Friday, May 15, 2009

Is Lange-Rivera Matchup a Possibility?

The great thing about the Beltway Boxing scene is that there are many potential matchups are available. The ideal scenario would be if the bouts took place with something, say a title, were on the line.

Such probably would be the case if two of our 154/160 pounders would meet in the ring. I thank Chris Nicholson, a great writer of boxing and other subjects, for looking into a potential matchup between Jimmy Lange and George Rivera.

Is “Jimmy Lange Vs. George Rivera” On The Horizon?

By Christopher P. Nicholson

It seems like whenever there is a full boxing card, there is an undercard bout that generates nearly as much discussion as the main event. Jimmy Lange’s fight against Grover Wiley at George Mason University’s Patriot Center last November was one of these. As expected, Lange prevailed with a unanimous decision over Wiley, after a rough and tumble battle. But what wasn’t expected and is still being discussed was George Rivera’s victory over Jessie Nicklow.

Just two months prior, Nicklow won a unanimous decision over Rivera in Baltimore, and the smart money was predicting a repeat. Most recently, Rivera won a unanimous decision over Ike Ezeji in Fluvanna, Va., raising Rivera’s record to 10-4, with 3 KO’s.

Then this month, Lange stopped Frank Houghtaling in the fifth round of another Patriot Center main event, winning the WBC USNBC Light Middleweight Title and raising his record to 30-3-2, with 21 KO’s. Ever since, speculation has revolved around a possible Lange-Rivera light middleweight match-up.

But given the technology and tone of the times, much of this speculation has been online, often anonymous as well as personal and, at times, borderline abusive. For every step forward that the Internet has given to the freedom of speech, it has taken two steps back on the freedom to face one’s accusers. And nowhere has this been more evident in the local boxing scene than this “Boxing Along The Beltway” (BATB) blog.

“It is a fine line on which I have tried very hard to balance,” said BATB blogmeister Gary “Digital” Williams. “For a brief time I tried blocking all anonymous postings, but all that achieved was a drastic reduction in comment participation, and a screeching halt to just about any discussion with any spirit.”

Johnny Lange, Jimmy Lange’s father and manager concurs. “While I don’t begrudge anybody’s right to state his or her opinion, it sure is hard to respond to attacks from people hiding behind their anonymous postings. A prime example was the barrage of comments suggesting that we were afraid of George Rivera and were ducking a fight with him. The truth is that I discussed it in depth with Rivera’s camp, shortly after the Nicklow rematch.”

Joe Hensley, head of Major League Boxing and promoter for Rivera, confirms these discussions. “We talked for a while, but the bottom line was that the timing wasn’t right for either of us, and we never got into specifics. But now, George is at his prime and I’d go as far as saying he could take any fighter, not just in the Virginia/Maryland/D.C. area, but in the whole Mid-Atlantic region.

“We would love to meet Jimmy Lange in a Patriot Center bout,” Hensley continued. And there lies the rub. While I.C.E. Promotions has a Jimmy Lange card scheduled at the Patriot Center on September 26th, Lange’s camp would like a possible Lange-Rivera match-up to be earlier.

“We could be ready as early as mid-June,” said Johnny Lange. “Joe [Hensley] has been putting on some super shows in the Greater Charlottesville area, and we’d welcome being part of one of those.”

From Hensley’s perspective, the barrier is purely business. “If it were cost-effective to host Jimmy down here, I’d jump on it in a heartbeat. But I just can’t see that matching up Jimmy and George in a 1,000-seat venue would make financial sense or serve the best interests of either fighter.

“I’ve promoted two shows with the Langes,” continued Hensley. “I made good money both times and have nothing but good things to say about that experience. I would be eager to work with them again if we could make it work from a business perspective, which would probably have to be a larger, Northern Virginia venue like the Patriot Center.”

While Johnny Lange declined to get specific about what would preclude a Jimmy Lange/George Rivera main event on the next Patriot Center card, conventional wisdom centers on two factors. First, those arena shows have been slowly adding national sponsors, which would be more difficult to recruit for a card headed by two local fighters.

But perhaps more significantly, the September 26th card would almost certainly have to be a title defense with a WBC-approved contender. Lange’s Houghtaling win moved his ranking up to number 11. Lange lost his WBC Continental Americas Title Belt due to inactivity, when he had shoulder surgery in 2007. And the chances would be nil of him risking that same fate by taking on a non-title fight in September.

Hensley disputes that WBC sanctioning would be an obstacle for Rivera. “Look, George has gone eight rounds twice, and has had victories over two impressive fighters, Jessie Nicklow and Clarence ‘Sonny Bono’ Taylor. If and when Jonathan Reid gets added to George’s list of quality wins [on June 12th] WBC sanctioning of a Lange/Rivera title fight should be a non-issue.”

As far as Rivera is concerned, he’ll take a closer step toward contender status, literally, with the Reid fight on June 12th in Caroline, Va. Reid was featured with Lange on Season I of The Contender on NBC.

So, back to the question, “Is a Lange vs. Rivera fight on the horizon?” It’s been said that whenever a headline takes the form of a question, you can be sure that the article will not actually answer the question. So the qualified non-answer here would be, “Yes, it’s likely on the horizon, but don’t expect that horizon to appear before June 12th, and probably not before Sept. 26th.”


Chris Nicholson is a full-time independent writer based in Sterling, Va. He can be reached at cpnich@aol.com

132 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lange stops George in 3!

NO VA said...

George is just too damn tuff for Lange. George hurts lange very badly. I advise lange to fight someone else instead. George is just too much of an animal, he will chew jimmy up in 5 rounds.

Anonymous said...

Lange couldnt touch George and George would bust him up. No contest, Rivera hands down unanimous decision or late KO win. Lange would be stupid if he took the fight.

Anonymous said...

Hensley should jump on this fight Rivera has never made much money in any of his fights he would get a good pay day,and he stands a little chance of winning.Although I think it would be a GREAT fight for Virginia it would have to be at the Patriot Center, Rivera couldnt draw enough people to pay for the rental of a large facility and thats a fact ,so team Rivera do the right thing make the fight and let the talk begin...

