The Golden Boy Promotions undercard slated for Saturday, April 19 at the DC Armory is starting to come together. However, it won't exactly be a showcase for the Beltway Boxing scene.
As of right now, only three locals will be on the card and they have matchups that will not be shown on television. Undefeated Largo, MD middleweight Dominic Wade (14-0, 10 KO's) will take on veteran Marcus Upshaw of Jacksonville, FL (15-11-2, seven KO's) in an eight-round contest.
Wade is coming off a six-round unanimous decision victory over Dashon Johnson on January 25 at the Armory. Wade was knocked down in the first round but came back to win. Upshaw will be trying to break a three-bout losing streak and is making his second trip to the Beltway region. Upshaw won a six-round split decision over Jarrell Mason Jackson in February 2007 in Suitland, MD.
Also, undefeated Temple Hills, MD super middleweight D'Mitrius Ballard (4-0, three KO's) will battle Quincy "Pretty Boy Vegas" Miner of Kansas City, MO (3-5) in a four-round contest.
Ballard also appeared on the January 25 card at the DC Armory and scored a third round TKO over Marlon Farr. Miner is winless in his last four bouts.
Undefeated DC welterweight David "Day-Day" Grayton (6-0, five KO's) is also slated to be on the card against an opponent to be determined.
Right now, it doesn't look like 2013 co-Beltway Boxer of the Year "The Real Deal" Phil Jackson-Benson will be on the card, however, there is no confirmation either way.
In other bouts on the card, undefeated Brooklyn, NY welterweight Sadam "World Kid" Ali will take on Jeremy Bryan of Paterson, NJ in a scheduled 10-round contest that will be the featured bout on the Showtime Extreme telecast.
Ali (18-0, 11 KO's) is coming off a six-round TKO over Jesus Selig on December 7 in Brooklyn. Bryan (17-3, seven KO's) won an eight-round unanimous decision over Issouf Kinda on February 14 in Huntington, NY.
Random Beltway trivia: In 2001 as an amateur, Ali came to DC and participated in the Platinum Gloves tournament at the old Washington Convention Center. His opponent that night in the 80-pound contest would be Gary Russell, Jr. Seven years later, the two would be teammates on the 2008 US Olympic Team. Russell won the contest, by the way.
Also on the card, undefeated Brooklyn junior welterweight Zachary Ochoa (6-0, three KO's) takes on veteran Hector Marengo of Arecibo, Puerto Rico in a four-round contest while 2012 US Olympian Marcus Browne (9-0, seven KO's) of Staten Island, NY will be in an eight-round contest against an opponent to be determined.
Norfolk, VA lightweight Chris "The Dentist" Alexander will still be on the card. No word yet on his opponent.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Mickey Rooney Has Passed Away
Mickey Rooney, as Tommy "Killer" McCoy in the 1947 classic "Killer McCoy". R.I.P Mickey Rooney!
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Final Two Bouts Set For April 12 Baltimore Card!
The Hardwork Promotions card is complete for Saturday, April 12 at the Patapsco Arena in Baltimore, MD.
Undefeated Baltimore middleweight Jeremy "The Truth" Trussell will be in a six-round contest against Taneal Goyco of Philadelphia, PA. Trussell (8-0, six KO's) is coming off a first-round TKO of Jeremy Boardwine on March 1 in Lynchburg, VA. Goyco (5-6-1, two KO's) also scored a victory in his last outing, winning a six-round majority decision over Frankie Fillipone on August 2 in Newark, DE.
Also, Silver Spring, MD featherweight Alexandru Marin will battle Alex Hipolito of Lubbock, TX in a four-round contest. Marin (2-0, two KO's) fought his last bout at the Patapsco Arena and scored a first-round TKO over David Warren Huffman on November 23. Hipolito (2-2, two KO's) will try to bounce back from a four-round unanimous decision loss to Fernando Fuentes on August 23 in Corona, CA.
So the nine-bout card is complete. Here's how the rest of the card looks:
Venroy "Hardwork" July (16-1-2, six KO's), Suitland, MD vs. Quantis Graves (9-0-1, four KO's), Lubbock, TX. eight rounds, cruiserweight .
"The Big Ticket" Dwayne McRae (12-3, six KO's), Laurel, MD vs. Jonte Willis (9-9-1, three KO's), Tacoma, WA. six rounds, heavyweight.
DeAndre Davis (1-0, one KO), Bowie, MD vs. Christopher Johnson (pro debut), Chicago, IL. four rounds, featherweight.
