Juan Manuel Marquez catches Michael Katsidis with a left jab Photo By Meranda De La O
Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Michael Katsidis
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada
WBA Super World Lightweight Title
WBO Lightweight Title
Marquez KO’s Katsidis Round 9
Press Conference Photo By Meranda De La O
By Randy De La O
I was unable to see the fight last Saturday between Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico and Michael Katsidis of Australia but I did catch the replay on HBO the next day. I’m not surprised at the way the fight went or how it ended. Katsidis, like every Aussie I have ever seen fought like a true warrior. That was a given. A big heart and an exciting fighter. Despite a fairly high knockout ratio none of them came against top quality opponents , still a guy with a big punch is always dangerous.
Katsidis proved that when he knocked down Marquez in the third round with a quick left hook that hurt Marquez. Marquez, true to form, shook off the punch, fought back and by the end of the round was back in command of the fight. With each round Marquez continued to dominate and it was his experience as well as his amazing durability that won the day for him.
The fight, a likely candidate for the fight of the year, though mostly dominated by Marquez was exciting. At 37 years of age, part of the drama of watching Marquez fight is wondering if this is the fight where he shows his age. The thought was that over the long haul, that maybe Katsidis’ youth would kick in against an aging Marquez. It never happened. Instead referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight in the ninth round after Katsidis was hurt from a series of punches thrown by Marquez. Some of the fans didn’t like it but Katsidis didn’t argue the stoppage.
Marquez always finds a reserve to draw upon. He has such a strong will to win. This is what makes him such a great champion and one that could have fought in any era. Fighting at a time when most fighters are afraid to take a real risk, Marquez continues to fight the best available fighters out there. Marquez, though has only one fighter in mind, it is his “Magnificent Obsession “, a third fight with Manny Pacquiao. It is his belief, a belief that is shared by many, that he won both of his fights with Pacquiao. This is what propels him.
I can’t say why Pacquiao refuses to give him a third fight and I honestly don’t know if at this point in time Marquez can still beat Pacquiao, but even if you feel, to be fair, as some do, that Pacquiao did win his two fights, the fact remains that the difference between the two is razor thin. There is no other better qualified or deserving opponent for Manny Pacquiao.
Marquez can’t go on forever. A fighter his age in the lighter weights is an anomaly. Don’t miss another of his fights. He doesn’t get the attention of Floyd Mayweather Jr or Manny Pacquiao just as earlier in his career, he fought in the shadows of his countrymen Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales but Marquez is a true boxing legend. Maybe when it is all said and done, he may just emerge as the best of all of them.
Faith Renée Evans (born march 21, 1973) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, actress and author. Born in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Evans moved to Los Angeles in 1993 for a career in the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B. Sure, and Christopher Williams, she became the first female artist to be signed to Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment label in 1994, on which she released three platinum-certified studio albums between the years of 1995 and 2001. In 2003, she left the label to sign with Capitol Records. She released one studio album and a christmas compilation on the label before leaving and signing with E1 Entertainment in 2009. Next to her recording career, Evans is widely known as the widow of New York rapper Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, whom she married on August 4, 1994, three weeks after meeting at a Bad Boy photoshoot.The turbulent marriage led to Evans' involvement in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop feud, dominating the rap scene at the time, and ended with Wallace's murder in a yet-unsolved drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California in March 1997. A 1997 tribute single featuring Puff Daddy and 112, entitled "I'll Be Missing You", became Evans' biggest-selling hit to date and won her a Grammy Award in 1998. Also an avocational actress and writer, Evans made her big screen debut in the 2000 musical drama Turn It Up by Robert Adetuyi. Her self-written autobiography Keep the Faith: A Memoir was released by Grand Central Publishing in 2008 and won a 2009 African American Literary Award for the Best Biography/Memoir category.
