I do not fit the description.
How you depict me injures my psyche,
As I am one of a kind and there aren’t many that are like me, let’s see who the jokes on.
Survived a life where most people have faltered.
Living testimony,
Arm in arm at glory’s door.
All the glory whores,
Swore,
That if they can have a sample of this product I use that they’d be able to push more.
Well this is natural and it requires getting humbled.
“Here I go again”, are the words that I mumble when I am once again facing the world.
Didn’t work by the book because the book wasn’t written with my success in its final chapter.
I can use the money but the sustained comfort am I after.
Haunted by dreams,
Cackling jackals telling me I’ll never be
At a place where I can reside and rest comfortably.
They try to come for me with offers of falsehoods, yet I choose not to move.
Your books didn’t have me going this far, but I have more to prove before I throw it all away.
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Did Sergio Martinez deserve to win his fight versus Martin Murray?
That was the question that I kept asking myself after watching boxing’s home-field advantage rear its ugly head once again.Martinez dominated the first four rounds of the 12-round bout for the Middleweight Championship which was shown on HBO. He used his vintage slippery defense to dodge Murray’s punches in the earlier rounds.
“Thanks Argentina. Thanks for following me. I love you a lot,” Sergio Martinez says to his fans.
The fight started to shift in favor of Murray during the fifth-round as Martinez began to look off-balanced with both his punches and his defense.
Murray went on to take control of the fight after the fifth, even knocking the champion Martinez down with a beautiful combination that stunned Martinez momentarily in the eighth-round.
After winning the eighth-round, Murray kept the pressure on Martinez, knocking him down in the tenth-round, but referee Massimo Barrovechio did not see Martinez taking the punch that sent him to the ropes. Instead, Barrovechio ruled the knockdown a slip, turning what would have been a 10-8 round, into a 10-9 round or a 9-10, Murray versus Martinez.
Murray was not busy enough in rounds 11 and 12 and it may have cost him the fight, but surely the referee’s miscue had plenty to do with the 115-112 decision in favor of Martinez on every judge’s scorecard.
The scorecards were not as egregious as the 118-109 scorecard from the Canelo Alvarez / Austin Trout fight one week prior, yet Murray would have an argument regarding a victory.
Will We See Sergio Martinez Fight Again?
The performance by Martinez was crowd-pleasing, yet awful.
After the fourth-round he seemed to get gassed. Murray kept his guards up high and tight for much of the fight. Every time that Martinez looked to push the envelope with his punches, it was Murray’s forearms that took the brunt of the punishment not his face.
During the fight it seemed that Martinez broke his hand. If that is accurate, he will not fight again this year. It is certain to cast some doubt on his future. It is difficult to find opponents for him already, I am wondering if he will choose to retire, or step away from boxing until he can completely heal.
Murray should have won that fight and the look on Martinez’s face tells the story.
In another HUGE fight, Zab Judah fought Danny Garcia. It was a back and forth affair in which the older boxer, Zab Judah taught the up-and-coming Garcia a lesson about experience.
Judah, behind a hometown crowd in Brooklyn, NY gave the undefeated Garcia everything that he can handle.
When it was over Garcia proved to be too much for Judah. Garcia went on to win a unanimous decision.
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The fight between Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout was a great match of wills, with Alvarez winning by a unanimous decision.
Both fighters entered the ring undefeated and had their fair share of highlights.
For Alvarez, his jab kept him into to the fight. What is odd about this is the fact that he is known as more of a power puncher and less of a boxer. Versus Trout, Alvarez set up his punches with the jab. In the opening seconds of the seventh round, it was his jab that put Trout on the canvass for the first time in his career.
Trout fought valiantly, even controlling most of the fight that ended with a bit of controversy.
One judge scored the fight 115-112, another scored it 116-111, while the third judge had it 118-109.
118-109? What fight was he watching? Did he get caught up with the cheers from the crowd?
Trout was the busier fighter and landed more punches than Alvarez. He did not deserve the score of 116-111, let alone 118-109.
In the end,Alvarez is the winner and undisputed champ. I would love to see a rematch between these two boxers, but only in a neutral venue. One that would not sway the judges scores the way that it did in San Antonio.