Anonymous said...

Wow, stupidity is bliss! Any person I'm their right mind that thinks Rivera stands a chance against Lange is ignorant. I would like to see it happen because I love seeing knock outs!

Anonymous said...

Rivera whips him!

Anonymous said...

This is a much more interesting fight than all the bean pickers
Jimmy has been fighting.
The result would be Lange by decision because you wouldn't be able to get Mr Rivera to stay put long enough for Jimmy to land a shot on him.I think people are getting tired of the Jimmy Lange show.None of the other fighters on the card get any play and their all expected to fight tough.

Thats Right

Anonymous said...

Jimmy cant beat him and they all know it. They will never fight Rivera NEVER!

CUJO said...

Well so much for Ridgway fightig on ESPN2, he did not even weigh in!You guys have to try to fabricate people to fight me.All of you haters are disgusting.To even think that this guy could fight me or fight on ESPN2 is a disgrace to our sport.The bottom line is you haters on Rivera,Joe,and I are all jealous.Ridway do not talk to me anymore everyone just seen you are full of shit.Same thing with Nicklow and especially Jeter!Jeter you are a joke, you make comments without putting your name,you call me FAGO,the only fantasies I am having is about you big boy.I know you have a million excuses like you want 60,000 dollars to fight me.And as of today I weigh 164 so guess what shut up about the weight.As far as I am concerned I already own Tony Jeter.

CUJO

Anonymous said...

Cujo, you're barking up the wrong tree. I know Tony & he isn't the one making the comments. It's Ridgeway making all the comments calling your FAGO. I said before he doesn't have any friends or fans. He goes on here an post all the anonymous emails trying to pretend its different people but I guarantee its only him posting like 600 times. No one cares about him he is a mouth looking for attention. Knock Ridgeway out please and shut him up. You are a tough fighter. Don't let that faker punk you.

NOXIOUS said...

Simply put I think Lange would most likely win, although I don't think there's enough for him to gain to make the fight. But George would have a shot, especially if he trained hard. Cujo would beat Jeter! And I would pay to watch it..

Justin Ridgway said...

Guys,

Yep I am a fake, because Joe Njau REFUSED to show up to fight. As far as calling Cujo "FAGO", and posting all that non-sense it is not me. If I write it you know because I post my name on it. Also it does not bother me that I have some spineless anonymous poster writing things that aren't true. I know who you are. At the end of the day I still have a good job, beautiful wife, and some really close friends. As far as Cujo is concerned he has to come onto a blog about a real fighter like Jimmy Lange to post his bull shit, because no one would read the comments if it said Cujo vs. whoever. I would like to see this fight. I think Jimmy is a great guy, and why shouldn't he keep getting wins? He gives all of us younger fighters a chance to fight on a large venue in front of a lot of people.

Justin Ridgway

Anonymous said...

Rivera might have his hands full with Reed but if he gets past him I think he should fight Lang.

Anonymous said...

This speculation puts a whole new light on the Rivera/Reid fight. George has not much to gain and everything to lose.

Sure, Jonathan Reed was on TV, but he lost on TV. (Jimmy Lange lost too, but he came back to win the fan favorite bout, and there is a pretty good chance that the opponent he lost to was on the juice.)

But more importantly, Reid has lost 10 of his last 11 bouts. If Reid's comeback begins with a Rivera victory, Rivera would be lucky to even get a Nicklow rematch.

Anonymous said...

Rivera is walking the tight rope with Reed but he needs that win to fight someone like Lang. Thats a win over Nicklowe and a win over Reed and those wins are as impressive as anyone on Langs record. I say make the fight I want to see it!

Anonymous said...

FAGO,

You have a big mouth and cant fight a lick.

Anonymous said...

MR Ridgeway
Quit swinging from the Langes
Testicles.

Anonymous said...

Wartime,
Focus on the task at hand. Get past the first task with a Victory then look to the next. I see you making moves to the top. Stay focus.

Rome

Anonymous said...

lange is over rated George you can beat him.

Anonymous said...

george get past this reid guy. then knock the over rate lange out.

Anonymous said...

I would love to see Lange vs Rivera that would be a great fight.

Anonymous said...

ridgeway shut up your a bummmmmmm. I think you like to hear yourself talk. your not part of the matchup ?

Anonymous said...

Rivera stops Lannge in 4

Anonymous said...

Get em George! Knock him out George! Knock him out!

Anonymous said...

It would be a great fight for the DMV area but I know George would knock Lange out.Johnny is not going to take that fight

Anonymous said...

All this bullshit about Rivera knocking Lange out is nothing more than both camps trying to give some legitimacy to the fight.
People on here always trying to use this site to promote.

Anonymous said...

Rivera couldn't punch a whole in a paper bag! Let alone knock Jimmy out!

Anonymous said...

Ask Jesse Nicklowe if Rivera couldnt punch a hole in a paper bag! Nicklowe had some flash knockdowns before Rivera but nobody hurt him like Rivera. Plus its harder to miss Lang than it is to hit him. Rivera will knock Lang out. You will see in September.

Anonymous said...

Stop getting on here trying to promote under ANONYMOUS MR Hensley. George couldn't beat Rodney Green why do you think he can beat Jimmy?

Eddy Poinelli said...

In regards to all this talk about “Jimmy Lange vs. George Rivera”, the fact is George Rivera is a quality fighter as is Jimmy Lange. I have taken pictures of both fighters in action and if there is any question in which fighter out-classes the other, why not have Joe Hensley Major League Promotions set up and promote the fight.
If Lange turns him down that may be an indication that he fears Rivera. But I think the fight should be in George’s backyard rather than Jimmy’s and let Major League Boxing show everyone that it is truly a major league promotional force .
Your responses are welcome.
Hey Joe, let’s get it on!

Eddy Poinelli

Brian said...