Evans was born in Lakeland, Florida, to an African-American mother, Helene Evans, a professional singer.Her father, Richard Swain, was a Caucasian musician who left before Evans was born.A half year later, 19-year-old Helene returned to Newark, New Jersey and left Faith with her cousin Johnnie Mae and husband Orvelt Kennedy, the foster parents of more than hundred children they raised in the time that Faith lived with them. It was not until a couple of years later, Helene's career floundered and she tried to take Evans back home. Faith, however, was scared to leave what she'd "been used to", and instead, Helene moved in next door. Raised in a Christian home, Evans began singing at church at age two. At age four, she caught the attention of the congregation of the Emmanuel Baptist Church (in Newark) when she sang The 5th Dimension's song "Let the Sunshine In".While attending University High School in Newark, she sang with several jazz bands and, encouraged by Helene, entered outside pageants, festivals and contests, where her voice would be noticed and praised. After graduating from high school in 1991, Evans attended Fordham University in New York City to study marketing but dropped out a year later to have daughter Chyna with music producer Kiyamma Griffin. A couple of months later, she moved to Los Angeles, where she worked as a backup vocalist for singer Al B. Sure!, when she caught the ear of musician Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. Impressed with her persona, Combs signed her as the label's first female artist to his Bad Boy Entertainment in 1994.
Newly signed to Bad Boy Records, Evans was consulted by executive producer Combs to contribute backing vocals and writing skills to Mary J. Blige's My Life (1994) and Usher'sself-titled debut album (1994) prior to starting work on her debut record Faith. Released on August 29, 1995 in North America, the album saw her primarily collaborating with Bad Boy's main producers The Hitmen, including Chucky Thompson and Combs, but also spawned recordings with Poke & Tone and Herb Middleton. Faith became a hit based on the singles "You Used to Love Me" and "Soon as I Get Home". The album was certified Platinum with 1,500,000 copies sold, according to RIAA.
The next year, she received another two Grammy nominations for "Heartbreak Hotel", a collaboration with singers Whitney Houston and Kelly Price, that reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Two years in the making, Evans' second solo effort, Keep the Faith, was released in October 1998. Almost entirely written and produced by her, Evans considered the album tough to complete as she had initially felt discouraged about the progress at first Upon its release, however, the album garnered generally positive reviews by music critics, with Allmusic noting it "without a doubt a highlight of 1990s soul-pop music".[Also enjoying commercial success, it eventually went platinum and produced the top ten singles "Love Like This" and "All Night Long", prompting Evans to start an 18-city theater tour with Dru Hill and Total the following year.
Evans' third album on the Bad Boy imprint, entitled Faithfully (2001), saw her working with a wider range of producers, including The Neptunes, Mario Winans, Buckwild, Vada Nobles, Cory Rooney, and others.[11] Her first project with husband Todd Russaw as executive producer and creative partner, the album reached number 14 on the Billboard 200 album chart and number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, eventually being certified platinum, but spawned moderately successful singles, with the Jennifer Lopez-penned "I Love You" becoming the only top twenty entry
Released amid Bad Boy Records' transition from distributor Arista Records to Universal, Evans felt Faithfully received minimum support by the label, and in 2004, she finally decided to leave Bad Boy as she was convinced Combs couldn't take her career any further due to his other commitments After leaving Bad Boy Entertainment Evans signed with Capitol Records, becoming the first contemporary R&B artist to do so, and started work on her fourth studio album The First Lady, named after her nickname on her former label.As opposed to having an in-house team of producers who supplied most of the previous material, she and Russaw were able to gain more creative control over the album and consulted producers such as Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Mike Caren, Pharrell Williams, and Chucky Thompson to contribute to it.Upon its release in April 2005, The First Lady opened at number two on the Billboard 200 and on the top spot of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming Evans' highest-charting album to date. It was eventually certified gold by the RIAA.
At the end of the year, Evans released A Faithful Christmas, a holiday album of traditional Christmas songs and original tracks. The effort would become her last release on Capitol Records
Following a longer hiatus, Evans signed a deal with E1 Entertainment in 2010. The company along with Evans and Ten2One Entertainment are to produce a reality series named It's All About Faith chronicling her life and the recording of her fifth studio album Something About Faith, which is scheduled for release on October 5, 2010. The album's first single, entitled "Gone Already," was released in July 2010.
