(APR 29) On May 2nd, at the
Patriot Center, Bolivian-American Jennifer Salinas (9-1, 3 KOs), a
proud mother from Manassas, VA, will fight for the first time
at this venue against Philadelphia brawler Christina Leadbeater
(2-2). Salinas returns from a two-year hiatus after welcoming her
second child. The fight marks only the second ever female bout at
the Patriot Center.
In other boxing action:
A trio of the sport’s elite
figures -- Don Turner, Angelo Dundee and Jimmy Glenn –will serve
as Jimmy’s Lange’s cornermen for his World Boxing Council (WBC)
United States National Boxing Championship (USNBC) 154-lb title
fight against Frank Houghtaling. Lange just returned from a
four-and-a-half week training camp in Arapahoe, NC under the
guidance of highly-regarded trainer Don Turner. A mentor under
legendary Charley Goldman who guided undefeated champion Rocky
Marciano, Turner has worked with numerous champions over his
career including Evander Holyfield and Larry Holmes.
Making his fourth appearance ringside at the Patriot Center is
the one-and-only Angelo Dundee. The popular trainer guided 15
world champions, including Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard,
George Foreman, and Carmen Basilio, and remains a
deeply-respected and sharp strategist in the corner.
Handling cutman duties will be New York-based Jimmy Glenn whose
50-plus year career has seen him work with the best from Michael
Spinks to Floyd Patterson.
WBC USNBC Championship on the Line
Jimmy Lange will look to secure his second WBC regional title
when he takes on Frank Houghtaling in the Main Event. The Great
Falls, VA fighter captured the WBC’s Continental America 154-lb
belt in May 2007 with a dramatic rematch win over Fontaine
Cabell. However, shoulder surgery sidelined him for more than a
year, forcing Lange to voluntarily relinquish the belt due to
inactivity. Albany, NY-based Houghtaling has won three
International Boxing Council (IBC) regional titles in his
career. Houghtaling has a victory over Kevin Collins who handed
Lange his first professional loss in 1998.
Pair of 20+ Win Veterans to Battle in Co-Feature
Two respected veterans with more 20 wins each will square
off as the co-feature when D.C. middleweight Purcell “Hard Rock”
Miller (22-5-1, 18 KOs) faces Tom Wilt (21-6, 4 KOs) of Altoona,
PA in an eight-round contest. Miller, a winner of his 16 of his
first 17 bouts, lost a tough, eight-round decision to
highly-regarded Larry Marks at the Patriot Center in October
2006. On that same night in Fairfax, local fans saw Wilt, a
four-time Pennsylvania Golden Gloves champion, battle in a
ten-round Main Event war which saw Lange earn a tough TKO win in
the final seconds of the bout.
Hot 18-year old Prospect, Juan “Savior” Rodriguez, Looks to
Make Mark
Young and hungry describe Juan Rodriquez (2-0, 2 KOs), a
talented 18-year old welterweight from Haymarket, VA, fighting
out of Olympic Boxing Center in Falls Church, VA. Boasting a
proud El Salvadoran heritage, the Battlefield High School
graduate wants to represent his parent’s homeland in the same
way Latin fighters from boxing rich countries such as Puerto
Rico and Mexico have done. The “Savior” has won his first two
pro bouts by knockout. He scored a devastating third-round KO
over Benjamin Borteye last November in his debut and dispatched
of tough veteran Edward Anderson in just 1:28 of round one this
past January. He will go for three in a row against Atlanta’s
Dwartney Wortham (0-1) in a four-round contest.
Fighting Cancer Remains Top Priority for “Tattoo” Tom in
Rematch
“Tattoo” Tom Mitchell (0-1) seeks a win and to help raise money
to conquer cancer again in his rematch against Yieta Johnson
(1-2). In his first match against Johnson last November,
Mitchell was led to the ring by his 18-year old daughter Shayla,
who was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Disease in July 2007.
Less than three months after his hard-fought defeat, she lost
her battle with the deadly disease. One-third of Mitchell’s
personal sales and his purse will be donated to Growing Hope
Foundation, a local non-profit helping families cope with
cancer.
Talented Team of Announcers Returns to Action
Among the talented team working ringside at the fight will
be DC Boxing Hall of Fame ring announcer extraordinaire Henry
“Discombobulating” Jones. Other familiar faces sitting ringside
providing commentary will be Gary “Digital” Williams, editor of
the popular Boxing Along the Beltway blog, and Jerome “The Fight
Doctor” Spears. The event will be taped with DVD copies
available through ipboxing.com.
Arlington’s Alpine Restaurant to Host Weigh-In and After
Party
Fight fans are invited out to the Alpine Restaurant to
experience the event’s official weigh-in to be held Friday, May
1, at 11:30 am. The Alpine will also host the After Party
beginning immediately after the last fight on Saturday. The
popular Italian eatery is located at 4770 Lee Highway (near
corner of N. Glebe Road) in Arlington, VA. All participating
fighters plus legends Dundee and Glenn will be in attendance.
Source/PR - Published on WBAN.