Sunday, December 07, 2008

NOT DEAD,
JUST DVR'D!


As a die hard boxing fan it saddens me to see the sport of boxing not doing well. (I know 2009 is off to a great start, but I'm talking in the grand scheme of things). I know the usual complaints of corruption, bad fights, and too many PPV's. I agree with all of them! The Bryguy is not here to convince you that the sport he loves is perfect. I am not here to talk about the reasons why you should overlook bad fights, or even forget about corruption. What I am here to do, is tell you the great secret about how I still enjoy boxing so much. THE DVR! It's not just great for the Office, and Always Sunny in Philidelphia, but boxing too. As much as I love the sport of boxing, I am not willing to lose out on a good Friday or Saturday night out. I can go to the bar and I am guaranteed not to see Jim Lampley and Emmanuel Steward on the TV, and I have even less of a chance catching a PPV or Showtime fight on. I don't have to worry about someone ruining the outcome of the fight and best of all, if the fight stinks, just fast forward past it! I am as big a fight fan as you'll find, and I actually watch most of my fights over coffee not beer. Pavlick - Taylor I, Lacy - Calzaghe, and Cotto - Malignaggi are just few of the brawls I watched over my morning caffeine. (there is the occasional fight I watch with one eye as the room spins, but I usually re-watch those in the morning too). Not a bad way to start the day if I do say so myself. (Of course I'm talking about the fight, not the hangover!) So next time you decide to say boxing is a dying sport, take a moment and ask yourself, "am I just watching it wrong?".

Friday, November 14, 2008

Jeff Lacy vs. Jermain Taylor

If you had told me 3 or 4 years ago that Jeff lacy was going to fight Jermain Taylor, I would have told you "the PPV is on me!". I would talked for months about how Lacy would overwhelm Taylor with combinations in the late rounds, but perhaps after he hit the deck once or twice from flush shots from Taylor. I would have preached how it had the potential to be a fight of the year candidate, and the winner might never lose a fight. (I may be exaggerating a little, but I do get pretty pumped up for big fights, and a few years ago this would have been considered a good fight.)

Fast forward to 2008 and this is a crossroads fight. My stomach churned as I watched Jeff lacy get absolutely destroyed by Joe Calzaghe. I caught up on sleep during Taylor's middleweight reign, and I cheered as Kelly Pavlick brought that reign to thudding close with his sledgehammer right hand. What the hell happened to these two rising stars? Both guys seemed to not only have the goods to be solid fighters for years to come, but they also had something that could have made them crossover stars, something boxing needs as "The Golden Boy" calls it quits. Lacy laid an egg against Calzaghe and if you ask me took a needless beating because his corner was too proud to halt the bout. When Lacy returned after his Calzaghe embarrassed Lacy, "Left Hook" was put in with another awkward lefty, where he tore his rotator cuff in the 3rd round, and again fight till the end needlessly. Since then it has seemed as if Jeff has been a shell of himself. He doesn't let his hands go with reckless abandon, and lightning fast combinations that had halted opponents, has all but disappeared. He doesn't even seem the same in his interviews, that guy with endless confidence who feared nobody, has turned into the guy who looks as if he is putting on a fake bravado to prove how tough he is in hopes the school bully won't pick on him.

Taylor just squeezed by Hopkins, and then cashed in on his title, while at the same time picking a trainer that didn't suit his style very well. Two lackluster performances against smaller opponents, in Cory Spinks and Kassim Ouma left the champ without to many fans. That lead Jermain to an undefeated highly touted middleweight named Kelly Pavlick. Even though he dropped Pavlick early, Taylor took too many rights to the head, and was finally stopped in the 7th. Taylor would reunite with his childhood trainer Ozell Nelson, and give Pavlick a better fight in the rematch, but still end up on the losing end. He has since moved to 168 and will square off against his former Olympic roommate tomorrow night.

It looks as iff this could be a WWE type match, winner moves on, and the loser goes home, for good! This will be a tough fight for me to watch because there wasn't a bigger Lacy fan on the planet that The Bryguy. I was such a big fan that my Mom even said she was sorry after the Calzaghe(that's the honest to god truth, momma Bryguy is the best). Even though Taylor seems to have had less wear & tear than Lacy has, I can't pick against my man. I head says a stoppage late for Taylor, somewhere around the 10th, my heart says the old "Left Hook" is going to show up and take a 10 round decision. It's not out of the question, Lacy has never shown up to a fight and given anything less than 110 percent. He has had lackluster performances, but the past few years can be seen as ring rust from injuries. Taylor however has been stopped once before and Will always have to apologize for his showing against Spinks and Ouma. I will never root against Lacy, so I'm going with a classic "Left Hook" to take this. PREDICTION: LACY UD

Monday, September 15, 2008

TOP RING ENTRY SONGS

TOP RING ENTRY SONGS II


I started Bryguy Boxing exactly three years ago to the day! Thank you, thank you. In that time I have written some good stuff(I predicted Hatton-Mayweather to the round), I have written some horrible stuff(I've gotten just about every other prediction dead wrong), and I have written one entry that appears at the top of Google if you are looking. Ring entry songs! Yes, my blog entry about my top five picks for great ring entry songs has been Googled more times than I can count on my hands and feet! Who knew the Bryguy would be the go to guy for such a thing? I guess I know my stuff, that or I could be the only human being strange enough to write about what songs should be played just before you get into a ring to bash someones face in. In honor of Bryguy Boxing's third anniversary I have decided to make another list, because more music has been released, I've been to a few more fights and......I sure would like a few more hits from Google.


