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The 2018 Philly fight
season closed with a bang in December with two world title
fights involving two of Philadelphia's best fighters - Tevin
Farmer and Jesse Hart. But they weren't the only stand outs
in 2018. The local fight scene kept fans busy with a number
of important events and milestones.
LOCAL ACTIVITY
A total of sixteen boxing shows (with 114 total bouts) took
place within the Philadelphia city limits. Kings Promotions
(Marshall Kauffman) staged the most shows, with eight dates
(including one private one-bout show),
but Hard Hitting Promotions (Manny Rivera and Will Ruiz) was
just behind with six events. Evander Holyfield's Real Deal
Sports and Entertainment opened the season in their only
Philly
show of 2018, and Top Rank & Peltz Boxing teamed up to
stage the biggest event of the year - a nationally televised
card at the Liacouras Center.
VENUES
The 2300 Arena was the primary boxing venue in 2018, with
nine shows, while the Sugar House hosted five. The Fillmore
was the site for one show, returning for it's second-ever
event boxing event. The Liacouras Center was the only other boxing
venue in 2018 (1 show), but The Parx Casino, just outside
the city limits in Bensalem, bowed as a boxing venue in 2018, and ran two
shows (promoted by Joe Hand Promotions).
Other non-Philadelphia locales that
helped contribute to the Philly fight scene included the
Sands Event Center, in Bethlehem, PA, four shows (Kings
Promotions), the PAL Center in Hockessin, DE, two shows (Dee
Lee Promotions, and of course various Atlantic City
properties including, The Showboat (Rising Star Promotions)
with four shows, The Claridge (Mis Downing Promotions) with
two, The Mark G. Etess Arena (Main Events) with two, and
Boardwalk Hall (Real Deal) and Ocean Resort Casino (Top
Rank) with one each.
THE BIG PLATFORM
The 2018 national / international platform belonged to Tevin
Farmer, who won the IBF 130-pound championship and defended
it twice. Jesse Hart also vied for a world title (WBO), but
lost by a hair. Former champ Danny Garcia went 1-1,
including a narrow defeat to Shawn Porter for the vacant IBF
welterweight title. Bryant Jennings remained a relevant
heavyweight with three strong victories. Julian Williams
continued his comeback with two wins.
Perennial threat Hank
Lundy split his two bouts in 2018, as did Reading's
Travis Kauffman, who briefly retired after winning a rocky
decision over Scott Alexander, only to return before the
year closed in a high-profile bout with Luis Ortiz. Kauffman
lost to Ortiz but showed plenty of toughness, lasting all
but one minute of the scheduled 10-rounder. Gabriel Rosado
kept plugging along, landing yet another lucrative
internationally streamed fight (D12 Luis Arias), and once
again got jobbed on the decision.
Heavyweight Amir
Mansour fought once in 2018 - a rough trip to Croatia - and
was stopped in three rounds. Joey Dawejko fought and lost
twice by decision - to Bryant Jennings in Philly and Andrey
Fedosov in Russia.
The rest of the 2018
boxing action belonged to the local Philly fighters on the
rise, and that's where the Briscoe Awards enter the picture.
THE BRISCOE AWARDS
This year the Briscoe Awards return on April 14, 2019, at
Xfinity Live! in South Philly. Below are the nominees for
six of the ten Briscoe Awards that will be presented in
April. The winners in these categories (Fight, Fight,
Prospect, Rookie, KO, and Performance) will be determined by
fan voting. The winners of two additional awards (The One to
Watch and Upset of the Year) are named below,
while winners for two more awards (Photo of the Year and
Amateur of the Year) will be determined in the
near future. Also two honorary awards will be presented in
April and are described below.
So, review the nominees
below and make your voice heard today by voting!
You may vote for the various awards described in this
story by visiting
www.BriscoeAwards.com. Look for the "VOTE" tab
(at the top / far right), or click the VOTE links, at the end
of each section, in the article below.
Voting
opens today (Jan. 7th).
Without further delay,
lets get down to the Briscoe Award nominees for the 2018
fight year.
2018
PHILLY FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
TEVIN FARMER
The American Idol is hard to beat in this
category for 2018. Coming off his controversial first title
shot the previous December, Farmer traveled to Australia to
fight local hero Billy Dib for the vacant IBF junior
lightweight title. Farmer fought magnificently and took a one-sided
unanimous decision to earn the world championship. Farmer
stayed busy and defended his crown twice before 2018 closed.
