More than 20 years after her career ended, the Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong has finally been recognised as a former number one world player.
The status has always been denied to her because of a calculation error in 1976. The international Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has now corrected the error and admitted Ms Goolagong to the 16-strong list of world-ranking singles players.
When the list was introduced in 1976 it was not, according to the WTA, perfect and did not include Ms Goolagong, who was ranked the best tennis player in the world in April and May of that year.
Ms Goolagong has said that her long-delayed Number 1 status came as a complete surprise, but that she is very happy about it.
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/5577302/Goolagongs-Number-1-21-years-late
Friday, December 28, 2007
Sean Penn And Robin Wright Set To Divorce
Last year, the unexpected news of divorce came from Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe; this year, another golden couple has announced impending separation: Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn.
Actors Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn married in 1996, after several years of dating. They have two children, son Hopper Jack, 14, and Dylan Frances, 16.
While their marriage appeared to be one of the most harmonious and perdurable, certainly by Hollywood standards, People magazine announced exclusively on its website Thursday that they are now divorcing.
The couple’s representative, Mara Buxbaum, confirmed the sad news exclusively to People. No other details were immediately available.
Penn, 47, and Wright, 41, have been private about their personal lives throughout these eleven years of marriage.
Penn was notoriously displeased with the intrusion of the press in his personal life during his marriage to pop music icon Madonna in the 1980s and has maintained a reticent attitude throughout the years.
The two actors have appeared together in movies, such as 1997's “She's So Lovely,” directed by Nick Cassavetes and 1998's “Hurlyburly,” directed by David Rabe.
Penn’s recent projects include “Into the Wild,” which he directed. It stars Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Jena Malone, Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt. The film has received four SAG Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations.
The Academy Award winner will next appear in the Harvey Milk biopic directed by Gus Van Sant for Focus Features. Filming reportedly starts in January, per Variety. Penn will portray gay rights activist Harvey Milk, who became the first openly gay politician in 1970s San Francisco.
Wright’s recent projects include this year’s “Hounddog,” starring Dakota Fanning, which she exec produced, and “Beowulf,” the animated film adaptation of the homonymous epic poem.
© 2007 - eFluxMedia
Actors Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn married in 1996, after several years of dating. They have two children, son Hopper Jack, 14, and Dylan Frances, 16.
While their marriage appeared to be one of the most harmonious and perdurable, certainly by Hollywood standards, People magazine announced exclusively on its website Thursday that they are now divorcing.
The couple’s representative, Mara Buxbaum, confirmed the sad news exclusively to People. No other details were immediately available.
Penn, 47, and Wright, 41, have been private about their personal lives throughout these eleven years of marriage.
Penn was notoriously displeased with the intrusion of the press in his personal life during his marriage to pop music icon Madonna in the 1980s and has maintained a reticent attitude throughout the years.
The two actors have appeared together in movies, such as 1997's “She's So Lovely,” directed by Nick Cassavetes and 1998's “Hurlyburly,” directed by David Rabe.
Penn’s recent projects include “Into the Wild,” which he directed. It stars Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Jena Malone, Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt. The film has received four SAG Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations.
The Academy Award winner will next appear in the Harvey Milk biopic directed by Gus Van Sant for Focus Features. Filming reportedly starts in January, per Variety. Penn will portray gay rights activist Harvey Milk, who became the first openly gay politician in 1970s San Francisco.
Wright’s recent projects include this year’s “Hounddog,” starring Dakota Fanning, which she exec produced, and “Beowulf,” the animated film adaptation of the homonymous epic poem.
© 2007 - eFluxMedia
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Blogging From Simpleology
I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.
It covers:
- The best blogging techniques.
- How to get traffic to your blog.
- How to turn your blog into money.
I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Sara Jean Underwood Playboy Playmate Of The Year 2007
Here's a little-known fact about Derek Anderson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback who has come out of nowhere to have a Pro Bowl-caliber season this year: One of his friends is Playboy Playmate Sara Jean Underwood.
