Sport

21st Century Boxing

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Here goes again. I hear the fight between Derek ‘Del Boy’ Chisora and David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye has now been sanctioned by the WBA and the WBO.
In a Statement released earlier today, Paco Valcarcel, president of the WBO, said, “We have to go ahead and approve the fight. The Luxembourg Boxing Federation is a member of the WBO and the problem is between the LBF and the British Boxing Board of Control, not the LBF and the WBO.”

The “Licensed To Thrill” card, is being staged by BoxNation in association with Hayemaker boxing.
Now, I may still have separate thoughts about the overall quality of live boxing being aired on the pay channel but they have delivered this fight. And clearly, judging by the number of tickets it has already sold, it is a fight the public wants to see.
The British boxing board of control will not sanction the fight and have stated they will terminate the license of anyone taking part.
Also, siding with the BBBoC are the WBC, stating they will remove licenses of those involved, including the suspension of the Luxembourg Boxing Federation, whose affiliation with WBA and WBO has sanctioned the fight.
Just for a second, consider this… The WBC are the same governing body that allowed Mike Tyson to fight for their version of the heavyweight title after he had bitten off Evander Holyfield’s ear.

I’m going to keep it quite simple really..
And it is a question to those again considering themselves the purists of this sport.
Do you really believe that it is the actions of boxers that are bringing the sport into such disrepute?

If you really do, then here’s a suggestion for you all…
The reality is that is the combined efforts of the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, WBU, IBO et al that are actually killing boxing. You are like the boxing equivalents of religions, each one of you proclaiming to be the ones that will clean up the sport. What a complete nonsense.
So, 2012 will see the commencement of a new tournament.
Forget the Super 6!
I give you the regulating bodies barn burner…
A knock out tournament to the death, leaving only one remaining governing body.
Where does that leave us then?
Well, next up, Goldenboy, Hatton, Don King, Showtime, Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn, Frank Maloney and cohorts duke it out to become the head honcho.
The boxing boards of control of all nations swear allegiance to them, or are terminated themselves.
A new universal proclamation is made, The magna carta of boxing is created by A committee of elder boxing statesman, as voted for by the paying public, which boxers, promoters, boards of control and the the chief of the new world order all sign up to.
Chisora and Haye get it on, Haye wins, fights Vitali Klitschko, loses, retires properly this time, and boxing takes over world as millions switch allegiances back from the UFC.
It may be confusing for a while but the public will see the fights that they want to see and we’ll be rid of this alphabetic chaos.
As it all falls together, Mayweather fights Pacquiao and 21st century boxing is baptised and again crowned king, on the same night.
Simple!

Music

How about something a little different?

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I’m a great believer in always trying something twice. That may partly explain why I’ve always learnt things the hard way.
But, it also might explain why so very often, I change my thinking about something that others may be quick to dismiss.
Anyway, below is my take on the suggestions given to me by my friends. Quite a mixture, I think you’ll agree…

Sport

A New Era for Boxing?

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Am I the only person who is seeing that a positive effect can still come of the weekends boxing events?
Of course, I am referring to the slap, the water spitting and the brawling which have all overshadowed a magnificent performance by a British boxer, challenging for a (and once most prestigious) version of the Heavyweight championship of the world.
The boxing experts, governing bodies, promoters and worlds press are all onboard the band wagon, criticising and expressing their disgust at the behaviour of men who fight for a living.
Does anyone else sense just a little irony here?

Continue reading “A New Era for Boxing?”

Music Twitter

Doors close on Tim Peaks Diner.

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Today sees the doors close on Tim Peaks Diner. But this isn’t another business calling time amidst a countries financial woes. This sees the end (?)of the hugely successful brainchild of Charlatans front man Tim Burgess.
Tim Peaks Diner is a virtual cafe that people can pop into by simply dropping Tim @Tim_Burgess a tweet or twenty on social networking site Twitter. The diner plays host to tens of thousands of people during it’s opening hours and boasts quite a significant selection of coffees, teas, spice infusions, shakes and more. The selection is…well, endless. Whatever your mind can concoct, Tim can serve up. And it’s a diner, so if you feel the need for something a little more substantial then you can always treat yourself to a selection of cupcakes, muffins, biscuits…hey he’ll even rustle you up a sandwich if you ask nicely. (the vegetarian selection is outstanding)

There is a jukebox too, which will always keep you smiling. Tim’s eclectic mix of musical tastes kick off each morning with #timsbreakfastbanger which is aired shortly after opening hours. There then ensues many other playlists and some corking tunes. Where else could you here Prince singing with the muppets, Kraftwerk and The Beach Boys all played by one dj.
All very interesting I hear you say, but what makes makes this diner so special for it’s residents?
Well…for a kick off, Tim personally dishes out the orders. In the virtual world, this means personal responses to each ‘tweet’ received. Translated into social media speak, this means that, with over 20000 followers, he’s dedicating a fair old amount of time to interacting with his fans.
In the months that the doors have been opening, that’s quite some tweeting, and quite some typing. There’s been the live events too.. Not content at being totally virtual, the diner doors entered the physical world for some real life human interaction over twitter too. I think Mr Burgess might refer to that as a touch of psychedelic irony…but who am I to second guess him.
The Charlatans albums listening parties from Nashville, Dublin, Manchester et al were all smashing events for those who attended too.
Having had the pleasure of meeting him on one occasion, it’s a double dose of gratitude that has to expressed in closing the review.
For the musical memories that pretty much define the soundtrack of a generation, for keeping going and, in keeping with the subject of the blog, for opening the doors of Tim Peaks Diner to us all, we thank you.
I think everyone who has stopped by will testify, it’s been an enormous amount of fun.

Go on, get over to Tim Peaks Diner today.
If your quick…and I mean really quick, you might catch Tim for that last cuppa!
Or Check out The Charlatans
And look out for Tim’s autobiography coming soon…