In October, Tevin KO'd James Tennyson in Boston, with a
body shot in round five in his first defense. Then in December at Madison Square Garden, Farmer
defeated Francisco Fonseca by unanimous decision for his
second defense. It was a terrific, 3-0, 1 KO, year for Philly's only
current world champ. In 2018, he looked unbeatable.
JESSE HART
All year long, Jesse Hart chased Gilberto
Ramirez for another shot at the WBO crown. Ramirez had
dished Hart his first-ever loss the previous September, and
Jesse refused to rest until he received another championship
opportunity - against Ramirez and only Ramirez. He fought
three times between February and August, winning all three
bouts by knockout. His victims were Thomas Awimbono (TKO1),
Demond Nicholson (TKO7), and Mike Gravonski (TKO3). This
powerful streak led Hart back to Ramirez. The old rivals
faced off for the second time in a world title bout in
Corpus Christi, TX. Hart almost brought the title back to
Philly, but lost the decision by a hair. It wasn't
controversial, just a good, close fight between the two best
168-pounders in the world. Although he didn't win the title
in 2018, his efforts showed that a title belt might be
coming his way in the very near future.
BRYANT JENNINGS
Like Hart, BY Jennings was fighting to
get back into the thick of his division, the increasingly
competitive heavyweight class.
Jennings fought three times in the year, each bout bringing
him a step closer to another big title shot. First he
steamrolled Akhor Muralimov in a three round no-sweater.
Then he faced fellow Philadelphian Joey Dawejko in an
anticipated showdown between Philly's two best heavies. The
fight was competitive, but Jennings proved he was the better
conditioned and better seasoned pro, taking the 10-round
unanimous decision. The win gave Jennings his second PA
state title. Finally in August, Jennings came off the floor
to stop Alexander Dimitrenko in round nine. That victory
brought Jennings two regional belts (NABO & IBF-International),
but more importantly shoved him back near the very top of
the heavyweight division.
Place your
VOTE for Philly Fighter of the Year and 5 other
categories!
(Voting is now closed)
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2018
PHILLY FIGHT OF THE YEAR
There were many good fights in the city of Philadelphia last year, but,
without a doubt,
the two best were:
ISAAC DOGBOE W12 JESSE MAGDALENA
April 28, 2018 - Liacouras Center
Top Rank / Peltz Boxing
In Philly's only world title bout of 2018, Jesse Magdaleno
nearly defended his WBO junior featherweight title in round
one when he dropped Isaac Dogboe right off the bat. However,
Dogboe was not to be denied on this night. The London-based
Ghanaian climbed to his feet and battled back against
Magdaleno with everything he had. Dogboe dropped the
champion in round five, but the Magdaleno wasn't finished
yet. They continued to fight a thrilling two-way war, but Dogboe began pulling ahead when his energy and power began
paying dividends. Finally in round 11, Dogboe sent Magdaleno
to the canvas twice and won the title by TKO at 1:38 of the
eleventh round. It was a great fight by two visiting
warriors.
KALVIN HENDERSON TKO7 BRANDON ROBINSON
December 07, 2018 2300 Arena
Kings Promotions
The final Philly main event of 2018 was a dramatic and
grueling battle between super middleweights Brandon
Robinson and out-of-towner Kalvin Henderson. Robinson,
riding an 11-bout winning streak and slowly but surely
pushing his career upward, was the favorite. However,
Henderson came in with a good-looking 10-0 record and plenty
of chip on his shoulder. The pre-fight build up was
ugly and the fighters entered the ring with much to prove.
Robinson started fast, but before he knew it, his left eye
was marked and beginning to swell. In round two, Henderson
took over and exploited Brandon's injury, sneaking hard
shots past his limited vision. The fighters brawled away.
Henderson took control, but Robinson was pressing the action and
doing everything he could to turn the tables, as both his
eyes closed. In the fifth, Henderson caught a blinded Robinson with a
hard right that put him down. Robinson never saw the punch.
But he got up and furiously
pressed Henderson, who kept his cool, but felt the pressure. Kalvin stormed back in round seven to score two
more knockdowns
that forced the end to this glorious, bloody and exciting fight. It was a dramatic
and violent battle, and an upset that had everyone hoping for a
2019 rematch.
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categories!
(Voting is now closed)
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2018
KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR
2018 featured a number of good knockouts, both at home and
on the road. Here are the three best.
