The Day Boxing Died...

Well we can finally lay out the tombstone for the sport of boxing. For years I've said the only reason the sport of boxing doesn't make the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is simple...after that fight there's really no one else to watch...other than Mayweather-Pacquioa 2. Then there was tonights fight...Pacquiao-Bradley. And words can not express, how much of a complete disappointment this fight was from start to finish.

For years it's been said...boxing is fixed and as corrupt as it gets as a sport. And it was proven true at least for tonight. In what has to be the biggest robbery in this sport, Bradley "officially" was named the winner by split decision. But in reality, it was a complete white washing by Manny Pacquioa. Throughout the fight, from the first round forward, Pacman established his straight left (a punch I've said he'd never land on Floyd) and pummelled Tim Bradley with it for 12 rounds. Bradley had no answer offensively or defensively for Manny's arsenal. In the end though, that apparently didn't matter to two of the three judges who somehow saw it fit to give Bradley the edge on the scorecards. When the first scorecard was announced, 115-113 Pacquiao, I for one was stunned. I thought to myself, "What? 115-113? What the fuck. Oh well" thinking to myself, it's an isolated incident...then the next card Buffer read was 115-113 Bradley. I skipped shocked and went into hysterical disbelief. A split decision in this fight for Manny? No way...then Michael Buffer announced the last scorecard...115-113, for the winner by split decision...AND NEW...that was the last thing i heard as i saw Bradley joyfully raise his hands...and just like that...the coffin was nailed shut for the "sport" of boxing.

Somehow, Bradley had won five of the last six rounds on two scorecards. Judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross scored it 115-113 for Bradley, while losing on Jerry Roth's scorecard by the same margin. I had the fight 120-108 for Pacquiao, a much more credible source (The Associated Press) had Pacquiao winning 117-111. It was just something I couldn't comprehend. Even if you found a way to score five of the last six rounds for Bradley, which other two rounds did you give him to score him the win? Bradley came into this fight in great shape, but he simply didn't have the technique or skill to hang with Pacquiao let alone win this fight. Manny outlanded Bradley in ten of twelve rounds, and 253-159 throughout the match. Power punches was 190 for Manny while Bradley landed (supposedly landed...the guy has no power) 108. Pacman also had a bigger percentage of punches landed 34% to 19%. It was for all intent and purposes, a boxing lessen by a world class fighter, who fought a guy with no power and somewhat a raw talent by my observation.

I guess the one negative thing I can say about Manny during this boring fight, is that Pacman simply didn't finish Bradley and really didn't try to. He sort of coasted, while scoring the bigger punches in every round. Manny left it up to the judges by not knoking out Bradley, and in the end, he lost his belts, his 15 fight winning streak, and possibly the huge Mayweather payday. If you were waiting for that fight, be prepared to wait some more. No matter who you are a fan of, Mayweather or Pacquiao, the decision reached at the end of this fight was a complete farce. Anyone with objectivity will see it that way. There are no winners tonight (other than the gamblers who bet on Bradley who was a 3-1 underdog). Manny lost his titles but the sport of boxing lost its dignity if it had any left. The rematch is already set for November 10. This time I expect Manny to come out and try to annihilate Bradley quickly to garner some sort of retribution for this robbery...but will anyone be watching? With MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) eating part of Boxing's market share, this match didn't do anything to sway people back to boxing.

From Magic to Disaster

Before this season I was a supporter of Dwight Howard and his demands in Orlando. Honestly, all he wanted was a competitive team to go against the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat of the worlds. But as the season went on, you saw him throw teammates, coaches, and upper management figures under the bus, and the artificial facade of lovable goofball slowly started to chip away. Yesterday afternoon, you finally saw him for what he was...I calculating ingenuous self absorbed drama setting phony that doesn't give two squats about the franchise.