On ESPN this morning, Anderson and Underwood discussed their longtime friendship. They both grew up in Scappoose, Oregon, they both attended Scappoose High School (Anderson was one year ahead of Underwood), and they both went to Oregon State for college. Underwood was apparently something of a matchmaker for Anderson and his wife, Lisa.
Oh, and while they were in college together, Underwood appeared on the cover of the "Girls of the Pac-10" issue of Playboy, a cover you can see here and is possibly not safe for work.
Anderson went on to become the 2007 Playboy Playmate of the Year. Anderson may go on to his first Pro Bowl. So who's the most famous person from Scappoose? They each say it's the other one.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/12/16/browns-qb-derek-anderson-is-buddies-with-playboy-playmate-sara-j/
On ESPN this morning, Anderson and Underwood discussed their longtime friendship. They both grew up in Scappoose, Oregon, they both attended Scappoose High School (Anderson was one year ahead of Underwood), and they both went to Oregon State for college. Underwood was apparently something of a matchmaker for Anderson and his wife, Lisa.
Oh, and while they were in college together, Underwood appeared on the cover of the "Girls of the Pac-10" issue of Playboy, a cover you can see here and is possibly not safe for work.
Anderson went on to become the 2007 Playboy Playmate of the Year. Anderson may go on to his first Pro Bowl. So who's the most famous person from Scappoose? They each say it's the other one.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/12/16/browns-qb-derek-anderson-is-buddies-with-playboy-playmate-sara-j/
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
New Halo 3 Maps available As Downloads
Well, it’s going to be a busy day on Xbox Live Marketplace. The first downloadable Halo 3 maps are here for multiplayer. And that’s a good thing. Even I am getting a little too familiar with the maps that came with the game. It costs you 800 points to download.
First “Halo 3” Downloadable Content Arrives as Heroic Map Pack Hits Xbox 360
Award-winning multiplayer experience evolves with three new maps now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace
The international award-winning “Halo 3” gets even better as the “Halo 3” Heroic Map Pack launches today on Xbox 360’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace. After launching to incredible acclaim and fanaticism, more than five million “Halo 3” players worldwide can now enjoy a package of three all new multiplayer maps. The Heroic Map Pack is the first in a series of downloadable content from Bungie Studios.
Available for 800 Microsoft Points exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, each map offers a unique experience. Standoff’s symmetrical valley, with its entrenched bases and fields of boulders is ideal for mid-sized objective and Slayer game types, while Rat’s Nest’s vast, labyrinthine passages bring something new to the “Halo” multiplayer experience: an indoor vehicle paradise, strongly influenced by the Campaign mode, ideal for big team battles. Finally, Foundry is the ultimate Forge map – players can edit every single object in this voluminous industrial warehouse, place stairways, walls, bridges and tunnels to create an entirely new play space and build almost any kind of map they can think of.
As if the legions of “Halo 3″ players needed more reasons to stay logged on to Xbox LIVE and fragging, Forge also allows players to edit and customize all three maps, keeping “Halo 3’s” multiplayer experience fresh, exciting and evolving. In addition, ongoing updates to “Halo 3’s” matchmaking playlists ensure that ranked and social gameplay remains dynamic and competitive.
The maps of the Heroic Pack are available in matchmaking today to those who have purchased the download. All three maps will become available as a free download via Xbox LIVE Marketplace in Spring 2008, just prior to the next wave of all new “Halo 3” multiplayer maps.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/12/first_downloadable_map_packs_arrive_for_halo_3_on_xbox_live.html
First “Halo 3” Downloadable Content Arrives as Heroic Map Pack Hits Xbox 360
Award-winning multiplayer experience evolves with three new maps now available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace
The international award-winning “Halo 3” gets even better as the “Halo 3” Heroic Map Pack launches today on Xbox 360’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace. After launching to incredible acclaim and fanaticism, more than five million “Halo 3” players worldwide can now enjoy a package of three all new multiplayer maps. The Heroic Map Pack is the first in a series of downloadable content from Bungie Studios.
