Knowledge Boxing Center hosted ‘Southern Maryland SMOKE 12’, a USA Boxing, South Atlantic Association live event at Truth Bible Church in Calvert County, capturing three victories, and one Super Middleweight Title Belt as D’Lante Briscoe made his presence known in a 165-pound, three minute round rematch against Mike ‘Chop’ Love of Lion’s Den Gym.
KBC owner, Daryl Hinmon was very pleased with Briscoe and he said he and coach John Richardson take great pride in presenting Live Boxing in southern Maryland.
“I had a conversation with coach John back in 2019 and that’s when we decided to put on our own shows to provide our kids the opportunity to display their skills, win or lose. We do our very best to make sure our shows are boxer, coach and fan friendly to attract more people to the sport we love. The shows also create a good economic opportunity for Southern MD and it brings in talent from all up and down the Eastern seaboard.”
Hinmon said they never back down from a challenge and welcome the ‘bump’ with open arms and closed fists.
“We are also very welcoming to our boxing legends we host at our show. Former Heavyweight Champion of the World, Merciless Ray Mercer really enjoys our Southern MD hospitality and it’s a pleasure for us to bring him to the people”
Briscoe, with family present and watching via livestream, dominated round one and two. Love gave all he could in round three, but a standing-eight count sealed Love’s fate.
“I wanted to attack and make the first move,” Briscoe said after the fight. “Coach tells us to set the tone. I think he [Love] actually hit me harder in the last fight. I knew midway through the first round that I stunned him. He was tense and freezing up. My goal is to finish out this year with two more fights, meaning two more victories.”
Although Briscoe said he was in better shape this fight and didn’t have to lose weight, he wants to get his cardio in tip top shape.
“People know that if they come to a Knowledge Boxing [sanctioned] fight, we’re going to be in tip top shape.”
Coach Hinmon stated that Briscoe was super focused.
“He had one of the best performances of his amateur career on this show,” he said. “He was calm, confident and violent. We had some challenges in training camp working around his career schedule, but we figured it out like we always do and he definitely got the job done. I was super proud of him and how he represented the fighting spirit of Knowledge Boxing.”
Briscoe’s teammate, David ‘5 Round’ Mcgee also dominated in the ring in a 125-pound matchup against Franklin Romero (Big Things Boxing). It was his final fight with KBC as he’s relocating to Florida, with his family.
Mcgee said he felt the fight was close and definitely in his favor.
“After about the first 10 seconds of the fight, I knew he wanted the inside, and I knew he was
body hunting, so we used a stick and move strategy. I used my jab and two to the body and made sure to finish with my hook. I also made sure to create angles and not get caught against the ropes like I did a couple fights ago.”
“I always try to learn from my mistakes and continuously get better. I used everything I learned from my coaches in the gym to catch and shoot.”
Mcgee said that being a KBC fighter means everything to him.
“It was a lifestyle in and out of the gym. During my time in the gym, my coaches taught me to be confident, consistent, and courageous.”
Mcgee admitted that when he first started boxing, he had some fear.
“Coach Daryl and coach John stuck with me and saw potential in me when I didn’t see it in myself. Most importantly, KBC is a family and is a home I can always return to.”
Coach Hinmon said the fight for ‘5-Round’ Mcgee was bittersweet.
“Unfortunately, it was our last show with him,” Hinmon said. “He is an awesome kid, brutally honest and hard working. He has always had physical skills, but his greatest area of improvement has been his confidence.”
Once Mcgee embraced his weaknesses, Hinmon was able to work on those parts of his game and it was up from there.
“He just turned 18 last week, had a great performance against a very game opponent in Franklin Romero, so we are happy he’s able to leave us on a high note,” Hinmon said. “We will miss him, but like all of our boxers who had to move from the area, go to college, join the military, etc., David ‘5 Round’ McGee will always be a part of the KBC family and will always be one of mine and Coach John’s babies that are spread all over the Earth.
Kasheme Woodard entered the ring for the first time and finished well over John Donahue
“Preparation for this fight included plenty of cardio such as sprints and incline sprints,” Woodard said. “We also worked hard in the gym on the bag, and sparring. We also went to the Naval Academy to spar with their boxing team which was a great experience. So, shout out to the Naval Academy Boxing Team for having us.
My opponent was tough and came to win, but so did I. I just focused on the task at hand and executing what I trained to do. I do believe he was prepared to fight and he did just that. Thanks to him for the work”
Woodard said that his goals going forward are to continue to progress. He wants to learn everything he can from his coaches and teammates at Knowledge Boxing.
“I will prepare to the best of my abilities so I’m ready for any challenge that appears.” Woodard said.
Coach Hinmon said they typically judge their guys not by wins or losses, but by performances. “This was a good performance for Kasheme, especially for it to have been his first fight, and the win against a great opponent in John Donahue was the icing on the cake.
“Kasheme is originally from New Jersey and stationed at the Naval Base at Patuxent River. We take pride in working with our military guys and girls. Many of them come to the area alone and we’re happy to be able to provide them a sense of family and belonging while they are here.”
Hinmon said he and coach John are going to put in the work to make Kasheme a phenomenal boxer.
“He’s a hard worker, great listener, has high integrity and is super tough. With those attributes, we can’t go wrong. He’s a pleasure to coach.
The Rex in Leonardtown will be the host of the next live boxing match, to be held on November 23, 2024. Get tickets early. You’ll see Briscoe and some other dominate fighters on the card again.
A big shout out to Nye’s Boxing Gym of Lancaster, Pa who sets up the rings for every KBC fight. They spend two hours to set up and an hour to break down usually. They build, rent and sell rings.
Results:
Pierre Davis (Sugar Ray) def. Jeremy Guerra (O’Connor Boxing)
Juan Barry Umanzor (Lion’s Den) def. Dylan Castillo (Strike Studio)
Colton Deshong (Bowehouse MMA) RSC Ra’Shaun Jones (Sugar Ray Leonard)
David Mcgee (Knowledge Boxing) def. Franklin Romero (Big Things Boxing)
Luis Carranza (Strike Studio) def. Khavy Suong (Z’s Boxing)
Raycol Brewster (Old School) def. Nadir Naimi (Kaizen MMA)
Gombodorj Byambadorj (Z’s Boxing) def. Ayden Laffoon (Practical MMA)
Kasheme Woodard (Knowledge Boxing) def. John Donahue (Practical MMA)
Jason Molina (Champion’s Boxing) def. Peter Suh (Kaizen MMA)
Christian Vargas (O’Connor) def. Philip Carpenter-Powell (Knowledge) *Title fight
D’Lante Briscoe (Knowledge) def. Mike Love (Lion’s Den) *Title fight
Luis Portillo (O’Connor Boxing) def. Moe Stone (Knowledge) *Title fight