Before the season we all knew there would be massive media attention on Howard due to possibly that he may opt out of his contract after this season. Howard didn't just mismanage the situation, he turned it into a full blown circus. From openly saying which teams he'd sign long term for, then entertaining media outlets everywhere saying "he could see himself" with teams outside the original four he named. From there he criticized upper management, spoke of Jameer Nelson's inefficiencies, and yesterday's BOMBSHELL that he went behind Stan Van Gundy (SVG) to upper management and wanted him fired. Then you look at the actual video, and what you see from Howard (mainly his denial) is even more damaging.

SVG "heard it straight from the top" apparently, that Howard wanted him out as coach. Stan really has no reason to lie about this. All Howard keeps saying is these decisions arent up to him (which is partially true), but he knows management will at least listen to him. Now Van Gundy is pretty calculating himself, and should share some of the blame. Using a nationally televised game with the NY media in house to drop this early yesterday, but not nearly as damaging as Dwight's denial. Howard was smug, cocky, and cheesy (for lack of a better term) during his Q&A portion yesterday. But he denied, denied, denied even when told HIS coach was the source. The only way this situation can get worse is if Howard was to return next year...oh that's right. Howard opted in for another year of alienating everyone in the greater Orlando area. Personally I'm surprised SVG is still the coach (as of this publishing) in Orlando. Not because he doesn't deserve to be the coach, but because someone has to take the downfall.

As of March 29 the Magic were the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference, as of today they are the #6 seed after losing 5 straight. If this continues Orlando may not make the playoffs, of course that's a formality because even if the make the post season they will be one and out. The fan battle cry usually is wait until next year, but even the most hardened Magic fan can't want any part of this next year. Whether Van Gundy is fired or Howard is traded or both one thing is for certain. Whether Howard leaves and the Magic get nothing or if he's traded and they get some actual return, Dwight has been more detrimental to Orlando this year than LeBron James was to Cleveland or Carmelo was to Denver. Yet fans are more defensive of Howard because of the image he sold fans. But last night Dwight tanked it...mailed it in...his first points came with 3.5 seconds left in the 3rd Quarter....thru 3 quarters he had 5 turnovers, 4 fouls, and 2 points. Ended the night with 8 points, bricking 3 free throws and just not playing. If perception is everything how come you'll see many fans giving him a pass? TNT's channel slogan is "We know drama." Well it was in full view last night. Howard quit on SVG and Orlando...time to stop coddling this fraud.

The End of Tebow-Lunacy

Today is undoubtedly one of the brightest day in Denver Broncos history. Usually you dont have days like this in football during the start of spring. But today, it was made official as Pat Bowlen and John Elway officially introduced Peyton Manning as the new Quarterback of the Denver Broncos. Which means...Tim Tebow and his sideshow circus of ineffectiveness is OUT!!!

Not since December 6 of 2010 (the firing of Josh McDouchebag), have I been this happy as a Denver Broncos fan. Not only does Denver acquire the greatest QB to ever hit free agency, but they also rid themselves of the albatross of limitations known as Timothy Richard Tebow. I know many people in the Mile High area are going to be upset here...ask yourself one question...why? Why would anyone not residing inside of an insane asylum, be even a little miffed at Tim's exodus and Peyton's welcome? Everyone wants to tell you how Tebow "led" the Broncos into the playoffs from a 4-12 team to a Division title and a playoff win. Well there was more personnel responsible than just Tebow. Namely an entire new coaching staff, the #1 run game in football and a defense. Not known by many people the Broncos had the league's worst defense in 2010 allowing a league high 471 points and 6253 yards. But honestly how can anyone sit there & tell you with a straight face, they actually want a QB that can't complete half of his passes & is an erratic decision maker to lead their franchise?

