Philback - Kuwait Steel win against inter-company division defending Champion United COE in a thrilling game for Philback’s ongoing 8^th conference elimination round.

Kuwait Steel prove to the current champion that they are up for the challenge. Although United COE was able to lead as much as eleven points in the third quarter, Kuwait Steel’s efforts prevail in the fourth 83-78.

Here are some snaps of the action.

U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Reinstated to Olympic Tournament after an email from Aiba overturned the earlier decision. 

The turnaround prompts me to think about Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, Jr. case during the Atlanta Olympic in 1996. Many believed that Onyok was robbed for the gold in the Men's 48 kg (light-flyweight) category. 

If Onyok case was reviewed promptly–the same way Aiba did to U.S. Olympian Errol Spence, Philippines could have its first ever gold medal. Granted, however if Aiba favors Onyok.

Philippines first participated in Olympics in 1924 summer-Olympics–still unable to get gold medal.

Below is Philippines overall medal tally as per Wikipedia. This is excluding the results of ongoing Olympics in London.

Adrien Broner wins on Saturday 21 July 2012 against Vicente Escobedo 26-4-0 (KO 15) via knockout in round 5 at U. S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. The vacant WBO super featherweight title is at stake only for Escobedo when Adrien Broner 24-0-0 (KO 20) failed to make the division limit at 130 pounds.

Broner at 22 years old is a young and talented but cocky fighter. I cannot deny that this kid has a resemblance of a Floyd Mayweather Jr.

As talented as Mayweather Jr.?

Broner throws a counter left-hook, while the right hand is tight on defense for the right cheek but arm and ready to throw for a straight or overhand right. He can do Money May’s trademark–shoulder roll. This kid also has fast hands and decent footwork. In my opinion he has the ability to emulate what Floyd can do inside the ring.

As cocky as Floyd?

I watch several fight videos of him wherein he tease and taunt his opponent in the ring, bringing his guard down an enticed opponents to come in. Although, I wasn’t able to watch foul words that this young rising star from Cincinnati thrown towards an opponent–he seems to have a tendency to do so.

Adrien Broner also knows how to create scenario that capture a lot of publicity. Either bad or good publicity it is publicity. This is where Floyd is good at–“negative publicity”.

During the weigh in Broner already create buzz that resulted to mix reaction from fans and writers–branding him as disrespectful to Escobedo. Many told that he just made the right decision for he has difficulties in making weight and has plans of moving up.

  

One of Broner’s moves that add glitter during Saturdays fight is his wedding proposal to his girlfriend. This is the first time so far, I saw a proposal in a post fight interview.

Overall, in my opinion we have another Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the making. I hope Broner can surpass the talent not the cockiness of the so-called villainin boxing.

It is not bad to be like Mayweather as long as cockiness is back-up with talent, dedication and hard work.

I already mentioned in the first part that finding basketball court is a major problem here in Kuwait because it is not the popular sport here among locals and other expats; that is why basketball courts were outnumbered by football fields–football being the number 1 sport in this rich petroleum-exporting country.

So to help you guys locate those not-so-easy to find basketball courts–let me introduce to you at least ten of them. So, basketball addict without any further delay here is my second pick.

Marina Basketball Court situated at Marina Park in Salmiya near seaside.

Newly arrived expats that loves to play basketball usually introduced to Salmiya court. In my opinion, this is by far the most popular of all open-for-public basketball courts here in Kuwait. If you ask somebody about basketball court–for sure he/she will tell about Salmiya.

Salmiya is very accessible wherever you are in Kuwait. It will take just a single-ride from a bus whether you are in Farwaniya, Kuwait City or Hawally.

Marina Park has three courts–so it can accommodate 30 players playing simultaneously. Queue is not a problem here; you can play right away as long as you come in group. Out of three courts, you will find Filipinos playing the court beside the public comfort room.

The next thing I like Salmiya basketball court because after playing you can chilax (chill and relax) watching the calm sea with fresh air and it is just a few steps from the court. You may also play then swim or swim then play; up to you.

If you have car, parking is not a problem also.

After unifying titles in 122 pound-division, let us examine Nonito Donaire’s performance against Jeffrey Mathebula.

Before the fight boxing followers, writers, experts including fellow bloggers were unanimous that this fight would be a great road-test for Donaire to push his talent to the limit. It is noted that Donaire had fought opponents wherein he was the bigger and taller fighter from flyweight to bantamweight.

How Donaire neutralize Mathebula’s height advantage?

Donaire is too good in closing the gap against a taller South African Champion, in fact he manage to land that signature counter left hook; slipping the long jab of Mathebula and like flash close in and throw that punch.

