 4!

2012-02-25T22:35:00.002-05:00

Round four saw Quarles get back to his gameplan in the fourth round. Quarles moved, used his jab and forced Sims to chase him. Sims was not nearly as aggressive as he had been the previous two rounds. Great bout so far. Quarles, 10-9.