Travis Reeves (3-2-1, one KO), Baltimore, MD vs. Santos Martinez (2-5-1, two KO's). Adrian, MI, four rounds, cruiserweight.
"The Cuban Assassin" Larry Recio (4-0, three KO's), Landover, MD vs. Jose Felix (11-14-2, four KO's), Albuquerque, NM. Four rounds, junior middleweight.
Demond "D Best At It" Nicholson (5-0, five KO's), Laurel, MD vs. David Rohn (1-0), Villa Park, IL. Four rounds, super middleweight.
Edwin Reyes (2-0, two KO's), Laurel, MD vs. Christopher Haney (pro debut), Chicago, IL. Four rounds, lightweight.
Undefeated Baltimore middleweight Jeremy "The Truth" Trussell will be in a six-round contest against Taneal Goyco of Philadelphia, PA. Trussell (8-0, six KO's) is coming off a first-round TKO of Jeremy Boardwine on March 1 in Lynchburg, VA. Goyco (5-6-1, two KO's) also scored a victory in his last outing, winning a six-round majority decision over Frankie Fillipone on August 2 in Newark, DE.
Also, Silver Spring, MD featherweight Alexandru Marin will battle Alex Hipolito of Lubbock, TX in a four-round contest. Marin (2-0, two KO's) fought his last bout at the Patapsco Arena and scored a first-round TKO over David Warren Huffman on November 23. Hipolito (2-2, two KO's) will try to bounce back from a four-round unanimous decision loss to Fernando Fuentes on August 23 in Corona, CA.
So the nine-bout card is complete. Here's how the rest of the card looks:
Venroy "Hardwork" July (16-1-2, six KO's), Suitland, MD vs. Quantis Graves (9-0-1, four KO's), Lubbock, TX. eight rounds, cruiserweight .
"The Big Ticket" Dwayne McRae (12-3, six KO's), Laurel, MD vs. Jonte Willis (9-9-1, three KO's), Tacoma, WA. six rounds, heavyweight.
DeAndre Davis (1-0, one KO), Bowie, MD vs. Christopher Johnson (pro debut), Chicago, IL. four rounds, featherweight.
Travis Reeves (3-2-1, one KO), Baltimore, MD vs. Santos Martinez (2-5-1, two KO's). Adrian, MI, four rounds, cruiserweight.
"The Cuban Assassin" Larry Recio (4-0, three KO's), Landover, MD vs. Jose Felix (11-14-2, four KO's), Albuquerque, NM. Four rounds, junior middleweight.
Demond "D Best At It" Nicholson (5-0, five KO's), Laurel, MD vs. David Rohn (1-0), Villa Park, IL. Four rounds, super middleweight.
Edwin Reyes (2-0, two KO's), Laurel, MD vs. Christopher Haney (pro debut), Chicago, IL. Four rounds, lightweight.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Butterflies and Canaries
By Randy De La O
I got a call from my trainer Mel Epstein telling me that the Main Street Gym would be closed for a couple of days and that I would be working out at Jake Shugrue's Seaside gym in Long Beach. I picked up Mel at mid morning and we headed to the gym. This was the first time I met Jake. Like most trainers of that time He was a little rough around the edge and Runyunesque in character.
I was told I would be sparring. I was feeling good and was anxious to get started. I warmed up and began my work out, keeping in mind that I would be sparring. I had only sparred once before. Mel called me over and told me I would be sparring in a few minutes. He laced up my gloves and in a few minutes I was standing in the ring. I watched as the guy I would be sparring with climbed into the ring. A black guy more or less my age, maybe a little younger. He looked lean and hard.
As the round started I began to box him. He was very quick. I did not have the sense yet to realize that we were sparring, not fighting. Mel was on the ring apron leaning on the ropes. I could hear him talking to me but I was focused on the guy in front of me. I was trying too hard. I was trying to make a fight of it. One round ended and another began.
I don't know where it came from but I heard a loud explosion. It seemed to come from far off. I felt confused. Next I heard a whooshing sound , whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, and I felt myself falling like a freshly cut tree. I landed hard and I remember thinking, “Did I faint?” Again I was confused. I got on my hands and knees slowly and looked up and there they were, yellow butterflies and canaries all around me, all I could see was yellow. I shook my head from side to side, still wondering what happened. As the butterflies and canaries began to clear Mel came into view. He had a smirk on his face and let out a little laugh and then it hit me. I was knocked down.