What's really unfortunate, is two Hall of Fame Quarterbacks today sat at a Press Conference, and actually had to answer questions referring to Tebow and what HIS future was with the team. Can you imagine that? Two guys as elite as Manning and Elway having to answer questions about Tebow? These are one of the times i wish all diplomacy was thrown out the window, and the truth would have been spoken. I would have put it quiet simple if I was John Elway..."Look I know what it takes to be a good QB and unfortunately Tim wasn't blessed with great skill. He can't throw in tight windows with timing, he can't make more than one read, he doesn't look off because he only looks at one target, he can't make a read and our team is basically handcuffed running the wishbone offense catered to him instead of a pro style offense. He's a great competitor and has a lot of heart, but we're here to compete for championships and simply put, in a quarterback league where 3 guys threw for 5000+ yards this season alone you can't have a hack who averages 123 yards passing per game...those are just facts...sorry."

Of course all the Tebow supporters will ignore that and reply with he won games, got us into the playoffs, & beat the Steelers. To you people I say this...it wasn't that long ago that I remember John Elway on the field. If you saw John play, you know what a QB is supposed to look like. An on-field general who commanded his teams to improbable comebacks ROUTINELY. Sharp and accurate spirals in tight spaces with pressure bearing down. So after seeing a Hall of Famer, orchestrate such on the field beauty, how can you possibly be want someone like Tebow leading this team? Sorry but I want my Quarterbacks to sit in the pocket, call an audible, make reads, & be able to make completions. I not only welcome a Tim Tebow trade, I would offer to help him look for apartments in his new city.

The business of football is winning. And while Tebow was a nice fad (much like Lin-Sanity), sooner or later the novelty wears off. You need to have actual on field talent to continue winning in the National Football League. And whether you like or hate Tebow, its undeniable that he isn't a capable QB at the NFL level. And anyone who thinks he is needs to get a clue.

Indy No Longer Peyton's Place

For weeks we know this was coming. And no matter how much we tried to ignore it, we knew the decision both Peyton and the Colts were about to make. By now you should all be aware that the business of sports has yet claimed another victim. Today Colts owner Jim Irsay announced "the conclusion of Peyton's playing career with the Colts," indeed the sad end to an era.

I rarely get choked up during pressers, but this one kind of hit me close even though I'm not a Colts fan. People often get angry at athletes for holding out or wanting a new contract, but here is a perfect example of why it happens. One year into a five year deal, the Colts made a financial decision to release the man who single handedly changed the culture in Indianapolis and the fortunes of a dreary franchise. Before Manning came to the Indy, the Colts hadn't had a 10 win season since 1977, when the schedules were 14 games & the Colts resided in Baltimore. That was a span of 22 season before Peyton's second year when he led the Colts to a 13 win season. Think about it, before 1998, Indy was known as a basketball state, the Hoosiers & Bobby Knight, The Reggie Miller Pacers, football was really an afterthought. But Manning changed that and instantly made Indy a winner. Not just a winner, a juggernaut that won 10 plus games every year he was there except for two (1998 rookie season) & (2001). Last year without him Indy was 2-14.

Don't get me wrong here I understand the business aspect here, you cant tie up this much money into one position. With Andrew Luck coming in you have to sort of make room. But lets be honest, Luck won't be ready next year. I always thought Indy would keep Manning to transition into Luck, somewhat like the Packers did with Favre & Rogers. And in my opinion that's what should have happened. There is no one better than Peyton to learn from. Maybe Irsay felt he owed it to Manning to call his own shot after doing so much for his franchise and go to a contender. Regardless, this was the biggest franchise decision since the Irsay's said back up the Mayflower trucks we're blowing out of Baltimore. But the realization that this is indeed happening, that Peyton Manning will actually have another uniform on this September is unreal.

Years ago when I was going through a divorce a friend of mine told me, "divorces are hard no matter what people say. I knew mines was coming for a year & the day I was in court I still cried." Something I can relate to & something we witnessed both Irsay & Manning do at the presser earlier today. This hits us harder because Peyton is a class act. I mean anything you see a guy get choked up at a presser talking about the equipment manager you know he's as genuine as it gets. "Times change, circumstance change, & that's the reality of playing in the NFL." Truer words will never be spoken in an NFL press conference.