Jimmy Lange Wins Again at the Patriot Center on George Mason University
Jimmy Lange scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Jimmy “The Fighting School Teacher” Holmes last night at the Patriot Center, utilizing an effective jab especially in the middle-through-late rounds to help earn his 35th career victory. Lange, headlining his 12th show at the George Mason University venue, improved to 35-4-2, 24 KOs, while Holmes dropped to 19-2, 10 KOs.
Former three-time world champion William Joppy boxed his way to his 40th career win with a technically sound, ten-round decision over Cory “Black Ice” Cummings in a rematch serving as the Co-Main Event. Immediately after the decision was read, the Rockville, MD-native now fighting out of Woodbridge, VA, announced to the appreciative crowd that he was hanging up his gloves for good after reaching the milestone win.
In the surprise bout of the evening, Larry “Hitman” Pryor handed Mark “TNT” Tucker his first pro loss with a dominating performance spread over eight rounds. A Washington, D.C. native now living in Frederick, MD, Pryor quickly established his presence, controlling the action en route to pulling off the upset over Tucker who never seemingly got on track.
Lange and Holmes fought a back-and-forth slugfest through the early part of their bout with each attempting to establish control in the ring. The two traded plenty of punches with Lange taking the lead in the 6th using a string of strong combinations and a consistent jab that penetrated Holmes’ defense.
Lange continued to press in the 7th, only to have Holmes respond and maintain his poise in front of the partisan crowd and Holmes’ first fight outside of the Midwest. Late in the round both fighters had some blood coming from cuts above the left eyes. The 9th and 10th rounds belonged to Lange as he had Holmes on the ropes numerous times, although was unable to capitalize and finish his opponent. The rhythm of the 10th round was disrupted twice as repairs to loose tape on Holmes’ glove caused extended delays, preventing Lange from attempting his traditional, last-minute knockout win.
“I thought the quality of my jabs tonight was very good, I just did not have enough quantity,” commented Lange.
“I was a little disappointed in the fight tonight because I thought we could get Jimmy (Holmes) out of there a little earlier,” remarked manager/father Johnny Lange at the post-fight press conference. “But other fighters really get up to fight Jimmy and come into the Patriot Center with nothing to lose.”
“I thought I got in some good work tonight. He is a very long fighter and I usually fight shorter guys so I had to make some adjustments,” said Lange who plans to fight out of town once or twice before returning to Fairfax later this fall. “I did not see any tape on him so I did not know what to expect until the bell rung. I played it by ear a little bit early on.”
George “Wartime” Rivera got off to a fast start against Shakir Ashanti eventually earning a unanimous decision. Rivera cut Ashanti under the left eye in the third round but Ashanti rebounded as both fighters picked up the pace, finishing strongly in the last three rounds.
In a showdown between Maryland heavyweights, Abodurin “Bo” Akinyanju rocked Ron “Heavy Duty” Gamble in the opening round forcing a standing count. Akinyanju had Gamble, a former University of Connecticut football player, in trouble again early in the 2nd round before Gamble began to get his legs. Gamble, in just his second pro fight, battled back in the last two rounds but fell short losing in a split decision.
In his Patriot Center debut, Scott “Cujo” Sigmon took control of the fight early from John “The Baptist” Terry, and continued at a relentless pace, before finishing Terry for good via a 4th round TKO at 1:16.
In the bloodiest bout of the night Tony “Mo Better” Jeter won a hard-fought unanimous decision over a game Mike McFail with all three judges giving the nod to the Stevensville, MD middleweight by scores of 60-53. (Due to a scorecard mix up the initial decision was announced in favor of McFail). Both fighters took turns delivering punishment, but it was Jeter who ultimately came out on top, flooring McFail several times and opening up numerous facial cuts in the bruising affair.
Todd “White Lighting” Wilson raised his record to 10-0 in a sloppy affair which saw Dean “Pitbull” White get disqualified for excessive holding and hitting after the bell. After a close first round, White was penalized for a late hit at the end of the second round. Much to the dismay of both corners and the crowd, referee Billy Johnson called an end the contest at the conclusion of the 3rd round citing White for hitting after the bell again.
Ring Notes: Among those in attendance were former world champions with D.C. ties including Paul “The Punisher” Williams, DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley and Keith Holmes… Jimmy Lange Boxing officials announced a limited time 2-for-1 ticket offer for its next Patriot Center show set for September 10. The special deal, valid at the Patriot Center Box Office only, expires Monday, March 14… … A strong military contingent consisting of personnel from nearby Fort Myers, Fort Belvoir, and Fort Meade, as well as Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, were given a standing ovation by the crowd.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
10 Rounds, Middleweight (Main Event)
Jimmy Lange (35-4-2, 24 KOs) wins by UD (97-92, 97-92, 97-92) over Jimmy Holmes (19-2, 10 KOs)
10 Rounds, Light Heavyweight (Co-Main Event)
William Joppy (40-7-2, 30 KOs) wins by UD (96-94, 98-92, 97-93) over Cory Cummings (17-5-1, 13 KOs)
8 Rounds, Light Heavyweight
Larry Pryor (7-8, 4 KOs) wins a UD (79-73, 79-73, 78-74) over Mark Tucker (15-1, 7 KOs)
6 Rounds, Jr. Welterweight
Todd Wilson (10-0, 3 KOs) wins by disqualification over Dean White (15-11-7 KOs)
6 Rounds, Middleweight
Tony Jeter (11-2-1, 9 KOs) wins by UD (60-53, 60-53, 60-53) over Mike McFail (12-42-2, 4 KOs)
6 Rounds, Middleweight
Scott Sigmon (15-2, 6 KOs) wins by 4th Round TKO (1:16) over John Terry (3-19-3, 1 KO)
4 Rounds, Heavyweight
Abodurin Akinyanju (4-1, 3 Kos) win by split decision (39-36, 38-37, 37-38) over Ron Gamble (1-1, 1 KO)
6 Rounds, Middleweight
George Rivera (12-6, 4 Kos) wins by UD (59-55, 59-55, 49-46) over Shakir Ashanti (16-10, 4 Kos)