So close and yet so far. We had a total of nine people sign up for the last iteration of the league, but fell short.

Let's try to do it again. This time I have made the league public so that others can sign up to make the drafting threshold. So sign up quickly before anyone else takes your spot. Besides tomorrow, the only dates available were on the 13th, which is when we will draft.

Although it will be a week into the season, we will have the advantage of seeing how players perform before drafting. Without much further ado, lets roll.

What better way to celebrate football season than with the magic of Fantasy Football?

Sign up, draft a team and lets have some fun. It's free to play with bragging rights at stake. Its not money, but those rights sure feel good.

Head on to www.cbssports.com/fantasy and get started.

Here is our league information. Its a public league so there's no password:

League name: Bad Left Hook Fantasy Crew

Draft Date: September 13, 2011, 6:15 PM ET (Set your preferences if you can't make the draft time)

Looking forward to a great season and stuff to talk about on slow weekends.

Hey guys, i'm cross posting this from Bad Left Hook. It would be nice if you could join us for the upcoming Fantasy Football Season.

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Its that time of the year again. No, not when Mayweather  retires or releases a new mugshot. No, not when Ric Flair comes out of retirement or the WWE starts looking for a new luchadore wrestler. Thanks to some voodoo and negotiations, we have ourselves a football season.

What better way to celebrate the season than with the magic of Fantasy Football?

Sign up, draft a team and lets have some fun. It's free to play with bragging rights at stake. Its not money, but those rights sure feel good.

Head on to www.cbssports.com/fantasy and get started. Here is our league information:

League name: Bad Left Hook Fantasy Crew

Password: boxing

Draft Date: September 06, 2011, 9:15 PM ET (Set your preferences if you can't make the draft time)

Looking forward to a great season and stuff to talk about on slow weekends.

********************* THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED DRAFT AND LEAGUE INFORMATION *********************

Its that time of the year again. No, not when Mayweather  retires or releases a new mugshot. Thanks to some voodoo and negotiations, we have ourselves a football season.

What better way to celebrate the season than with the magic of Fantasy Football?

Sign up, draft a team and lets have some fun. It's free to play with bragging rights at stake. Its not money, but those rights sure feel good.

Head on to www.cbssports.com/fantasy and get started. Here is our league information:

League name: Bad Left Hook Fantasy Crew

Draft Date: September 13, 2011, 6:15 PM ET (Set your preferences if you can't make the draft time)

Looking forward to a great season and stuff to talk about on slow weekends.

Hope to see you there.

Ive been scouring the blogs this morning of May 29th, the day after UFC 130 and the theme seems to be captured by statements like the following:

Jackson remained more patient than most people expected or hoped from him. .......... I'm not sure if that erases an otherwise underwhelming performance, though.  - Fagan at Bloodyelbow

but now that he had the chance to go out there and really seize it, he faltered.- Matt Bishop at BE

Regardless, there is no way that Jackson did enough tonight to justify a title shot. - Some guy from HKL

Kaleb Kelchner also said something on these lines that im too lazy to post.

I could go on but you get the idea.

People found Jackson's performance "underwhelming." A performance that included him using shots from various angles, going to the body, stuffing ALL of a decorated wrestlers takedown attempts and imposing his will on a dangerous fighter who's KO'd the likes of Mark Munoz and Tim Boetsch. The guy delivers one of his most measured, well rounded performances and we're all ready to take a dump on him. Keep in mind this was with a hand injury and he still kept coming forward.

What did you people want Rampage to do? KO a guy who's only been stopped once using his broken hand? Slam him around?

This brings me to my point after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

I was fortunate enough to be at this Saturday's fight so I thought i'd share some of the best pictures my point and shoot could take and offer some random thoughts.

via i.imgur.com

via i.imgur.com

via i.imgur.com

Javier Fortuna-Derrick Wilson was a good fight alebit one sided. Wilson was certainly no gimme for Fortuna, but withered under the onslaught. Maybe it was because of their size and the time it took WIlson to recover, but the KO seemed to be one of the hardest ive seen in a while. A little reminder of the unfortunate side of our sport. Someone has to go down. Fortuna looked good, fast and threw crisp efficient shots. I could see him becoming a prospect or even a champ down the line.

