Zarifbek Nishanbaez Victorious In Phoenix, Arizona!

Arlington, VA's Zarifbek Nishanbaev scored a first round TKO victory over Cordell Powell of Las Vegas, Nevada in a scheduled four-round jr. middleweight bout tonight at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.  Nishanbaez made it look easy as he landed power shots to send Powell to the canvas. Powell beat the eight count,  but Nishanbaez got back on his attack causing the corner of Powell to throw in the towel. The bout was stopped at 1:32 of the first round. 

Zarifbek Nishanbaez improves to 4-1, 3KO's while Powell is now 0-2. 

Jesse Hart Wins NABF Title Over Demond Nicholson!

(Photos by Daniel Cork)

In a super middleweight bout at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA Jesse Hart scored a seventh round TKO over Demond Nicholson of Laurel, MD. Nicholson hurt Hart with a right in the final second of the first round.  Hart and Nicholson spent lots of time clinching throughout the contest but it was Hart who pressed the action as the fight continued. Hart dropped Nicholson twice in round three, but the first knockdown was clearly not a knockdown. In the seventh, Hart wobbled Nicholson causing him to squat down with his gloves touching the mat. Referee Shawn Clark did not call it a knockdown, which it was. Nicholson got up on unsteady legs and when the fight resumed, Hart drove him across the ring, to put him down again. In odd fashion Nicholson refused to stand up after the referee gave him a longer than normal eight count. The bout was waved off at 2:26 of the seventh.

Hart improves to 24-1, 20 KO's while Demond Nicholson falls to 18-3-1, 17 KO's.

Zarifbek Nishanbaev Makes Weight In Arizona!

"The Uzbek Warrior" Zarifbek Nishanbaev of Arlington, VA weighed in tonight at 154 pounds as he is set to take on Cordell Powell (149 pounds) of Las Vegas, Nevada in a four-round jr. middleweight bout tomorrow night April 28th at the Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, Arizona. This card is promoted by Iron Boy Promotions. Nishanbaev's last bout was back on July 13, 2017 when he defeated Donald Wallace by unanimous decision at Michael's Eighth Aveneu in Glen Burnie, MD. 

Demond Nicholson And Jesse Hart Make Weight In Philadelphia!

 Hart vs Nicholson for the vacant NABF Super Middleweight championship

Saturday, April 28th Laurel, MD super middleweight Demond "D'Best At It" Nicholson and Jesse "Hard Work" Hart of Philadelphia, PA will compete in a ten-round bout for the vacant NABF Super Middleweight championship, and it will be televised live on ESPN from the Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia. 

(Photos by Daniel Cork)

Jesse Hart 167.8 vs. Demond Nicholson 167.5

Main Event

(WBO super bantamweight title)

Jessie Magdaleno 122 vs. Isaac Dogboe 121.1

Bryant Jennings 225.6 vs. Joey Dawejko 233

Robson Conceicao 130.5 vs. Alex Rynn Torres 130.6

Shakur Stevenson 125.7 vs. Patrick Riley 124.6

Christian Carto 118.7 vs. Edwin Rodriguez 118

Joseph Adorno 132.6 vs. Jorge Padron 131.8

Kent Cruz 141.7 vs. Mohamed Rodriguez 143.6

Marcel Rivers 150.1 vs. Ronald Logan 153.5

Promoter: Top Rank

TV: ESPN

May Beltway Boxing Schedule For Area And Out Of The Area Boxing Events!

BELTWAY BOXING MAY SCHEDULE

Friday, May 4th -- Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD -- The 2018 Regional Golden Gloves.  The Novice and Open team from DC, Maryland and Delaware will battle the squad from Virginia and North Carolina. First bout is at 7:30 PM ET.

Friday, May 11 -- 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, PA -- Two locals will be on a nationally-televised Showtime card at the 2300 Arena.  