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The Canelo Alvarez / Austin Trout fight has lived up to its promise thus far. Neither fighter has ran away with the fight, but the opportunity is there for both boxers to do so.
Alvarez is moving his head while using his jab effectively. He is catching Trout by surprise with his jab.
Adversely, Trout has used his superior defensive skills to not be fazed by Canelo’s power shots.
The fight is pretty even and will be a tough one to score for the judges. I had it even until the seventh round knockdown by Canelo..
Boxing takes center stage tonight. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez puts his undefeated record of 41-0-1 on the line against the also undefeated (26-0) Austin Trout on Showtime at 10 pm EST.
The title unification bout is a clash of styles in the Junior Middleweight Division.
Alvarez is a quick-fisted power-puncher who will look to pressure Trout early in the fight. As a boxer with one-punch knockout ability, Alvarez prefers to force his will on his opponents. He likes to cut off the ring and box in the inside, not giving his opposition enough space to counter his punches. It will take a high-volume attack to stop the strong chin of Trout.
The New Mexico native is coming off the best performance of his career when he defeated four-time world champion Miguel Cotto last December.
Trout is more of a boxer-puncher who relies on counterpunching and a stiff jab to defeat his competition.
Look for Trout to circle the ring while avoiding close exchanges. If he can force Alvarez to fight using his angles, he will win this bout. He will lose if he looks to trade with Alvarez who has the edge on punching power.
Keep your eye on Alvarez as he will attempt to set the pace early in the fight. He must keep his guards up here. One of the biggest knocks on him is that he is susceptible to punches in the face while he is trading shots. Trout is a different boxer. He is too smart a fighter to fall for Alvarez’s shots.
Fans should expect an entertaining fight, though there will not be any knockouts in this event. Canelo Alvarez is stepping up in class to face Austin Trout.
With a potential showdown against the winner of the upcoming fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Robert Guerrero on the horizon, both boxers will look to impress.
My prediction: Trout survives a decision.
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Finally the NBA Playoffs are here. Fans get to see some of their favorite stars on the big stage, with a hope that their respective teams can weather the storm and make a run to the NBA Finals.
According to many of the experts will tell you that only three teams have a chance at hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
If you are a fan of the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs, you are sitting pretty. Unfortunately, nothing is guaranteed in the NBA Playoffs as injuries play a huge role. See Derrick Rose’s torn ACL in the first game of last year’s playoffs altered the complexity of the postseason.
Before the playoffs began, Rose and the Chicago Bulls were one of the favorites to win the championship. Rose’s injury turned the Bulls from contenders to also-rans.
The Heat’s Chris Bosh suffered from an abdominal strain that nearly derailed Miami’s chances at their second title in franchise history.
Another potential hindrance would be a star player’s ineffectiveness.
Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics experienced foul trouble during the Boston’s legendary seven-game series against the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. The foul trouble hurt his ability to help the Celtics. Had he been able to stay on the court, the NBA Finals would have had a different look to it. It would have been the Celtics locking horns with the Kevin Durant and the Thunder.
The Celtics were a dark-horse contender last season. While observers claimed they were too old and too slow to compete, they pushed the Miami Heat to the brink.
This postseason possesses a few dark-horses. Among them are the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and if a certain superstar (Rose) returns to the court, the Bulls.
The first round of the playoffs begins today. Here are the matchups.
Eastern Conference
1-Seed Miami Heat versus 8-Seed Milwaukee Bucks
The Heat have handled the Bucks in the season series 3-1 but it was not easy. The Bucks have the shooting ability and adept guard play to keep the games close. If Milwaukee wants to win more than a game though, they must avoid turnovers and limit Dwyane Wade and Bosh on offense. In the end they will not have enough to score the upset, yet they will make it interesting.
Heat wins 4-1
2-Seed New York Knicks versus 7-Seed Boston Celtics
Talk about your grudge matches. Their first meeting of the season ended with the Celtics beating the Knicks 102-96, the Knicks have taken every game since then. The series will be as good as any. Carmelo Anthony guarded by Paul Pierce, Tyson Chandler holding off Kevin Garnett. These two teams do not like each other. Anthony advances to the second round for the second time, but it will not be easy. It is too bad that Rajon Rondo is out for the season because his injury takes a bite out of this matchup.
