Gilbert Knocks Out Lange at Patriot Center!

Fightnews.com's John Buhl and Julian Burgower report that Great Falls, VA middleweight Jimmy Lange has been stopped in the third round by "Contender" rival Joey Gilbert at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA. Here is their complete report.


Despite a pro-Lange crowd of 6,207 people, Reno, Nev. native Joey Gilbert (11-1, 8 KOs) once again defeated fellow "Contender: Season One" participant Jimmy Lange (26-3-1, 18 KOs; Great Falls, Va.)--this time by 3rd round TKO--to win the NABO middleweight championship at the George Mason University Patriot Center on Saturday night. Meanwhile, in the co-main event former world title challenger Daniel "The Prophet" Attah (23-3-1, 8 KOs) made a victorious return to action, appearing on one week's notice for his first bout since May 2004.

As expected, from the start Lange attempted to dictate the pace of the fight with his jab--often doubling up on the punch--to utilize his reach advantage. Meanwhile, Gilbert looked for opportunities to work inside and out-muscle his opponent.

Midway through the opening stanza, Lange followed his jab with a series of body punches as Gilbert covered up. Gilbert responded with a crunching counter left hook that proved to be one of his best weapons.

Later in the first, an overhand right sent Lange to the canvas. It appeared to be a flash knockdown, but Gilbert followed up by forcing Lange to the ropes and unleashing a barrage of hooks as the round came to an end, snapping Lange's head back several times.

Looking to settle down, Lange appeared to recover during round two, sticking with his jabbing game plan, and circling to avoid Gilbert's power shots. However, Gilbert was able to score points of his own with a snapping jab of his own, and having success with the counter left hook.

Early in the third round Gilbert took control once again, connecting with a straight right that sent Lange into the corner. Several times Lange attempted to get back on the outside and keep Gilbert at bay, but Gilbert's stronger shots and impressive hand speed took their toll.

Appearing very confident, Gilbert unleashed a barrage of power shots to Lange's head, leaving him looking defenseless on the ropes. With too many unanswered punches, referee Chris Wollesen called a halt to the bout at 2:52 of round three.

Though he already owned a victory over Lange (a five-round decision win during the television competition), Gilbert was quick to recognize his trainer, Dan Birmingham, for his noted improvement.

Discussing his improved defense, he said, almost jokingly, "Dan changed my hand placement, and by that I mean putting them in front of my face."

Though Gilbert had a more dominant performance this time around, he said of Lange, "I noticed that he took me a little more serious in this fight. He was more cautious, more apprehensive."

Birmingham felt that the rigorous training regime paid dividends.

"He was [sparring] 12 rounds every day with three or four guys," he said, adding, "Joey did one hell of a job tonight."

Lange's father and manager, Johnny, reflected on the loss. He felt his son prepared well and trained hard, but made tactical mistakes during the fight.

"He laid up against the ropes, which he was told five-zillion times not to do," he said. He continued, "Birmingham's done a great job with Joey...100 percent improved."

Jimmy made no excuses for the loss, admitting his own mistakes and giving credit to Gilbert.

"I got a bad habit of laying on the ropes, and I paid for it."

Lange continued, "His jab has definitely improved, but nothing surprised me. This guy trains with the second best trainer in the world."

He concluded the press conference saying, "I wasn't hurt, but it was a good stoppage. You haven't seen the end of me."

ATTAH VICTORIOUS

The co-main event pitted Herndon, Va. fighter Daniel"The Prophet" Attah against prospect Isidro Granados (14-2-2, 8 KOs; Bellflower, Calif.) in an eight-round featherweight bout. Attah once held the WBO super featherweight title, and challenged Acelino Freitas for the WBA version in 2002.

Both fighters appeared tentative throughout the contest, circling and exchanging jabs. Attah did more did more work in the first two rounds, connecting with one-twos that did not damage Granados, but registered points on the scorecards.

Granados had his moments, particularly in the third round, landing solid body shots and a couple of noteworthy left hooks. But, as the fight progressed, Attah did just enough by picking at Granados with jabs and straight rights from the outside and tying up on the inside.

The crowd became restless on several occasions, but Attah secured an eight-round majority decision win with scores of 80-72, 76-75 and 76-76.

After the fight, Attah discussed his comeback plans, his good physical shape despite the long layoff and the reaction of the crowd.

"I was in camp with Morales for his fight with Pacquiao. I took off 20 pounds since last week to campaign at 126," he said.

He continued, "I feel good. I took two years off due to managerial and promotional problems," adding, "I will fight anyone at 126 and am looking for a title."

As for the crowd reaction, he replied, "That's part of the entertainment. The booing makes me pick it up more."

UNDERCARD RESULTS

Jr. Middleweight
Derek Ennis (9-0, 6 KOs) Defeats Roland Cummings (22-25, 10 KOs) via TKO 1:33 Rd 2

Philadelphia, Pa. prospect Derek Ennis stopped journeyman Roland Cummings (Youngstown, Ohio) in impressive fashion, displaying a wide array of offensive firepower. Cummings, a long time veteran, did not look phased by the punishment, often taunting Ennis after receiving a shot to the face, much to the delight of the crowd. After being knocked into the ropes on several times, Ennis work to the head and body took its toll. Cummings fell to that mat halfway through the second round. Though he stood up before the ten count and protested the stoppage, referee Chris Wolleson stopped the fight.

Women's Jr. Middleweight
Tonya Gallegos (4-5, 3 KOs) Defeats Jamie Johnson (0-4) via Unanimous Decision

In the only female contest on the card, Gallegos (Denver, Colo.) out-landed and outworked Johnson (United Kingdom) for a lopsided decision victory. Johnson had limited success in the third round on the inside, but Gallegos controlled the rest of the match, winning by scores of 40-36 (twice) and 39-37.

Featherweight
Andre Nichols (1-0) Defeats Nicholas Shaheen (1-4, 1 KO) via Majority Decision

Local product Andre Nichols, from Dale City, Va., had a successful professional debut against Shaheen (Canton, Ohio), with the scorecards reading 40-36 and 39-37 for Nichols, and 38-38. Both fighters stood and exchanged wild looping power shots throughout the match, with both fighters clearly exhausted after four rounds. Nichols showed solid hand speed and better accuracy to earn the victory.

Cruiserweight
Jarell Mason-Jackson (5-4-1, 1 KO) Defeats Carlos "The Headbanger" Jones (5-8, 3 KOs) via TKO 2:02 Rd 6

Despite an eight pound weight disadvantage, Mason-Jackson stopped Jones in a match-up between fellow Washington, D.C. boxers. Each fighter went toe-to-toe and pleased the crowd with an action packed display. In the end, Mason-Jackson was just a little faster to the punch than Jones, with a series of hooks to the head leaving Jones staggered and forcing a stop to the fight.

Heavyweight
Jairus Gladney (1-0, Forrestville, Md.) Defeats Justin Wrede (0-1, Cheyenne, Wyo.) via Unanimous Decision. Scores: 40-36 (twice), 40-35.