Not a bad match regionally. Together with a strong undercard, it could be a fantastic night of Boxing.

Must be a bigger venue, the interest in it and the buzz created may result in big numbers to see the show!

It also could do wonders for NOVA boxing, it could bring all the factions together to work together.

Anonymous said...

What makes this a good fight. Lange is a main event fighter and George is a four to six round fighter at best.

Anonymous said...

how many rounds would this fight be

Anonymous said...

10 at least. Possibly 12. When a regional title is on the line it can be 10 or 12.

Anonymous said...

i can't believe george hasn't commented yet. george, i know you know about this on the batb blog.

Anonymous said...

Yeah yeah yeah ridgeway everyones afraid of you except no one has even heard of you unles they here you tlaking about yourself or coming onto this website. You should just disapear or maybe cujo wil beat your ass in the ring.

Anonymous said...

Is jesse nickalow fighting on espn this friday night

Anonymous said...

Nope, he got wise to the game. He's not fighting the Cuban.

Justin Ridgway said...

Whoever left that last post trying to bash me, might want to learn proper grammar and spell correctly.

unles- unless

here should have been HEAR.

Disapear- disappear

tlaking- talking

wil- will

If Cujo could and Joe thought he could he would take it. You may not have heard of me, but once you see me fight ou will know me!

Thank you,

Justin Ridgway

Anonymous said...

Ridgeway is a fake!!!

0-1 MMA

1-0 Boxing
against a bum that held back.

No amateur fights, no friends, no fans, huge mouth. Cujo wuld eat him alive unless its a lying an making up stories about himself contest!

Anonymous said...

And most of all no talent!

Anonymous said...

Yep I'm a bum, 0-1,655 fights with no talent and Calvin felt bad for me so be didn't knock me out and just let beat the piss out of him, but at least I have the balls to post MY NAME on what I write, and also to actually fight if someone where to get called out when I was running my mouth. I know who is writing that shit and that person is a broke piece of shit who will never amount to anything, and is also a coward who doesn't have the balls to put their name on their shit they post. Granted that there are a handful of good and honest people on here. I honestly don't care what you say or think because YOU HAVE NO HONOR, and we both know what that means. Unless you have the courage to post your name when you're trying to bash someone, you might as well give up because it shows you feel intimidated and/ or a two faced piece of trash!

Justin

Anonymous said...

Dude no way you have 655 fights, no way. The Cubans who have fought all of their lives dont even have 4 hundred. You just lost mad credibility, and it dont matter who leaves their names, you lying man

Anonymous said...

Thats good old Joe Hensley starting shit posting under Justings name. Everybody knows Joe is ANONYMOUS.

Anonymous said...

i was saying i lost one thousand one hundred and sixty five fights! that i am a bum like everyone keeps saying.

Justin

Anonymous said...

it was a smart ass statement to all the people that were talking bad about him! how can you not understand that? it says he won ZERO out of 1,655 fights! it was a sarcastic statement! YO J, don't let these people bother you!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, 655 fights. You're the man alright. Do you have any teeth left? Or did you knock them all out in the first round? Yeah, of course you did. Greatest fighter ever that no one can find any information on whatsoever. You are a liar and a fraud. Not sure what your angle is or if your just desperate for attention and sit in front of a computer all day.

Anonymous said...

glad to see the jackass who left that that last comment can read the two post right before his!

Anonymous said...

No, that wasn't good old Joe Hensley but this is good old Joe Hensley and I haven't said one thing on this thread until now. And to my anonymous basher, I know that it's you Tony Jeter and I don't sweat you for a second! You're afraid to fight anybody with a pulse and everybody in boxing knows it! When I put that show together for your promotion last year you wouldn't even fight guys like John Terry! If you ever want to fight Cujo, let me know. Cujo wants a big piece of you! If not, stop wasting my time by taking shots at me under the guise of anonymity.

Justin Ridgway, I don't have a problem with you. I haven't spoken to you in about a month and that was when you called me on the phone. I know that it wasn't you that was saying those things about me on the blog. I know it was Tony Jeter. Get a few more fights and then maybe I can talk to Scott Farmer about making a fight between you and Cujo. Just give it a little time. You're okay with me.

Now, on to what this post is really about. The possibility of a Rivera-Lange matchup. I really like the sound of that and I'm glad people are talking about it. George Rivera can fight his you know what off! He's a very versatile fighter who is not limited to one style. He can box, he can punch, he can move, and he's got size. At his best he will be a tough matchup for anybody in boxing. At his best I am very confident of George's chances against Jimmy Lange. And that's not meant as disrespect to Jimmy, Johnny or anyone else in the Lange camp. Fighters fight, that's what they do. Promoters promote, that's what we do. I know that Johnny is confident in Jimmy just as I am confident in George. It's just business, that's all. I would love to make that fight for September 26th at The Patriot Center. Hopefully we can make it happen. If it's not George on September 26th then it will be somebody else. But that doesn't mean Jimmy is afraid to fight George. I'm sure he's not, he's a tough hombre. And George isn't afraid to fight Jimmy either.

George has a huge fight coming up on June 12th against Jonathan Reid. If George slips up against Reid then there is no need to even talk about a Lange fight. I think George will do what he needs to do on June 12th and he will have beaten Jonathan Reid, Jesse Nicklow, and Clarence "Sonny Bono" Taylor. The WBC would definitely sanction George to fight for the Continental America's Title at that point and I think it would be a heck of a fight!

Thanks,

Joe Hensley

Brian said...

September 26th at Mason. Might be worth the 20 miunute drive. Solid co-feature may make it a great night. Could we see Jeter against Sigmon on this as well!!!!!!!!!

But in order to probably get on the show you may have to make a no win situation deal

Anonymous said...

Joe Hensley is Anonymous.

Anonymous said...

hey jessie when are you going to
fight somebody with a name
you are 19-1 now you have to
prove your self before you get paid

Anonymous said...

yea i just seen a kid
beat john macky with seven or eight
fights can you and your camp
beat macky with 19 wins

Anonymous said...

i wish the f--- he would step
in the ring with me i'll take the
McCallar lost out on him just
because he's from baltimore

JOHN MACKEY

Anonymous said...