Knicks win 4-2
3-Seed Indiana Pacers versus 6-Seed Atlanta Hawks
On paper this looks like a good matchup. On one hand you have the Pacers who stumbled down the stretch, failing to nail down the 2-Seed in the process. On the other hand, you have the overachieving Hawks who began the season with a reshaped roster. The two teams split the season series but the playoffs are a different animal. Indiana has trouble scoring but against the Hawks, they have scored at least 100 points in each of the last three games. Past playoff experience work in the Pacers’ favor and they will flex their muscle here.
Pacers win 4-2
4-Seed Brooklyn Nets versus 5-Seed Chicago Bulls
The Bulls took the season series 3-1 but the injury bug has not been so kind to them lately. The latest injury is to All-Star center Joakim Noah who is questionable for Games 1 and 2. The Nets bring playoff basketball to the city of Brooklyn for the first time. They will try to make the series become the first of many. If Joe Johnson steps up, the series will go the Nets way, the problem is that he will most likely be defended by the Bulls Jimmy Butler. This will be a tightly contested showdown unless Rose can return. My guess would be that would happen no time sooner than Game 3, either way the Bulls take the series on heart, hustle and muscle.
Bulls win 4-2
Western Conference
1-Seed Oklahoma City Thunder versus 8-Seed Houston Rockets
Whoa mama! This series is intriguing. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook reunited with James “The Beard” Harden in this best-of-seven affair. The Thunder took it to the Rockets 2-1 but something is missing with the reigning Western Conference champs. Unfortunately, what’s missing is wearing a Rockets uniform. If Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin can average 35 points between them, the Houston can score an upset. The Thunder will prove to be too much in the end.
Thunder wins 4-2
2-Seed San Antonio Spurs versus 7-Seed Los Angeles Lakers
Before a rash of injuries slowed down the Spurs they were looking at another run at championship. First an high-ankle sprain shelved MVP candidate Tony Parker, then Manu Ginobli got hurt. The Lakers finished the season going 28-14, propelling themselves into the playoff picture, finally clinching a playoff berth on the last day of the season. Just when you thought the Lakers had a chance to make a log-lasting run in the postseason, Kobe Bryant tears his Achilles. Both teams are reeling a bit and both teams have their share of stars, but Dwight Howard appears to be the version fans were used to seeing in Orlando for the Magic.
Lakers score the upset 4-2
3-Seed Denver Nuggets versus 6-Seed Golden State Warriors
Ah! I remember a time when the NBA featured high-scoring teams. Looking at the box scores in the 1980s’, 110 points a game were not unusual. Grab some popcorn and enjoy this series as it will be played at a fast pace. Denver is a dark-horse because of their ability to score and defend. Although they lost Danilo Gallinari for the season to a torn ACL, they have enough fire-power to make a run to the NBA Finals if certain things work into their favor. As for the Warriors, they are a dangerous foe but they are young and inexperienced. Stephen Curry will have his breakout performance as a rising star. It will not be enough.
Nuggets win 4-2
4-Seed Los Angeles Clippers versus 5-Seed Memphis Grizzlies
In a rematch of last year’s first round classic, the Clippers and Grizzlies engage in battle with a few differences. Gone for the Grizzlies is Rudy Gay, while the Clippers a.k.a. “Lob City” have gotten deeper the second time around. “Lob City” took the season series 3-1 but again, this is the playoffs. Locker room turmoil has also threatens to ruin what began as a promising season for the Clippers. If they can overcome the adversity they faced down the stretch, the series will repeat the seven games of its predecessor. I believe that the problems still exist. This will come down to Grizzlies’ head coach Lionel Hollins versus Clipper coach Vinny Del Negro; advantage Hollins.
Grizzlies win 4-3
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Bridgeview, IL
The first half of the MLS match between the Chicago Fire and Chivas USA has been a defensive game thus far. With two early opportunities to score the Fire have more than just the cold, windy elements of Toyota Park to contest with. Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy has been prepared for every one of the shots from the “Men in Red”.