I encourage you to participate in WORLD AIDS DAY 2010 this year as the numbers of infected HIV paitients are increasingly high. Protect yourself, & the one you love, RAISE AWARENESS & REMOVE THE STIGMA!
Over 90,000 people are living with HIV in the UK and new infections continue every year. World AIDS Day 2010 is all about raising awareness to tackle HIV prejudice and help stop the spread of HIV.
Explore this site to ensure you understand the facts about HIV and find out what you can do to ACT AWARE. Make a pledge and join people all over the world making a difference on 1 December 2010.
The Red Ribbon is the international symbol of support for people living with HIV. Wearing a red ribbon is a great way to raise awareness about HIV as well as to break down stigma and prejudice, so make sure you get yours in time for World AIDS Day!
Red Ribbons will also be available on the high street in the lead up to World AIDS Day, 1 December. Look out for them at your local MAC store:
if it's one thing that i love, it's Marilyn Monroe, if it's another thing i love it's Betsey Johnson ( have a nice purse assortment); but to find them TOGETHER...brightens my cold heart. here's some flicks for me to gaze at in amazement, at both the arrivals and price tag (OUCH!)
What appears dormant, is in fact growing on an unseen dimension. You may not see progress with your visible eye, but in your well doing, you will see progress come to the surface. Just learn how to walk by faith and not by sight. You will see growth. You will see your blessing.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:4-5
Let us not become weary in your well doing, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
This Morning, Gravity is working against me. the more i try to pull myself out of this pit, the more it feels like these thoughts, these feelings, this PAIN is bringing me back down. the dreams, the unanswered questions, the feeling of loneliness, abandonment, and overall sense of not being good enough- has me wanting to get off this train.
One of my favorite Singer's Ms. Chrisette Michele will be releasing her 3rrd album intitled "Let Freedom Reign". The 15-track album features guest appearances from Talib Kweli, Rick Ross and Black Thought (from The Roots).
Chrisette will Let Freedom Reign on 11.30.2010 (PLEASE BUY THIS!!!)
1. “Fairy Tales and Castles (Part 1)” 2. “I’m a Star” 3. “Number One” 4. “Fairy Tales and Castles (Part 2)” 5. “I Don’t Know Why, But I Do” 6. “Let Freedom Reign” feat. Talib Kweli & Black Thought 7. “Goodbye Game” 8. “So Cool” 9. “So in Love” feat. Rick Ross 10. “So in Love” (Skit) 11. “I’m Your Life” 12. “I’m from NY” (Skit) 13. “Unsaid” 14. “If Nobody Sang Along” 15. “I Know Nothing”
Here's some of my favorite tracks off the new album (also in bold if i couldn't post the vid)
i hope you had a peaceful, restful, and blessed thanksgiving. as we enter futher into the holiday season, i hope that your days are filled with happiness, joy, and the spirit of giving.
So after heavy procrastination (simply because I wasn’t mentally ready to hear what I wanted to know) I FINALLY copped Steve Harvey’s 1st book, Act like a lady, Think like a Man.
Here’s what I think of it at the halfway mark.
(Disclaimer: I’m not posting what’s in the book, I WILL NOT spoil it for you)
Growing up (yea I’m 22, but I feel sooo old) I ALWAYS wanted to be cool w/ an older man who was able to “school” me on the mind and ways of a man. I basically wanted someone who lives this shit every day to teach me how to address men, how to get any man I wanted RESPECTFULLY, and to know those whom weren’t about shit right off break and those who were- to teach me how a man should treat his woman, how men should prioritize family, God, Money etc. Typically this person is normally your father or father figure, but due to circumstances out of my control, I never got that series of talk or up-bringing. ANYWAY, I’m mid-way through the book and YES I learned a lot, some of which I already knew (but didn’t put into practice) and a lot of it makes me go “hmmmm, now I get it” I’ll prob. Read and re-read this a few times, highlighting key parts and making notes and meditating on it (yes it’s that good in my eyes). NOW, you may find a few woman who think this is just a book of excuses; let me tell you now they are those who cannot and will not move past hurt, anger, resentment etc. woman like myself will take this as a lesson learn, an opportunity to DO BETTER in relations with men and gather the information needed to accurately address men. You may also find some men who think Steve is giving away the game, giving away the secrets etc. and while some may think this is the case, it’s not. I see this as again, that man whose an OG in this game of life, simply giving pointers and guidance to woman. I confess this with all my being, I cannot and for a while never thought I would understand the ways of a man, however after reading this book (keep in mind I’m at midpoint) I realize things that seem so common sense now, and I feel this is definitely a must-have if your attempting to become a better woman, which is the journey I’m on.
