During last night's card at the Maryland Sportsplex in Millersville, MD, there was an announcement of the newest inductees into the District of Columbia Boxing Hall of Fame. There were a number of names mentioned but three caught my ear.
Former super bantamweight contender Derrik Holmes, a solid boxer in the late seventies and early eighties, who defeated former world champion Wilfredo Gomez as an amateur and unsuccessfully challenged Gomez for the WBC Super Bantamweight title on August 22, 1980. Holmes is now a trainer in the DC area who works with Shelley Seivert, among others.
Boxer and trainer Leonard Langley, who had a short in-ring career in the late seventies that included posting a draw on former world champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi in Qawi’s first pro fight. Langley became a very popular trainer who worked with some of the best Beltway-talent in the eighties and nineties, including former welterweight title contender Derrell “Too Sweet” Coley and junior welterweight contender Reggie “Showtime” Green.
Also going into the DC Boxing Hall of fame is noted ring announcer Henry “Discombobulating” Jones. A native of Rochester, NY, Jones has worked the cards in the DC, Maryland and Virginia areas for more than 20 years, becoming the very first continuously-working African-American ring announcer in the country. Jones has branched out from the Beltway scene working a number of cards around the nation and has appeared on all major TV networks where boxing has been a staple. Jones was the hand-picked ring announcer for HBO’s “KO Nation” and also worked the Thunderbox “Fistful of Dollars” heavyweight pay-per-view card.
Congratulations to all the honorees who will be celebrated during a banquet on Friday, November 21 at Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD.
GET OUT!!! In Greenbelt??? Please tell me there are no fights that night. Congrats Discombobulating!
ReplyDeleteAs the great Jackie Gleason use to say, "HOW SWEET IT IS!!"
ReplyDeleteWell done gents. WELL DONE!
Fight Doctor
All praise to GOD for allowing me to stay on this oftentimes discouraging -and yes discriminatory- journey over the past 20 yrs. Thanks also to my mentor, Michael Buffer, Mark "2Sharp" Johnson, of course you Digital, the continued inspiration of our gone but never forgotten colleague "Panama" Mike Payne, and to all the fans, fighters, promoters and boxing family I've been privileged to meet locally and nationally. Truly, without you, there would be no me. I hope to see as many of you that can make it to the ceremony on Nov. 21st and at future fight cards. May GOD also give you the strength to score your own special Knockouts in Life! Peace....
ReplyDeleteYou've got to love Discombobulating Jones tapping out a rough draft of his acceptance speech right here on "Boxing Along The Beltway."
ReplyDelete(In my best Howard Cosell impersonation): "This man, Henry Jones, is not a media creation -- he's a fighter!"
...but that he forgot to thank his friend(s) in the media surely is just Henry being Henry, getting caught up in the excitement generated by his induction onto the hallowed rolls of what, pound for pound, has to be one of the best stocked regional boxing Hall of Fames in the country.
The most beautiful thing about the man has always been his utter contempt for artifice. When he was struggling and pushing through professional and racial slights, watching business he believed his own go to others, you never saw the false bravado of an insecure man who craves the spotlight. No, you just got Henry, as he is, full of honesty, integrity and gracious good humor. Henry Jones gives of himself both in and out of the sport of boxing. He's the kind of person you want to call friend and the kind of man you want as a role model. His magnificent voice -- part carnival barker, part civil rights leader, all ring announcer -- at times has sent out some wild zingers, more than living up to the "Discombobulating" moniker, but the man is an elocutionist, and his dulcet delivery never fails to incite that first anticipatory tingle of excitement when two fighters are climbing into the ring, whether in the near-empty old D.C. Convention Center on a dreary winter night or before an electrified audience in too many packed fight venues to mention. If Henry "Discombobulating" Jones is one of the great recognizable faces of boxing along the Beltway, people, we are looking good. Congratulations, brother. -- John Scheinman
Congrats to all, and especially Henry! I'm glad that the selection committee had the gumption to look for contributions to sport made by those outside the gym.
ReplyDelete"Great Shot" Siadys, Fight Doctor, Chris "Houston we have a problem!" Nicholson...thanks to each of you...and anyone else who chimes in on this issue.. for your well-wishes and encouragement; "Super" John Scheinman, I thought it was understood that the boxing media is considered part of our family, and you know personally from back in the day I've always considered you as "my lil brother from another mother!" I'll see all of you at ringside real soon. Keep up the good work to help restore our Sweet Science to it's rightful place in sports. To quote Shakespeare: "the reports of its demise is greatly exaggerated!"