I will just repeat what I feel a good entrance song should be all about.  It should be something to pump up fans, while at same time getting the fighter amped up.  The song should also be something that could intimidate the the other fighter, realistically if you get the fans going, that should be enough to intimidate the other fighter.  Also, I like something that has a solid beat, can get my head bobbing, and keep the fighter moving to the ring, something almost militaristic.  Well, there you have it, my criteria for which this list is based. Without further ado, here are my suggestions for some good ring entrance songs.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Believe it or not, I am a big fan of score music.  It is some of the best stuff on the planet, and some of it is downright tough.  Think about it, when you go to the movies, what makes you scared?  What makes you sad?  What fills you with pride for a character that you don't know?  What would Rocky's training scenes be without his theme?  Therefore I think some of this score music could be used for entering the ring.  Last of the Mohican's is filled with uplifting, tough, militaristic type music.  So is Backdraft, Gettysburg, Gladiator, and Braveheart.  Here are a few tracks that stand out to me:



PROMENTORY - Last of the Mohican's - Trever Jones

Last of the Mohicans - James Horner

On the surface this is a nice beautiful song, but if you really listen to it, the strings and the light drum in the back ground keep quite a kick ass beat. It never looses it's rhythm and can get people feeling pretty good about their fighter. The NFL didn't put it in their TV adds because it was pretty!

THE BATTLE - Gladiator - Hans Zimmer


The Battle - Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard

This music is from the same guy who brought you The Contender theme. I personally feel this one packs a bit more of a kick than the Contender stuff does. You just need to skip in about two minutes and you've got a great ring entrance. If that doesn't get your pulse going, I don't know what would.


5.   IT'S TIME FOR WAR - LL COOL J
Its Time For War - LL Cool J
Seeing as how my last ring entry song list was topped by LL's "Mama Said Knock You Out", I thought it was fitting that my new list would start off with an LL track. This one is off his latest album, Exit 13, in fact it's the 1st track, and gets his album off to a thumping start. The bells ring and choir sings right off, it sounds as if you are going to someones funeral. It would be a perfect song for Bernard Hopkins to enter the ring to, because LL is mostly rapping about being disrespected do to his age. The chorus just echoes over and over "It's time for war!", the beat stays heavy through out, and the choir never stops. This is no doubt the type of track that would get me amped up while my favorite boxer made his way to the ring.


4.   HELLS BELLS - AC/DC

Hells Bells - AC

You can hear it now, can't you? The bells slowly ringing, one at a time, a sign that something bad is going to happen, or perhaps someone bad ass is on his way? Sometimes, a good ring entry song will let you know it's time, but then let you wait, for a slow boil. Hells Bells is the perfect song for that. When the guitars kick in that's when the walk begins. It isn't the type of song to make you jump up and down uncontrollably, but it will make you turn to your friend a let him know, "someones getting knocked out tonight!".


3.   REMEMBER THE NAME - FORT MINOR

Remember The Name - Fort Minor

With a catchy hook, heavy beat, and a tough attitude this track is just begging to lead someone to the ring. It also obviously states that after this night you will, "remember the name". It's all about trying to make it big by having a big heart, and a will that won't quit.  Remind you of anything? I know that this song has been used for everything from NBA commercials to TV shows like Friday Night Lights, but that's because it's that good.  This is type of song that makes me drive faster when I hear on the radio, and I can guarantee you, it would make me stand up and bob my head at a boxers entrance.


2.  EYE OF A SOLDIER - YOUNG BUCK

As I said in the beginning I like as song that is somewhat militant.  Most every Young Buck track is Militant, but this has a little more to it.  I think it's due to the background of Trey Songz.  The chorus starts up first thing and boasts "I've got the heart of a soldier, got the soul of Tiger, if you ever said I'm scared, then you a mothef****** liar."  Thems fighting words if I've ever heard them!  The beat is tough throughout, the pace is not too fast, but not too slow either.  It could be just enough to let people know, your here for business.

1.   STAND UP (LET'S GET MURDERED) - P.O.S.

This is one of my favorite artists right now, and this track from his album Audition stands out above all the rest. The horns kick in right away, and soon after the chorus is yelling at you to "Stand Up". The beat keeps moving and P.O.S. raps with a frantic angry, yet somehow thoughtful pace that sounds like a combo of Eminem, and Common. Two minutes in to the track, the horns really pick up and you are told, "hands up if your broke, go find a way to stand up, give it up if you're hoping to never give it up, hands up so we know who's here, who wants to open up the machine and rage against the gears, STAND UP!". According to my Ipod, I have listened to that song 625 times, and I can tell you, yes, I still want to rage against the gears(whatever that means). This one gets an added bonus, because I'm sure not many people have heard it, and it could be the type you will try to find after the fight.

