JETER LOSES FOUR POINTS PLUS GETS KNOCKED DOWN BUT WINS DECISION
By Michael Walters

Tony Jeter W10 Jimmy Lange... Middleweight Tony Jeter did something that no one outside of his camp thought that he could do last night: he defeated Jimmy Lange in Lange's hometown. Most people believed Jeter little more than a puncher's chance going into the fight, but not only did Jeter win, he did so in dominating fashion. From the opening round at Fairfax, Virginia's Patriot Center, it was Jeter's fight. He fought like a man possessed, bringing the fight to Jimmy Lange (38-5-2, 25 KOs) over the full ten rounds. His dominating victory was not without controversy as Jeter was deducted four points over the course of the fight. Jeter (15-3-1, 10 KOs) lost two points in the second round for low blows and also suffered a flash knockdown after a Lange right hand. After losing two points in one round, most fighters would forgo the body attack, but Jeter continued to focus on landing shots downstairs -- some below the belt also -- and had a point taken away in the third and one in the eighth. The scorecards read 94-91, 93-92 for Jeter and one judge had Lange winning 94-91.

Referee Steve Smoger said after the fight that Jeter was the dirtiest fighter he had ever worked with and that included Mike Tyson. Luckily for Jeter the word-class referee gave him some leeway as most would have disqualified him after the third point. When the scorecards were announced most at ringside believed that even though Jeter had throughly dominated the franchise of Fairfax Lange, that he would most likely lose a razor close decision because of the 10-6 second round.

At the post fight press conference a dejected looking John Lange, who was not joined by his son, said that Jimmy would continue his career, but would no longer be fighting at the Patriot Center, the arena he has fought at 15 times. Lange also said that a rematch with Jeter isn't necessary and that team Lange isn't interested in pursuing one. The manger/father said the loss was major setback for their ultimate goal of winning a world title.

After 45 fights at and at age 37, it is time for Lange to call it a career. While he has never held a world title he was been one of the biggest draws in the sport over the last few years regularly attracting upwards of 5,000 fans to his fights at the Patriot Center. Lange was a fan favorite in the Washington, D.C. region for good reason. He was never in a boring fight.

During Lange's career he provided the fans with many thrilling knockouts, has spilled blood -- some his own and some his opponents -- and always gave it his all  in the ring. Hopefully after this loss, Lange's father will do what is best for his son's health and allow him to retire from the sport he has given his heart and soul to for nearly 30 years.

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