In the co-feature bout, Baltimore, MD super bantamweight Glenn Dezurn, Jr. will compete in his first scheduled 10-round contest when he takes on Joshua "Don't Blink" Greer of Chicago, IL.  Dezurn (9-1-1, six KO's) looks to bounce back from his first pro loss -- an eight-round unanimous decision to Jesse Angel Hernandez on November 11th in Uniondale, NY.  This will be Dezurn's third TV contest.  Greer (16-1-1, eight KO's) is riding a 13-bout winning streak after suffering his only pro loss.  This includes a third-round KO over Basilio Nieves on February 24th in Phoenix, AZ.  



Also slated to be on the undercard will be Baltimore super flyweight Tyrieshia "Lady Tiga" Douglas who will be in a contest against Helen "Iron Lady" Joseph of New Haven, CT by way of Nigeria.  Douglas (13-1, six KO's) last fought on November 4th and scored an eighth-round TKO over Crystal Hoy in Ashburn, VA.  Joseph (15-3-1, 10 KO's) has scored three straight second-round knockouts in her last three contests.

Friday, May 11 -- Sugar House Casino, Philadelphia, PA  


Forestville, MD super lightweight Mykal "The Professor" Fox will be in an eight-round contest against Anthony Mercado of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.  Fox (16-0, four KO's) is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Ricardo Garcia on February 13th in Bethlehem, PA.  Mercado (11-3, 10 KO's) broke a three-bout losing streak by stopping previously undefeated Tyrone Crawley, Jr in the third round on March 2nd at the Sugar House Casino.  

Also, Owings Mills, MD heavyweight Colby Madison makes a quick return in a six-round bout against Michael Polite Coffie of Brooklyn, NY.  Madison (6-0-2, four KO's) looks to improve after battling Guillermo Del Rio to a six-round majority draw on April 6th at the 2300 Arena.  After only two bouts, Coffie (2-0, one KO) jumps to the six-round class. Coffie is coming off a four-round unanimous decision over Nicoy Clarke on February 13th in Bethlehem, PA.

Friday, May 11 -- Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, MD 

Amateur boxing card promoted by Baltimore Boxing to benefit the Lighthouse Homeless Shelter.


Friday-Sunday, May 11,12 &13 -- Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington, MD 

The 2018 Junior Olympic Tournament will be held these three days.

Saturday, May 12 -- Dulles Sportsplex, Sterling, VA -- First Beltway Boxing card of 2018 promoted by TAC Promotions.  Scheduled to be on the card are Hyattsville, MD super lightweight Patrick Harris (12-0, seven KO's), DC welterweights Kareem "Reemo" Martin (9-2-1, three KO's) and Shynggyskhan Tazhibay (6-0, two KO's), returning District Heights, MD super featherweight Renaldo "Misunderstood" Gaines (8-2, two KO's) and Arlington, VA super middleweight Jovan Davis (1-0, one KO).

Saturday, May 12 -- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY -- Landover, MD featherweight Kevin "K-Smoov" Rivers, Jr. (14-1, 10 KO's) returns to action in a six-round bout against an opponent to be determined.

Saturday, May 12 -- PAL Center, Hockessin, DE -- Washington, DC lightweight Dionte "Mr. Untouchable" Burts (2-0, one KO) will be in a four-round bout against an opponent to be named later.

Saturday, May 19 -- MGM National Harbor Casino, Oxon Hill, MD 

WBC Featherweight champion "Mr." Gary Russell, Jr. (28-1, 17 KO's) defends title against undefeated number one contender Joseph "Jo Jo" Diaz, Jr. (26-0, 14 KO's) in a 12-round contest to be shown on Showtime.  Russell's brothers Antonio (10-0, eight KO's) and Antuanne (5-0, five KO's) along with Clinton, MD's Cobia "The Soldier" Breedy (10-0, four KO's) are slated to be on the card.  