The book is about 16 bucks now @ borders about the same price as a nicki minaj cd and if you can spend money on ZANE, Teri Woods or Noire then you can def, pick up a book that if you read whole-heartedly, without pointing fingers and an open mind, can save you a heartbreak in the future.
But don’t just take my word for it ladies and gentlemen…READ THE BOOK.
Phyllis Hyman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the St. Clair Village, the South Hills section of Pittsburgh. After leaving Pittsburgh, her music training started with a scholarship to a music school. On graduation, she performed on a national tour with the group New Direction in 1971. After the group disbanded, she joined All the People and worked with another local group, The Hondo Beat. At this time, she appeared in the film Lenny (1974). She also did a two-year stint leading a band called Phyllis Hyman and the P/H Factor. Hyman was discovered in 1975 by internationally known pop artist and music industry veteran Sid Maurer, and former Epic Records promoter Fred Frank, and signed to their Roadshow Records/Desert Moon imprint.
Hyman moved to New York City to work on her reputation. She did background vocals on Jon Lucien's Premonition and worked in clubs. It was during one of these performances that she was spotted by Norman Connors, who offered her a spot as a vocalist on his album, You Are My Starship (1976). The duo scored on the R&B charts with a remake of The Stylistics' "Betcha by Golly Wow!".
Hyman sang with Pharoah Sanders and the Fatback Band while working on her first solo album, Phyllis Hyman, released in 1977 on the Buddah Records label. When Arista Records bought Buddha, she was transferred to that label. Her first album for Arista, Somewhere in My Lifetime was released in 1978; the title track was produced by then-labelmate Barry Manilow.
Her follow up album You Know How to Love Me, made the R&B Top 20 and also performed well on the club/dance charts. In the late 70's, Hyman married her manager Larry Alexander (who is the brother of Jamaican pianist and melodica player Monty Alexander), but both the personal and professional associations ended in divorce. Larry introduced Phyllis to cocaine which led to a life long dependency and spent a lot of her money during the years. The relationship was tumultuous to say the least.
Hyman's first solo Top Ten hit came in 1981 with "Can't We Fall In Love Again", a duet with Michael Henderson. The song was recorded while she was performing in the Broadway musical Sophisticated Ladies, a tribute to Duke Ellington. She performed in the role for almost two years, receiving a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and winning a Theatre World Award for Best Newcomer.
Problems between Hyman and her label, Arista, caused a pause in her recording career. She used the time to appear on movie soundtracks, television commercials and guest vocals, working with Chuck Mangione, The Whispers and The Four Tops. Hyman provided vocals for three tracks on jazz pianist McCoy Tyner's Looking Out (1982). She toured often and did a college lecture tour.
In 1983, Hyman recorded the song "Never Say Never Again" as the title song for the James Bond movie of the same name, written by Stephen Forsyth and Jim Ryan. However, Warner Brothers informed Forsyth that Michel Legrand, who wrote the score for the film, had threatened to sue them, claiming he contractually had the rights to the title song. An alternate title song composed by Legrand was eventually used for the film and performed by singer Lani Hall, formerly of Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66.
Free from Arista in 1985, she released the album, Living All Alone on Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International label the following year, capitalizing on the torch songs, "Old Friend" and the melancholy title track, as well as "You Just Don't Know" and "Screaming at the Moon". Shortly afterwards, she appeared in the films School Daze and The Kill Reflex. She would also continue to lend her voice to albums for other artists and musicians like Grover Washington, Jr. and Lonnie Liston Smith, while at the same time doing international tours.
