As a proud resident of Fairfax, Virginia, I’ve never been so kind to hear the name ‘The Contender’. Of course, that alludes to the reality show, which just capped off its second successful season.
What does Virginia and Boxing have in common? Well, considering my pick for the greatest fighter I’ve seen, sure, Pernell Whitaker is a familiar face in this ‘state for lovers’.
Needless to say, ‘Sweet Pea’ was a bit salty for the media, failing to enjoy much success as a sports celebrity.
Perhaps it was his lack of knockout power, or maybe it was his safety-first style, which wasn’t always pleasing to the eyes. Fame failed to his demise, and Whitaker fizzled faster than anyone would’ve imagined.
In an ironic twist, a fighter, whose only televised bout came in a reality TV series on NBC, shares a different prospective.
Jimmy Lange, a native of Great Falls, VA, located only fifteen minutes away from our nation’s capital, is a fringe contender at best.
He doesn’t have a look of a champion. He’s not a brash trash-talker like James Toney. No, he might not even come close to achieving the glory that of a Broco McKart. His power is moderate, his speed isn’t fascinating. But he has a decent record of 26 wins, and only 3 losses.
But in this game, all you need is a name and a claim to fame. In a well domesticated suburbs of Northern Virginia, Lange, isn’t just a prize fighter, he’s a celebrity.
As a frequent guest to Washington’s DC101 FM radio station, people of DC/Fairfax/Baltimore know who Jimmy Lange is. Fairfax, a town that’s been void of the sweet science for decades (if not ever), finally have a reason to talk boxing.
As ‘the Contender’, Lange’s chance at the limelight betrayed him when he lost a five round unanimous decision to Joey Gilbert in 2005. What he wasn’t prepared for, were the 5000 fans who showed in attendence at his first homecoming bout at George Mason University’s Patriot Center.
The pop was tumltuous, and on the night of May 24th, Lange was victorious. Sure, he easily stopped an anonymous foe in Perry Ballard, but it marked a beginning of a bright future.
Having covered many Arturo Gatti bouts in Atlantic City, I was amazed by the response Lange received by his hometown fans of Northern Virginia.
And like ‘Thunder’, Lange is an exciting fighter.
From a logical and managerial standpoint, Lange and his handlers should’ve continued with the same pattern. Instead, they took a risk, and paid a heavy price for it.
The second bout at the Patriot Center was a financial success. Garnering a crowd of 6000 approximate, the show instantly became a talk of the town.
Taking on former ‘Contender’ rival Joey Gilbert, many fans supported for their hero’s revenge. In a bitter outcome, Lange would lose a devastating knockout in only three rounds, jeopardizing his future market value at the Patriot Center.
Let me reliterate, Virginia is for lovers.
Kindly enough, Lange returns to the Patriot Center on October 7th, the night where most other fans across the globe will tune into either Corrales-Casamayor III or Valuaev-Barrett.
Despite the two major events at hand, the only event next Saturday here will be at the Patriot Center.
Speaking of, Fairfax’ inaugural boxing center, is also the home of last year’s NCAA final four participants, GMU’s own, the Patriots. With so much attention and publicity from their amazing run, Fairfax is now looming to become athletes town. No longer in the shadows of Washington D.C, the city of Fairfax, is finally beginning to build its own reputation.
Taking on the thirty seven year-old Thomas Wilt of Altoona, Pennsylvania, it’s up to Lange to carry the sport on his back. He may not be a great fighter, but he’s a great figure for the sport.
This town isn’t in need of a Pernell Whitaker, or even an Arturo Gatti.
But at last, all they ask for is a Contender.