CUJO make 160 and i guarentee Jessie fights you and stops you.

Anonymous said...

CUJO why you keep calling out these little fighters? Jessie has never even weighed 160lbs before for a fight. Fight some1 at you weight (Willie Williams, Henry Mayes, Mark tucker) they will all beat you....easily

cujo said...

I have not posted on this thread someone else signed my name.

CUJO

Anonymous said...

well the question remains...why dont you fight any of the fighter s listed above? Jeter's a sissy he will never fight any1 that can fight a little, so hang that up.

Anonymous said...

Joe Hensley is Anonymous.

Anonymous said...

it aint Joe

Anonymous said...

Mark Tucker is the one fighter that needs to face a real fighter and I am here and ready to make it happen. Mark I have called you out and still waiting for an answer? You Nicklow and Jeter disgust me.

This message is approved by CUJO

Anonymous said...

Anybody who knows me, knows that I don’t use computers let alone know how to write something on a blog. But based on conservations with many people in the boxing community, I felt compelled to respond to Joe Hensley’s statement on this blog regarding a possible George Rivera – Jimmy Lange fight.

I’m glad Joe’s confidence in George Rivera has rocketed to the level of his statement. And confidence is something that George would desperately need. Regarding the statement by Joe -- “I would love to make that fight for September 26th at The Patriot Center” -- is a little confusing because that date has been reserved by Ice Promotions.

For the record in February 2009, I directly approached Joe concerning a two-fight deal asking him to let Jimmy fight on his March 2009 card as he needed the work. We offered to fight for next to nothing. The second part of the deal was that George and Jimmy would face each other at the Patriot Center on May 2, 2009. Joe said for Jimmy to fight on his card, it didn’t make “economic sense” which puzzled me. Maybe what he really meant was that he didn’t want Jimmy to steal the thunder from his event. At any rate I didn’t question his decision and we dropped the subject.

Now looking ahead to September 26, George would be willing and able, as well as having developed into a world class talent, to ride Jimmy’s coat tails into a title fight at the area’s largest venue. I wonder if George would fight Jimmy for the $1,000 purse which I suggested for Jimmy for the proposed March fight earlier this year. This very well may be an interesting fight, as I take nothing away from George and know that George would fight to the best of his ability. However, George will never fight again on an Ice Promotions event. If Joe is really interested in seeing George fight Jimmy on September 26 at the Patriot Center, I am sure that Ice Promotions would be willing to give up this date so that Major League Boxing can promote the event. Obviously, certain contractual obligations regarding Jimmy’s purse would have to be agreed upon prior to this situation happening. Then this event would have Joe Hensley’s name on it entirely. It’s my guess that even though Ice Promotions, myself and the rest of our team would not only welcome this Rivera-Lange fight, but guarantee that Jimmy would be ready for someone who can box, punch, move and who is the size of George Rivera as Jimmy is always in top shape.

So as they say, the ball is now in your court Joe. Please contact JD Brown with your intentions so that we can, as Mills Lane would say, “Let’s Get It On!” Another favorite phrase would be “Put Up or Shut Up.” But whatever your decision, you have the respect of our entire camp as any dealings with you that we’ve allowed to take place have always been pleasant as well as profitable for you. I just wish that you could have seen last March as a small step for bigger opportunities and events to take place with us.

Joe, hope this finds you and your family well. Good luck with your upcoming event.

Johnny Lange

Anonymous said...

Well to me that sounds like a deal you can't pass up Joe. Unless!!!!

Anonymous said...

Joe, there you go. Put up or shut up. Why couldn’t you get Jimmy on your show? Haven’t they helped you out in the past? But that is the kind of scum bag you are. I know you haven’t been in boxing long but you need to remember it is a small community and you burn one person it will get around.

Anonymous said...

To Johnny Lange: (Part 1 I exceed the maximum number of characters allowed by blogger)

Why are you trying to needle my fighter? Why would you question George's confidence in an insulting manner? That's my fighter! I've never said anything about your son so you better back off with that crap right now!

Now as far as this two fight deal goes, where was that ever discussed? In the fantasy land of your brain! We NEVER talked about a two fight deal. Here's what we discussed and here's a quote from Johnny Lange:

"I want to get Jimmy on your card. We'll fight in a small club down there but we ain't doing it up here! And we ain't selling no god damn tickets and we ain't staying in no rat trap motel. And we got to be the Main Event."

Now what kind of crap is that Johnny? I mean really, get a clue already.

You went on to say:

"They talk about Jimmy fighting George on Boxing Along The Beltway and that kind of rankles me a little bit."

The tone you were using was an insulting one and you were insinuating that Jimmy is so much better than George that it was like, how dare people mention George Rivera in the same breath as the Great Jimmy Lange!

And then you went on to say:

"We've got to have Dundee in the corner and we've got to have Jackie (Kallen) there too."

And you wanted me to pay for all that in addition to paying Jimmy for being on the show. I'm not just talking about their travel, you wanted me to pay them the appearance fees that they normally get as well.

You also said, "We'll beat George Rivera seven days a week and twice on Sundays."

When you said that I just listened and let you talk but it was a very disrespectful thing to say. It's also wrong. George will beat Jimmy, I am 100% certain of that. I think you know that too.

In your post you said something about:

"Jimmy stealing the thunder from my event".

What was that all about? Hey listen, if there is a person in every seat, and I've made a profit at the end of the night, and nobody gets hurt, then I'm a happy man. I don't have a problem with Jimmy fighting on my show but apparently Johnny Lange has a problem with George Rivera fighting on his show because in your post you said:

"George will never again fight on an Ice Promotions event."

It's your world there Boss, whatever you say Big Boss Man Johnny Lange! Yes Sir Mr. Lange! Whatever you say Pops!

Continued on next post.......