Seeing how little featherweights look makes me even more amazed that someone like Manny Pacquaio who started at minimumweight is now taking on middleweights. Astounding.

Now onto the co-main event.

Say what you like about being a cop out and exploitative matchmaking, but I love fights promoted from an ethnic rivalry angle. Those fights brew an unrivaled atmosphere in the arena as the audience really gets into it, cheering harder than normal, chanting and appreciating the action no matter how bad their fighter is doing. It also brings out families, turns strangers into friends and gives you the feeling that boxing is truly alive.

The Andy Lee-Craig Mc Ewan fight made all that come true. There was a surprisingly large, vocal irish contingent. Of course being this close to St. Pats day everyone and their mom is irish for the week and there was a sizable scottish representation too. The atmosphere was complete with a guy puking guiness 4 rows behind me. Both fighters aren't going to make any top ten lists but put on a good old fashioned back and forth that got the audience to their feet.

via i.imgur.com

via i.imgur.com

via i.imgur.com

I consider myself privileged to have seen Sergio Martinez fight. Its one of those performances that makes you marvel. Or is it Maravilla? HBO has a star on their hands and they need to use him correctly. There was a huge pop from the crowd when they showed him warming up on the big screen. He has a pleasing style and looks good too. HBO better not mess this up.

Dzinziruk is a dangerous fighter, but looked ordinary against him. I thought Sergio was being cocky and overconfident to drop his hands, and strut around, but it worked. He seemed like a robot programmed to avoid anything thrown his way. Dzinzi looked like a glorified sparring partner midway through the fourth. The only thing I could think of was Roy Jones reincarnated, but more fluid, more natural. I know RJJ isn't dead, but did you see him fight Hopkins?

A shoutout needs to be given to the spirited Ukrainian crowd. Easily the largest representation

All in all, a good night. But if you look at the pictures, you'll notice the moron roadies at HBO had their lights hanging down from the scaffold and blocking the view from the "cheap" seats. Its things like that and their use of guys like Berto which makes me take pleasure in not going to their next event. HBO losing Manny Pacquaio is the schadenfreude that makes my day, although it would be great to see Sergio fight him.

via i.imgur.com

via i.imgur.com

via i.imgur.com

via i.imgur.com

I was on a date last night and after the obligatory introduction chatter, talk shifted to interests and hobbies. After listing indie movies and food, I said that I loved following boxing.

"Really? But that's so violent. Why do you watch and what got you into it?," she said.

"I was always fascinated as a kid. Have you ever wondered what you would do if someone came to fight you? The thought of all the possibilities like throwing punches, moving, the footwork, evading shots thrown at you. It's all on display in the ring and great to watch," I said.

"Why do you think about fighting?," she asked.

"Once you've been in a couple of fights or watched pro wrestling when you were young, its something that you wonder about. What happens in a fight? How do fights play out."

"But its so violent," she countered.

Continue reading this post »

This is crossposted from another fanpost on Bloody Elbow. I think its relevant for discussion here since it pertains to boxing.

As judgment day for the epic battle to end all talk of sports supremacy fought between two geritol lubed fighters dawns, something struck me. With all this talk about boxing vs MMA, why has there been such little mention of Butterbean?

The guy has over 80 boxing fights. He is the prototype of boxer turned MMAist. Not to say weighing over 300 lbs should be a prototype for any kind of athlete, but Buttebean has shown that with proper training, boxers can participate in MMA.

The "can a boxer survive in MMA" argument was settled long before Toney even began meeting with Dana. It was settled by Butterbean. Add to that the fact that he has some decent wins on his MMA resume like James Thompson, Cabbage, Sean O haire and the same Zulu that MMA demigod Fedor fought. Given his size and cardio limitations, (he wasn't called king of the four rounders for nothing) that's a commendable career. He's even been involved in Moosin, which turned out pretty well.

