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The 2017 fight year was
another good one in Philadelphia. First of all, when it comes to
quantity of boxing shows within the City limits, 2017 was
the busiest year in Philly since 2009. A total of seventeen
shows took place during the year. Although this may sound
like chump change to an old timer, it was a definite
improvement. So I’ll take it. The good news is that with at
least thirteen events already on the calendar for 2018, it
appears that this upswing is a trend.
We watched a number of
memorable fights and saw many fine performances by our
boxers. There were notable moments at every level of the
sport – the veterans, the prospects, and the rookies. So it
should be another competitive year at the Briscoe Awards.
One bit of news about
the Awards is that instead of our usual October time frame,
the 11th Annual Briscoe Awards will take place much earlier
in the year - perhaps as early as March. This change is being made to close the gap
between the end of the fight year and the day we honor the fighters
for their accomplishments. In the past, almost a
year separated these two moments, and it only caused
confusion.
So going forward, once
the fight year ends, we will announce the list of nominees
shortly after the New Year. At that point, voting
will commence. By the beginning of February, the complete
list of winners will be announced. Finally we will hold the
celebration event one or two months later.
2018 will be a
transition year. So, the details for the next event are
still being worked out. More information on this will follow
soon. You may vote for the various award described in this
story by visiting
www.BriscoeAwards.com. Look for the "VOTE" tabs
or buttons. Voting
opens today (Jan. 9th).
Without further delay,
let’s get down to the Briscoe Award nominees for the 2017
fight year.
2017
PHILLY FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
TYRONE BRUNSON – Brunson perhaps had a career-best year,
going 3-0, with 2 KOs. He started his year with a mature
points win over Brandon Quarles (18-3-1). Then in June,
“Young Gun” won the PA State junior middleweight title in a
thriller against veteran Kermit Cintron. The fight was a
see-saw, but Brunson came out on top. Finally, Tyrone
stopped Manny Woods (16-6-1) for a minor regional belt in
December.
These three consecutive wins continued to rebuild Brunson’s
career. He picked up his first pieces of hardware, and he’s
never been closer to a big fight in his life.
TEVIN FARMER – Farmer had a rollercoaster year in 2017. He
suffered a serious injury in the April main event against
Arturo Santos (19-7). He was cruising along in round two
until he tore his right biceps. Farmer struggled for a few
rounds, but then found a way to get back on track and still
won by comfortable decision. The injury put him on the shelf
for several months. During the layoff, Tevin suffered a
gunshot wound to his right hand. Fortunately, this
potentially career-threatening injury turned out to be not
that bad. It extended his layoff a bit, but Farmer still
made it to his first world title bout by December 9th.
Farmer appeared ahead of Kenichi Ogawa (22-1) at the end of
the 12-rounder, but the judges awarded the fight and the
vacant title to Ogawa. Farmer went 1-1 in 2017, but we all
know he should have won them both.
AVERY SPARROW – Sparrow started the year as a 5-1
newbie, but quickly began establishing himself as a serious
prospect. First in March, he topped a more experienced Anthony
Burgin (10-2) in an excellent 8-rounder. In June, Avery beat Isaelin Florian (6-0) in a sloppy, free-swinging, six round
TV bout that saw both boxers down twice. In September, Sparrow decisioned Joey Laviolette (6-0) in an eight round main
event. Finally, in his first 10-rounder, Avery surprised
Jose Lopez (19-1-1) and won by unanimous verdict, again on
national TV. The
victory put Sparrow on the map and thrust him into the
130-pound world rankings. Avery’s fine 2017 earned him
the Briscoe Award as the “2017 Breakout Fighter of the
Year”, an honor he took hands down and unopposed. It also
put him in contention for our biggest award.
Honorable mentions for
this category include: Ray Robinson and Thomas LaManna.
Vote at
www.BriscoeAwards.com/vote-1
2017
PHILLY FIGHT OF THE YEAR
There were many good fight IN Philadelphia last year, but
the five best were:
AVERY SPARROW W8 ANTHONY BURGIN
March 10, 2017 - 2300 Arena
Peltz / BAM / Hand / Raging Babe Promotions
It was an all-Philly crossroads main event fight that turned
out to be a rousing battle. The 8-rounder heated up quickly,
with both boxers offering up a buffet of body punching in
the first half of the fight. Sparrow started fast, but
Burgin was the aggressor for most of the first four rounds.
Sparrow’s attack bloomed in the second half, but still the
rounds were close. In round six, Sparrow dropped Burgin with
a right uppercut, and it may have been the difference in the
final result. Burgin survived and battled hard, especially in the
final round, and when the fight ended, the outcome was in question.
The judges awarded the fight to Sparrow by a close split
decision.
DAVID MURRAY TKO4 SAM HOROWITZ
April 29, 20/17 – Liacouras Center
Hard Hitting Promotions
In 2017, David Murray became Philly’s answer to Arturo
Gatti. It all started with this slugfest. Murray stole, the
show coming off the floor twice (rounds one and three) to
score a final round TKO. It was a crazy fight. Murray was in
control through much of the action, but Horowitz kept
shocking him with his own jolting shots. The knockdowns
surely had Murray behind on the cards, so only a miracle
could save the fight for him. And that’s exactly what
happened. In the fourth round, Murray staggered Sam and
punished him until the referee stopped the fight. It was a
wild ride, to be certain.