Chicago Fire forward Chris Rolfe had the best chance at a goal in the 38th minute of play but hie attempt at a breakaway was thwarted by Kennedy.
The Fire has controled ball possession thus far. They will look for scoring opportunities in the second half. Goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi is playing well in place of Sean Johnson.
Not much offense from Chivas USA but they will undoubtedly look to pick up the pace after the break.
Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls is at a professional crossroads. The 24-year old superstar guard is facing the biggest decision of his career. When should he return to his basketball duties? This is after suffering from an injury that could have potentially ended his NBA livelihood.
Where were you on April 28, 2012?
The day that the fans at the United Center and those watching at home witnessed what was thought to be an easy Bulls win in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs. The Bulls held an insurmountable 15-point lead against the Philadelphia 76ers with less than two minutes remaining on the game clock.
Derrick Rose took the ball and proceeded to execute a breakaway layup when something went horribly wrong. Derrick Rose leaped and the pain on his face was evident. The worst possible scenario took place. Rose, as I knew right away, tore his ACL.
I remember as the clock ticked to the 2:30 minute mark saying to my television, “it is time to get those guys out of the game (Bulls’ head coach Tom) Thibodeau. You have the game at hand.” I remember saying it once more while reiterating the fact that the players could use the rest.
In my brief playing days which was two stints in the Chicago Park District Summer Leagues, once the game was out of hand, you put in the scrubs and players who were not dedicated (myself) in to finish out things. My team won two championships but not without an injury to a key player. In two years, my team lost three games. The victories were all by more than 20 points. The injuries happened while we were ahead, with no threat of losing the lead.
Injuries happen in sports but when you can win with all of your players healthy, you are supposed to take your foot off the gas pedal.
Why was Derrick Rose still playing with a 15-point lead, with less than 90 seconds left?
We will never know the answer to that question but what we do know is that Thibodeau coaches every game, from the wire to wire with winning on his mind. He plays his core group heavy minutes, tiring them out at times. This is the only theory that I can offer as to why Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah were still in the game.
Rose is 10 months removed from reconstructive knee surgery. After receiving the green light to resume his occupation, he is still not ready to return.
Is the reason for the hesitation physical or mental?
From the local media from the radio and television show hosts to the fans that have spoken their minds, they all want to see Rose back. Some people who have voiced their opinions want him to “get over it already” and play, while others want him to “take his time.”
I believe that his reluctance revolves around one thing; his inability to compete at the level that we are accustomed to. For that reason, Derrick Rose has earned my respect.
Can he help the Bulls now, absolutely he can. If I were to lose 65 pounds, I could help them too. They may have hit the wall. Perhaps Rose does not want to return because he feels that he can become a liability to the team. Perhaps he wants to wait and rehab a few more weeks, allowing his body to heal even further. The more he has healed, the better off he and the Bulls will be.
Perhaps he sees his mortality as a basketball player and he does not want to risk that. Whatever his reasons are, we must respect them.
If you believe that Rose is sitting out because of the lack of help he has, that is a flawed theory. Look at the bench, who is missing from this current Bulls’ team that would have made a difference? Former Bull, current Houston Rocket Omer Asik would have made a difference, after that it is a wash.
What players were available at the NBA trade deadline? The only player that would have made things interesting was Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks.
Suggesting that Rose is sitting out because the Bulls’ management did not make any deals is preposterous and out of bounds. This is telling the player who has been the face of the franchise for nearly half a decade that he is not a competitor. Derrick Rose is on record for saying that he wants to defeat LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat. Even hinting that Rose wants to avoid a lost season is close to calling him a quitter. This is something that he is not.
If I were Rose, I would block out the doctors, Bulls’ management, teammates, advisors and family members. I would only listen to my body. I would take a long, loving glance at my young son and ask myself in what shape do I want to be while he is growing up. I would take my concerns about dunking off my left leg and the burning of my hamstrings seriously.
Derrick Rose has lived a nightmarish 11-month period where he saw his career flash before his eyes. Those of us who have ever gone through a traumatic experience should know his pain.
