hardwoodclassic

I recently heard rumours about a possible upcoming fight with Kirk Johnson. Does anyone have any information on this match? I don't even remember who the projected opponent was... ||an_fight.gif' border=0>

Does anyone here watch/bet MLS? I tried to watch a couple of games but I find that it just doesn't have the same kick (no pun intended) as the Euro Leagues etc... Am I missing something, or is it fact?

I enjoy rugby but overall football is king IMO...

I think ya got the wrong forum homeboy! ||an_shake.gif' border=0>

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has adopted rules and regulations that will allow the state's racetracks and offtrack betting facilities to take wagering via the Internet beginning Jan. 22. Currently, authorized entities can only offer telephone wagering accounts at OTB's and racetracks throughout the state. The new rules allow account wagers to be made in person, via any telephone device including cell phones, via the Internet, or through other electronic means. "I think this is a breakthrough," said Bill Nader, the New York Racing Association's senior vice president and chief operating officer. "If you're trying to introduce Thoroughbred racing to a new audience, this is a step forward. Somebody under 35 would rather use their [personal computer] than the telephone. We think our site is going to be very attractive and very exciting." Nader said NYRA is working aggressively to get everything in place to allow it to take Internet wagering by the launch date. Ray Casey, president of New York City OTB, said he has been lobbying for Internet wagering for the past two years. "To me," he said, "it's part of some of the tools that I thought were critical for not only OTB's future but horse racing in general: an ability to take advantage of technology and make horse racing more accessible for the X and Y generation." Casey said he is hopeful that by the summer, all of the state's six OTB corporations could have a common website at which to wager. He said he has not ruled out becoming partners with an out-of-state provider if their technology is what he calls "best of breed." Currently, New York residents are prohibited from having Internet accounts with out-of-state providers such as Youbet, Brisbet, and TVG. Chalk up another one for the good guys! ||an_wink.gif' border=0>

What the hell are we supposed to do with that list?? ||an_roll_laugh.gif' border=0>

Now that everything important has taken place, thought it would be a good time to dole out some awards -- good and bad -- for 2006. Some of my awards are typical, some are unique. They're all juicy: Hypocrite of the Year: Diego Corrales This was probably the easiest pick to make. When Jose Luis Castillo weighed 139½ for what was supposed to be a third 135-pound fight with Corrales in June, the fight was canceled and a lot of people lost a lot of money. Corrales went off verbally on Castillo and his promoter (Bob Arum) for letting it happen. He said he loved his sport too much to ever do anything like that. Corrales also ripped the Nevada State Athletic Commission for being too soft in its punishment of Castillo, who was given the maximum fine of $250,000 and suspended the rest of the year. So what did Corrales do? He weighed in at 139½ for his fight against Joel Casamayor in October -- the same 4½ pounds Castillo was over. Corrales lost his World Boxing Council lightweight belt on the scales. Asked the day of that weigh-in if he felt like a hypocrite for doing exactly what Castillo did in every way, Corrales said "No." He said that as long he was willing to accept his punishment, he didn't need to feel like a hypocrite. Wow! It doesn't matter that after his loss to Casamayor the next night, he said he did feel like a hypocrite. By that time, he was smart enough to do some damage control. As far as I'm concerned, what Corrales said to me just after his embarrassing failed weigh-in is how he really felt. Bush League Move of the Year (Courtesy of the World Boxing Hall of Fame) This organization just doesn't get it. It isn't enough that it has inducted scores of unworthy folks -- lightweight Joey Barnum and referee Gwen Adair are in it -- the World Boxing Hall of Fame really crossed the line when it had a Howard Cosell impersonator be emcee at its annual induction banquet in October. Mind you, this wannabe comedian was doing most of the inducting. This is supposed to be a serious event, where people being enshrined into the Hall feel honored. A Howard Cosell impersonator? And he didn't even play it straight. This banquet was so long, so drawn out, that I could not bear it and left before the fighters were inducted. But a good source told me that this Cosell dude made a "no mas" reference when he was introducing Roberto Duran. Can you imagine that? Something tells me that's not going to happen when Duran is inducted into the very real International Boxing Hall of Fame next June in Canastota, N.Y. Incidentally, the World Boxing Hall of Fame has been around longer than the International Boxing Hall of Fame, yet has no museum. The International Boxing Hall of Fame, of course, does. Comeback Fighter of the Year: Oscar De La Hoya The Golden Boy, who by the way stole his nickname from the original -- Art Aragon -- took one year, eight months off following his ninth-round knockout loss to Bernard Hopkins in September 2004. De La Hoya signed to fight Ricardo Mayorga for his World Boxing Council super welterweight belt in May. During the promotion, Mayorga talked more trash than even Fernando Vargas did before he was knocked out by De La Hoya in September 2002. Although Mayorga had been stopped in the eighth round by Felix Trinidad Jr. in October 2004, he has a very good chin. Most experts figured De La Hoya would just outbox and frustrate the awkward champion and come away with a decision. Some thought Mayorga would win. Instead, De La Hoya took the fight to Mayorga. He decked him once in the first round and twice more in the sixth before stopping Mayorga at 1:25 of the round. Full Story Good read! ||cool.gif' border=0>