DANNY GARCIA TKO9 BRANDON RIOS
February 17, 2018 Mandalay Bay / Las Vegas
Premiere Boxing Champions (Showtime)
Danny "Swift" Garcia bounced back from his first-ever
professional defeat by viciously stopping former world
champion Brandon Rios in Las Vegas. Garcia lowered the boom
in round nine, dropping Rios twice. The second knockdown was
a picture-perfect overhand right to the jaw that sent Rios
crashing to the floor. The ever-tough Rios made it to his
feet, but the fight was obviously over. Garcia scored his
20th career KO with that perfect punch.
TEVIN FARMER TKO5 JAMES TENNYSON
October 20, 2018 TD Garden / Boston
Matchroom Boxing (DAZN)
Tevin Farmer made the first defense of his world junior
lightweight title with a beautiful body punch against James
Tennyson in Boston. Like a true Philly fighter, Farmer
punished the Irishman's midsection throughout the bout, but
the final, telling smack to the breadbasket came in round
five when a Farmer left put him away. Not known for his
power, Farmer made the exception this time, to ensure that his
new IBF belt stayed securely around his waist.
JARON ENNIS TKO2 RAYMOND SERRANO
November 16, 2018 2300 Arena / Philadelphia
Hard Hitting Promotions & Victory Promotions (Showtime)
It was quick. It was brutal. It was complete. And the second
round stoppage of Raymond Serrano by Jaron Ennis was one of
the best KO's of the year. Everyone wondered how the rising
star would fare against a battle-tested fellow Philly
fighter, but Ennis left no doubt with his second round
assault. Boots dropped Serrano three times in the round and
the final deadly left hook closed the show on the spot. The
KO sent yet
another message to the welterweight division that Ennis is
the real deal. Thank you, next.
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categories!
(Voting is now closed)
_____________________________________________________________
2018
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
There were many fine performances in 2018, but here are the
four that edged out all the others.
STEVEN ORTIZ -
TKO2 Joshua Davis on January 26, 2018 at the Sugar House
Casino
In his first main event, rising Philly lightweight Steven Ortiz scored an impressive
second round TKO over DC prospect Joshua Davis. Ortiz jumped out to a fast start, and Davis
could not keep pace. By the second round, Ortiz was in high
gear and went in for the kill. A left hook by Ortiz dropped
Davis for the first time. Davis got to his feet, but Ortiz was
ready and waiting. Steven pounded away until a sharp right
hand put Davis down again. The visitor survived, but when
the action resumed, Ortiz blasted him with another right
that sent him to the canvas for a third and final time.
Ortiz had arrived.
TEVIN FARMER -
W12 Billy Dib on August 01, 2018 in Australia
Tevin Farmer became a world champion with his landslide
points win over Australian Billy Dib. Farmer pitched a near
shutout against the old pro, dropping him once in the ninth
and winning by scores of 120-107, 119-108 & 118-109. This
was an essential Farmer performance that finally showed the
rest of the world what Philly already knew - Tevin Farmer is
a world class boxer and ready for anyone in or around the
130-pound division.
JASON SOSA -
W8 Reynaldo Blanco on August 18, 2018 in Atlantic City
Very few people hung around to see the final bout of a long
slate of fights in Atlantic City last August, when Jason Sosa
met Reynaldo Blanco in a glorious 8-rounder. If you were one
of the die-hards that stuck it out, you really saw something
special. The two staged the Atlantic City Fight of the Year
with their 8-round war. If this bout had been in
Philadelphia, it would run away with "Philly Fight of the
Year" honors, but unfortunately it was set about 60 miles
too far east to qualify for that award. Both brawlers gave
everything they had, but the former champ, Sosa, prevailed
with his usual toughness, determination, and workmanlike
skill. Jason's performance displayed the essence of his
greatness. He is a fighter that leaves it all in the ring
and works like no one else to get the job done. This fight -
and performance - is a lost classic, but should never be
forgotten.
JARON ENNIS -
TKO2 Raymond Serrano on November 16, 2018 at the 2300 Arena
Everyone has been buzzing about the skills of Jaron Ennis
since before he even turned professional. However, the buzz
has gotten louder and louder with each pro assignment he's
had. His most recent start was perhaps his best and most
convincing of them all. Of course Ennis looked poised and
extremely skilled in his overwhelming victory over Raymond
Serrano. We've gotten pretty used to that. However, on
display last November was the lethal power and killer
instinct of the youngest of the fighting Ennis clan. The
assortment of artillery Boots unleashed that night was
withering. He looked like he was ready to take on the world
and able to back up all the hype that has surrounded him for
the past three years. If he's not the Philly fighter of the
future, I don't know who is, and this fight displayed that
perfectly.