TYRONE BRUNSON TKO5 KERMIT CINTRON
June 24, 2017 – 2300 Arena
Kings Promotions
With Cintron on the comeback trail and Brunson still on a
campaign to prove himself as a fighter, this 10-rounder for
the Pennsylvania State 154-pound championship was “must win”
for both fighters. Kermit jumped out fast and took control
of the fight. The action went back and forth for a few
rounds, but in round four, Cintron made his move. First, a
hard left hook put Brunson down. He got up, but looked
shaky. Cintron went right back on the offensive and dropped
Tyrone a second time with a right-left combo. It would have
been easy for Brunson to call it a night, but he climbed to
his feet knowing his career was on the line. In round five,
the action resumed and a sudden right hand sent Cintron
crashing to the canvas. The former champ rose to his feet,
but Brunson was waiting. Tyrone slammed Kermit with another right
and Cintron went sprawling to the floor. Somehow, Cintron
rose again, but Brunson went for the kill. He pounded away
until Cintron crumbled to canvas for the third time. The fight ended right
there, and Brunson had the biggest – and best – victory of
his career.
ISAIAH WISE W6 FRED JENKINS JR.
September 08, 2017 – 2300 ARENA
Peltz / BAM / Hand / Raging Babe Promotions
In another all-Philly crossroads fight, the rising Wise and
veteran Jenkins waged a gritty battle that went six grinding
rounds. The fight almost ended in round one when Wise put
Jenkins down twice. It looked like the older fighter was at
the end of the line, but his pride and desire to keep his
career alive apparently fueled Jenkins. Wise was younger and
fresher, and it was the difference in the fight. He
controlled much of the action, but Jenkins put him through
the paces with his gutsy fighting spirit. Numerous two-way
exchanges filled the rounds, but Wise usually punctuated
each of them with a hurtful shot. Jenkins felt every punch,
but never let up. He fought back hard and wobbled to the
final bell. After six grueling rounds, Wise took the
decision in this dramatic war.
DAVID MURRAY KO5 ATTLIA KOROS
September 22, 2017 – Sugar House Casino
Hard Hitting Promotions
In another dramatic punch out, David Murray scored his
second come-from-behind miracle of the year. He started
quickly against Koros, but a rocket by the Hungarian toppled
Murray in round one. David looked finished, but he survived
the attack. However, in round two, lightning struck again
and Murray found himself on the floor again. It seemed
impossible that the fight would continue, but it did. And
Murray began to carve out another unlikely victory. Koros
began looking tired in the third, but he kept throwing – and
landing – hard punches. Murray hung in there and before long,
he had an exhausted foe in front of him. In round five,
Murray caught Koros with a hard right hand and Koros
crumbled to the canvas for the full ten count.
Vote at
www.BriscoeAwards.com/vote-1
2017
KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR
2017 seemed to be the year of the KO in Philly. We put
six kayos up for nomination, but we could have easily listed
another six.
MANNY FOLLY KO1 CARLOS MORGAN
January 28, 2017 – 2300 Arena
Victory Promotions
Folly was lethal on this night. Every punch he threw was a
weapon. Morgan was bloodied and bruised almost immediately,
and Folly appeared vicious and powerful from the opening
bell. Finally, Folly
cracked Morgan with a devastating left hook that blasted
Carlos to the ground. The punch – and fall – was so violent
that the referee didn’t even bother to count.
TYRONE BRUNSON TKO5 KERMIT CINTRON
June 24, 2017 – 2300 Arena
Kings Promotions
This fight was already described above (in FIGHT and
FIGHTER categories), but to recap, Brunson battled back from
two knockdowns to preserve his career and reputation with a
breathtaking comeback KO against a former champ and the best
fighter he’s ever faced. It was a see-saw struggle with both
boxers spending time in the driver’s seat. However, Brunson
dug deep and scored a sudden and dramatic knockout.
BRANDON ROBINSON KO2 SHANE PEARSON
August 11, 2017 – 2300 Arena
Kings Promotions
B-ROB smashed Pearson with a clubbing right hand in the
second round of their scheduled 6-rounder, after pounding
away from the opening bell. The fight could have been
stopped at any time during the second round, but it went on until
Robinson’s right ended things suddenly. No count was
necessary.
MARCEL RIVERS TKO4 OSNEL CHARLES
September 08, 2017 – 2300 Arena
Peltz / BAM / Hand / Raging Babe Promotions
Old vet Charles proved elusive for the better part of four
rounds, but when Rivers landed a picture-perfect right in
the fourth, the fight ended instantly. Charles went down and
didn’t move for several scary seconds. They called it a TKO,
but this was a text book knockout.
VICTOR PADILLA KO1 JAVIER GARCIA
September 08, 2017 – 2300 Arena
Peltz / BAM / Hand / Raging Babe Promotions
Baby-faced southpaw Padilla clobbered his opponent with an
overhand left that was clean and devastating. Garcia crashed
to the mat and the fight was over in round one.