Anonymous said...

To Johnny Lange (part 2)

Really Johnny, the whole tone of your post is insulting. You have insulted my fighter, you have insulted my company, and you have insulted me. And at the end of your post you give me a backhanded compliment, i.e. another insult, by saying:

"you have the respect of our entire camp as any dealings with you that we’ve allowed to take place have always been pleasant as well as profitable for you."

See, what that really means is this. Johnny Lange thinks he's better than me, simple as that.

"dealings ...... we've allowed to take place" -- see what I mean here people? Do you see the arrogance? They allowed little old me, Joe Hensley, to deal with him, The Great Johnny Lange!

"pleasant as well as profitable for YOU" -- What Johnny Lange means is that it was pleasant and profitable for me and not for HIM! It wasn't always pleasant but I did make some money that's for sure.

You tell me to call J.D. Brown to make the fight. Listen, I like J.D. he's a great guy and a historic figure in boxing but if we are going to make this fight I'm dealing with you directly. You're the man and I want to deal directly with the man. Face to face over a cup of coffee and we can get this fight done. You know the place in Fredericksburg, we met there a couple of times before.

And finally, you tell me to "put up or shut up!" Johnny Lange I do not put up with any man, great or small, short or tall, that tells me to shut up. But I've got a saying for you, "If you're scared, say you're scared!"

Now, I have a fight to promote on June 12th between George Rivera and Jonathan Reid. If George gets past The Contender in Reid then we want another Contender in Lange! Clarence "Sonny Bono" Taylor, Jesse Nicklow, and Jonathan Reid are better than any three names you will find on Jimmy Lange's resume.

And finally I will leave you with this:

Mr. Johnny Lange, I know you are a great and important man but if you would be so kind sir as to give me an appointment with yourself on Saturday June 13th at 12PM at our usual meeting spot in Fredericksburg, VA. It would be a great honor if you would allow me to buy you a cup of coffee and we can discuss a possible pugilistic match between George Rivera and Jimmy Lange at a date and place to be determined sometime in the year 2009. It would be such a boost to a common man such as myself if I could be seen in a public setting with one as great, wise, and powerful as Mr. Johnny Lange. I hope you can make time for me sir.

Both posts, part 1 and part 2, were written by me - Joe Hensley

Thanks,

Joe Hensley

Anonymous said...

Tony Jeter, I may be fat but I can always lose weight! You're ugly as hell, twice as dumb, and can't fight even a little bit! Sign your name big boy. Take some puberty pills, let 'em drop, grow a set, and sign your name!

Joe Hensley

cujo said...

I have not commented on this post except to defend that I have not posted.But I can tell you who has signed my name Tony "Bed Wetter" Jeter.Jeter stop trying to take my attention elsewhere, your judgement approaches.

Anonymous said...

Green River is coming for you FAGO!

Anonymous said...

Damn Johnny I guess the BALLS are in your court. What you gonna do?

Anonymous said...

More like Fruity River... Hahahaha!

Anonymous said...

FAGO and Joe are scum bags. They have shown there true colors.

Anonymous said...

That's Bed Wetter, as in Tony "Bed Wetter" Jeter has nighmares about Cujo and then, well, you know.........

Anonymous said...

WOW Joe!I think that qualifies as a TIZZY FIT!!!

Anonymous said...

How bout Tony "The Mo Better Bed Wetter" Jeter?

Hahaha!

Anonymous said...

I feel it deep, deep down in my plums. There a blueish hue. Time to take 'em to the farmer's market!

Anonymous said...

Is a Jimmy Lange/George Rivera Match-Up a Possibilty?My question is whether this would occur before or after a Johnny Lange/Joe Hensley Match-Up?

Anonymous said...

Joe Hensley is a disgrace for the Virginia boxing scene for the way he conducts himself. He lowers himself into a name calling match along side his fighter Scott Sigmon. Disgraceful!

Anonymous said...

Hey Johnny and Joe.
Is that coffee date open to the public?

Anonymous said...

You've missed the point Mr. Anonymous. And if you tell me that you're not missing the point, then you're not involved in the business of boxing. See, I get along with EVERYBODY in boxing except for two people: 1) Don Elbaum - because he ripped me off and 2) Tony Jeter - because he always wants to knock out "some bum" and won't fight anybody with a pulse. Listen, when I put the show together for Tony Jeter last year I went through at least 20 guys before we could come to an agreement on any one of them. It was a disgrace and I was ashamed of being part of making his match. When you make a match, you have to get it approved by a boxing commissioner. And in Maryland the commissioner is one of the two best commissioners in boxing, the very capable Pat Pannella. I am not going to put my reputation on the line and present a guy who can't even go two rounds with a guy like Jeter and tell Pannella, "Hey, this guy can fight a little bit" when I know that the guy can't fight a lick. I'm not going to compromise my integrity or reputation by doing something like that. Like I said, he wouldn't even fight John Terry. At that's not meant as a slight to John, he's a tough guy. But Tony Jeter wouldn't fight John Terry because Tony knew he couldn't knock him out. Anyway, back to my point which is I don't get along with Don Elbaum and Tony Jeter. Well Don Elbaum's ripped off everybody not just me and he's not posting along BATB so it's got to be Jeter saying those things about me. But Tony is doing it under the guise of anonymity. And nobody else around here likes Jeter, I'm not the only one. He has zero respect in the Maryland, DC, and Virginia area. And I'm not going to just sit by and let Tony Jeter make his comments about me. I know it's him. I was concerned that if someone read my comments, and they didn't know me, then they may think this or that about me. But if you're involved in the boxing business then we've probably already dealt with each other and you know what type of guy I am. If you're a fan reading this and you don't know me, you are entitled to your opinion, but at least sign a name to your post just as I have, and Cujo has, and Johnny Lange has.

Thanks,

Joe Hensley

Anonymous said...

And one more thing Mr. Anonymous. Scott Farmer, Johnny Lange, and myself carry Virginia Boxing on our backs and with our bank accounts! Take pot shots at me if you will, but sign your name. And oh yeah, buy a ticket would you?