I should have kept my cool but I could not. I was furious. I jumped up and went at him with everything I had but I was too angry, too prideful. The round ended, I climbed through the ropes and Mel was wiping me down. The guy walked up to me with an extended hand and said “I'm sorry but it seemed like you wanted to fight”. That guy had a lot of class. I shook his hand and said, “That's okay, no problem” My pride was hurt and I had embarrassed myself. I was told later that it was a right hand. that caught me because I kept my left too low. I cannot remember the punch for the life of me, just my reaction. I don't remember his name, or if I ever knew it but I remember him.
I learned a few things that day. From that day on I kept my cool. It was a lesson in humility ( I would have more). I stopped thinking so highly of myself. It also made me sharper and more determined. I can't say I had much of a career but I can say that those things we learn at the gym and in the ring carry over into our lives. I raised my children on that belief. Boxing is a microcosm of life, you just have to look closely.
I got a call from my trainer Mel Epstein telling me that the Main Street Gym would be closed for a couple of days and that I would be working out at Jake Shugrue's Seaside gym in Long Beach. I picked up Mel at mid morning and we headed to the gym. This was the first time I met Jake. Like most trainers of that time He was a little rough around the edge and Runyunesque in character.
I was told I would be sparring. I was feeling good and was anxious to get started. I warmed up and began my work out, keeping in mind that I would be sparring. I had only sparred once before. Mel called me over and told me I would be sparring in a few minutes. He laced up my gloves and in a few minutes I was standing in the ring. I watched as the guy I would be sparring with climbed into the ring. A black guy more or less my age, maybe a little younger. He looked lean and hard.
As the round started I began to box him. He was very quick. I did not have the sense yet to realize that we were sparring, not fighting. Mel was on the ring apron leaning on the ropes. I could hear him talking to me but I was focused on the guy in front of me. I was trying too hard. I was trying to make a fight of it. One round ended and another began.
I don't know where it came from but I heard a loud explosion. It seemed to come from far off. I felt confused. Next I heard a whooshing sound , whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, and I felt myself falling like a freshly cut tree. I landed hard and I remember thinking, “Did I faint?” Again I was confused. I got on my hands and knees slowly and looked up and there they were, yellow butterflies and canaries all around me, all I could see was yellow. I shook my head from side to side, still wondering what happened. As the butterflies and canaries began to clear Mel came into view. He had a smirk on his face and let out a little laugh and then it hit me. I was knocked down.
I should have kept my cool but I could not. I was furious. I jumped up and went at him with everything I had but I was too angry, too prideful. The round ended, I climbed through the ropes and Mel was wiping me down. The guy walked up to me with an extended hand and said “I'm sorry but it seemed like you wanted to fight”. That guy had a lot of class. I shook his hand and said, “That's okay, no problem” My pride was hurt and I had embarrassed myself. I was told later that it was a right hand. that caught me because I kept my left too low. I cannot remember the punch for the life of me, just my reaction. I don't remember his name, or if I ever knew it but I remember him.
I learned a few things that day. From that day on I kept my cool. It was a lesson in humility ( I would have more). I stopped thinking so highly of myself. It also made me sharper and more determined. I can't say I had much of a career but I can say that those things we learn at the gym and in the ring carry over into our lives. I raised my children on that belief. Boxing is a microcosm of life, you just have to look closely.
Douglas, Odom Score KO Wins in New Jersey!
Two undefeated Beltway Boxers scored solid knockout victories on a GH3/Greg Cohen Promotions card at the Parsippany PAL in Parsippany, NJ tonight.
In the main event, Burke, VA middleweight Antoine "Action" Douglas scored a second-round TKO over former world title challenger Luca Messi of Bergamo, Italy. Douglas was extremely active and accurate en route to the stoppage at 1:47 of the round. Douglas is now 14-0, nine KO's. Messi drops to 37-10-1, 13 KO's.
In a scheduled six-round encounter, it was another win, another first-round TKO for "The King's Son" Jerry Odom of Bowie, MD as he dispatched Douglas Otieno Okola of Kenya at 2:19. Odom dropped Okola three times en route to the win over a very experienced foe. Odom remains perfect at 10-0, 10 KO's.Eight of Odom's knockouts have come in the first round. Okola falls to 24-9, 12 KO's.
Also on the card, Baltimore, MD heavyweight Aaron Bratton lost a four-round unanimous decision to Patrick O'Connor of Newark, NJ. Bratton really did not get going until the final round. Bratton is now 1-2 while O'Connor is 2-0.