DAVID MURRAY KO5 ATTILA KOROS
September 22, 2017 – Sugar House Casino
Hard Hitting Promotions
One of the best fights of the year, Murray got up twice and
fought at the brink of defeat before landing a right hand
that put an exhausted Koros down for the full count. It was
“big drama show” Philly style.
Vote at
www.BriscoeAwards.com/vote-1
2017
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
There were many fine performances in 2017, but here are the
four that edged out all the others.
TEVIN FARMER
W10 Arturo Santos on April 29, 2017 at the Liacouras Center
Farmer fought one-handed for much of the fight and still
came out on top by unanimous ten round decision. It was a
gutsy, confident and skilled performance.
TYRONE BRUNSON
TKO5 Kermit Cintron on June 24, 2017 at the 2300 Arena
Brunson saved his career and took the PA state title with a
come from behind heart-pounder. Philly heart and toughness
were on display, and it was the best performance of Tyrone’s
career.
AMIR MANSOUR
W12 Travis Kauffman on March 17, 2017 at the Santander Arena
This aging warrior fought off father time and a skillful, younger opponent to keep his title dreams alive.
Everything was on the line for the fearsome puncher.
However, instead of his power as his main tool, Mansour
won this fight by changing his style drastically to take a
close, majority decision over Kauffman. Amir used boxing skills and
stamina that we didn’t know he had, and it was really
something to see.
AVERY SPARROW
W10 Jose Lopez on November 30, 2017 at the MGM National
Harbor
In his first scheduled 10-rounder, Sparrow came in with less
than half the fights than his heralded opponent and pulled
off an upset that very few believed he could. The fight was
competitive, but Sparrow won comfortably, a feat that put
him on the map and earned him a world ranking.
Vote at
www.BriscoeAwards.com/vote-1
2017
PROSPECT OF THE YEAR
The three rising fighters that made the biggest impression
and promised the most for the future were:
DAMON ALLEN JR – Lightweight Allen went 4-0, 1 KO in
2017 (against 107-39-4 competition) to raise his overall
record to 14-0-1, 5 KO. The streak put him in line for
bigger fights in 2018, perhaps with regional belts and a world
ranking on the line.
STEPHEN FULTON – Featherweight Fulton went 2-0, 0 KO in
2017, beating two unbeaten foes with a combined record of
16-0-1. Although his career is developing slowly, Fulton
clearly has the skills to compete at the next level.
AVERY SPARROW – Junior lightweight Sparrow went 4-0, 0
KO, in his 2017 breakout year (against 41-3-1 opposition),
Sparrow scored at least two upsets (Burgin & Lopez), and
earned a top-15 world ranking.
Vote at
www.BriscoeAwards.com/vote-1
2017
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
The 2017 crop of rookies all looked good but remained
relatively untested. The three most promising were:
SHAMSUDDEN JUSTICE – Welterweight went 2-0, 2 KO,
against 0-8-1 combined opposition, in 2017. His opponents
were ordinary and winless, but Justice was spectacular and
appears to be a rising star.
CRYSTIAN PEGUERO – Bantamweight went 2-0, 1 KO, against
0-1 combined opposition in 2017. He looked impressive, but his
winless opposition didn’t stand a chance.
DYLAN PRICE – Junior bantamweight went 4-0, 4 KO,
against 2-9-1 combined opposition in 2017. Appeared
heavy-handed against fairly easy fare.
Vote at
www.BriscoeAwards.com/vote-1
2017
THE ONE TO WATCH
Two local streaking fighters in their sophomore season
convinced the local fans that they both have big futures.
But which one appears to be THE one to watch?
CHRISTIAN CARTO – Undefeated bantamweight 13-0, 11 KO
overall. Went 7-0, 5 KO, against combined 86-70-10
opposition in 2017 (52%). The knockout artist extended his KO
streak to 11 straight before being pressed to the eight round
limit twice to close out the year. Carto passed every test presented
to him, and looked good. In 2017, he faced much more experienced opponents than in his
rookie year.
JARON ENNIS – Undefeated welterweight 17-0, 15 KO
overall. Went 9-0, 8 KO, against combined 153-161-15
opposition in 2017 (47%). Boots kept the impressive performances
coming in his second year and faced some very experienced
foes, especially his last two. He too passed every test
presented to him and looked good.
Vote at
www.BriscoeAwards.com/vote-1
2017
BREAKOUT FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
No Philly fighter broke out like Avery Sparrow did in 2017. He
became a local main event fighter, scored career best wins
over the likes Anthony Burgin, and topped it all of in
November with a national TV upset of touted prospect Jose
Lopez. Therefore, Sparrow will take home the Briscoe Medal as
the "2017 Breakout Fighter of the Year" with no voting for this
award. Sparrow won it unopposed.
OTHER
AWARDS
2017 AMATEUR OF THE YEAR
WINNER: TO BE DETERMINED
2017 PHOTO OF THE YEAR
WINNER: TO BE DETERMINED
Please vote for the
Briscoe Awards at
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