Johnny Lange and I will work this out. I like the man. But I'm not taking any crap from him or anybody else either.

Thanks,

Joe Hensley

Anonymous said...

Joe,

You are making yourself look more and more like a arrogant person who wants everybody and everything to revolve around good old Joe Hensley. You are like a fat little spoiled kid who didn’t get his way and throws a tantrum.

PS Joe grow up!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, sign your name? I know it's Tony Jeter, so sign your name already.

Joe Hensley

Anonymous said...

Joe Hensly is ANONYMOUS. Pass it on

Anonymous said...

You've got that one line Jeter, and it is pretty funny. But I guess you just don't want to reveal to the world that it's you making the comments. Oh well.

Joe Hensley

Anonymous said...

Shut up Joe

Anonymous said...

Joe Hensly is ANONYMOUS. Pass it onAnd Johnny Lange is "Chris Nicholson."

Seriously, take a look on Boxrec and see if you can find any Chris Nicholsons who have ever been boxers...or managers...or trainers...or refs......

I've been in this business nearly 30 years and never heard of him anywhere except here.

Gary Digital Williams said...

If you all would take the time to read the posts from beginning to end, a lot of your questions would be answered.

Chris Nicholson is not and has not been a boxer. You wasted a boatload of time searching Boxrec for his name.

As it CLEARLY said on the article, Chris is a free lance writer, who I've known personally for a number of years. Trust me on this one. He is legitimate.

Anonymous said...

Okay, here's the deal. I can promote the fight between George Rivera and Jimmy Lange. But I also have three dates reserved with the commission and will probably add another two before the end of the year. It all depends on the Rivera fight with Reid on June 12th. I'm confident in George, I think he will beat Reid, but it's going to be one hell of a fight. After that, Johnny Lange and I can sit down and talk. And I'm serious about our meeting spot, date, time, etc. I'll even invite Jimmy and Johnny down to my little club show on June 12th. Ya'll come on down now fellers! It's only about an hour fifteen from Northern VA so don't worry Johnny, you won't have to stay in some "rat trap motel". If Johnny will be reasonable, we can get the fight done. And it will be one hell of a fight. And this is as true as true can be. Jimmy Lange is one hell of a fighter. He's as tough as they come, he's in absolutely tremendous shape, and he will fight to the absolute finish. And I don't have a problem with Johnny, I kind of like the man. But I will not be talked down to by any man walking God's Green Earth! And I certainly take offense when you talk about my fighters. Jimmy is your son, I would never say anything derogatory about him. George Rivera and the rest of the fighters I promote are like my sons. And I will go to war for those guys! It's not going to be an easy night for George Rivera when he fights Jimmy Lange. But I know George Rivera and I know what George Rivera has inside of him. And I know George Rivera has what it takes to beat Jimmy Lange. And I know that George Rivera will prepare for that fight in the correct manner and there is absolutely, positively no way that Jimmy Lange can beat George Rivera! And as sure as the sky is blue and the earth is round, that's just the way it is!

Remember Johnny, June 12th come on down to the show, bring a video recorder if you want to, camera, cell phone with video capability, take notes, whatever. I'll give you guys the best seats in the house! June 13th 12PM, our Fredericksburg meeting spot and let's get this deal done. Or as you say, "Let's Get It On" or as you also say, "PUT UP OR SHUT UP!"

Thanks,

Joe Hensley

Anonymous said...

Marsha says, 3 years ago I had never seen a boxing match and was invited to a Jimmy Lange fight at the Patriot Center. I became an instant boxing fan as well as a Jimmy Lange fan. I would like to respond to a blog by Joe Hensley a person who is obviously a boxing want to be; you seem to be obsessed by a blog that Johnny Lange Posted to you. I find comments to Johnny and about Jimmy an obvious jealous rage on your behalf. I have found out you own a Company called Major League Promotions, maybe you should re-name it T-Ball for Tots as it's plain to see you are far from the Major Leagues; in hopes this finds you nestled securely in your room cuddling your TEDDY BEAR. Stop crying take your medication and every thing will be okay.

Anonymous said...

That's pretty funny! Thanks Marsha.

Anonymous said...

Marsha,

Which fight did you come to of Jimmy Lange's at The Patriot Center? Was it the fight between Jimmy Lange and Tommy Wilt? Or maybe it was the fight between Jimmy Lange and Fontaine Cabell (their first fight). If so, I promoted both of those fights. I have a history with the Lange's and we have done good business together. I know Johnny Lange very well and I know all of this was by his design. Of course he wants Jimmy to fight George Rivera. He would have never agreed to the interview with Chris Nicholson if not for that fact. Johnny Lange is a smart man, and in many ways I have a lot of respect for him. But I don't kiss anybody's you know what, not Johnny Lange's, not Santa Claus's, not anybodys! But I've got a few tricks up my sleeve as well and I am nobody's mark! Marsha, let me ask you one question? If and when Johnny Lange and I get this fight done between George Rivera and Jimmy Lange will you buy a ticket to come watch the fight? Exactly! That's what this is all about Marsha. I'm harmless. By the way, thanks for reminding me to take my meds! I can taste those pills right now!

Thanks,

Joe Hensley

Anonymous said...

Joe Hensley is Marsha

Anonymous said...

Joe...take it easy big guy. Not cool to scare fans away...even those in your own mind.

This has to be the screwiest bunch of bunk on BATB!

Anonymous said...

Not only is Hensley anonymous, but he might as well be Johnny's Jilted wanna be girlfriend!

Take it easy big guy...you will get over this...breathe... there is a bigger picture than this moment, but at this point that's up to you.

Anonymous said...

Seriously folks,

Has this blog ever seen so much RAH RAH here without the common denominator being Joe Hensley?

Yeah he signs his name sometimes. Read the blogs though...you can see the wannabe promoter that is only a blog puppet master.

Anyone with any sense sees between his lines.

Anonymous said...

