Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Sports Yap - Deal With It ;)

So, I know nobody cares about this but me, but you'll just have to suffer. :) I'll return to my regularly scheduled irregularity next post.

I love boxing and I'm a HUGE fan of the boxing reality show, "The Contender". Season 1 was the best, as it focused more on the guys' as people and you got to know them. Also, Season 1 involved physical challenges in addition to the fights, which made for interesting twists and rewards. But what was, was - and I still love the show, regardless of ESPN's streamlining once they acquired airing rights from NBC.

But I digress.

In any case, Season 3 is in its final tiers. Codrington defeated Johnsen with one fail clock to the temple last week, about 10 seconds into round 1. Not surprising, but kind of a deflation just the same. I was so in the mood for a big long exciting match. Last night was the big night for me, though. Since week 1, I've had my eye on two fighters - Sam Soliman and Sakio Bika. Both are amazing, AMAZING fighters. Wouldn't you know these two drew each other in their semi-final match? I was DYING!

Soliman and Bika have met in the ring before, and Soliman won that fight. But Bika now has more experience. He's tough - but so is Soliman. I had my gut feeling about how the fight would be called before it even began, and 95% of the time, I'm right. Sam has really been my pet fighter this year - but I couldn't help but draw to Bika. He's got about 1% body fat, looks like he's carved out of marble, and has a jab faster than lightning. As one of his opponents earlier in the season said, "he's got muscles in his eyebrows." :D LOL.

Soliman, too, is unbelievable in different ways. He has the craziest fighting style. Correction, he HAS no style. He's all over the place - there's just no premeditating what he's going to do or where he's going to throw. This makes it near impossible for his opponent to use Sam's habits to their advantage. I love that. Sakio, on the other hand, is very deliberate, very calculating. An incredibly solid fighter in every way. An interesting match for a fight for sure.

For 8 rounds last night, I felt like I was going to have a stroke. It was a GREAT fight.

In the end, Sakio Bika won by fairly close but unanimous decision. I was excited and sad at the same time. That's the drawback with your two favorites being matched up.

Next Tuesday, Sakio Bika meets Jaidon Codrington in the finale, for a $750,000 purse (sheesh!). Again, I find myself liking both fighters. Codrington, while starting the season out as a trash talker (a characteristic I really hate), ended up endearing me with his drive and the difficult loss of his father mid-season. Sakio Bika's my pick, but if Codrington wins, that's okay with me too.

As for Sam Soliman, he will be fine - he has a sparkling positive attitude, and at 33 I'm sure will continue to have a successful boxing career. Good luck, King! Wish you were here!

4 comments:

chesneygirl said...

Sorry, boxing is one of the few sports I don't follow much.

My grandpa was a HUGE pro boxing fan. Ali was his HERO!!!

My brother likes it too, Oscar DeLaHoya is his boxing hero.

Martie said...

Brian loves the sport of boxing..........me.........not so much. Never could understand why anyone would want to get into a ring and get the tar beat out of them!!!!

Anonymous said...

I hate to say it but Sam Soliman was robbed! He won that fight! I watched it 3 times. The first time I was unsure. The second I gave it to Soliman. The third time I was easily convinced Sam won! I think those judges made up there minds before the fight even began!

Anonymous said...

I watched the first season of this show but have dropped off since then. I liked the show. But I'm bad to channel surf and am a confessed Top Chef addict. There is also a reality golf show I believe...But don't quote me. Boxing is by far more interesting.