Available for 800 Microsoft Points exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, each map offers a unique experience. Standoff’s symmetrical valley, with its entrenched bases and fields of boulders is ideal for mid-sized objective and Slayer game types, while Rat’s Nest’s vast, labyrinthine passages bring something new to the “Halo” multiplayer experience: an indoor vehicle paradise, strongly influenced by the Campaign mode, ideal for big team battles. Finally, Foundry is the ultimate Forge map – players can edit every single object in this voluminous industrial warehouse, place stairways, walls, bridges and tunnels to create an entirely new play space and build almost any kind of map they can think of.
As if the legions of “Halo 3″ players needed more reasons to stay logged on to Xbox LIVE and fragging, Forge also allows players to edit and customize all three maps, keeping “Halo 3’s” multiplayer experience fresh, exciting and evolving. In addition, ongoing updates to “Halo 3’s” matchmaking playlists ensure that ranked and social gameplay remains dynamic and competitive.
The maps of the Heroic Pack are available in matchmaking today to those who have purchased the download. All three maps will become available as a free download via Xbox LIVE Marketplace in Spring 2008, just prior to the next wave of all new “Halo 3” multiplayer maps.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/12/first_downloadable_map_packs_arrive_for_halo_3_on_xbox_live.html
Vikram Pandit New Citigroup CEO
NEW YORK, Dec. 11 U.S. financial-services giant Citigroup Inc., one of the credit-market turmoil's biggest casualties, named Vikram Pandit as chief executive officer Tuesday.
He replaces Charles Prince, who resigned Nov. 4 as Citigroup disclosed it faced up to $11 billion in fourth-quarter losses tied to the bank's exposure to mortgage-related investments.
The losses were on top of some $6.4 billion in third-quarter write-downs, including about $1.6 billion stemming from subprime mortgages.
Also Tuesday, Citigroup named Acting CEO Win Bischoff as chairman, succeeding former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, who stepped into the job when Prince, who also served as chairman, resigned.
Rubin will return to his previous duties as board member and chairman of the board's executive committee, the bank said.
Pandit -- a former Morgan Stanley executive who joined Citigroup this year when the bank bought his Old Lane Partners hedge fund for $800 million -- said he would work with Bischoff, Rubin and Citigroup's board "to assure that our strategy, structure, scale and diversification position the company for growth."
"Simplifying the company's organizational structure and aligning our businesses and resources with appropriate goals and economic realities will be among our initial priorities," he said.
Citigroup's stock price, which had plunged 38 percent this year, closed down $1.54, or 4.43 percent, at $33.23 on the New York Stock Exchange.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/157028.html
He replaces Charles Prince, who resigned Nov. 4 as Citigroup disclosed it faced up to $11 billion in fourth-quarter losses tied to the bank's exposure to mortgage-related investments.
The losses were on top of some $6.4 billion in third-quarter write-downs, including about $1.6 billion stemming from subprime mortgages.
Also Tuesday, Citigroup named Acting CEO Win Bischoff as chairman, succeeding former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, who stepped into the job when Prince, who also served as chairman, resigned.
Rubin will return to his previous duties as board member and chairman of the board's executive committee, the bank said.
Pandit -- a former Morgan Stanley executive who joined Citigroup this year when the bank bought his Old Lane Partners hedge fund for $800 million -- said he would work with Bischoff, Rubin and Citigroup's board "to assure that our strategy, structure, scale and diversification position the company for growth."
"Simplifying the company's organizational structure and aligning our businesses and resources with appropriate goals and economic realities will be among our initial priorities," he said.
Citigroup's stock price, which had plunged 38 percent this year, closed down $1.54, or 4.43 percent, at $33.23 on the New York Stock Exchange.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/157028.html
Monday, December 10, 2007
Polaroid T737 7 MegaPixel Digital Camera Under $150
The Polaroid T737 is a digital camera that is very useful and offers great performance, this might be due to the camera being 7 megapixels. The Polaroid T737 is PictBridge capable and has an optical zoom of 3x, and 4 x digital add to this its image stabilization and you have a great recipe for a versatile digital camera, says ImagingInsider.com in its Polaroid T737 digital camera review.