I did not ask Chris Nicholson to do the article asking whether a George Rivera-Jimmy Lange fight was a possibility. I'm glad he wrote it, but I didn't ask him to do it. If Johnny Lange didn't want the fight, he would have never given Chris Nicholson any quotes, you can best believe that. The story would have died right then and there. I have also never commented on this blog anonymously, I have always written my name. Of course I want to make the fight between George Rivera and Jimmy Lange. That's what this is all about. And I'm not a wannabe promoter, I am a promoter. Listen, this is Virginia, it's not Vegas and these fights aren't going to be on HBO. But like I said before, you can go back 5 years and see the figures behind the scenes that are carrying the sport on their backs and with their wallets in the state of Virginia. And those people are Johnny Lange, Scott Farmer, and Joe Hensley. And Han Kim has done a fair number of shows in Virginia as well. Can't forget him. I'm no wannabe promoter, I've promoted two of Jimmy Lange's fights and I'll promote a third one if we can make the fight between Jimmy and George Rivera.

Thanks,

Joe Hensley

Anonymous said...

Didn't you have a chance to promote a fight with Johnny?
Case closed.
Get those panties untwisted and put them under the spigot if you want them to be wet again. I don't think this approach is happening for you whether you do/don't sign your name.

My advice is If you was in your shoes right now you should distance yourself as far from your feet as you could.

Anonymous said...

There you go Joe! Good start. that's what I am talking about. Glad you hear me.

Anonymous said...

Whats a spigot? Is that a bigot that doesnt like Spanish people?

Anonymous said...

Joe Hensley is a scum bag. He has proven it over and over again. He loves to stir the pot. Why is it that Joe tries to make all of these blogs somehow about him and his guys?!?! Joe, no one cares about what you think.

Bob Jackson said...

I hope this fight with Rivera and Lange can be made, I think it will be good for the fans ,I live in Williamsburg ,and as a fan I would drive up to see that fight.Were is this show you have on June 12 Mr. Hensley will it be a big production like the last fight I attended at the Patriot Center,I was most impressed with the promotion or a club fight like the one's we have down here in norfolk.

Anonymous said...

I hope the fight happens. They should call it bad blood with the main event being Lange vs. Rivera, and on the undercard Joe Hensley ( aka Mr Anonymos) vs. Tony Jeter, and Ridgeway vs. Sigmon. That makes for one hell of a night of fights.

Anonymous said...

Who is Joe Hensley?

Anonymous said...

Screw Johnny Lange. Everybody knows hes the biggest scum bag in boxing.

Anonymous said...

Who is more of a scum bag? Johnny or Joe.

Anonymous said...

Bob,

Our show on June 12th will be held at The Virginia Sports Complex in Caroline, VA. Being that you're from Williamsburg, you may be familiar with The Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex, an indoor soccer/hockey/basketball facility. The Virginia Sports Complex is very similar to that and it holds about 1,200 people. I hope you can make it! Tickets are on sale now at www.MajorLeagueBoxing.com (Hope you don't mind Digital).

Thanks,

Joe Hensley

Anonymous said...

I hope the fight happens too. They ought to call it Put Up Or Shut Up! Bad Blood is good too.

Anonymous said...

Joe, Other than this blog as yourself and anon how are you close to really working on actually making this match a reality?

If NADA, then let go and move on.

So far it sounds as about as moot as moot can be. So unless you and Johnny are working a new weird BATB angle to garner attention and it's been a done deal all along, let it go. And if You two are playing with this forum. SIGH, get an event planner PLEASE. We want to go look at other things like the latest T Ball scores.

Anonymous said...

hey jessie i watch that cuban
fight last night and he is very over
rated you would have beat that bum
his 300 am fights sound good but
he had to many am fights last night
was your time to shine regardless
of the pay take the fight prove
your self then when you get the next
call tell them what you want you say you are christian then fear no man
other than GOD

Anonymous said...

jessie 19-1
vs
martin wright 10-0
john mackey 11-3
cecil McCallar 7-0
james stevenson 8-0
tim coleman 15-1
jason champion 4-4
linwood dozier 5-0
joshua snyder 8-3
ismail arvin 15-1
emanuel taylor 1-o

oh yea jason champion and
joshua snyder was robbed so you
can start with rematching them
now everybody watch how jessie
and his camp bullshit around
all of these guys with a lesser
record the kid has no heart

Anonymous said...

you got that right

JOSH HALL

Anonymous said...

Not nearly as bad as your last 2 nasty racial posts. Good thing you remembered to sign anonymous Joe.

Anonymous said...

sorry make that your last 4 posts Joe.

Anonymous said...

Then again Joe, don't bother. Everyone knows when you write anyway.

Anonymous said...

Then again Joe, don't bother. Everyone knows when you write anyway.Joe said that he doesn't post anonymously. I belive him and here is why. For one, Joe has availed himself of higher eductation, which is not something most of the anonymous postings indicate.

But more importantly, most of the anonymous postings are a snarky sentence or two. Anybody who has read Joe's signed posts or who has met him personally will confirm that Joe is incapable of even saying "hello," in just a sentence or two.

Anonymous said...

Whatever you say Joe.

Anonymous said...

I'm going to respond to a couple of these posts and then I'm pretty much done until after the George Rivera-Jonathan Reid fight on June 12th.

Regarding Anonymous that said are we going to make this match a reality. The answer to that one is yes, I believe we are going to make the George Rivera-Jimmy Lange match a reality and I think it will happen before the end of the year.

You also insinuated that I posted anonymously. For about the 1,000th time, I have never posted anonymously on this blog. I have always signed my name. You've read the things I have signed my name to on this site. I have no need to hide under the shroud of anonymity or use a nickname when I post something.