Her next album, again on Philadelphia International, called Prime of My Life, released in 1991, was the biggest of her career. It included her first number one R&B hit as well as her first Billboard Top 100 hit, "Don't Wanna Change the World". The album provided two more top 10 R&B singles in "Living in Confusion" and "When You Get Right Down to It", and the less successful "I Found Love". Just over a year later, she appeared one last time on a Norman Connors album, singing the title song, "Remember Who You Are", which became a minor R&B hit. Prime of My Life eventually sold 454,000 copies to date. The album and debut single were both RIAA certified Gold in 1992.
Hyman's last album, I Refuse to Be Lonely, was a journey into her personal life. Both the title track and the single "I'm Truly Yours" became minor R&B hits.
On the afternoon of June 30, 1995, Hyman committed suicide by overdosing on pentobarbital and secobarbital in her New York City apartment.[1] She was found hours before she was scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theatre. Her suicide note read in part:
"I'm tired. I'm tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you."
She was 45 years old. A memorial service was held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Manhattan. The following week would have been her 46th birthday.
My most anticipated release (hopefully before the end of 2010) besides Keyshia Cole's is most definitely this young lady's right here. Marsha Ambrosius.
Her voice is remarkable, i've yet to hear anyone do her songs, or stand on the same stage with her and outdo her.
Many thanks to Pat Ruggiero for sending me these classic old photos. Pat was one of the trainers from the old Main Street Gym in Los Angeles and learned his craft from veteran trainer and manager Ralph Gambina. Pat worked with Middleweight Mike Nixon and featherweight David Sotelo
Ralph Gambina and Heavyweight John Baca at
the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles, California
Pat Ruggiero and Ralph Gambina
Middleweight Mike Nixon, Pat Ruggiero, Sugar Ray Robinson and
Ralph Gambina at the Main Street Gym, Los Angeles, California
Sylvester Stallone and Pat Ruggiero at the
Main Street Gym during the filming of Rocky in 1976
Pat Ruggiero and Bobby Chacon
Al Silvani, Frank Sinatra, Hank Sanicola,
Ralph Gambina and Cisco Andrade, 1950's
Pat Ruggerio working the corner of David Sotelo during Sotelo's fight with Art Hafey, April 15, 1976 at the Olympic Auditorium
I'm raising the white flag of surrender....to GOD i was dealt this hand called life, and I'm sitting trying shuffle the cards and with each card, each situation seems to weigh more i can't help but think that what i face is more than i bargained for so since i can't seem to fight alone, i must call on the most high "vengeance is mine" he said, so my victory everytime won't be denied i must let go of my control, allow myself to feel free from this bitterness and pain be the strong woman I've become, and walk tall against the coming rain resisting the temptation might be hard, but i can't fall if i crawl before i can walk my faith and belief won't decrease if i change the way that i talk accepting my situation for not what it is now, but what it is i want it to be and if i get fed up, so be it, gotta move on; then i'll know it wasn't meant for me there's nothing i can do to change the ways of a man to see what he has is one in a million the type of woman who if you do right, be there for life, a Wife, Friend, Support, Mother of your children but that's not gonna stop me from looking to the future and beyond my circumstance because if not him...i know god will grant me a worthy man selfish you might call me but I'm really not waiting for your decision because if you never wake up or fall back in line, i'll always have a goal and must accomplish my own mission I've allowed myself to live in fear, thinking i can't go on, might as well die; if i don't have you although the bond is strong, I'll have to suffer while carrying on to do what i need to my life is my own, i got dreams and wants and needs same as the next woman and i'll be damned if i waste time sitting, waiting, anticipating;- not truly living them my focus has changed; this is not an option i must give it away if i don't i don't believe I'll see another blessing, won't live to see another joyous day this is more of an affirmation, i could care less if you read this and give a care just remember tomorrow's not promised, and neither am i to be there i walk a long road, with my head held high- not letting the past hold me back