Saturday, May 19 --  Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Washington, PA -- DC welterweight Jonathan "Bad Badger" Baxter (9-1, eight KO's) in an eight-round contest against veteran Steve Upsher Chambers of Philadelphia, PA (25-5-1, six KO's).

Saturday, May 25 -- Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, OH -- DC lightweight Tyrek "I.G.B" Irby (4-0, two KO's will take on Emmanuel Roman of Bayamon, Puerto Rico in a four-round bout while DC welterweight Keyshawn Williams (1-0-1, one KO) battles Adrian Martinez of Tijuana, Mexico (0-1) in a four-round contest.

Gary Russell Jr. vs. Joseph Diaz Jr. Press Conference Quotes!

WBC Featherweight Title at MGM National Harbor Saturday, May 19 Live on SHOWTIME

GARY RUSSELL JR.

"It's amazing to be fighting at home. It's cool to know that the people I see around all the time will be able to get in the car and drive 15 minutes to come watch this massacre. I can't wait.

"I appreciate JoJo for being honest and saying that he feels I'm the best featherweight in the world. That speaks volumes.

"We stay focused in the gym. The inactivity doesn't mean anything. It's no issue. I've had hand issues in the past but I'm able to preserve my body and stay sharp, stay focused. I'm a fighter that's always in shape. I never take a day off. You can ask my wife. On anniversaries, we're in the gym. On birthdays, we're in the gym.

"Regardless of what the situation is, you want a sense of financial stability for yourself and your family. I'm at the point of my career where I have maybe six more fights in me. We want to maximize everything. We want to maximize our revenue and it's been irritating because a lot of the champions don't want to get in the ring with me. I appreciate JoJo for giving me the opportunity to sharpen my teeth a little bit more. At least he'll have the opportunity to say he got in the ring with Mr. Gary Russell Jr.

"I'm one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet. Speed, power, ring IQ, we can get ugly if we need to. I don't plan on going 12 rounds. I'm not going the distance with anybody for the remainder of my career. Mark my words.

"When you have guys that fight and move around a lot, it makes it difficult to get to them the way you want to. When you have a guy that is straightforward and will be in your face, it makes it much easier for me and they're much more susceptible to get hit.

"A lot of fighters win with pure athleticism because they're faster, stronger or in better shape. They're not winning because they have the ability to make the necessary adjustments based on what goes on in the ring. I tell people all the time that boxing is intellect manifested on a physical form. In most cases, the more intelligent fighter wins.

"My father says that whenever you see a fight that is an all-out, knockdown war, it's just two stupid fighters that didn't have a plan B or the ability to make the adjustments to make the fight easier. If that's JoJo's game plan, it's going to make this fight a lot easier for me. It's not going 12 rounds.

"As far as a hit list of my next opponents goes, we are first going to take care of JoJo. I would love to get a unification bout with Leo Santa Cruz after that. If we don't get that, I plan on moving up in weight and challenging whoever has the title in that division. You want to know who I really want, though? I want Mikey Garcia.

"My last fight will be against (Vasyl) Lomachenko. I want to conclude my career with breaking my foot off of him. That will be the conclusion of it. I'm willing to wait, though. Right now, we're good.

"Of course I would entertain a fight with Gervonta Davis. We're cool. He's somebody that I actually watched grow up and develop as a fighter, but you have to stay in your lane. When I move up in weight, he's got to get out of the way or he's going to get ran over too.

"I didn't want to come home to fight until I had a world title. That's the reason I didn't fight at home for so long. Now we have the title, and I wanted to fight at least one more time here.

"I want to maximize our revenue because I don't plan on fighting for too much longer. I had my first fight at seven years old. I'm 29 now. That's a long time competing and a lot of wear and tear on your body. I'm a guy that doesn't cut corners, so it takes away from the time I could be spending with my family and friends. I'm ready to spend time with my family and children and live out the fruits of our labor. But in the meantime, everybody else is in my way. They're trying to take food off my baby's plate."

JOSEPH DIAZ JR.

