August 15, 2008 – (Washington, DC) - Let me just say that if you’re not familiar with boxing in the DC area, you’re missing out on a lot. 

One should not wait until DC boxers become world renowned house-hold names before you figure on attending a DC boxing match.

DC has plenty of up and coming boxers that give a great show. 

Such was the case last evening at the Duva Boxing/Major Heavy Hitters lineup of local boxers on ESPN2’s live broadcast of Friday Night Fights from Ibiza nightclub.

Oxon Hill, MD’s Alexander Johnson continued on his road to defeating his opponents as he defeated, for the second time, Philadelphia’s Zeferino Albino.  Johnson is now 6-0, with three of those wins coming in the form of KOs.

Zeferino’s record, however, now stands at 4-6-6, with 1 KO.

Seth ‘Mayhem’ Mitchell vs Ryan St. Germain

Maryland boxer Seth Mitchell wasted no time dominating his opponent, Ryan St. Germain.  Mitchell secured his win two minutes and fifty seconds into the second round.

Said Mitchell of his opponent, “He took some good punches.  I hit him with some heavy punches and he kept on coming.”

Arvin vs. Thompson – The Brawl for it All.

Talk about the comeback kid of the evening.  If ever there was a boxer with heart and tenacity – Baltimore, MD’s Ishmail Arvin is it. 

Should there ever a boxing book with an ‘all heart and tenacity’ category – Ismail’s picture would be right there.

Ishmail was knocked to the canvas at least twice during his bout against Philadelphia's Anthony Thompson. Each time, he got up shaking his head, 'No', as if he was saying to his opponent, “You can’t hurt me! You can’t hurt me!”

But boy did Arvin put a hurting on his opponent in his quest to win the USBO Junior Middleweight title.

The left eye of AnthonyThompson was split, in what replay of the incident would show to be from a head butt.  There was a cut, a gash, and significant swelling. 

The fight, after much deliberating, was eventually called in the sixth of a ten round contest.

Other bouts included Nigerian-born Ola ‘Kryptonite’ Afolabi  vs Orlando, Florida’s Deleon Tinsley.  Afolabi scored an eight round unanimous decision and improved his record 13-1-3; while Tinsley’s record is now 10-4-1.

Observation

One item that I really hope will be corrected soon within the sport of area boxing is the lack of an online presence. 

While web sites like BoxingRec.com, and Gary ‘Digital’ Williams’ Boxing Along the Beltway boxing blog (which without, the area would be totally unaware of boxing local boxing news and commentary) exist, I eagerly await the day when each boxer, promoter, and organizer has their own individual website with info on upcoming matches, scores, boxer profiles, etc. 

Local boxer Seth Mitchell, knows the value of this medium as do DC boxers Lamont, and Anthony Peterson, (whom I affectionately refer to as Dem Peterson Boys).

Boxing chairman, Jason Turner, hopes to have a “DC Boxing Commission web site up and running within the next few months.”

Boxing and the Olympics

Former Olympian and pro fighter, Barry Hunter gave his take on the disappointing turn of events of area boxer Gary Russell, Jr. who’s 2008 Olympic dreams were dashed when he failed to make the required weight.

Said Hunter,  “It happened to us.”  (Referring to himself and the Peterson Brothers, who he now trains).

“He [Russell] should now turn pro.  That’s what we did, and we are known worldwide.”

Also on the night, a ten-second moment of silence for boxer Rhoshii Wells who was murdered last Monday outside his apartment complex in Las Vegas.   Wells was a 1996 former Olympic boxer who turned pro in early 2000.  

In Conclusion

All-in-all, a great night of boxing, as well as a spectacular display of boxing camaraderie and support. 

Several local boxers came out to the venue, the likes of which included Riddick Bowe, the Peterson Brothers, and  Darnell ‘the Ding-a-ling Man’ Wilson.

Major Heavy Hitters Boxing is planning to have boxing bouts every month.  Their next event is planned for September 17th – back at Ibiza nightclub. 

Already scheduled to fight on the card is Seth Mitchell.  Perhaps they'll even have BJ Flores fight this time around.

Get your tickets early.

To see photos from this event click here.

(To contact MajorHeavyHitters, email majorheavyhitters@yahoo.com).