A good deal for a Christmas gift is Polaroid t737 digital camera. For $129.99 you get a 7 MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom & Image Stabilization, says blog.pcnews.ro
Someone already Digged the deal news about Polaroid T737 7 Megapixel digital camera and writes "The new Polaroid t737 is a high specification digital camera for under $150 with features normally associated with a price tag of $250. Click to find out what all the excitement is about."
Polaroid T737 Digital Camera Specifications
# t737 - 7.0 megapixel resolution
# 3" bright color TFT LCD
# 3x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom
# Takes AVI video clips with audio
# 16MB built-in storage
# SD compatible for expanded memory
http://www.huliq.com/44393/polaroid-t737-7-megapixel-digital-camera-offers-great-performance
A good deal for a Christmas gift is Polaroid t737 digital camera. For $129.99 you get a 7 MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom & Image Stabilization, says blog.pcnews.ro
Someone already Digged the deal news about Polaroid T737 7 Megapixel digital camera and writes "The new Polaroid t737 is a high specification digital camera for under $150 with features normally associated with a price tag of $250. Click to find out what all the excitement is about."
Polaroid T737 Digital Camera Specifications
# t737 - 7.0 megapixel resolution
# 3" bright color TFT LCD
# 3x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom
# Takes AVI video clips with audio
# 16MB built-in storage
# SD compatible for expanded memory
http://www.huliq.com/44393/polaroid-t737-7-megapixel-digital-camera-offers-great-performance
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Thousands of Dodge Cars And Vans Recalled By Chrysler
WASHINGTON -- Chrysler says it's recalling nearly 600,000 Dodge trucks and vans.
The company says it's addressing concerns that the vehicles could shift out of park without the key in the ignition.
Chrysler says there have been nine incidents involving injuries connected to the problem, but no fatalities have been reported.
The recall affects thousands of 2001 and 2002 Dodge Dakotas, Durangos and 2002 Dodge Rams.
Owners will be notified starting in January and dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly.
In the meantime, the company is advising vehicle owners to use the parking brake at all times when the vehicle isn't in use.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Business/News/2007/12/08/4714371-sun.html
The company says it's addressing concerns that the vehicles could shift out of park without the key in the ignition.
Chrysler says there have been nine incidents involving injuries connected to the problem, but no fatalities have been reported.
The recall affects thousands of 2001 and 2002 Dodge Dakotas, Durangos and 2002 Dodge Rams.
Owners will be notified starting in January and dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly.
In the meantime, the company is advising vehicle owners to use the parking brake at all times when the vehicle isn't in use.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Business/News/2007/12/08/4714371-sun.html
Floyd Mayweather or Ricky Hatton Who Is For The Title?
Floyd Mayweather is a 12-5 favorite to defeat Ricky Hatton in this battle of unbeatens that will take place Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The stakes for this fight go far beyond Mayweather's WBC welterweight title. They include:
1. The pristine nature of their records. Mayweather is 38-0 with 24 knockouts while Hatton is 43-0 with 31 KOs. That means they have a combined record of 81-0 with 55 knockouts, and, as Michael Spinks famously declared before his showdown with Mike Tyson in 1988, "Someone's '0' has got to go."
2. Their place in the pound-for-pound rankings. Mayweather was elevated to the top of most lists following his spectacular knockout of Arturo Gatti and Bernard Hopkins' first defeat to Jermain Taylor, and while a good argument can be made for Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather still reigns supreme. As for Hatton, he occupies a spot in the middle to lower portions of most top 10s, but a victory over the king of the mountain would vault him dramatically upward.
3. Their historical standing. Mayweather has won portions of titles in five weight classes and is currently the Ring welterweight champion while Hatton is a two-division champion (including two reigns at 140) and Ring's junior welterweight titlist. Mayweather could further cement his legacy with a dominant victory over Hatton while a Hatton victory could make the Mancurian an unquestioned superstar on this side of the Atlantic.