Butterbean began fighting in toughman competitions. One of the earliest forms of fighting for anyone who wanted it, kinda like the primordial UFC. From there he went pro, onto a brief K-1 stint and then MMA. He evolved with the sport. From local toughman shows to the cage. His career is proof that it is possible for boxers to evolve and participate in the sport. I've mentioned his physical limitations. Can you imagine the effect a better trained boxer would have in the cage? I'd like to see that and it will happen soon.

James Toney's physical condition is just Butterbean lite.Tonight's fight is nothing more than a sideshow, that will prove nothing.  It will only further the myth that it is impossible for athletes in one sport to cross over to MMA. Butterbean is one, but there have been plenty of examples where cross training has been shown to work. Most recently, KJ Noons showed that it is possible to transition between sports. Guys like Vitor Belfort and Anderson Silva have pro boxing bouts to their credit. Success in MMA is possible in spite of a boxing background. If Butterbean can do it, anyone can. No matter the outcome

Its sad that with all the talk of the Jimmersons and Saad Muhammads of the world, this huge example of a boxer who tried to turn serious MMAist was forgotten. In the buildup to the Couture-Toney farce, more attention was paid to boxers that failed instead of succeeded. I still wonder why no one has sought Butterbean's opinion on the transition to MMA.

Regardless of tonight's outcome, I hope more boxers - especially better athletes outside the Toney mold will crossover to MMA.

It has been done by one Butterbean. If a 300+ pound guy can do it, most boxers can do the same with proper training. Pay your respect to him here. He deserves it for trying his best and silently blazing a trail for crossovers from the sweet science.

As judgment day for the epic battle to end all talk of sports supremacy fought between two geritol lubed fighters dawns, something struck me. With all this talk about boxing vs MMA, why has there been such little mention of Butterbean?

The guy has over 80 boxing fights. He is the prototype of boxer turned MMAist. Not to say weighing over 300 lbs should be a prototype for any kind of athlete, but Buttebean has shown that with proper training, boxers can participate in MMA.

The "can a boxer survive in MMA" argument was settled long before Toney even began meeting with Dana. It was settled by Butterbean. Add to that the fact that he has some decent wins on his MMA resume like James Thompson, Cabbage, Sean O haire and the same Zulu that MMA demigod Fedor fought. Given his size and cardio limitations, (he wasn't called king of the four rounders for nothing) that's a commendable career. He's even been involved in Moosin, which turned out pretty well.

Butterbean began fighting in toughman competitions. One of the earliest forms of fighting for anyone who wanted it, kinda like the primordial UFC. From there he went pro, onto a brief K-1 stint and then MMA. He evolved with the sport. From local toughman shows to the cage. His career is proof that it is possible for boxers to evolve and participate in the sport. I've mentioned his physical limitations. Can you imagine the effect a better trained boxer would have in the cage? I'd like to see that and it will happen soon.

James Toney's physical condition is just Butterbean lite.Tonight's fight is nothing more than a sideshow, that will prove nothing.  It will only further the myth that it is impossible for athletes in one sport to cross over to MMA. Butterbean is one, but there have been plenty of examples where cross training has been shown to work. Most recently, KJ Noons showed that it is possible to transition between sports. Guys like Vitor Belfort and Anderson Silva have pro boxing bouts to their credit. Success in MMA is possible in spite of a boxing background. If Butterbean can do it, anyone can. No matter the outcome

Its sad that with all the talk of the Jimmersons and Saad Muhammads of the world, this huge example of a boxer who tried to turn serious MMAist was forgotten. In the buildup to the Couture-Toney farce, more attention was paid to boxers that failed instead of succeeded. I still wonder why no one has sought Butterbean's opinion on the transition to MMA.

Regardless of tonight's outcome, I hope more boxers - especially better athletes outside the Toney mold will crossover to MMA.

It has been done by one Butterbean. If a 300+ pound guy can do it, most boxers can do the same with proper training. Pay your respect to him here. He deserves it for trying his best and silently blazing a trail for crossovers from the sweet science.

FanPost promoted by Scott, and we thank cyke for this excellent contribution to the site.

