Sunday, May 21, 2006

USBA Cruiserweight Title Bout in Virginia July 1!

I mentioned last week that there was a USBA Cruiserweight title bout possibly scheduled for this summer in the area. Well, according to promoter Han Kim, the bout is a done deal.

Baltimore-based Emmanuel Nwodo will take on Chris "Cold Steel" Thomas of Chicago, IL for the vacant USBA title on Saturday, July 1 at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, VA.

Nwodo, a native of Nigeria, raised his record to 19-4, 15 KO's with an easy first-round TKO over Ron Krull on April 29 at the ABC Complex. Nwodo is ranked sixth in the latest USBA rankings. This will be just Nwodo's second bout under Kim's promotional banner.

Thomas (16-4-2, 14 KO's) is fourth in the USBA rankings and will be making his first appearance in 2006. In his last outing, Thomas battled Billy Willis to an eight-round draw in December 2005 in Harvey, IL.

Kim also said that the card will feature Virginia boxers "Money" Mike Sawyer and Zain and Ali Shah along with Gaithersburg, MD heavyweight Calvin Riley. Also scheduled on the card will be the return of Fort Washington, MD heavyweight Derek "Hollywood" Amos.

Kim added that he will be expanding the ABC Sports Complex to hold 1200-1500 fans.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Digital, is the ABC Sports Complex in the proximity of the Metro?

skinnyscott said...

Hey Digital, i'm pretty sure that Derek Amos now makes his home and trains out of his own gym in Woodbridge, VA. Also acw, if I remember correctly, you're the Mason kid. Mike Sawyer seems to sell a lot of tickets to Mason students. I would try to get into contact with him or whoever he has distributing tickets on campus.

Keep up the great work Digital, it's been awhile since I've read the blog, but it looks like we're having a busy year in 2006. This is the most fights I can ever remember for VA. Good job Han, and hopefully Keystone and Joe Hensley will get in the mix.

Gary Digital Williams said...

ACW:

When I drove out to Han's last show, I did not remember a metro stop nearby. I will double check, however.

SkinnyScott:

Good to hear from you again and thanks for the updated info on Derek. Joe is looking to do a card in Virginia Beach. Keystone is talking about a show in Maryland in the next couple of months.

I just received word of a card in Manassas very soon. As soon as I know more, I will give out the information.

Anonymous said...

skinnyscott-
Yeah, I'm the Mason kid (well, graduate student as of today), but I don't drive, so I'd have no way of getting there. How would I get in contact w/ Sawyer anyway? Thanks though.

Digital-
Thanks in advance for checking about the Metro.

Anonymous said...

Hey ACW, always good to have the Mason boys out. My guy on campus is Terrence. His number is 703-474-2632. Give him a call a few weeks before the fight and he can hook you up with tickets and I'm sure a ride too.
Mike Sawyer

Anonymous said...

Mike-
I'll have to see if I'm busy July 1, but thanks for the offer-I might take you up on it. Also, where's the ABC Sports Complex (i.e. the address)?

Gary Digital Williams said...

The address is 6728 Commercial Drive in Springfield.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Digital.

Anonymous said...

Digital, do you know about what time the bouts will begin and when the final one will end (and when doors will open)?

Mike, I think I'll give Terrence a call this week (when would be best to reach him?).

Thanks.

Gary Digital Williams said...

ACW, the show will probably start around 7:30-8 PM.

When it ends depends on how long the bouts last.

At Han's last card, the show started around 8 pm and ended before 10.

That was the first time for me that a card ended so quickly.

A normal card usually takes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours, depending again on number of bouts, the length of the bouts and the length of the intermission.

Anonymous said...

Digital, I've got two more questions:

1) Do you have to buy tickets in advance (and how do you buy them), or can you buy them at the door?

2) Do they have sell food and drinks at the ABC Sports Complex (and if so, what)?

Thanks in advance.

Gary Digital Williams said...

1. You can do both, ACW.

I don't think you can buy tickets in advance through Ticketmaster, but you can do it through Han himself. I don't have a number for him, though that I can give out to you.

2. They sold food at the last show Han had, but it was just hot dogs and chips, nothing out of the ordinary.

Anonymous said...

Thanks. And hot dogs and chips works fine (I assume they sell water too??)-I just wanted to know if I had to eat a lot beforehand. And for this show, how many people just buy tickets at the gate (I don't want to worry about the show having sold out before I can get my ticket)?

Thanks again.

Gary Digital Williams said...

I would guess that most people would buy at the door, but some may actually buy tickets from some of the boxers who are on the show.

But my thought is there wouldn't be a huge walk-up sale.

Andrew Snow said...

How can I get linked up with the promoter of the Fights at the ABC Sports Complex? I was raised in Springfield and have a good support base there, and would love to get on a card. I'm 2-0 (1KO) and my next fight is May 23 in Martinsburg WV. I currently live in Morgantown WV where I go to School.