Those who argue that Mayweather is boxing's best all-around fighter point to his dominance over his opposition. Few fighters have ever been as statistically superior to his opponents than Mayweather, who rarely loses rounds, much less fights. A recent CompuBox analysis determined that the "Pretty Boy" leads the sport in "plus-minus" rating — and not by a little. The "plus-minus" is the difference between a fighter's average connect percentage and that of his opponents, and Mayweather's plus-30 (46 percent to 16 percent) is seven percentage points ahead of his closest competition, Juan Diaz, who owns a plus-23.
Mayweather's rating compares favorably to the prime Roy Jones (plus-23) and Pernell Whitaker (plus-16). For the record, Hatton's rating is a plus-five (34 percent to 29 percent), which is tied for 16th with Jones, Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Numbers often confirm what each fighter must do in order to give himself the best chance of success. For Mayweather, his plan consists of blunting Hatton's pressure, limit his opponent's offense and use his hand speed to build an insurmountable lead on the scorecards.
Mayweather's past proves that he can effectively deal with a full-frontal assault. On Nov. 10, 2001, Mayweather defended his WBC super featherweight crown for the final time against Mexican whirlwind Jesus Chavez. Chavez did not allow Mayweather's slickness to deter him as he unleashed an average of 103 punches per round, 66 of which were power punches.
On the positive side, Mayweather was forced to pick up his work rate slightly as he threw 51 punches per round as opposed to his 48 against Genaro Hernandez, Carlos Hernandez, Angel Manfredy and Goyo Vargas. But Chavez was unable to make his 925 punches count as he landed just 182 of them (20 percent) while Mayweather's accurate fists continually caught Chavez coming in, landing 197 of 456 total punches (43 percent) and a searing 51 percent of his power punches (163 of 317).
In his rematch with Jose Luis Castillo, Mayweather used his defensive skills and marksmanship to keep Castillo's offense at bay. The Mexican only managed to throw 50 punches per round and land 11 of them for 23 percent accuracy and connect on 24 percent of his 427 power shots. Meanwhile, Mayweather was effective and efficient as he landed 41 percent of his 33 punches per round overall and 45 percent of his 14 power attempts.
As Mayweather rose in weight, he remained boxing's version of Princeton's slow-down offense in college basketball. In his most recent outing against WBC super welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya this past May 5, Mayweather curbed "The Golden Boy's" output like few fighters ever have. Mayweather limited De La Hoya to 21 percent accuracy overall (122 of 587, an average of 49 punches thrown and 10 landed), 16 percent on his usually vaunted jab (40 of 246) and 24 percent of his power punches (82 of 341).
Meanwhile, Mayweather got a lot of work done with his 40 punches per round as he landed 207 of 481 blows overall (43 percent), 69 of his 240 jabs (29 percent) and 138 of 241 power punches (a scintillating 57 percent). Mayweather topped 60 percent efficiency in his power punches in five rounds and peaked at 78 percent and 82 percent in rounds two and three respectively.
Unlike the De La Hoya fight, Mayweather enters the fight as the bigger man. At 5-foot-8 he stands two inches taller and his 72-inch reach is a full seven inches longer, so he has the physical equipment and know-how to control the flow of the fight. It would also help Mayweather's cause if Hatton repeats the form he showed in his one previous welterweight bout against Luis Collazo on May 13, 2006.
Though he registered a knockdown in the first minute, the slick southpaw Collazo held his own and had Hatton holding on in the final round before losing a close but unanimous decision. In that fight Hatton outlanded Collazo by a slim 259-213 (less than four punches more per round) overall, and landed just five of his 104 attempted jabs. Hatton outlanded Collazo 254-167 in power punches, but aside from the flash knockdown Hatton's punches lacked the heft of his days at 140.
For Hatton to win he must not only follow, but add on to, the blueprint Jose Luis Castillo used to give Mayweather his toughest night as a pro. On April 20, 2002 most observers believed that the defending WBC lightweight champ deserved the nod against Mayweather and the numbers bear that out. The 5-to-1 underdog outlanded "The Pretty Boy" 203-157 in total punches, including a hefty 173-66 edge in connected power punches, many of which targeted the body.