In the main event, Burke, VA middleweight Antoine "Action" Douglas scored a second-round TKO over former world title challenger Luca Messi of Bergamo, Italy. Douglas was extremely active and accurate en route to the stoppage at 1:47 of the round. Douglas is now 14-0, nine KO's. Messi drops to 37-10-1, 13 KO's.
In a scheduled six-round encounter, it was another win, another first-round TKO for "The King's Son" Jerry Odom of Bowie, MD as he dispatched Douglas Otieno Okola of Kenya at 2:19. Odom dropped Okola three times en route to the win over a very experienced foe. Odom remains perfect at 10-0, 10 KO's.Eight of Odom's knockouts have come in the first round. Okola falls to 24-9, 12 KO's.
Also on the card, Baltimore, MD heavyweight Aaron Bratton lost a four-round unanimous decision to Patrick O'Connor of Newark, NJ. Bratton really did not get going until the final round. Bratton is now 1-2 while O'Connor is 2-0.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Douglas, Odom, Bratton New Jersey Bouts To Be Shown on GoFightlive.TV!
Three Beltway Boxers will be involved in a card at the Parsippany PAL in Parsippany, NJ on Friday, April 4. Their bouts will be shown on GoFightLive.tv (GFL).
Undefeated Burke, VA middleweight Antoine "Action" Douglas (13-0, eight KO's) will face his most experienced foe to date in Luca Messi of Bergamo, Italy (37-9-1, 13 KO's) in his first scheduled 10-round encounter.
Undefeated Bowie, MD super middleweight "The King's Son" Jerry Odom (9-0, nine KO's) also faces a very experienced foe in Douglas Otieno Okola of Nairobi, Kenya (24-8, 12 KO's) in a six-round bout.
Baltimore heavyweight Aaron Bratton (1-1) will take on Patrick O'Connor of New Jersey (1-0) in a four-round bout.
The entire card will be shown on GFL and will cost $9.99. To order the card go to this link: GoFightLive The card will begin at 7 PM ET.
Here are the weights for the three bouts featuring Beltway Boxers:
Antoine Douglas 160 vs. Luca Messi 160
Jerry Odom 168 vs. Douglas Otieno Okola 171
Aaron Bratton 254 vs. Patrick O'Connor 232 1/2
Undefeated Burke, VA middleweight Antoine "Action" Douglas (13-0, eight KO's) will face his most experienced foe to date in Luca Messi of Bergamo, Italy (37-9-1, 13 KO's) in his first scheduled 10-round encounter.
Undefeated Bowie, MD super middleweight "The King's Son" Jerry Odom (9-0, nine KO's) also faces a very experienced foe in Douglas Otieno Okola of Nairobi, Kenya (24-8, 12 KO's) in a six-round bout.
Baltimore heavyweight Aaron Bratton (1-1) will take on Patrick O'Connor of New Jersey (1-0) in a four-round bout.
The entire card will be shown on GFL and will cost $9.99. To order the card go to this link: GoFightLive The card will begin at 7 PM ET.
Here are the weights for the three bouts featuring Beltway Boxers:
Antoine Douglas 160 vs. Luca Messi 160
Jerry Odom 168 vs. Douglas Otieno Okola 171
Aaron Bratton 254 vs. Patrick O'Connor 232 1/2
Boxing Returns to Springfield, VA April 26!
The Commonwealth of Virginia is becoming a very busy area for boxing. There has already been one card in the state back in March and now we know there will be a card at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA on Saturday, April 26. This will be a pro-am card jointly promoted by RBA Promotions and Jeter Promotions.
The "Jeter" in Jeter Promotions, of course, is Stevensville, MD middleweight Tony "Mo Better" Jeter who will be looking to defend his WBC Fecarbox Middleweight title in the 10-round main event. No word on whom his opponent will be. This will be the first bout for Jeter (16-4-1, 11 KO's) since his second-round knockout loss to Patrick Nielsen for the WBC Silver title on February 15 in Denmark.
There are no matches officially signed for this card, however, there is a lot of young Beltway talent slated to compete.
Undefeated Alexandria, VA lightweight Todd "White Lightning" Wilson is scheduled to be in the co-feature which may be an eight-round bout for a regional title. Wilson (15-0, four KO's) returned to action after a 13-month absence on October 5 at the ABC Complex and won a four-round unanimous decision over Reggie Nash.