Complete faith and belief in the lord, yeah I have that But what’s there to keep me sane; in my sleep I suffer panic attacks Insomniac, I frequently wake up stay up wondering will this pain and heartache ever cease Praying for deliverance now; seems like an everyday thing with me I’m searching for a human being; to put my mind at ease Hold me & console me and tell me everything’s gonna be alright, I’ll make it at least Maybe I lack understanding and can’t see that I must allow god to take man’s place Even though I feel like nobody hears me or understands me. And I’m the only one seeing these tears come down my face Do I give up on everyone and everything? , leave and don’t look behind me anymore? Or am I just being weak because what’s happening in my life is more than what I bargained for? I’m stuck in a dangerous situation, I’m failing fast and I just feel like I need somebody to pick me up Seems like everybody in my life’s got their own thing going on; forgot about me; or just don’t give a fuck They say you’ll find out who really cares about you when you’re down and out and in need of a kind word of encouragement So it doesn’t take a blind man to see in my life whose here for my betterment or my detriment Yeah I’m reaching out and bitches acting brand new, go months of being social but never to me say was-up And the nigga’s got a one track mind, seems like the ones I give the room only trying to fuck Where’s the love; or matter of fact where’s the understanding I pick and choose real selective, the ones that make it seem to become a corpse just standing Yes I got my family, but they got their burdens; we stay in prayer to pull us all through Where’s that person at to help me carry this heavy load? ; or am I supposed to go that alone too?
Although I must admit I’m hurting; I know soon we’ll both understand That this decision has nothing to do with me being the wrong/right woman or you being the wrong/right man It’s about feelings running deeper than we imagined; a break is something we’d both want to pursue It’s about me finding out what lies ahead for me; and you finding out what lies ahead for you No I’m not turning the page; I’m just putting a bookmark on this page and moving our book to the side Titles might physically change; but in every aspect I’ll still always be your ride or die I stand before you more humble than ever; emotionally distraught but willing to cope Never hanging myself though; the ties that bind us together; I firmly hold that rope Never letting go I won’t; as long as you make me one promise to ensure peace That you’ll be honest, open, and halfway we’ll both always meet Never be afraid to come to me; understanding will always overrule my emotions maybe not initially As long as we provide the same love, more respect than before; I’ll never forget how much you mean to me We’re maturing, at the same time and we’re not on the same level in some ways But I know god’s gonna pull us through and back together; some form, I know we’ll see better days And even though I may not understand at the moment; may come off a little bitter and over paranoid It’s just because I didn’t picture it being this way + wasn’t prepared; but it’s not a negative I feel; it’s a working Polaroid Woman on the grow, gaining experience in life, love and the pursuit of something real Scared cause I don’t know what the future holds; all I can do is continue moving; it’s not about the depth of the situation, it’s about how I feel Can you understand where I stand?, if not please allow me to elaborate For us to be on one accord, same page, same lane, I’ll do whatever it takes Let no other person take my place, you know I’ll do the same; just be real with It all Best believe same way I’m there, god’s there for us whenever we fall Let your heart stay with me and I promise to never forsake you I’ll work my hardest to maintain, even while the present seems like something we can’t make it through
What I’m basically saying is don’t leave me in past Bring me towards your future having full faith that I’m who I say and claim to be
I see them smiling at me, but I can’t help but try to decide If these “friends” are who they say they are or snakes in disguise You see, it’s funny how they get real religious when I’m speaking in terms But once I’m not around, I’m the first bitch “friendship” bridge they burn Switching sides like lights turn on the concrete street I don’t know weather they should be standing in my face, or slithering at my feet I understand how you gonna play your position and play this dirty game But for you to turn from ride or die to a flaky motherfucker like that; is a got damn shame Nobody understands Loyalty; Family and a Conscience must don’t mix Because everybody walking around acting real shifty like they smoking that white shit Disobeying the code; loving the opposing side but quick to holler and fuss in an affiliation Makes a confused individual like me THAT much frustrated; I no longer have the patience Everybody’s looking out for nobody but themselves, ain’t that some bullshit? First one’s quick to call themselves defending you; knees come falling flat on the pulpit Their angel wings must be tucked behind those damn horns cause I sure don’t see their good deeds Living in that fantasy world must really be the way to do; well not for me
This is my 1st post in the IDOL series, identifying those people whom I admire, in some way form or fashion.