Castillo, who on this night landed more punches against Mayweather than any other opponent tracked by CompuBox, got stronger as the fight went on as he out-connected Mayweather in each of the final eight rounds. Castillo averaged 42 total punches thrown in the round to Mayweather's 37, but the real key was his 46 percent accuracy in power punches.
Hatton has already proven that he can impose his smothering style against a Hall of Fame caliber fighter. On June 4, 2005 in Manchester, Hatton squared off against Kostya Tszyu, who at 35 was chronologically past his best days but was still considered a favorite against the hometown hero.
Though their numbers were remarkably similar (200 of 647 for Hatton overall and 200 of 619 for Tszyu and a 172-162 connect edge for Hatton in power punches) it was Hatton's consistently escalating pressure that proved to be the difference. Fueled by an adoring, singing throng, Hatton belabored Tszyu with withering shots to the body and head as well as energy-sapping roughhousing maneuvers to suck the energy out of the Russian-Australian. An exhausted Tszyu and a compassionate Johnny Lewis chose to halt the contest before the start of the final round.
"The Mad Hatter" couldn't have had a better lead-in to a career-defining fight as he did on June 23 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. There he used a scathing hook to the liver to leave Jose Luis Castillo a pain-wracked wreck after less than four rounds of action. Hatton outlanded Castillo in every round, with his advantage being most pronounced in the power punch category. There, he out-connected Castillo 38-18 in the first two rounds and 76-47 overall. Hatton's work-rate, usually in the low 50s, was at 58 in the first three rounds and he topped 20 connects in each stanza. But it was that final hook that told the world that he was ready for "The Pretty Boy."
Who will remain "Undefeated" after Dec. 8? The career numbers are similar. Mayweather is an 11-year pro while Hatton has 10 years of service.
Mayweather has fought 265 rounds while Hatton amassed 240. Mayweather has four first-round knockouts (none since seventh pro fight) while Hatton has five (none since his ninth fight). Mayweather's longest inactive period was 244 days (from May 2004 to January 2005) while Hatton's was 251 days (May 2006 to January 2007). But their styles couldn't be more different, and that's why this is such an interesting fight.
"The Hit Man" must turn up the heat and keep it high throughout the fight. Zab Judah troubled Mayweather in the first four rounds by fighting his fight and not letting Mayweather dictating the terms of battle, and he ended up losing it — both strategically and emotionally — because he couldn't sustain it. Hatton needs to get in Mayweather's chest, push him up against the ropes and pound away at every available target, whether it be arms, torso or ribs. His thousands of raucous supporters will do its best to keep Hatton's spirits high — and perhaps sway the judges to give him the close rounds.
For Mayweather to win, he must do what he has always done — slow the tempo, use his defense to induce frustration and land enough eye-catching punches to win rounds and perhaps tear open Hatton's sensitive scar tissue around the eyes. The fact that they will be welterweights wearing 10-ounce gloves as opposed to 140-pounders wearing eight-ouncers will bode well for Mayweather because of the extra padding that will protect his brittle hands while softening the impact of Hatton's punches.
The guess here is that Mayweather will pick and stick his way to a close, but unanimous decision.
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/7538572
The stakes for this fight go far beyond Mayweather's WBC welterweight title. They include:
1. The pristine nature of their records. Mayweather is 38-0 with 24 knockouts while Hatton is 43-0 with 31 KOs. That means they have a combined record of 81-0 with 55 knockouts, and, as Michael Spinks famously declared before his showdown with Mike Tyson in 1988, "Someone's '0' has got to go."
2. Their place in the pound-for-pound rankings. Mayweather was elevated to the top of most lists following his spectacular knockout of Arturo Gatti and Bernard Hopkins' first defeat to Jermain Taylor, and while a good argument can be made for Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather still reigns supreme. As for Hatton, he occupies a spot in the middle to lower portions of most top 10s, but a victory over the king of the mountain would vault him dramatically upward.
3. Their historical standing. Mayweather has won portions of titles in five weight classes and is currently the Ring welterweight champion while Hatton is a two-division champion (including two reigns at 140) and Ring's junior welterweight titlist. Mayweather could further cement his legacy with a dominant victory over Hatton while a Hatton victory could make the Mancurian an unquestioned superstar on this side of the Atlantic.