However, after that knockdown in Round 4 Donaire seek to knockout Mathebula in a single punch, that never happened.

It seems Donaire don’t want to execute Garcia’s instruction to break down Mathebula and pick him in the right time.

I remember how Mosley deceived from his single almost-knockdown punch against Floyd Mayweather Jr. that he keeps on seeking until the last round but was pick apart by Mayweather losing all the remaining rounds.

I am not taking out away anything from Mathebula but he is not as good as Mayweather Jr. in counterpunching and capitalizing the eagerness of an opponent who wish to land a knockout punch

.

If Mathebula was able to do what Floyd did to Mosley I think Donaire would be eating jabs and counters all night long if he continues to look for that single knockout punch.

Donaire’s should have been patient and not too eager in putting on a good show by doing so. He needs to pick apart systematically and patiently wait for a knockout to come. 

However, I believed that it is best to knockout your opponent and not let the 3 judges decide to avoid infamous decisions like what happened to Pacquiao-Bradley fight. 

For me the best boxing Judge is the fighters fist, knock your guy out and you are the winner no questions ask.

However, eagerness to do so is so dangerous for you become prone to mistakes that might be exploited.

Nonito Donaire outclass fellow former Olympian Jeffrey Mathebula for WBO–IBF unification bout on Saturday, 7^thJuly 2012 at Home Depot Center, Carson, California, United States. 

Early on, it seems that Mathebula sense that Donaire punches are too powerful to handle, tries to fight from the outside, capitalizing his advantages in height and reach.

However in Round 4, Donaire send him to the canvas with that single kiss-the-canvass counter left hook–Donaire’s signature punch that put Fernando Montiel to seizure in just Round 2 of their 2011 fight. But Mathebula being a warrior get up with the bell’s mercy and survive the imminent end of his reign as a champion.

In the succeeding rounds, Mathebula tries to borrow the book of Joshua Clottey, building a solid high-guard wall to cover raining power shots of Donaire that seeks single-blow knockout punch.

Again Donaire hurt Mathebula in the Round 11 and blood keeps on drawing from the mouth of the South African champion that later known to be a broken tooth.

Donaire finishes the last round fast and strong and pull off a unanimous win, now the unified super bantamweight weight supremo.

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Jeffrey Mathebula 26-3-2 (KO 14) will be fighting for only for the second time outside South Africa. First was in Arena Roberto Duran, Panama City, Panama for a fight against Celestino Caballero which he in fact lost via split decision that was on 30^th April 2009.

Manchester United, an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League, according to Yahoo Sports, filed papers in the United States Tuesday to raise money by selling shares on the US market.

The move would raise up to $100 million in the initial public offering, the Britain's all-time top Premier League team said.

Sometime last year also, the wealthiest and most widely supported football team in the world was also reported to sell part of stock shares to Asian Market, particularly in Singapore.

For more than six years now, working here in Kuwait and being basketball as my favorite sport aside from boxing, I’ve been playing several basketball courts available in Kuwait. Knowing the scarcity of basketball courts I tried to compile and rank the top two basketball courts I’ve experienced to play.

I hope it will help to those who are still seeking the most accessible basketball court. You’ll never know it is just in your neighborhood.

This compilation is a two-part article that I will publish each time I’ll be back to every basketball court that I will highlight in each post for I will take a snap for these courts – for you to have a better judgment  which court is accessible and preferably you and your team will visit.

Not-to-mention the indoor courts that is for sure will be very nice to play whole-year-round for a very extreme weather condition here in Kuwait, whatever time of the day but definitely it is not-for-free. That is why I decided to compile only free-of-charge courts – the best things in this world are freebies right? That’s why I’ll go for the free.

Without further ado here is my first pick.

Meshrif Basketball Court

This court is in the heart of Mishrif, near Yarmouk sports club, that is why its accessibility is not favorable for commuters – taxis rarely roam in this area and above all, they will charge you more. There is no bus route assigned also in the area.

This is the reason why I love this basketball court because it is not crowded at all anytime (do not even think that I have my own car, because really I do not have. :)Not accessible means – only few would like to come and I can play immediately as soon as I arrive. Unlike Salmiya, (I'll highlight this court in my next post) you will be in long queue before you can play.

Our team, United COE for PhilBack holds practice in this court every Saturday’s and Tuesday’s. My teammates prefer this court for the reason I mention above and they are the one who have cars anyway. (I always ask a free ride from them.)