How quick do you get behind the wheel of a car after almost losing your life on the road? How scarred would you be if someone told you to dive in deep water, just recently after you nearly drowned? You want to be able to do these things on your own terms.
Derrick Rose deserves to make up his mind once he is ready to.
It is hard to be No. 1.
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There is no stopping UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey. Rousey made UFC history this past Saturday night. At UFC 157, two women fought for the first time, not only in the UFC but in the main event of a PPV. Rousey made her historic UFC debut a memorable one.
Facing her toughest opponent in the game Liz Carmouche, Rousey dealt with adversity for the first time inside the Octagon in her seven-fight career.
Caught in a standing rear naked choke early in the opening round, Rousey was able to fend Carmouche off, but not before Carmouche converted the maneuver into a face crack.
The action began early.
After the bell sounded, the two combatants fiercely charged at each with a series of punches. Shortly after, the grappling began. First Rousey and Carmouche fought on the cage, until Carmouche was able to put the choke on Rousey. The tide turned once Rousey broke free with a judo toss.
In the midway point of the third minute, Rousey seized control.
While attempting to set up her patented armbar, Rousey had Carmouche confide to the mat. A barrage of strikes followed as Carmouche, nearly defenseless, did her best to avoid Rousey’s submission finisher. It was all for naught as the two-time Olympian from Venice, California, locked her arms in the closing moments of Round 1. The result, the same as the previous six battles inside of the Octagon; “Rowdy Ronda Rousey wins by way of the armbar in the first round.
In the co-main event, Lyoto Machita defeated Dan Henderson in a split-decision. Their match started slowly at first, as both competitors took some time to get a feel for each other. Machita took the advantage with strong strikes, negating Henderson’s offensive momentum.
In the undercard:
Urijah Faber used a rear-naked choke to beat Ivan Menjivar.
Court McGee won a unanimous decision against Josh Neer.
Robbie Lawler made his return to the Octagon a successful one with a first one stoppage of Josh Koscheck.
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ErnestShepard
Jonylah Watkins: Time to Shift Our Focus
On one Monday in the mean streets of Chicago, a brief happy, jovial life ended due to senseless acts of violence. Such acts are common in the inner city, including Hadiya Pendleton, Frances Colon; the list goes on. Young lives ruined via gang violence.
Our society is losing young men and women who instead of solving their problems with words use guns to air out their grievances. One glance at the wrong person should not end in death. Neither should a mere misunderstanding lead to the murders of so many people.
It is a damn shame that gang members do not read statistics or grasp the obvious idea of odds.
When gang members shoot at their rivals so often are the innocent gunned down like rabid dogs. Just because “Gang Member X” sees “Gang Member A” on the streets, “Gang Member X” must recognize all of the children who are playing, the people that are just looking to get to work safely and the seniors that are trying to enjoy their lives. None of them resembles “Gang Member A”. They are the innocent ones whose lives are lost.
If there is one gang member in a crowd of 25 people, what are the odds of the intended target catching the shot? Moreover, just because a troubled soul is killed, it does not change things. It leaves one less person alive that can turn things around and change his or her life.
What did Jonylah Watkins do to deserve six bullets inside of her exuberant body?
Whom did she harm?
Did she flash a gang sign or turn her bonnet to side and coo, “(insert gang name here) killer!”
What did she do to the trigger-man that refuses to give himself up and is showing a lack of compassion, a conscious, something close to having a soul?
The focus must shift to finding the person who committed the crime.
South side Chicago pastor Corey Brooks put it best when he said that finding Jonylah Watkins’ shooter is the priority, not the past of father.
Several media outlets are painting the picture that Jonylah Watkins father is “Gang Member A” and that she was the price to pay for her father’s sins. It is as if her casualty is the ample price to pay for bad behavior.
For thinking and saying that, shame on you! That could be your child, my child, our niece, sister, cousin, neighbor, the child that we see at the daycare center. She could have been anyone that is close to us or close to someone, we know. For remotely believing that is, justifying violence and we must change our thought process or risk becoming too numb to find solutions and fix this growing problem.
Our young are dying at an alarming rate and instead of coming together in the time of a tragedy; we are too busy pointing fingers.
The truth hurts!
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