Those who argue that Mayweather is boxing's best all-around fighter point to his dominance over his opposition. Few fighters have ever been as statistically superior to his opponents than Mayweather, who rarely loses rounds, much less fights. A recent CompuBox analysis determined that the "Pretty Boy" leads the sport in "plus-minus" rating — and not by a little. The "plus-minus" is the difference between a fighter's average connect percentage and that of his opponents, and Mayweather's plus-30 (46 percent to 16 percent) is seven percentage points ahead of his closest competition, Juan Diaz, who owns a plus-23.
Mayweather's rating compares favorably to the prime Roy Jones (plus-23) and Pernell Whitaker (plus-16). For the record, Hatton's rating is a plus-five (34 percent to 29 percent), which is tied for 16th with Jones, Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Numbers often confirm what each fighter must do in order to give himself the best chance of success. For Mayweather, his plan consists of blunting Hatton's pressure, limit his opponent's offense and use his hand speed to build an insurmountable lead on the scorecards.
Mayweather's past proves that he can effectively deal with a full-frontal assault. On Nov. 10, 2001, Mayweather defended his WBC super featherweight crown for the final time against Mexican whirlwind Jesus Chavez. Chavez did not allow Mayweather's slickness to deter him as he unleashed an average of 103 punches per round, 66 of which were power punches.
On the positive side, Mayweather was forced to pick up his work rate slightly as he threw 51 punches per round as opposed to his 48 against Genaro Hernandez, Carlos Hernandez, Angel Manfredy and Goyo Vargas. But Chavez was unable to make his 925 punches count as he landed just 182 of them (20 percent) while Mayweather's accurate fists continually caught Chavez coming in, landing 197 of 456 total punches (43 percent) and a searing 51 percent of his power punches (163 of 317).
In his rematch with Jose Luis Castillo, Mayweather used his defensive skills and marksmanship to keep Castillo's offense at bay. The Mexican only managed to throw 50 punches per round and land 11 of them for 23 percent accuracy and connect on 24 percent of his 427 power shots. Meanwhile, Mayweather was effective and efficient as he landed 41 percent of his 33 punches per round overall and 45 percent of his 14 power attempts.
As Mayweather rose in weight, he remained boxing's version of Princeton's slow-down offense in college basketball. In his most recent outing against WBC super welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya this past May 5, Mayweather curbed "The Golden Boy's" output like few fighters ever have. Mayweather limited De La Hoya to 21 percent accuracy overall (122 of 587, an average of 49 punches thrown and 10 landed), 16 percent on his usually vaunted jab (40 of 246) and 24 percent of his power punches (82 of 341).
Meanwhile, Mayweather got a lot of work done with his 40 punches per round as he landed 207 of 481 blows overall (43 percent), 69 of his 240 jabs (29 percent) and 138 of 241 power punches (a scintillating 57 percent). Mayweather topped 60 percent efficiency in his power punches in five rounds and peaked at 78 percent and 82 percent in rounds two and three respectively.
Unlike the De La Hoya fight, Mayweather enters the fight as the bigger man. At 5-foot-8 he stands two inches taller and his 72-inch reach is a full seven inches longer, so he has the physical equipment and know-how to control the flow of the fight. It would also help Mayweather's cause if Hatton repeats the form he showed in his one previous welterweight bout against Luis Collazo on May 13, 2006.
Though he registered a knockdown in the first minute, the slick southpaw Collazo held his own and had Hatton holding on in the final round before losing a close but unanimous decision. In that fight Hatton outlanded Collazo by a slim 259-213 (less than four punches more per round) overall, and landed just five of his 104 attempted jabs. Hatton outlanded Collazo 254-167 in power punches, but aside from the flash knockdown Hatton's punches lacked the heft of his days at 140.
For Hatton to win he must not only follow, but add on to, the blueprint Jose Luis Castillo used to give Mayweather his toughest night as a pro. On April 20, 2002 most observers believed that the defending WBC lightweight champ deserved the nod against Mayweather and the numbers bear that out. The 5-to-1 underdog outlanded "The Pretty Boy" 203-157 in total punches, including a hefty 173-66 edge in connected power punches, many of which targeted the body.