There you have it, my suggestions for some ring entrance songs.  Let me know what you think, or if you have a few suggestions, let me know.  








Saturday, September 13, 2008

Big Weekend

It's a big weekend for fight fans, no matter if you're rich or poor. If your rich, you may be purchasing the Jaun Manuel Marquez vs. Joel Casamayor fight on HBO PPV, while at the same time, DVRing the Showtime double-header of Nate Campbell vs. Joan Guzman and Timothy Bradley vs. Edner Cherry. Those poor fight fans like me, will no doubt catch the Showtime card and patiently wait for the HBO replay a week later. I think both cards are strong, with the Showtime card being the more exciting of the two, and the HBO card while being an intriguing match up, not exactly PPV worthy. Well, I don't want to get into another blog entry about what is wrong with this sport, I just want to give a few predictions.

HBO

Jaun Manuel Marquez vs. Joel Casamayor

Ok, since I'm running late, I will make these short and sweet. I think JMM outpoints Casamayor fairly easily. When you are as talented as JMM, I don't think moving up in weight makes that big a deal. I also feel Casamayor has gotten away with his last two fights. He should have lost against Santa Cruz, and Katsidis got caught. Jaun Manuel Marquez UD

Vernon Forrest vs. Sergio Mora II
I don't really care about this fight, and I think it's really sad that it is kind of a co-main event. They should of had something better for a PPV show. That being said, I thought Vernon looked over the hill in his last fight, and the reason he lost was because he couldn't let his hands go. I don't see that changing, and I think he should consider retiring. Mora UD
SHOWTIME

Nate Campbell vs. Joan Guzman
This could be the toughest fight to call out of them all. Guzman is slick and undefeated, but Campbell is battle tested veteran. Guzman came in overweight, but does that mean he's out of shape, or just doesn't care about the belt. We remember what happened the first time Castillo came in overweight against Corrales! I still have to go with the seemingly tougher, grittier champion. Campbell seems like the type of guy who busted his butt to get the title, and isn't going to let some undefeated slickster take away from him. I think he'll pressure Guzman till the youngster crumbles. Campbell TKO 12

Edner Cherry vs. Timothy Bradley
I have really enjoyed watching Edner Cherry over the years, and for that reason, I'm giving him the win. I think he will surprise everybody and pull off the upset, just because I like him! Cherry SD

Thursday, July 24, 2008

PREDICTION

MIGUEL COTTO vs. ANTONIO MARGARITTO

I have an idea, the winner of this should fight Manny Pacquiao for the number one pound for pound fighter in the world........I'm just kidding that would be as stupid as Pacman fighting Oscar Delahoya!!! Anyway, both of this weekends combatants are tough, talented, and getting ready for the toughest fight of their careers. Miguel Cotto is an undefeated fighter, who has been able to break down every opponent methodically like the Terminator searching for John Conner. Antonio Margarito has made a career of beating solid opponents and being avoided by the most solid of opponents. This will by far be the best fighter each has faced in their respective careers, and both seem to be ready for the task. How is gonna go down? I thought you would never ask!! I personally have never been all that impressed with Antonio Margarito. Although I do think he is a solid fighter with the guts to match any pro in the biz, I think his best quality is being awkward. Every punch he has seems to loop whether it's supposed to or not, and somehow it works for him. I suppose I should also mention that Antonio has a granite chin, too bad he's facing a fighter who loves to go to the body. I can see a few scary moments early on, kinda like the Cotto-Judah fight. Cotto does take some nice uppercuts and Margarito sure know how throw them! I think Cotto will weather the storm and break down Antonio the same way he has the rest, by ripping to the body. I think Margarito's corner or the ref will stop the fight late, say 11 or 12. PREDICTION COTTO TKO 12

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

GLEASON'S GYM

Sorry it's been a while since I last posted.  I've been in the midst of a job change.  I will no longer be working for CN8: The Comcast Network.  I am now a Videographer for NESN.  I will be covering mostly Red Sox and Bruins, I will miss covering as much boxing as I have in the past, but the move overall is a good one.  Since I won't be covering boxing as a photog anymore I decided before I left to put together one last boxing piece that had been siting idle for about 8 months.  

Every time I sat down to watch boxing I would hear about famous gyms through the United States, Kronk, Gleason's, and more recently the Wild Card.  The one gym that is mentioned in nearly every boxing broadcast was Gleason's Gym, and it was always prefixed with the likes of, historic, famous, one and only.  I wanted to know what was so special about Gleason's( ya, I know they had a bunch of champs) what I wanted to was, why.  So Jeb Fisher and I, along with our trusted sidekick Dan"the animal" Cordella, took a trip to the famous gym and were truly inspired by what we saw.  So much so that I put this piece together with no intention of it seeing TV time, Dan is know boxing, and Jeb still has dream about Zab Judah.
Thanks to everyone at Gleason's for helping us out Bob Jackson, Hector Roca, Yoel Judah, Zab Judah, John Duddy, and Bruce Silverglade.

I hope you enjoy it.  Please let me know what you think.