Boxer brings his Catholic values to 'The Contender' reality series

Published: 2005-03-23

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) -- 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. Lange's achievements in boxing landed him a part in the NBC reality series, "The Contender," which airs Sundays at 8 p.m. Eastern time. 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 -- including Lange's wife, Katie, and children Jack, Angelo and Talia -- were flown for the taping to California, where they stayed in a large complex, complete with apartments, a gym and a boxing ring. 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.

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