Castillo, who on this night landed more punches against Mayweather than any other opponent tracked by CompuBox, got stronger as the fight went on as he out-connected Mayweather in each of the final eight rounds. Castillo averaged 42 total punches thrown in the round to Mayweather's 37, but the real key was his 46 percent accuracy in power punches.
Hatton has already proven that he can impose his smothering style against a Hall of Fame caliber fighter. On June 4, 2005 in Manchester, Hatton squared off against Kostya Tszyu, who at 35 was chronologically past his best days but was still considered a favorite against the hometown hero.
Though their numbers were remarkably similar (200 of 647 for Hatton overall and 200 of 619 for Tszyu and a 172-162 connect edge for Hatton in power punches) it was Hatton's consistently escalating pressure that proved to be the difference. Fueled by an adoring, singing throng, Hatton belabored Tszyu with withering shots to the body and head as well as energy-sapping roughhousing maneuvers to suck the energy out of the Russian-Australian. An exhausted Tszyu and a compassionate Johnny Lewis chose to halt the contest before the start of the final round.
"The Mad Hatter" couldn't have had a better lead-in to a career-defining fight as he did on June 23 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. There he used a scathing hook to the liver to leave Jose Luis Castillo a pain-wracked wreck after less than four rounds of action. Hatton outlanded Castillo in every round, with his advantage being most pronounced in the power punch category. There, he out-connected Castillo 38-18 in the first two rounds and 76-47 overall. Hatton's work-rate, usually in the low 50s, was at 58 in the first three rounds and he topped 20 connects in each stanza. But it was that final hook that told the world that he was ready for "The Pretty Boy."
Who will remain "Undefeated" after Dec. 8? The career numbers are similar. Mayweather is an 11-year pro while Hatton has 10 years of service.
Mayweather has fought 265 rounds while Hatton amassed 240. Mayweather has four first-round knockouts (none since seventh pro fight) while Hatton has five (none since his ninth fight). Mayweather's longest inactive period was 244 days (from May 2004 to January 2005) while Hatton's was 251 days (May 2006 to January 2007). But their styles couldn't be more different, and that's why this is such an interesting fight.
"The Hit Man" must turn up the heat and keep it high throughout the fight. Zab Judah troubled Mayweather in the first four rounds by fighting his fight and not letting Mayweather dictating the terms of battle, and he ended up losing it — both strategically and emotionally — because he couldn't sustain it. Hatton needs to get in Mayweather's chest, push him up against the ropes and pound away at every available target, whether it be arms, torso or ribs. His thousands of raucous supporters will do its best to keep Hatton's spirits high — and perhaps sway the judges to give him the close rounds.
For Mayweather to win, he must do what he has always done — slow the tempo, use his defense to induce frustration and land enough eye-catching punches to win rounds and perhaps tear open Hatton's sensitive scar tissue around the eyes. The fact that they will be welterweights wearing 10-ounce gloves as opposed to 140-pounders wearing eight-ouncers will bode well for Mayweather because of the extra padding that will protect his brittle hands while softening the impact of Hatton's punches.
The guess here is that Mayweather will pick and stick his way to a close, but unanimous decision.
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/7538572
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Front Runners For Grammy Nominations Are Winehouse And West
It looks as if Amy Winehouse is in line to scoop at the Grammys, this dispite her well publcised personal issues and the health issuses that have caused her to cancel some of her shows.
Another who has had to cope with their share of personal issuses is Kanye West, who's mother passed away last month, is also in line to do well at the Awards.
Other artists are Foo Fighters, Akon, Fergie, Vince Gill, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Jam, Kinkin Park and Taylor.
Another who has had to cope with their share of personal issuses is Kanye West, who's mother passed away last month, is also in line to do well at the Awards.
Other artists are Foo Fighters, Akon, Fergie, Vince Gill, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Jam, Kinkin Park and Taylor.
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