I mentioned in a recent post that Great Falls, VA junior middleweight Jimmy Lange was rumored to be involved in a significant matchup on Feb. 18.
Well, how about this for a significant matchup: Lange will headline a Feb. 18 card at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA. His opponent will be none other than Joey Gilbert, the man Lange lost to during their tenure on "The Contender."
Add this to the significance: The bout will be 12-rounds for the NABO Junior Middleweight championship. The winner will more than likely receive a top-10 ranking in the WBO.
I talked to Lange earlier today and he said he is truly excited about the bout. In fact, Lange said he couldn't sleep for two days after he was informed of this bout. In stark contrast to his preparation for his last bout against Perry Ballard where Lange had to challenge himself to get up for the bout, Lange probably wishes the bout were tomorrow. He will have no problem getting up for this one.
Apparently, this bout has been in the works for quite some time. According to published reports, Gilbert took the bout and lost a promoter in the process. Noted promoter Gary Shaw was working with Gilbert as an advisor until he decided to take the Lange fight. Published reports say Gilbert took the bout without consulting Shaw and Shaw decided to bolt.
As far as the February 18th show is concerned, Lange told me that a female boxer from England by the name of Jamie "Rocky" Johnson will appear on the card. I don't know much about her, but Lange has seen her train and she will be someone to watch.
I also talked to USBA Super Featherweight champ Lamont "Bay" Pearson about this card and he said there is a possibility that he will defend his title on the February 18 card.
2006 already looks like it will be a fantastic year for Boxing Along The Beltway. There are four cards slated for the first two months of the year. Three will be in January alone (BXF on January 13, Jake Smith's card on January 20 at the Pikesville Armory and the first Ballroom Boxing card at Michael's Eighth Avenue on January 26) and this big one in February.
We will truly hit the ground running in 2006!! Get Ready!!
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3 comments:
Lange is definitely a talented fighter. i worked with him a little, years ago when Pepe Corea was training him. i would like to see him sit down more on his punches; he has excellent boxing skills.(just my opinion) Being tall and rangy will always cause problems for his opponents in the division he is in.. Look forward to seeing him and Gilbert fight again. If he sticks to boxing he should pull out a decision.
After watching the contender, it seemed that most fighters abandoned the styles that got them on the show and became crowd pleasers which was to their disadvantage; Jimmy being one of them...
Interesting comment about these guys when they left The Contender. Of course, those guys didn't get the opportunity to work with their real trainers during the taping of the show.
There has been an adjustment period for all the Contender participants last year.
This bout will be great for this area.
You were right on the money, Ross! Nice work by everyone involved putting this together!
A Pearson-Pacquiao bout would be outstanding! But first things first on both sides of the coin.
Keep me posted on continuing developments!
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