"The Pride of Alexandria" Brandon Quarles also is scheduled to see action on this card. Quarles, the Virginia State Middleweight champion (12-2-1, five KO's), is coming off a first-round TKO of Travis Davidson on the last card at the ABC Complex on March 15. Quarles will be in a six-round encounter.
Returning to action after an almost two-year absence will be Haymarket, VA welterweight Juan "The Savior" Rodriguez. Rodriguez (5-2-1, four KO's) has not fought since winning a four-round unanimous decision over Damon Antoine in October of 2012 in Arlington, VA. Rodriguez is also slated to be in a six-round contest.
Also scheduled to compete is Lynchburg, VA junior middleweight Joshua Robertson (5-5, one KO) who will look to break a four-bout losing streak.
Also slated to make his return after a long absence will be Laurel, MD lightweight Ikem "The Warrior" Orji, who has not fought in almost four years. Orji (7-4, three KO's) has been attending Howard University and is slated to graduate in the fall. Orji will be in a four-round contest.
Lanham, MD welterweight "The Baby-Faced Assassin" Yuri Polischuk will be in action in a four-round encounter. Polischuk (3-1-1, two KO's) is coming off a third-round stoppage of Kevin Womack, Jr. on March 7 in Fort Washington, MD.
Springfield, VA's own undefeated junior welterweight Edgar "The Tiger" Torres (4-0-1, three KO's) will also be in a four-round encounter. Torres stopped Greg Thomas in the second round on October 15 at the ABC Sports Complex.
Also slated to be on the card will be "The Cuban Assassin" Larry Recio of Landover, MD. Recio (4-0, three KO's) is scheduled to be in a four-round bout that will be predicated by the outcome of his appearance on the April 12 card at Patapsco Arena in Baltimore, MD. Recio will battle former Jeter foe Jose Felix in a four-rounder in Baltimore.
We'll bring you updates on this card as they come in.
The "Jeter" in Jeter Promotions, of course, is Stevensville, MD middleweight Tony "Mo Better" Jeter who will be looking to defend his WBC Fecarbox Middleweight title in the 10-round main event. No word on whom his opponent will be. This will be the first bout for Jeter (16-4-1, 11 KO's) since his second-round knockout loss to Patrick Nielsen for the WBC Silver title on February 15 in Denmark.
There are no matches officially signed for this card, however, there is a lot of young Beltway talent slated to compete.
Undefeated Alexandria, VA lightweight Todd "White Lightning" Wilson is scheduled to be in the co-feature which may be an eight-round bout for a regional title. Wilson (15-0, four KO's) returned to action after a 13-month absence on October 5 at the ABC Complex and won a four-round unanimous decision over Reggie Nash.
"The Pride of Alexandria" Brandon Quarles also is scheduled to see action on this card. Quarles, the Virginia State Middleweight champion (12-2-1, five KO's), is coming off a first-round TKO of Travis Davidson on the last card at the ABC Complex on March 15. Quarles will be in a six-round encounter.
Returning to action after an almost two-year absence will be Haymarket, VA welterweight Juan "The Savior" Rodriguez. Rodriguez (5-2-1, four KO's) has not fought since winning a four-round unanimous decision over Damon Antoine in October of 2012 in Arlington, VA. Rodriguez is also slated to be in a six-round contest.
Also scheduled to compete is Lynchburg, VA junior middleweight Joshua Robertson (5-5, one KO) who will look to break a four-bout losing streak.
Also slated to make his return after a long absence will be Laurel, MD lightweight Ikem "The Warrior" Orji, who has not fought in almost four years. Orji (7-4, three KO's) has been attending Howard University and is slated to graduate in the fall. Orji will be in a four-round contest.
Lanham, MD welterweight "The Baby-Faced Assassin" Yuri Polischuk will be in action in a four-round encounter. Polischuk (3-1-1, two KO's) is coming off a third-round stoppage of Kevin Womack, Jr. on March 7 in Fort Washington, MD.
Springfield, VA's own undefeated junior welterweight Edgar "The Tiger" Torres (4-0-1, three KO's) will also be in a four-round encounter. Torres stopped Greg Thomas in the second round on October 15 at the ABC Sports Complex.
Also slated to be on the card will be "The Cuban Assassin" Larry Recio of Landover, MD. Recio (4-0, three KO's) is scheduled to be in a four-round bout that will be predicated by the outcome of his appearance on the April 12 card at Patapsco Arena in Baltimore, MD. Recio will battle former Jeter foe Jose Felix in a four-rounder in Baltimore.
We'll bring you updates on this card as they come in.
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