After work, the gloves come on

NORFOLK

Bobby Jordan Jr. has the same concerns as many young working men: providing for his growing family, making his mortgage payments, putting a little money away.

At 29, he's done well as a longshoreman, heading up a dock gang at APM Terminals, where he has worked for nine years. He owns two homes, one he lives in and one he rents out; has a wife, a child and another on the way.

Jordan also has a part-time job, and his dreams are no different than those of anyone in that line of work, either: to win a world title.

Jordan is a professional boxer, when he finds the time. He has had eight bouts in four years and has lost once, a decision so unpopular fans in Salisbury, Md., not only booed it, they bought Jordan dinner afterward.

"They thought I won," he said. "I thought I won."

Jordan gladly would trade the free grub for a more favorable decision Saturday night, when he takes on Henry "Sugar Boo" Buchanan in the biggest bout of his career, for a regional title in Washington, D.C.

Buchanan is 17-2 and coming off a 12-round loss to WBO super middleweight champion Andre Ward, a former Olympian. Jordan and his trainer/father, Bobby Jordan Sr., know what's expected, fighting in Buchanan's hometown.

Not much.

"They just know they're going to win," Bobby Sr. said. "They're looking past Bobby."

In some ways, Bobby Jr. is an easy guy to overlook. The Norfolk resident juggles work, marriage, fatherhood and boxing, and often it's boxing that takes a back seat.

"My training isn't as intense as it should be," he admits.

While other fighters devote full time to their craft, Jordan squeezes in training at the International Longshoreman's Association hall on Princess Anne Road in Norfolk. His father, an ILA member and former pro fighter, trains several boxers there.

The elder Jordan and his brother, John "Speedy" Jordan, both heavyweights, had 42 bouts between them from 1966-81, facing guys like Jimmy Young, Duane Bobick, Pinklon Thomas and Tim Witherspoon.

Bobby Jr. grew up around boxing, but didn't begin fighting until he finished high school, choosing to play football instead. He wishes he'd started earlier.

"It's in my blood to fight," he said. "It was the most instinctive thing I've ever done, when I put on the gloves."

Jordan had 70 amateur bouts before turning pro in 2005. He has fought more experienced fighters in all but two bouts. Last summer in Portsmouth, he put on a technical clinic in a win over Willis Locket, a 19-fight veteran. Jordan switched stances from conventional to left-handed, scoring on hooks, jabs and straight rights, dropping Lockett three times.

"Just fighting off of talent," he said.

With more time to devote to boxing, Jordan undoubtedly could do more in the 168-pound division. But he and his father have been reluctant to sign with a promoter, fearing they'll choose the wrong person and jeopardize Bobby Jr.'s homes and full-time career.

Unlike most fighters in his position who typically start with little or nothing, Jordan has a lot to lose.

So he fights when he can, taking bouts in the other guy's back yard, most often.

He took the week off from work to finish preparing for Saturday night's bout.

Jordan is familiar with Buchanan. They fought twice as amateurs, with each winning once.

"I'm going to see if I can't shock the world," he said. "If it goes the way I want it to, it'll be a big stepping stone."

If not, he's got a safety net. Bobby Sr. believes his son would be a world champ by now if he'd boxed full time.

"He's a family man, trying to work, trying to stay out of trouble and do everything a young man is supposed to do," Bobby Sr. said.

Ed Miller, (757) 446-2372, ed.miller@pilotonline.com