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The Twin River Casino becomes a viewing gallery of delightful oddities after you’ve adjusted yourself to see through the rank mist of cheap cigar smoke drifting lazily over a sea of machines that blink almost seizure inducing lights and emanate siren songs luring anyone willing to part with a few quarters. Everyone’s here. The retirees making it rain with their pensions, the high schoolers with an elevated level of cool for having the temerity to walk into the building, the quaking handed gambling addicts, bluehairs, the curious visitors, the regulars who’ve set aside a fixed amount for this form of entertainment and the lone players who have nothing else to do on a Friday night. Every conceivable cohort wearing NASCAR jackets, Sara Palin is teh kewl gear and freshly minted shirts from the mall  is represented at those machines. Viewing the veritable zoo as you walk through the hall of slots makes every visit special.

There is a new group in town today. Their shirts are emblazoned with the names of boxing gyms and fight gear brands, laudatory messages about fighters with others looking like they’re out on a night at the theater. This is my crew. I’m with the boxing crowd that has made its way to netherworld Rhode Island. The venue normally plays host to club fighters, but has taken a step up with an ESPN2 televised card tonight. I make my way through the halls of slot machines and reach the staging area. I breathe in the carnival atmosphere of beer models, souvenir hawking roadies and blaring bad pop. An understated glamour is evident from the mounds of pert cleavage that pop out of necklines that go further south on every girl.

I am distracted from a train wreck of spray tanned expanse and straightened hair right out of the Jersey Shore reject file when I notice a small crowd of about 10 fawning over a beaming squat man. Another smaller group looks on in approval. Though deceptively short, the bulk of mass peeking through his shirt is evidence of something greater. The first thought through my head? "I can take this guy. Easy." I’m still unsure of who he is till I recognize the faint goatee and close cut hair from hundreds of wars. I desperately take back the thought of ever fighting him. He is Micky Ward.

Mr. Ward is one of the earliest fighters I remember watching. His fighting style was a hurricane of shots from every conceivable angle honed in on the head and body. Two shots were exchanged for one as he marched forward. It was the Irish guarantee that delivered without fail. Every time. The meaning of the word defense was lost somewhere in there. But that’s why we watched. He was who we wanted to be, a Ronin slicing everything in his path with little regard for his own well being. We all wish we could do that. Which is why I followed his career littered with Fight of the Year awards and accolades for his fights. His trademark left hook to the body that put down so many is the reason I preach the importance of body work to anyone who will listen. He was the hardy blue collar type who would throw down whenever required and always fought with the rumble of an approving crowd in the background. The epitome of a fighter who will perennially be on my top 5 list stood in front of me.

Facing someone you have yelled at through a TV screen and who embodied everything right with your passion was surprisingly less intimidating than I envisioned. "Excuse me, are you Micky Ward?" I said in my best attempt at not sounding like a 13 year old at a Backstreet Boys concert. He flashes me a "what do you think" kind of look. I ejaculate boilerplate prose reserved for occasions like this in an awkwardly unbroken sentence. "I’m a huge fan, love to see you fight, how’s the training working out, great to see you in town, what do you think of the card." He seems strangely amused for obviously having seen this before. "So can I get a picture with you? It would mean a lot." I ask brazenly. He nods his assent. I reach for my hip and am crushed as I come up with my flip phone, two generations removed from the sliding keypads, internet browsing gps and 6 mp flash cameras. I weakly open the shell and hand it to a bemused spectator and ask him to take a picture.

I lift my left fist in a fake show of bravado as the man figures out the settings. He hands it back to me a second later. I don’t look at it. "Thanks a lot man. I’ve always loved watching you fight. We need more guys like you," I say to Micky as he’s accosted by someone asking him to sign their copy of Irish Thunder. He moves on to the next fan and it’s over.

For a brief moment, I had transcended the barrier between screen and fighter by voicing a few choice platitudes. I had come into contact with all that was great with my sport and had evidence of it on my phone. I looked at it. The image looked as one taken in poor lighting on a bad phone would. But the outline of a warrior and fan are evident. I silently thanked the man for all he had done on so many Friday and Saturday nights. I flashed over the past two minutes and wondered if I could have stated my gratitude more eloquently. But he was gone leaving me with a shitty phone pic of that brief meeting.

