LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The Rex, located on Washington Street, was the hotspot on Saturday evening as owner Joe Kurley opened the 80-year-old facility once more to USA Boxing’s South Atlantic Association for another amateur showdown, just on the heels of the Golden Gloves prelims, presented by Bobby Magruder Productions.
Southern Maryland “SMOKE 15” was a sold-out show for The Rex and USA Boxing.
Stay informed for more information on SMOKE 16, which is scheduled to take place on June 28. Details of the location to follow.
Headliner Kahleel “Moe” Stone, Dylan “Taz” Rodriguez, and first-time fighters Dominique Herbert and Jaylen Williams each dominated in the ring for the hometown crowd, hailing from Knowledge Boxing Center with coaches Daryl Hinmon and John Richardson in their corners keeping them calculated in the ring.
Stone’s right hook connected to the cheek of Christian Portillo of JD & Co. Boxing in the 154-pound match-up.
Stone was presented with a championship title belt by Matt Burgan of Infinitas Realty.
Stone said he participated in some great preparation leading up to the fight.
“It was good work,” Stone said. “We had excellent preparation leading up to this fight. I was very prepared to go out there and perform for our home crowd. I just focused on remaining calm, sticking to the game plan and putting on a great performance.”
Stone said he’s already looking forward to the next show.
“The future is very bright for our team at Knowledge Boxing, and we’re going to just keep working hard for success.”
Williams came out strategic and calculated in a 143-pound match-up over Keith Green of Champions Boxing. Green made an attempt to come back, but Williams took advice from his teammate, D’Lante Briscoe, ringside to “breathe through.”
“I got there early for weigh-ins and then relaxed with music to calm me before my fight,” Williams said. “It was great to have family support there. I just want to keep listening to my coaches and keep getting better every single time I step in that ring no matter who is watching.”
Williams said he wants to keep improving his skills and become the best part of himself.
Richardson commented that SMOKE 15 did not disappoint, delivering yet another electric night of boxing action as both rising stars and seasoned veterans stepped into the ring and walked away with impressive victories.
“Among the most talked-about performances were newcomers Herbert and Williams, who both made their debut bouts count,” Richardson said. “Herbert showcased poise and skill well beyond his experience level, securing a hard-fought victory against a tough opponent that marked a promising start to his career. Williams, nicknamed ‘PG,’ also put on a standout performance, displaying sharp technique and composure to earn his first win.
On the veteran side, Rodriguez reminded fans why he’s a crafty southpaw, controlling the pace of his fight with a precision jab.”
Richardson said Stone lived up to his name and “closed the show,” delivering a solid performance that left no doubt in the judges’ minds as he secured another victory for his record.
“Southern Smoke 15 once again proved to be a premier platform for rising talent and a showcase of excellence from established fighters. With thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments, the event continues to cement its reputation as a must-watch on the regional fight circuit.”
O’Connor Boxing won two out of three contests, with one a very close match-up — the eighth match of the evening between Somnoma Zida and Delmar Jeter of 2 Fly Boxing. The 165-pound sprawl was a very close one.
Zida connected with power and had Delmar on the ropes, throwing more punches. The crowd was stunned when the win went to Jeter.
O’Connor brings talented fighters to the ring, so maybe a rematch is in order.
Hinmon Co-Directing the Golden Gloves Championships
The Golden Gloves Regional Championships will take place April 26 at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington.
The winners of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Delaware finals will take on the winners from Virginia and North Carolina.
Magruder and Hinmon have teamed up to make this year a huge success for the up-and-coming amateurs.
Hinmon said it has been a blast working the Golden Gloves Tournament.
“We take pride in putting on competitive boxing in Southern Maryland,” Hinmon said. “This is our home, our fans, our neighbors, friends and family so we will always do our best to put on exciting performances for them.”
Hinmon said only a small percentage of people on the planet will ever box competitively.
“It’s a very exclusive club and all of its members are really to be respected because to put it all out there on the line in front of the world, especially in this social media age, takes guts.”
“It’s really uncanny the amount of respect you gain through healthy and fair competition,” Hinmon added. “I do regret not having any females on this card.”
Hinmon is definitely open to hosting females again in the future.
Hinmon said, “Be on the lookout for a big announcement from KBC professional boxer Tremaine ‘Teddy P’ Fuller coming very soon. Follow KBC at @knowledgeboxing on Instagram and Facebook.”
A women’s self-defense class will also be offered at KBC in the near future.
For ticket information and sponsorship for the Golden Gloves Regional Championships, call 301-843-6165.
Results
April 12, 2025
- J. O’Connor Jr. (O’Connor Boxing) def. Hart (2 Fly Boxing)
- Jackson (Dream Team) def. Davis (Sugar Ray Leonard)
- Herbert (Knowledge Boxing) def. M. Ahumada (Bowerhouse)
- D. Rodriguez (Mad House) def. F. Kosimi (Champions Boxing)
- Alston (Hot Box) def. K. Talbert (Rec-Mode Boxing) – RSC
- D. Braithwaite (Elite Boxing) def. L. Haley (Annapolis Boxing)
- C. Davis (Sugar Ray Leonard) def. R. Hernandez (Big Things Boxing)
- D. Jeter (2 Fly Boxing) def. S. Zida (O’Connor Boxing)
- C. Deshong (Bowerhouse MMA) def. D. Lee (Unattached) – RSC
- J. Guerra (O’Connor Boxing) def. K. Purdie (Dream Team)
- J. Williams (Knowledge Boxing) def. K. Green (Champions Boxing)
- D. “Taz” Rodriguez (Knowledge Boxing) def. P. Schelpfeffer (Kaizen MMA)*
- A. Holmes (JD & Co. Boxing) def. S. Johnson (Untouchables Boxing)
- K. Stone (Knowledge Boxing) def. C. Portillo (JD & Co. Boxing)
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