What makes this court especial?  The place has also tennis court, volley ball court and Football field. Aside from basketball, I love to play tennis also. Few locals play here, so whenever we have practice, I consider bringing my tennis racket. Locals are friendly that I enjoyed playing with them too.

I salute the caretaker (Harris, as they call it in Arabic) for the place is well maintained. You cannot see rubbish at all. It has also clean washrooms, wide parking area and cold drinking water.

Accessibility: Poor
Court’s Appearance/Maintenance: Good
Timing: Open Saturday to Thursday until 11:00 PM, Close during Fridays and all holidays.



 

In a post written by Paul John Rivera of Filipino Boxing Journal (FBJ), “Emelito “Job” Alim Jr. reportedly collapsed after being declared as the winner to retain his Mindanao Professional Boxing Association featherweight title via decision against Ahl Grumo in their 10-round title bout.”

I feel really sad after I read this post because this is the second time in this year alone. First was Karlo Maguinto, an undefeated boxer, who died six days after he collapsed in the ring during his fight against Mark Joseph Costa.

Maguinto’s fate opted me to write an article regarding insurance to boxers posted in FBJ. Actually I don’t have any idea if boxers do have insurance every fight in their contracts. I try to research boxing contract templates but I don’t see part of a contract that stated insurance clause.

One thing I wanted to do when I get back to Philippines for a vacation is to ask a boxing promoter about this subject.

I believe it is right that when a boxer dies in the ring should have insurance or assurance to at least their families will receive a stipulated amount maybe from the promoter of the fight, from the manager, or from the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) who governs professional boxing.

  

Yes, it is accepted that boxing is a dangerous sport, similar to any other combat sports, but it is not an excuse to say that it is normal for possibility of death and then let it go?

It is sad to think that both cases happened in the national level. I mean, it happen to our local boxers who fight locally and earn meager amount.

In fact both Karlo and Emelito were just started their career and were very young. The sport that they believe that will alleviate them from poverty is the one that take their lives.

Most of our boxers in the Philippines came from the families somewhere in or below the poverty line. Every Filipino boxer’s are hopeful that someday they may reach the status of Rep. Manny Pacquiao. 

I hope this issue will be taken care of. If there is no law regarding it, at least it will be brought up into open and our lawmakers should start looking into it.

The rising Mexican-American star was one of those boxers that I followed over the years. Ortiz is a kind of fighter that finishes off opponents. That made him a very exciting fighter. The southpaw of Oxnard, California had 62% KO percentage. 22 of his 29 wins were by way of knockout.

Ortiz at 22 years old already had a record of 22-1 prior to his fight with Argentinean Marcos Maidana.

Not bad for a 22 years old but very good enough to draw fans like me. For that reason Golden Boy Promotion sees his great potential.

GDP groomed Ortiz into stardom but spoiled by Maidana when he knock-out Ortiz in Round 6 for the Interim WBA World light welterweight title in 2009.

The knock-out also suggests doubt on Ortiz heart as a warrior. It is noted that when referee Caiz Sr. ask him if he is ok after the knockdown he just shook his head and walk away that hinted the referee to stop the fight thinking that Ortiz gave-up.

After that fight with Maidana, Ortiz move on and accumulate 5 wins and a draw before colliding with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the WBC welterweight title.

Ortiz fight with Floyd again casts doubt not to his heart but this time to his maturity as a boxer. He’s ability to handle unusual situations in the ring–like what Mayweather Jr. did to him was in question.

The follow-up blows of Floyd after that cheap shot might have been prevented by Ortiz if he responded accordingly, that subsequently put him to the canvas.

Now, during his fight last Saturday for the vacant WBC Silver welterweight title, Ortiz for me just get unlucky. If it is some other injury he might be able to continue and prevent a consecutive loss to his career.

In my observation, whenever Ortiz is positioned for a bigger fight, he’s unable to pass the preliminaries–    If not spoiled by another fighter; he loses to a fight with elite.

In my opinion, GDP’s efforts to position Ortiz into that A status was really a failure. Failure, not in a way that they have mistakes in handling him, but simply Ortiz can’t deliver the goods, or shall I say he just got unlucky?

So far at his age now, he has still the potential to move on (with the untiring support of GBPJ) and go where GBP want him to be. I hope Victor Ortiz would rebound from this unlucky straight loses. I also wish for him that his jaw may not severely hurt.

I don’t take anything from Lopez by saying that Ortiz is just unlucky, instead I credit him for that powerful shots that exposed Ortiz chin J.

So, what’s up for Ortiz? Do you believe that he can be where Pacman and Floydy stand?

(Update 1: Victor Ortiz jaw surgery a success according to boxingnews24.com.