IBF junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer, earned the Briscoe Award for the “2018 Performance of the Year” with his 12-round unanimous decision over Billy Dib in Australia, last August. Farmer won the world title with the victory, and will receive his award on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at the Briscoe Awards in South Philadelphia. Farmer’s overall efforts in 2018 also secured honors as he “2018 Philly Fighter of the Year”.
Farmer became a champion in spectacular fashion, scoring a knockdown over Dib and winning the bout by unanimous decision. The boxing fans voted the performance as the best among three other nominees. It is the third time Farmer has been recognized for having the best performance among Philly boxers (2015, 2016 & 2018). He has won six awards overall, including this year’s award for “Philly Fighter of the Year”.
“It took a lot of work to make this possible,” Farmer said about his awards. “I’m gonna definitely be there (on April 14th). I’m happy to be there. It’s an honor.”
The awards, named after Philly middleweight boxing legend Bennie Briscoe, have been recognizing the best achievements of the Philly boxing scene since 2007.
This year’s event will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Xfinity Live! in South Philadelphia (1100 Pattison Avenue), 1-4 PM. Tickets for the Briscoe Awards cost $10 each, and can be purchased in advance at BriscoeAwards.com, or by calling 609-377-6413.
The Briscoe Awards are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501c3 Non-Profit organization, dedicated to preserving and honoring the great legacy of boxing in and around the city of Philadelphia. For more information, call John DiSanto at 609-377-6413.
Tevin Farmer “2018 Philly Fighter Of The Year”
Junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer has been named the “2018 Philly Fighter of the Year” and will receive the Briscoe Award on April 14, 2018. The Philadelphian also earned the award for the “Performance of the Year”, based on his title-winning effort against Billy Dib. Farmer and several other locals will be honored at the 12th Annual Briscoe Awards, a public event held at Xfinity Live! Philadelphia.
The dramatic super middleweight bout between Kalvin Henderson and Brandon Robinson was named the “2018 Philly Fight of the Year”. Henderson won the exciting struggle, but both combatants will take home a Briscoe Award.
Other winners, also determined by fan voting, include – Danny Garcia, “KO of the Year” / Christian Carto, “The One to Watch” / Jeremy Cuevas, “Prospect of the Year” / Samuel Teah, “Upset of the Year” / Paul Kroll, “Rookie of the Year” / Atif Oberlton, “Amateur of the Year”. In addition, one photographer will win a Briscoe Award for the “2018 Photo of the Year”, at the live event on April 14th.
Two honorary Briscoe Awards for lifetime achievement, will also be given at the event. Philadelphia boxing legend Stanley “Kitten” Hayward will be honored for his long and memorable boxing career, as well as his upcoming 80th birthday, and promoter J Russell Peltz will receive an honorary Briscoe to celebrate his 50th year as a boxing promoter.
Henderson vs. Robinson ‘2018 Philly fight of the year’
Of the 114 total bouts that took place in the City of Philadelphia in 2018, the final main event of the year proved to be the best. The dramatic and grueling battle between Upper Darby super middleweight Brandon Robinson and out-of-towner Kalvin Henderson of Arkansas, was voted by fans as the “2018 Philly Fight of the Year”. Both Henderson and Robinson will be in attendance at the Briscoe Awards on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Xfinity Live! in South Philly, to receive their awards.
“I am honored to be selected for an accomplishment like the Bennie Briscoe award,” Henderson said. “I go out in every fight and give my all, not only win, but do it in an entertaining fashion.”
The Fight of the Year occurred on December 7th after a contentious build up, 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. Eventually, Henderson closed Robinson’s eyes and ultimately scored a TKO in round seven. However, Robinson fought hard to turn the tables, and in doing so, the pair created the best fight of the year.
“I had not heard of the Briscoe Awards before my nomination,” Henderson said. “But after I researched, I found it is a very prestigious award. This marks a milestone in my career! ”
Henderson and his team will travel from Arkansas to accept his Briscoe Award. Team Robinson will also be in attendance.
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Rising lightweight southpaw Jeremy Cuevas went 5-0, with 3 KOs, in 2018, to improve his overall professional record to 11-0, 8 KOs. During the year, he brought plenty of excitement to local boxing fans, and for his hard work was voted as the best prospect of 2018. Cuevas will receive his award at the 12th Annual Briscoe Awards, Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Xfinity Live! in South Philadelphia.
Cuevas distinguished himself from the pack of nominees with more activity (five bouts), terrific punching power, and higher level of opposition.
“It’s a great honor and blessing,” Cuevas said. “I’ve been watching guys win this award since I was an amateur and used to dream about how cool it would be to finally get one. It’s finally my turn.”
In his first fight of 2019, Cuevas suffered his first professional setback (L8 to fellow-nominee Steven Ortiz). However, Cuevas is still one of Philadelphia’s brightest stars and most promising prospects. Fans anxiously await his return to the ring, and expect big things from Cuevas in the future. This is Jeremy’s first Briscoe Award, but likely not his last.
Cuevas distinguished himself from the pack of nominees with more activity (five bouts), terrific punching power, and higher level of opposition.
“It’s a great honor and blessing,” Cuevas said. “I’ve been watching guys win this award since I was an amateur and used to dream about how cool it would be to finally get one. It’s finally my turn.”
In his first fight of 2019, Cuevas suffered his first professional setback (L8 to fellow-nominee Steven Ortiz). However, Cuevas is still one of Philadelphia’s brightest stars and most promising prospects. Fans anxiously await his return to the ring, and expect big things from Cuevas in the future. This is Jeremy’s first Briscoe Award, but likely not his last.
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Philly amateur boxer Atif Oberlton has been a top amateur for years. However in 2018, the 20 year old accomplished more than any other young Philly fighter in the amateur ranks. For his multi-tournament victories during the year, Oberlton will receive the Briscoe Award as the “2018 Amateur of the Year” at the Briscoe Awards on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Xfinity Live! in South Philly.
“It feels great to have been selected by the people of Philadelphia and surrounding areas as Amateur of the Year,” Oberlton said about his award.
2018 was a great year for Oberlton. He won a Gold Medal at the dual competition in Germany, the National Golden Gloves championship, the Eastern National Qualifiers Tournament, and also won a Silver Medal at the USA Nationals, defeating the #1 ranked boxer in the process.
“It feels good to have the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears acknowledged and rewarded,” Oberlton added.
The Briscoe Awards are named for Philly icon Bennie Briscoe, who had a 20-year boxing career and perfectly embodied the classic Philly fighter.
Philly Boxing History Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization and the Briscoe Awards are one of its many public programs designed to honor, remember, and celebrate local ring history in and around the City of Philadelphia.
Tickets for the April 14th event cost $10 each and are available for purchase at BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Sponsorships and program advertisements are also available, and help to fund this important public event.
For more information, please call 609-377-6413.