ReplyDeleteHenry Discumbobulating Jones is one of the best!!!
ReplyDeleteActually Henry, that quote was from Mark Twain after reading his own obituary! But we love you for being the great announcer that you are and for being 'discombobulating", for your mispronunciations, for your charisma in the ring and for your obvious love of the sport.Congratulations on a job well done and on the great work we are sure you will do in the future.
ReplyDeleteForty-one, I appreciate the quote correction and other comments. Now you understand the discombobulation, per se, though the good intent is always there! I'm always receptive to constructive criticism however, as we all should be, if you want to get to the highest level. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteLeonard you are deserving of this honor and much more as are the rest of the recipient's.
ReplyDeleteCongrats
Scott Farmer
Awwwww! That's nice!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Discombulating!
What's your web site/email address?
With all the memories, do you have a book deal coming out soon?
CD, thanks for the comments. Actually, I already have a book out, entitled "It's More Than A Notion!" The Foreword was written by Michael Buffer. As anyone who has read it will tell you, it's not a fluff piece either....I only changed some names to Protect the Guilty! Several schools around the country have it in their curriculum as a supplemental text on LIFE LESSONS. For more info, go to www.authorhouse.com to read a free preview.
ReplyDeleteWe are in the process of planning a documentary and then making a movie. I will definitely keep the BATB family posted...and have opportunities for many of you to be involved in these projects as well.
BTW, for fight cards I announce, I usually have less expensive tickets in case anyone is interested. My email address is kokid@comcast.net
THANKS FOR HELPING US OUT AND BETTER PROMOTIONS LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON NOV 14TH.
ReplyDeleteHENRY YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST.
TONY MO BETTER JETER
BETTER PROMOTIONS
Congrats again Discombobulating.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I've read it, and to anyone who asks, I'd DEFINITELY recommend "More than a Notion."
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0759612781/ref=dp_olp_2
Henry congrats and thank you for all of your help.You are most def one of the "Good guys" in boxing.I have learned a lot.
ReplyDeleteBrad Dudley the Auctioneer
Congratulations to all of the inductees! And to Henry "Discombobulating" Jones, you are truly one of a kind! Great job and I can't wait to see you in action on November 1st!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Henry I love you brother. God has truley saw your hard work & trials in/out the ring. I appreaciate all you done for me and all the fighters of our generation. The voice of a living legend with a heart of a lion is within the man we all love. Henry "Discombobulating" Jones
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS LEONARD LANGLEY YOU ARE THE MAN.Al SCOTT IS ONE OF DC GREATEST TRAINERS ASWELL.
ReplyDeleteFor all you new bloggrs let me inform you of this honor that was bestowed upon Derrick "Holmes Sweet Holmes " who was one of the best amatuers in the world not city,world I said and had he not had the troubles, he had, he would have become World Champion ,when Championships were hard to come by.So, Derrick Holmes I salute you for an award way over due to you, you have come back from the perils of hell to become a great Trainer who can teach these young fighters the tricks of the trade, young fighters seek him out you can learn alot......
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let the BATB family know about a class act Perry Ballard and MMA Promoter Lionel Royer pulled on me last night at the MMA card I announced in Winchester, VA (to a standing room only crowd!) During intermission, Ballard came in the cage, literally snatched the mic out of my hand and presented me with a plague, congratulating me on my upcoming inclusion in the DC Boxing Hall Of Fame. Those of you who really know me can tell you I am rarely at a loss for words but last night I was speechless...
ReplyDeletewell, for a few seconds anyway.
The presentation touched my heart and let me know -again- that my 20 yrs of announcing has not been in vain. Thanks fellas, that was nice.
BTW Digital, here's a scoop for you - Promoter Royer has a MMA card set for Sat. Oct. 25th at..the Ibiza Club in DC. Get ready fight fans, this is the real deal with spills, chills, and thrills that may make some of you ill! SERIOUSLY.
Congrats uncle Leon. You've been a great example to all that know you. Enjoy your moment and keep shining your light for all to see. Love you much, Crystal!!!
ReplyDeleteGUESS YOU FORGOT ABOUT ONE OF THE BADDEST BOYS TO EVER COME OUT OF THIS AREA ,DISCOMBOBULATING JONES,THE NAME IS 'DALE STALEY' IF YOU KNEW AS MUCH AS YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO,HIS NAME WOULD OF BEEN UP THERE FROM THE START,DISCOMBOB?CHECK YOURSELF/ KNOW WHAT I MEAN
ReplyDelete' FOGETABOUTIT' OHHHHH
' WALTER'