"I don't think the fact that I've been more active will give me any advantage. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to be doing and getting the experience I need inside the ring before facing an elite fighter like Gary Russell Jr. My preparation has been good. I've fought tremendous opponents and I have all the experience to come out victorious May 19.

"It doesn't affect me at all fighting in his hometown. I'm happy to fight in his backyard. He's the champion and that's what champions get to do. I know what he's capable of doing. He says I don't have the boxing IQ or the power and speed that he has, but he's going to be in for a rude awakening come fight night. He's going to see that I have all the tools.

"It's a dream come true to be fighting on this stage. Ever since I roomed with Errol Spence at the Olympics, we always promised each other that once we became pro we were going to fight all the elite athletes and the best champions. Gary Russell Jr. is the best at 126 pounds. I'm not scared to fight him and that's what Errol Spence did, too. He beat Kell Brook in his hometown.

"Gary Russell Jr. is by far the best featherweight in the world. Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares, Lee Selby, none of these guys want to fight Russell. They're afraid of the speed and the counter shots. But I know what I'm capable of doing and I'll showcase it May 19.

"A win would mean everything for me. It would be a dream come true realizing all of the hard work I've put in since I was 13 years old. It would mean that I'm the champion and I'd be the shot caller.

"I think his speed is an obstacle; he's very fast. But that's the thing about me, I'm good at adapting to any style that I fight. Come fight night I know that his speed is going to be fast, but it's nothing that I won't be able to take, or nothing that will shock me. I'm going to be able to adapt to that speed and make sure I'm able to land my shots when he's opening up.

"I'm very confident; 100 percent confident I'll beat him. I know that this is an opportunity that is presented to me and I'll be victorious. I've always prayed to God that I could fight on SHOWTIME and for a WBC title. And now that I am it feels like it's all settling in and it's all coming true. I'm working hard every single day, and once I get my hand raised in victory I'm going to go from there.

"If he gets a little bit over confident like he did against [Oscar] Escandon, he's going to be in for a rude awakening. He's going to be shocked with not only my punching power, but also with my combinations and with my speed. I'm not like a Jhonny Gonzalez where I'm just throwing one shot, or slow combinations. I'm pretty fast with my punches and you won't see my punches coming because I throw them very elusive and I punch from different angles. He's going to be very shocked if he fights the way he fought Oscar Escandon.

"I don't think it's going to go the distance. Gary Russell is going to go out there and not back down and give the fight fans a good show, but I'm going to go out there and give a good show and not back down. So I think we're both not going to back down and we're going to brawl it out, and let the best man win."

Full Press Conference 

Luther "Lights Out" Smith Loses Decision In Brooklyn, NY!

In the opening bout of Evander Holyfield’s Real Deal Boxing card at the historic Kings Theatre on April 21, in Brooklyn, New York, Bowie, MD cruiserweight Luther "Lights Out" Smith lost a six-round split decision to Kennedy Katende. This was Smith's second bout in eight days. On Friday, April 13, Smith scored a second-round TKO over Elvin "Koko" Sanchez of Paterson, NJ at the Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, PA. 

In this bout with Kennedy Katende it was the amateur background of Katende that made the difference. Ketende is a former Olympian of his native country Uganda. He also has over ten fights in the World Series of Boxing and three official professional fights coming into this contest with Luther Smith.


During the entire fight Ketenda was consistently using the ring to move around while scoring. Smith followed Ketende, but was not able to cut off the ring to land his powerful left hand like he has successfully done in his previous fights. Smith was never dominated in this contest, but the key factor was the lack of using his jab to set up the shots his corner wanted him to land. At times Smith added a little pressure, but wasn't able to keep Ketende from slipping away. One judge scored the bout 58-56 for Smith, but that was overruled by the other two judges who scored it 58-56 for Kennedy Ketende. 

Luther Smith record is now (10-3, 9 KO's) while Ketende improves to (4-0, 1 KO).