Place your
VOTE for Philly Fighter of the Year and 5 other
categories!
(Voting is now closed)
_____________________________________________________________
2018
PROSPECT OF THE YEAR
The four rising fighters (with 15 pro bouts or less) that made the biggest impression
and promised the most for the future were:
JEREMY CUEVAS
Lightweight southpaw Jeremy Cuevas went 5-0, with 3 KOs, in
2018, improving his overall record to 11-0, 8 KOs. During
the year he brought plenty of excitement to local boxing
fans, winning in his usual thrilling fashion and even coming
off the floor to top Efrain Cruz at the Fillmore. By the end
of the year, he had knocked off Jerome Rodriguez, a tough
opponent who brought out the best in Cuevas, and helped him
prove that he's ready for the next level of competition.
STEVEN ORTIZ
Lightweight Steven Ortiz went 2-0, 1 KO, in 2018, to push
his record to a perfect 9-0, 3 KOs. He started his year with
a breakthrough win (and mild upset) over a more experienced
Joshua Davis (11-2, 5 KOs), and closed 2018 on the road with
a points victory over then-unbeaten pro (and previous
amateur standout) Wesley Ferrer (12-0-1, 7 KOs). The 25 year
old prospect looks to be ready to make some serious noise in
2019.
BRANDEN PIZARRO
Junior welterweight Branden Pizarro went 5-0, with 2 KOs, in
2018, improving his overall resume to 13-1, 6 KOs. Pizarro
has been touted as the next big thing ever since he turned
pro in 2016. But it was in 2018 that he began to really show
that he might have the goods to make it far at 140. His
final two fights of the year brought out a little something
extra in Pizarro, still just 19 years old. After disposing
three relatively easy foes, Branden stopped experienced
journeyman Justin Johnson in two rounds and then handled
Jerome Rodriguez (W6) with flair and relative ease. His
performances, especially in these two fights, sent the
message that Pizarro had matured a great deal and was ready
for bigger things.
BRANDON ROBINSON
Super middleweight Brandon Robinson went 3-1, 2 KOs, in
2018, which moved him to 11-2, 8 KOs, overall. Although he
lost his last fight of 2018 - TKO'd in 7 by Kalvin Henderson
- his gutsy performance in defeat showed the size of his
heart and willingness to fight through adversity. He didn't
bring home the win that night, but it was perhaps the fight
of the year and set up an attractive potential rematch. The
rest of the year, Robinson ruled the roost at 168 pounds,
defeating experienced Oscar Riojas by 8-round decision and
knocking out Ghanaian cinder block Ernest Amuzu in three
rounds. He also quickly toppled Juan Zapata in a single
round. Robinson is likely to bounce back big in 2019.
Place your
VOTE for Philly Fighter of the Year and 5 other
categories!
(Voting is now closed)
_____________________________________________________________
2018
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
The 2018 crop of rookies all looked good but these three
were the most promising, despite only making two starts
each.
RASHEEN BROWN
Junior featherweight Rasheen Brown made his pro debut in
August at the Sugar House Casino, winning a one-sided
unanimous decision over Bryann Nevarez, who was 2-10-1 at
the time. He followed up his debut with an out of town
decision, three months later against Sebastian Baltazar
(1-2). Southpaw Brown has plenty of potential.
PAUL KROLL
Junior middleweight Paul Kroll, a 2016 Olympian, made his
pro debut at the Sugar House in August, blasting out
DeAngelo Alcorn (0-1) in the first round. He followed with
an another stoppage (TKO2), this time against Antonio
Wattell (1-5-1) in Oklahoma City. His delayed pro career is
now on track, and appears ready to take flight in 2019.
BENNY SINAKIN
Light heavyweight Benny Sinakin launched his pro career in
October with a rousing decision over Alex Lara (1-0) at the
2300 Arena. He returned just one month later with a messy
first round TKO of Darren Gibbs (1-5), also at the Arena.
Sinakin didn't come to the pros with a mountain of amateur
experience (like Brown and Kroll), but while learning on the
job, he proved to be a crowd-pleasing attraction that looks
set to entertain fans for years to come.