And finally you alluded that perhaps Johnny Lange and I were in cahoots on this whole thing and that we are playing with the readers of this forum. Nothing could be further from the truth. Chris Nicholson decided to write the article and Digital Williams decided to post the article on his site. And I am truly glad they did. I had nothing to do with any of this other than give Chris quotes for the article and the subsequent posts and comments contained herein. Johnny Lange did the same. And based on what has been said, he wants the fight, I want the fight, the fighters want the fight, and the public wants the fight. This is all 100% legitimate. It is not a "weird BATB angle to garner attention". It's not a done deal but this is the real deal, I can assure you.

Regarding the string of anonymous posts that said I've made those posts anonymously. For the last time, it's not me, what else can I tell you, it's not me. I've told you before that it's Tony Jeter that keeps putting me down. And he can say whatever he wants to say about me or anyone else but at least have the backbone to sign your name. He keeps saying "Joe Hensley is anonymous, pass it on". Actually, Tony Jeter is the anonymous one.

And finally, thank you to the anonymous post that said they know it's not me posting anonymously because of the length of my posts and the way my posts are written. I can be a little verbose at times when I'm trying to get my point across (in case you haven’t noticed).

Thanks,

Joe Hensley

Anonymous said...

I'm a divorced mother of 2 and I have been following Jimmy Lange
since the year 2000. I've seen most of his fights & the funny thing is its the only thing my ex, my kids & I still do together. I
respectfully say if George Rivera
were fighting across the street from where I live its doubtful it
would interest me but the excitement that Jimmy Lange creates
on any venue is great entertainment
for me, my kids & my ex. Its one of the few things we both agree on.
With that being said Rivera fighting
anyone doesnt interest me. I would buy a ticket to see Jimmy
Lange enter the ring even if all he did was look at the crowd & burp. So whoever Joe Hensley is I think hes kidding himself when he says people would come to see Rivera fight Lange. The truth is people would come to see Lange
fight anybody
ALMA, Washington D.C.

Anonymous said...

Alma, other than going anywhere
with my ex- husband, you hit the nail on the head. Jimmy Lange has made me a boxing fan too. I know who Joe
Hensley is and his sarcasm along with his big shot approach and doesn't take any crap from anyone
attitude kind of makes you wonder
if he doesn't have a touch of the
"Napoleon" syndrome?
Thelma in Fredricksburg
PS Good luck with your barn burner
on June 12 Joe

Anonymous said...

Joe you just keep falling back into it, just let them say what they say and be done with it. " Just when I think I'm done they pull me back in"

NOXIOUS said...

Anyone who doesn't think George is exciting definitely missed Rivera vs. Nicklow I. The first fight is the most exiting fight I've witnessed live. But I have witnessed boring Rivera fights since. If Rivera vs. Lange is made I would come as a Rivera fan even though I wouldn't bet on him to win.

Anonymous said...

Rivera would be the underdog but it would be a smart money bet. He will win the fight.

Anonymous said...

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL JIMMY VS MY BROTHER, I JUST WATCHED JIMMY VIDEO HE WILL LOSE IN THE FIRST ROUND HE'S TOO WEAK FOR GEORGE ALL JIMMY IS A COME UP I AM NOT IN SHAPE AND I COULD BEAT HIM WIT ONE POUNCH. GEORGE AND I FOUGHT ALL OUR LIVES GROWING UP IN THE MEAN STREETS IN HARLEM TO THE COUNTRY IN VA WE COULD LOOK AT PEOPLE AND KNOW IF WE COULD BEAT THEM OR NOT. THE NATURAL TALENT WE HAVE CANNOT BE TRAINED, EVERYTHING JIMMY KNOWS ABOUT FIGHTING HE WAS TAUGHT, GEORGE HAS SOMETHING YOU CAN'T TEACH.

Anonymous said...

joe is rite about jimmy.. hes a
bum and so is his father. Rivera
knocks him out in 3. Good work joe
looks like you shut johnny up and
scared him off...he hasn't answered
any of your offers and jimmy belongs with the rest of the D.C.
fighters
George is better than jimmys class.

Anonymous said...

What does that mean "scared him off"?

No fight between them?

Did you blow that one too Joe running your mouth puttin Georges' rep and opportunity on the line? Or did you know it was never a go, but thought you would ride those coattails and get your blog promotional presence out there?

Shame to bring it to the wrestling level Joe aka as the guy that "never" posts anonymously.

Anonymous said...

The rest of the DC fighters? Have you lost your mind? Peterson Brothers. Purcell Miller. On and on and on. Jimmy's a VA fighter anyway, but this cheap "I'm a promoter via BATB blog smokescreen is ridiculous."


George can stand on his own and do well without all this bullshit about area fighters. It will be an honor for him if he can get to first base with Lange in spite of Hensley's bungling attempts.

Joe, You have gold in your hands. If you don't know how to properly promote it, let go and let it prosper in a professional's hands.

Anonymous said...

Yeah...I would pay $200 to see a match between Johnny Lange and Joe Hensley.

Anonymous said...

It's working Joe Hensley.
They don't know but I do.

Anonymous said...

Tried to contact Jimmy Langes people for his take on all this.
Maybe he's hiding from George "mean streets of harlem"
Rivera.
Wonder why he's afraid to comment?
Go get em George.

anonymous said...

yo i am tired of hearing about jimmy lange. give him a title shot. where is joey gilbert, so can knock lange out again. jimmy lange. i know some amateurs who will smack lange up. jimmy, leave a number. i know some kids who want a piece of you. you got cash. if they bloody you or drop you, you pay. the hunt for jimmy lange inside the boxing ring is now on. you dont want none.

Anonymous said...

wait a minute,last anonymous challenger.I happen to know JL,and I happen to have his personal cell.Now,aside having not enough respect for yourself or race to learn proper grammer.I would like to make a point.You claim several young amateurs want to smack Lange up,or drop him.And if this occures,Lange should pay these youngsters money.The question is how much money is backing these tots,should the unthinkable happen,and JL swats these toddlers back to grammer school,to work on their writing skills.who pays jl or some who bet on him?That is what i wanna know.Can a young fella make some money on this?Or is it just more Aint shit,poop butt,niggas,runnin they mouth?