By Angela E. Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 3/24/05)

Outside the boxing ring, Jimmy Lange is a soft-spoken, Catholic father of three who wears his faith on his sleeve. Inside the ring, after being blessed by a priest, he is a fierce fighter who has bested many opponents. His achievements in boxing made him an excellent choice to be part of the new NBC series, "The Contender."

The show, hosted by Sylvester Stallone and boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, brought together 16 boxers from around the country to compete for a chance to box at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas for $1 million.

The boxers and their families were flown to California for the taping, where they stayed in a large complex, complete with apartments, a gym and a boxing ring. At the start of the show, they were divided into two teams — east and west. Each week, they are given a challenge and the winning team chooses who fights.

After four weeks, the west looms over the east with four wins. The winners each week are given the golden glove medallion. The losers are sent home.

Lange, a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Great Falls and a graduate of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, is one of the 16 boxers. Stallone’s brother attended one of Lange’s boxing matches in Washington and suggested him for the show.

Lange was introduced on the show as a "devout Catholic from Great Falls, Va." According to Lange, in an earlier draft, he was introduced as one of 10 kids. But when he first agreed to do the show, Lange made sure he would be able to go to Mass every Sunday without any cameras. He also receives a priestly blessing before each match.

Msgr. John Cilinski, in residence at St. Agnes Church in Arlington, always blesses Lange before each fight. Lange met Msgr. Cilinski as an altar boy at St. Ann Church in Arlington in 1981.

"I want him to be safe and not get hurt and have a good fight," Msgr. Cilinski said, adding that he also boxed. His last fight, he recalled, was on Ash Wednesday while he was in seminary.

"I broke a guy’s nose in the match," he said. Msgr. Cilinski was also interviewed for the show and will appear when they highlight Lange.

In his career, Lange has won 24 fights, lost one and had one draw, not including statistics from the show. He never dreamed that boxing would lead him to Hollywood, where many doors have opened for him.

Lange began boxing at age 6. It started as a hobby for him, but evolved into a profession. He hopes to one day fight for the world championship.

"I’m in a game that I chose. I love what I do," he said. "It’s a challenge but not a hard life. The benefits outweigh the hardships tenfold."

Lange has been sustained by family, friends, teachers and trainers. Lange’s father has been his biggest support in boxing and his role model for life. Lange admires his father most for how he has taken care of 10 kids.

"He puts everything he has into every part of his life," Lange said, adding that he would like to do the same.

Lange visited students at St. James School in Falls Church last week to talk about his boxing career. The kids asked questions like "Can girls box?" and "Who’s your favorite superhero?" After the talk, they clamored for his autograph.

Lange told the students to stay healthy and not get involved with drugs or alcohol. He also attested to the importance of a good Catholic education.

"It helped me keep my eye on the ball and stay on the narrow path," Lange said.

Lange explained that boxers are supposed to keep their weight at a certain level, so part of his training involves eating healthy.

"Being prepared and training for a fight means taking care of your body," he said. Boxers have to train their bodies to take punishment in the ring. If the body is strong, it will be able to endure more. Lange has had several boxing injuries, including broken hands, nose and rib — but "nothing serious," he said.

Lange trains for four hours each day, which includes jumping rope. He said in the ring, there are two things going on: the feet staying in rhythm, and the hands throwing punches. Lange demonstrated his rope-jumping abilities to the students who, when asked to join in, couldn’t quite keep up.

"The feet can stay on rhythm no matter how fast or slow my hands go," he said. According to his aunt, Colleen Lange, "Lange wears his faith on his sleeve." He’s a good role model for the kids because he’s "morally sound."

Lange hopes that "The Contender" will help bring back boxing. He believes the sport has declined over the years thanks to the "Mike Tysons of the world." The boxers’ families were brought in as part of the show, including Lange’s wife, Katie, and three children, Jack, Angelo and Talia.

"The Contender" airs on NBC on Sundays at 8 p.m.