Place your
VOTE for Philly Fighter of the Year and 5 other
categories!
(Voting is now closed)
_____________________________________________________________
OTHER
AWARDS
2018
THE ONE TO WATCH -
CHRISTIAN CARTO
This local bantamweight won four straight bouts in 2018 and
improved his record to 17-0, with 11 KOs. There are
other local boxers who we need to watch as well, but Carto
is a few lengths ahead of all the others in this race. For
this, he earns the award without going to the fan vote.
His four 2018 bouts
included two main events and two supporting spots on big
nationally televised cards. This was a year of development
for Carto, as he went the distance in all four of his
starts, mixed it up in the ring a bit more than we're used
to seeing, generally faced a tougher level of competition,
and transitioned to a brand new trainer, Billy Briscoe. So,
2018 included many new variables in Carto's career, but he
remained focused and passed each test put before him.
In addition, Carto
established himself as perhaps the biggest box office
attraction in Philadelphia. Philly has one champion, a
handful of ranked contenders, and many rising stars, but
Christian Carto is arguably the most popular fighter in the
City. He is still learning and gradually improving, but it
is clear that Carto is ready for a true challenge and a
serious step up. His continued success and obvious promise
earn him his first Briscoe Award - unopposed. Honorable
mentions in this category go to Steven Ortiz and Jeremy
Cuevas.
Congratulations to
Christian Carto!
2018
UPSET OF THE YEAR -
SAMUEL TEAH (W8 KENNETH SIMS JR.)
Sam Teah pulled an upset on November 16 at the
2300 Arena that outshined any other during 2018. Teah
defeated the favored Kenneth Sims, Jr. of Chicago (13-1-1, 4
KOs) by convincing 8-round unanimous decision, and he did it
on the nationally televised SHOBOX series to boot.
Although going in to
the fight, their records were in the same ballpark (Teah was
14-2-1), Sam was still rebounding from a so-so 2017
appearance on SHOBOX that had some - certainly Team Sims -
thinking that Teah couldn't perform at the next level.
However, Teah surprised everyone and scored the best win of
his 5-year career. For that, he earns his first Briscoe
Award, no vote required.
Congratulations to Sam
Teah!
2019 HONORARY BRISCOE MEDAL -
J RUSSELL PELTZ
J Russell Peltz
promoted his first boxing show on September 30, 1969. That
makes 2019 Russell's 50th year as a promoter. He has become
a cornerstone of Philly boxing history, promoting and
matching thousands of bouts, and developing great champions,
contenders, and countless memorable Philly fighters. A look
at his career is a lesson in the history of the sport that
we all love so much. He has also been inducted into every
boxing Hall of Fame there is - IBHOF, PABHOF, NJBHOF, WBHOF,
and more.
So, on April 14, we
will celebrate this great 50 year milestone by presenting
Russell Peltz with an honorary Briscoe Medal.
Congratulations
Russell! Thank you for 50 years worth of contributions
to Philly boxing.
2019 HONORARY BRISCOE MEDAL -
STANLEY "KITTEN" HAYWARD
Stanley "Kitten"
Hayward is one of Philly's most exciting and best fighters
to have ever come along. A veteran of the great era of the
1960s and 1970s, Hayward fought a who's who of boxing
talent. He challenged for the world junior
middleweight championship in 1969, competed all over the
world, and scored memorable victories over the likes of
Bennie Briscoe, Emile Griffith, Curtis Cokes, Dick Turner,
Ike White, and many others. With his aggressive style,
Kitten packed a lifetime of excitement for boxing fans into
his 18 years as a professional boxer (1959-1977).
On May 26, 2019, Kitten
will turn 80 years old. So, on April 14, we will take the
opportunity to honor Hayward with a special Briscoe Medal
for his great career, his importance to Philly boxing
history, and his colorful 80 years on on planet.
Congratulations Kitten!
Thank you for all you have done for our sport.
_____________________________________________________________
MORE AWARDS / WINNERS
STILL TO BE NAMED
2018 AMATEUR OF THE YEAR
WINNER: STILL TO BE DETERMINED
2018 PHOTO OF THE YEAR
WINNER: STILL TO BE DETERMINED
2018
EVERETT BROTHERS AWARD
WINNER: STILL TO BE DETERMINED
_____________________________________________________________
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