With last Saturday's win Jimmy Lange proved again he is a contender in the sport of boxing. Lange won a decisive last minute victory over Joe Wyatt (23-2, 15 Kos) in the 10th and final round to secure the NABA super welterweight title.
For boxing fans who wanted to see intrigue, athleticism, boxer stamina, and gore, the two men delivered all of the above and then some.
Both fighters came well prepared for their match. With Wyatt providing powerful body and head blows to Lange, causing a gash over Lange's left eye, Lange was steadfast and reciprocated.
The two went toe-to-toe in a fight event that ended in a 10-round blood bath.
So evenly matched were the two fighters that two of the three judge's score cards were matched evenly at 85-85.
Wyatt would hit the canvas (a second time) during the bout while Lange was left off balanced after receiving fierce blows from Wyatt.
In the end, it was the right-handed knockout of epic Jimmy Lange proportions that sent Wyatt hitting the canvas again. This time down for the final count.
“The only person who had a hard time with my right hand was Joe”, said Lange after the fight.
During the post-fight interview Wyatt vowed he would be back. "I want a World Title", the commanding 23-2, 15 KOs talent told the media. After his solid performance, Wyatt clearly shows he has a lot more boxing in him to give.
Lange's show mate on The Contender boxing series, Jonathan Reid, scored a six-round unanimous decision over former Lange opponent and Baltimore native, Mike McFail, who would lose his mouth piece during the contest, courtesy of J. Reid. The win was a sure confidence builder for the now 35-13-7 Reid who had seen a few challenges in his career in the win department.Perry Ballard KO'd his opponent, South Carolinian Booker Mullins in the first round. The fight was a quick one, lasting just two minutes, fifty-four seconds, leaving Mullins on the canvas and the Martinsburg, WV fighter just enough time to throw a few Ballard T-shirts at the crowd.
Ballard, light on his feet, and brash in his deportment, challenged the NABA welter weight champ, Lange for a rematch. The two men fought in 2005 where Lange scored a 4th round TKO. A TKO that Ballard takes issue with."He hit me behind the head, and with low blows", said Ballard.
Ballard made his challenge in the ring after his quick win over Mullins.
The challenge was learned of by Lange during the presser in which the Lange camp alluded that they have no interest in revisiting that era, to the dismay of Ballard who told us “he doesn’t need boxing”, but would welcome a Lange rematch.
Ballard wouldn't be the only fighter making a bid to fight Lange. Harry Joe Yorgey also welcomed an opportunity to take on the Great Falls, VA native.
One fight. Two offers on the table.
The co-main event between three-time WBA Middleweight champion William Joppy and Super Middleweight champion Cory "Black Ice" Cummings was just as exciting as the Lange vs Wyatt event, minus the gore. While the crowd saw Cummings' hard hitting, Mike Tyson-like hits to Joppy as a sure indication of a win, the 10-round match was decided with a majority draw, 95-95.If the look on Joppy's face while he awaited the judge's decision was any indication, one could see a bit of worry as his fate was decided.
Look for a possible rematch of this bout.
Todd Wilson showed why his moniker "White Lightening" suits him. Wilson, entering the stadium to the sound of live bagpipes playing, remains unbeaten after scoring a third-round TKO over opponent a young, Corey Goodwin.
Zain “Tiger” Shah (4-0, 2 KOs) remains unbeaten by unanimous decision over Omar Sims (5-3, 3 KOs). Brandon Quarles (3-0, 1 KO) wins by unanimous decision over Lawrence Jones (3-3-1).
Overall, an impressive night of boxing in Fairfax, and good match ups by matchmaker J.D. Brown.
Around The Ring
Seen at the fight: Boxer Paul “The Punisher” Williams, Demarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, Pepe Corea, Tony 'Mo Better' Jeter, Darrell Tyson, Purcell Miller, Carlos Quintana, Ishmail Arvin, and Jaime Palma.
Want more DC boxing? Check out this Thursday's FIGHT NIGHT at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
I would encourage boxing fans of all ages to come out and support our local boxers.
It's always worth the money, and a stone gas!
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