Connect with us

Articles of 2005

The Contender’s Jimmy Lange Goes Home Again

Published

on

More than 5,100 enthusiastic fans were in attendance for Keystone Boxing’s “Battle for Virginia,” which took place at George Mason University in Fairfax on September 17. Matchmaker Chris Middendorf put together an array of highly competitive matches headlined by junior middleweight Jimmy Lange. Hailing from nearby Great Falls, Lange was making his first start since engaging in two bouts on the NBC television reality series “The Contender.”

Not only did this card bring big-time boxing back to Virginia for the first time in years, it also marked the first webcast of a fight card on “TheBoxingChannel.com.” Broadcasting the action from the site was Charles Jay, editor-in-chief of The SweetScience.com, which is affiliated with TheBoxingChannel.com, editor Robert Ecksel, and yours truly, who is a columnist for the site.

The 30-year-old Lange, who is trained by former multi-division champion Buddy McGirt, improved his record to 26-2-1 (18 KO) with an exciting stoppage of the previously undefeated Perry Ballard, now 17-1 (13 KOs), of Martinsburg, West Virginia.

From the first bell, Lange, who sparred about 25 rounds with Arturo Gatti at McGirt’s Florida training facility, peppered Ballard with jabs and occasional one-twos. He continually snapped the extremely hyper Ballard’s head back, and then blasted him to the body with lefts and rights.

Although it was obvious that he was outclassed and out-gunned, no one can ever accuse Ballard, who possesses a master’s degree in safety engineering, of not being game. While he did incessantly complain to the referee, he also continually tried to reach Lange with his vaunted right hand. He did land that punch several times, but it had little effect on the intense and highly motivated Lange.

The first knockdown came in the third round, when Lange finished off a vicious combination of punches with a booming overhand right. In the fourth round, Lange sent Ballard to the canvas once again with a debilitating body blow that came at the end of another volley of punches. Ballard rose from the knockdown with an odd look on his face as he tried to maintain his equilibrium. The referee wisely called a halt to the bout at 2:40 of the fourth round.

“It was great to fight at home again after such a long time away,” said a jubilant Lange. “I think he was hoping I would overlook him so he could land a wild shot, but that wasn’t going to happen. I’m working with Buddy and so many good fighters in Florida, nothing is going to take me away from my game.”

Lange, who lost a close decision to Joey Gilbert in week eight of “The Contender,” was called back as a fan favorite and won a five round decision over Tarick Salmaci. He said that his participation on the reality show was one of the greatest experiences of his life, and he hopes that he can someday battle Gilbert in a rematch.

“I love Joey, but I would fight him right here, right now if I could,” Lange said, the deeply spiritual, married father of three children. “There is no fight that I want more than a rematch with him.”

“I take my hat off to Jimmy,” said the likable Ballard, who, although he makes a nice living as a safety engineer, has no intentions of giving up on his boxing career. “Tonight Jimmy gained my respect as a consummate professional. I think he will continue to succeed and bring more respectability to the game of boxing.”

In the co-feature, Lamont Pearson of nearby Cheltenham, Maryland, won the USBA junior lightweight title with a stunning knockout of Shamir Reyes, who hails from Brooklyn, New York. At age 34, Pearson, who is a postman by trade, knew that a victory against Reyes was of paramount importance for his boxing future. He had already lost one featherweight title shot, and has been plagued by hand injuries for much of his career.

Reyes came to fight in much the same fashion he always does. He is a master of utilizing his entire body as an offensive and defensive weapon, and is very difficult to hit solidly. Pearson finally managed to gain some type of control with a piston-like jab, them leveled Reyes, now 18-4-2 (7 KOs), for the count with a vicious left hook to the body at 2:52 of the sixth round.

“This was a great victory for me, and I know it will lead to bigger things,” said Pearson, whose record now stands at 22-3-1 (12 KOs). “Even though I’m 34, I feel much younger. I’m in the best shape of my career, and am looking forward to what’s next.”

In other bouts: Junior welterweight Kay Koroma of Alexandria, Virginia, made a positive impression in his pro debut by outscoring Terrell Davis, now 0-4, of Washington, D.C.

Welterweight Tim Coleman of Baltimore improved his record to 3-0 (1 KO) by stopping Spencer Harsley, 1-4 (1 KO) of Washington, D.C. Coleman, who has an extensive amateur background, looks like a genuine prospect and is one to watch.

Junior middleweight Jesse Orta of Dallas broke a four bout losing streak by brutally stopping local hero Orazio Robinson of Manassas, Virginia, at 1:56 of the first round. Orta, now 5-5-1 (4 KOs), blamed his recent downslide on some familial tragedies but said he was back on track and that this victory was the impetus for his career rejuvenation. The once lauded Robinson, who was felled twice by jarring right hands, saw his record dip to 5-2-2 (4 KOs).

The entire show will soon be webcast on TheBoxingChannel.com, which can also be accessed via The SweetScience.com.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles16 hours ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles3 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending