2. Chris Sheridan

3. John Hollinger

4. Eric Karabell

5. John Clayton

Share on Facebook

After watching the USA beat Canada last night, I was trying to think of a top five most patriotic athletic performances. Then I started thinking of top five musical performances at patriotic sporting events. I’m not sure what this list actually comprises, but it’s worth watching.

5. Mariah Carey sings Michael Jordan tribute. Because Jordan is the epitome of the American Dream? I love reaching.

4. What’s more American than the Super Bowl Shuffle? Arrogance, freedom, and dominance all wrapped into a bad 80s rap.

3. The NFL and September 11th

2. Ray Charles sings “America, The Beautiful” before the Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran “No Mas” fight. Talk about motivation.

1. Marvin Gaye sings the national anthem at the 1983 NBA All-Star game. Watch it. Enough said.

Share on Facebook

Luke & Chad are back talking about the week eight of the NFL season. They discuss the Power Rankings, a new segment “What the Hell is Going on Here?”,  then Luke orders Chad to “JUSTIFY THIS PICK!” and all others for next week.

Add the From The 3s podcast feed to your favorite RSS Reader

Subscribe to the From The 3s podcast with iTunes

Listen to the podcast directly in your web browser

Share on Facebook

Luke & Chad are back talking about the incredible NFL season we’ve had so far. They discuss the elite of the league, the up and downs of the middle of the road teams, fighting for a wild card, and the bottom of the barrel teams who should probably be in the UFL or CFL.

Add the From The 3s podcast feed to your favorite RSS Reader

Subscribe to the From The 3s podcast with iTunes

Listen to the podcast directly in your web browser

Share on Facebook

He was a fighter that will always be remembered by fight fans that were lucky enough to witness his lion hearted fighting style.  He held Championship belts multiple times.  He also was involved in an unprecedented FOUR Ring magazine “fight of the year” matches, as well as certainly being a candidate for several others.  He was known for a relentless aggression and amazing ability to comeback when he was seemingly beaten.  This reputation lead referees to allow some of his fights to continue far past the amount of punishment they would allow most, if not all other fighters to endure. This gave him the opportunity to amaze boxing fans time and time again with another patented Gatti comeback.  The way Gatti could lift himself off the canvas, and then deliver a severe beating to his opponent was an awe inspiring sight to see. The man was simply an amazing fighter after he was hurt and hurt bad.  His ability to take punishment while giving it right back; often times with much more damage,  has never been surpassed by any other fighter.

He was so endeared by the boxing world, that often even with a loss his fanfare grew.  This is truly a rare feat in boxing, but with his amazingly exciting style, the fans simply wanted more.  He will most be remember for the legendary trilogy with Mickey Ward.  The fighting style of Ward was very similar to Gatti’s and was tailor made for the fans enjoyment.  After Gatti took two of the three fights against Ward they continued a close friendship that lead to Ward eventually training Gatti for his final fight.  The two fighters will forever be linked to one another for placing their stamp on the boxing world.

Arturo Gatti was a man of great courage, heart, and competitive spirit that will live on in the history of boxing forever.  My all-time favorite fighter will be missed by many, and not soon forgotten for what he gave to fight fans throughout the world.  It sad to hear that the final bell has rang on the life of a true ring warrior, rest in peace Arturo Gatti.

Arturo Gatti Highlight Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKObKLdiSPg

Share on Facebook

If Floyd Mayweather wants that title back, he is going to have to forcefully take it back. He has taken the first step to doing exactly that. He has unretired and taken a mega fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. This is a gigantic step for Mayweather, not only climbing back atop of the boxing world but proving that he wants to leave a legacy. In the past, that issue has remained somewhat suspect. At some point, if he wants to reclaim his pound-for-pound title back, he will have to wage war with Paquiao for that title. He could have taken a tune up fight or waited a couple months to come out of retirement. This would have been a ploy to get the super mega fight with Pacquiao. Instead, he finally drew a line in the sand, implying that he doesn’t want any asterisk associated with his legacy. This fight will proves he doesn’t only fight all on comers, but he actually pursues big time opponents.

As for Juan Manuel Marquez, he is clearly one the best boxers in the game today. Listed as number two on boxings pound-for-pound listing, he is behind only Pacquiao. In clarification of the pound-for-pound title, it is a ranking that holds no official belt but is held in the highest esteem among the boxing world. It ranks the top boxers, regardless of weight class, but purely on skill and accomplishments. In two fights with Paquaio, he has scored a draw and a somewhat controversial split decision loss. It can’t get any closer than that. To justify his rankings, look to his most recent fights. He knocked out the young lightweight king, Juan Diaz. The Lightweight division is one of the most talent-crowded and exciting divisions in boxing. Juan Diaz, one of the most highly touted young fighters, hasn’t hurt his image in his loss to Marquez. Prior to the victory, Marquez also knocked out the highly ranked, multi time champion Joel Casamayor. The highly respected former champion has a very impressive record of 36 – 4, only losing to the top names of his weight class in his career, while beating many of the other champions. He had never been knocked out in his fourteen year career until Marquez did so late last year. Before his split decision loss to Pacquiao, he beat the gifted Rocky Juarez and the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera. Obviously more than enough to prove his ranking, this justifies the mega fight status of his matchup against Floyd Mayweather.

Other mega fights in the past have been promoted with smoke and mirrors. Sadly, the actual result was one man past his time or another had an inflated record or other tactic to grab the public’s interest. When it comes to the current Mayweather/Marquez matchup, no such tricks are necessary. Marquez is one of those fighters that have accomplished much more in the latter part of his career. As for Mayweather, he comes with issues that time will prove to be destructive or not. While an eighteen month layoff which can occasionally result in ring rust, on other occasions it can return a rejuvenated and more focused fighter. There has also been a rumors of money problems with Mayweather, owing Uncle Sam somewhere in the area of six million dollars. I am not quite sure how this happens, considering he made more than fifty million dollars in his previous two fights. If the rumor is true, Mayweather could be returning for alternative reasons. One could even speculate the love of the game is not his top priority. The fact Mayweather is choosing this fight over others that would not be as knotty, or yield similar money is evidence of the contrary. Regardless of his motives, Mayweather is known for intense training camps and always being fully prepared. He has proven to be a very smart man when it comes to his craft, meaning he is aware not to take Marquez lightly.

On July 18th, we should see a drama filled contest of one man trying to make an argument for recapturing his place atop the sport. The other man will try to make the boxing world demand another match with the current pound-for-pound champion. This will be a matchup for the ages. No matter which version of Floyd shows to fight, “Pretty Boy Floyd” or “Money Mayweather”, we should see a compelling battle against a true champion in Juan Manuel Marquez. If all the possibilities show themselves in the ring that night, we will be treated to an egregious display of fireworks two weeks after Independence Day.

Share on Facebook

Ricky Hatton is now 45 – 2, and considering retirement. I believe the retirement talk will blow over as some of the sting from his disappointing lose wears off. At only thirty years old, his only two losses came at the hands of the current pound-for-pound champion. Do not let this fact to let slip by unnoticed. It is rare for a fighter to have two of his peers in the vicinity of his own weight class have that distinction. Nonetheless, being fortunate enough to put yourself in the position to fight each one at the current time of their pound-for-pound reigning. This loss is his first at his natural weight class at which he has been considered the top man at for quite some time.

Some naysayers will try to diminish Pacquiao’s victory by calling Hatton a B-class fighter. To that, I would say look not only at his two losses but his quality wins. In his career, he has been the victor against talents such as Kostya Tszyu, Jose Luis Castillo, and Paul Malignaggi. In addition, if he continues to fight he will be favored to reclaim the junior welter weight crown, assuming Pacquiao vacates the title for bigger opportunities.

His chances of accomplishing this would sure be greater by the almost certain elimination of his latest trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. This match seems not to have been a logical pairing in styles or personality. This could leave Mayweather Sr. to use his tacky taglines, pathetic poetry, and loud mouth to steal the spot light from some other fighter who makes the foolish decision of having him lead their training camp. Mayweathers lack of success in big fights outside of his own son, who no longer will work with or speak with, may lead to boxing fans not hearing his needless self promoting ways too often.

I believe we will see Hatton atop of his division soon in the future. A man falling short against two premier fighters in his generation does not equate to an unsuccessful career. With the exciting style, ability, and personality that Hatton possesses, the boxing world would be fortunate to have for years to come.

Share on Facebook

On Saturday night Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao made quick work of the 140 pound champion Ricky Hatton, bringing a whole new meaning to his nickname. Pacquiao looked like half man, half fictional character with the devastating left hand that resulted in a motionless Hatton staggering in the middle of the ring. It was a knockout for the ages, a left hand that landed perfectly on the chin of an unsuspecting opponent. Pacquiao started off the first round not by avoiding the high pressured Hatton, but by countering with powerful and accurate shots. These shots lead to not one, but two first round knockdowns. The astonishing knockout at 2:59 in the second round, fully justified the worldwide love of Manny Pacquiao.

The Pac Man was undoubtedly considered the pound-for-pound champion. After this impressive win, the boxing world is left contemplating his place in boxing history. His latest win equals an all-time boxing record with titles in six different weight classes. This extremely impressive feat does not even include his classic beating of Oscar De la Hoya at welter weight (147) because there was no title on the line. Manny Pacquiao has now added multi-world champion Hatton to a resume that already looks like a who’s who of boxing for this generation. With future hall of famers such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Eric Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Oscar De la Hoya on his list of victories, he is clearly fighting for a legacy. Undoubtedly a future hall of famer himself and is one of, if not the best fighter of his generation. All this has been accomplished by the age of thirty, which leaves plenty of time to add to his legacy.

Manny Pacquiao shows no signs of slowing down, actually the contrary. He seems to be adding more weapons to his arsenal with each passing fight. This is a huge feather in the cap of his trainer, Freddie Roach. As recent as three to four years ago, Pacquiao was considered by most as a talented fighter with a relentless, but yet one dimensional attack. Having only one phase to his game, many questioned how far that could really take him. When he first started to bring notice of his skills to the boxing world, he had a simple jab, jab, straight left hand attack. He was essentially a straight ahead pressure fighter. Since those days, Freddie Roach has added some important layers to Pacquiao’s attack. Though he has always been fast, he now can use his speed from more angles. He has added a very effective hook as well as some body work. He has also showed much better foot work, allowing him to get in and more importantly out when needs to. He had nearly zero lateral movement in his early days, and has since added in both head movement and footwork. Some of these tools are still relatively new to his arsenal and need refinement. This potential makes for a very scary thought for all future possible opponents of Pacquiao.

Share on Facebook

For those not familiar with Paul Williams, he is a physical specimen at 6 feet 2 inches and an unbelievable reach of 82 inches. He throws an amazing amount of punches for any weight class, but particularly the class he fights in. He is hunting down any fighter from 147 (junior welter weight) to 160 (middle weight) and just recently flirted with the idea of fighting at 168 (super middle weight). He has good speed and head movement, which are perfect compliments to his extraordinary reach. Though not a devastating puncher, he must pack a pretty good punch with 27 knockouts in 37 victories.

On Saturday night, “The Punisher” (27 – 1) put on a boxing clinic against the normally impenetrable defense of Ronald “Winky” Wright.  In defense of Winky Wright, he was inactive for nearly two years coming into this fight. Being a bit past his prime and up against one of the most exciting young fighters in the sport today, Williams coasted to a one sided victory. His southpaw style and punch output seemingly comes at you from angles seldom seen before. 

For now, the smiling , soft spoken, modest fighter can go back to his family in South Carolina. He can fish and relax while waiting on word of the next brave challenger who dares to tempt this intimidating force. It appears the list of his next possibles victims are: the winner of Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey fight, Shane Mosely, Kelly Pavlik, Arthur Abraham, Vernon Forrest, or even Floyd Mayweather. Perhaps even Joe Calzaghe would be an option, if he believes coming out of retirement is a worthy task. The list is long and distinguished due to his willingness to move between weight classes and high standing. We can only wait to see who is game enough to take the challenge of fighting, in my opinion, the next great pound for pound champion.

Share on Facebook