First up is the incomparable Marilyn Monroe
Reasons why I admire her vary; she 1st BEYOND BEAUTIFUL; & was an individual, with her own mind, own sense of self and show determination that no matter what, she was going to be successful. 2nd she deferred from the “thin is in” movement and was considered today a size 12. Dealing with the rumors, constant pressures from the media, and battling the demons associated with Depression etc. she for a while handled it very well. But as I always say, there’s only so much a person can take.
Just before he turned himself in to a federal prison, TI sat down with Vibe Magazine for the December 2010 cover story. Inside, he spoke on how his good deeds are easily forgotten and how he acquired his drug habit:
On if he thinks he’s been treated unfairly Let me just say this: [he sits up on the couch] If you look at a guy who came up, no pops in the house, moms on welfare, food stamps; started selling dope when he was 12, 13 years old, came up handling guns, being in shoot-outs; started going to jail when he was 15. In all of this chaos and this mischief and lawlessness, the person who was just in jail for machine guns and silencers turns his life around. And now you want to crucify him ―for what? Three pills. I mean, of course it’s wrong and unacceptable and inexcusable. No problem. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s rather petty. It’s rather petty to hold someone’s feet to the fire for something so small when they have overcame things that were so big. All that could have been going wrong―if I was riding with more guns, or if I had gotten into a shoot-out and killed somebody, then I could see that. But just think about it. I’ve gotten it down to this much.
On his drug habit I had a lot of work done to my teeth. Oral surgery, extractions, six, seven, eight root canals. Between January to February. As soon as I got out, I had a lot of stuff done. In the joint, you eat sh*t that is unhealthy for you. I had fillings that fell out and stuff that had to get dealt with. Of course for the pain they gave me oxycontin and hydrocodone. And, mind you, on October 13, 2007, I had cut off everything―weed, alcohol. Then I get these pills and I start taking them for the pain at first. And then I’m like, Wait―this shit makes me feel good. And it’s legal. After the pain went away, I kept taking it. I had like five, six prescriptions. So I had, like 80 pills. Everybody else might have a drink or smoke a blunt, I took a pain pill. Times when I had 18-, 20-hour days, I’d take a pain pill. And eventually I developed―I guess―the beginning stages of dependence.
Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey HBO Production
Getty Images
2010-11-20
By Randy De La O
Saturday night’s fight at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall in New Jersey was short and sweet. It was 1:10 into the second round when Sergio Martinez saw his opening and threw an explosive left hook to the side of Paul Williams jaw. It connected and then some. The ending was so sudden, so complete it was almost surreal, It was the type of knockout that scares you. “I was waiting for a mistake, but I was surprised that it came so soon, I didn't want the judges to rob me this time" said Martinez
The fight itself was expected to be a continuation of the first fight which ended in a controversial majority decision in favor of Williams. That fight never materialized. Martinez got his revenge quickly and decisively in a fight that started out competitively. The knockout is almost certain to be the knockout of the year and could end up being the knockout of the decade. I can’t remember the last time I saw such a devastating one punch knockout. “I got caught” said Williams “I just got caught”. Boy, did he ever.
There is a primal savagery in the way that Martinez fights; skilled but with a sort of reckless abandonment. He evokes memories of a time when the middleweights were king.This champ is not afraid of taking risks. He wanted to make his mark here in the United States and he did. It’s hard to believe that Martinez won’t have a following after this knockout. With one single punch he stole the thunder from last week’s fight between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. It has to shake up the pound for pound rankings.
Message to Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.; Make your fight with each other and quick. There is a new sheriff in town that realistically doesn’t need either one of you. Martinez is the kind of guy that can make both of you an after thought. Come to think about it, that fight is becoming less important by the minute. Better hurry!