The Micky Ward side of the equation

I will be in New York on May 1st. Although one of my favorite places to visit, it is on the night of Mayweather-Mosley.

Does anyone know Sports Bars or other places around Manhattan that may be showing the fight?

The theater screening sold out. Please help me people.

Let me know where I could go. I'm already feeling a little depressed at the prospect of missing this. Seriously.

All help is appreciated. Thanks.

What was the first boxing match you saw live? What were your thoughts? Anything interesting happen?

I'll start. I've been a fan for a while, but it took me a few years to actually see a live show, which turned out to be:

Delvin Rodriguez-Hlathshwayo II

It was a good back and forth battle with an entertaining undercard and made me wonder why I hadn't done it before. Also made me realize how a hometown crowd can make a fight more entertaining by getting into it.

Some high school student managed to take Arianny to his prom. The evidence doesn't really point to doing anything special, but for pulling this off, guy get two thumbs up.

Article here, full video after the jump:

http://www.asylum.com/2010/02/12/conner-cordova-arianny-celeste-prom-date-youtube-videos/

Continue reading this post »

UPDATE: The bill passed yesterday, making Rhode Island the latest state to legalize MMA. There is a lot of talent in the region, all that's left is the wait for a marquee show.

Source: http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/10/house-committee-oks-bill-banni.html

Rhode Island Senate Bill No. 622 is scheduled to be heard today. The bill has special significance because it would legalize MMA in the State of Rhode Island. At the time of this writing, i'm not sure of the status of the bill, but I don't see why it shouldn't pass. More information here: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText09/SenateText09/S0622.pdf

A cursory reading of the bill shows it to be surprisingly well written. One aspect that I loved is that even though there's a 10 point must system, it allows for rounds to be scored as draws.

The bill's passage is monumental because of Rhode Island's strategic location as a halfway point between New York and Boston and it's proximity to Connecticut. Add Providence's reputation as a fight town (see Pazienza, Manfredo and more recently Andrade) as well as the fact that its a fun place to be in to it's locational advantages , and there is serious potential for Rhode Island to be a major MMA staging ground.

Continue reading this post »

FanPost promoted by SC

Leaving aside the frustration I felt about the weight situation, watching the fight in a theater as I did was nothing short of great. I cannot envision a better simulation of physically being at the fight than last night's experience.

Broadcasting in Hi-def on what I estimated to be at least a 20 foot screen versus buying the PPV at home was a no contest. My TV would not have even covered a small fraction of the fight area on the screen. Sitting in bucket seats with camera angles that caught the seemingly 10 foot fighters from the edge of the ropes provided a better view of the action than even the cornermen at the event had.

Normally, I would hate to have people talking or shouting at the screen during a movie. In this case, I welcomed it. Hearing the partisan crowd respond to good shots, flurries and knockdowns with various permutations of applause, boos and shouts of excitement only added to the live fight experience. Like a real fight, the crowd was sparse during the undercard, but continued to filter in and become more responsive as the night progressed. By the time the main event came around, the audience had divided into camps for each fighter and showed their allegiance with cheers or boos for both men. The theater was not packed, but the audience was comparable to a third day showing of a mainstream movie.

I've seen a lot of sporting events including live MMA cards, but nothing compares to the walkout for a boxing match and the butterflies in the gut feeling during the final moments of anticipation when the referee is giving the instructions before the fighters square off. Of course, everyone knows how the fight ended. Even though I am a Mayweather fan, I was rooting for Marquez because of the deal with the weight. But there's no denying how phenomenal Floyd looked and his performance only made me look forward to his next fight.

I will say it again, showing fights in theaters does not diminish PPV buys. Based on the crowd, the fight brought in people that would normally have not bought a PPV. Given the bad economy, showing more fights in an accesible environment like a theater - for a quarter of the PPV price - will only serve to draw in more fans and build up the sport's fanbase. For a sport that languishes on PPV, making it more accesible is what will ensure its sustenance. Here's hoping that Pac-Cotto is also shown in a theater (although that might not be) and makes for another great fight night.