Nice win for the Aussie! ||an_clap.gif' border=0>

Mississauga Ontario – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club released six players today including veteran LB Antonious Bonner, DE Eric England, LB Jeff Kelly, OT Jerome Davis, WR Shockmain Davis and WR R. Jay Soward. Argonauts GM/Vice President Football Operations, Adam Rita commented, “We would like to thank all of the players for their great years with the Argonauts. We wish them the best for the future. As a team, we need to make changes to work under the new Salary Management System and bring younger, vital players to key positions.” Antonious Bonner joined the team in 1997 and was one of the club's longest-serving players. In ten seasons as an Argo, he won two Grey Cup Championships, made 431 defensive tackles, picked off 17 passes, and is tied for third most touchdowns by interception in club history with three. Eric England arrived in Toronto in 2003, made an immediate impact and was named a CFL and East Division All-Star. England‘s 29 sacks were sixth most by an Argonaut player and, in 2006, he scored the first touchdown of his CFL career on an 80-yard interception return. England had a strong track record of community involvement and was a regular contributor to the Argos' Huddle-Up Against Bullying program. R. Jay Soward was considered to be one of the fastest offensive weapons in his three years with the Argonauts. The former first round NFL draft pick recorded a touchdown once in every four receptions, with a total of 48 receptions for 785 yards and 11 TDs over three seasons as a Boatman. Jerome Davis was a two-year starter at Right Tackle along the Argos' offensive line. “JD” was named an East Division All-Star for the first time in his career in 2006 but was hampered with injuries throughout the year. Import receiver Shockmain Davis was one of the biggest surprises last season in training camp but was plagued with injuries all season long. He was placed on the Argos injured reserve list in week nine for the remainder of the season. Jeff Kelly impressed coaches throughout the pre-season in 2006, replacing the injured Michael Fletcher on Rich Stubler's defence for the first four weeks of the season before suffering a leg injury that would sideline him for the majority of the year. Some hous cleaning going down! ||surprised.gif' border=0>

Everton are considering legal action against Jose Mourinho unless the Chelsea boss retracts his attack on England striker Andrew Johnson. The Merseysiders are furious with Mourinho's implication that Johnson dived during Chelsea's dramatic 3-2 victory at Goodison Park on Sunday after a challenge by Khalid Boulahrouz. Johnson has been under scrutiny this season with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Sheffield United chief Neil Warnock commenting on him going to ground. But Everton now believe that Mourinho has gone too far by claiming that Johnson is untrustworthy and that the Portuguese coach's post-match comments could be defamatory. Mourinho branded Johnson 'a dangerous kind of opponent' and claimed he was 'not fair'. 'You cannot trust him,' he added. 'A great player but too much of that.' Everton have today taken legal advice over whether Mourinho could have slandered the former Crystal Palace striker, and have issued a joint statement with Johnson's agent Anthony McFarlane calling for a retraction while asking football authorities to intervene in the growing row. Everton are unwilling to comment further publicly as they wait for FA and Premier League action as well as a response from Chelsea and Mourinho. Everton have brushed aside previous claims over on Johnson, but this time feel 'enough is enough' and they must now defend their player. Sources at the club believe that this latest attack by a Premiership manager is damaging the value of their asset, is offensive and having an effect on the player's mental state. Johnson has not scored for 13 games as a season of debate over whether he dives or not has grown into the current crisis. Everton's statement implored Mourinho to retract his comments while asking for football authorities to look at the words used. Everton issued the statement on the club's website on behalf of the club and Johnson's BaseSoccer representative Anthony McFarlane, which read: 'In the wake of Sunday's Premiership game against Chelsea at Goodison Park we wish to jointly condemn the post-match comments of Jose Mourinho relating to Andrew Johnson. 'To publicly question the integrity of a player of Andrew's professionalism and honesty is not only wholly unacceptable and quite possibly defamatory but also, in our opinion, highly damaging for both club and player. 'We would urge the footballing authorities to look closely at Mr Mourinho's comments and then, perhaps, seek a formal explanation. 'Both Everton Football Club and Andrew Johnson have always believed in the virtues of fair play and we would ask Mr Mourinho to immediately retract his allegations.' In his post-match interviews, Mourinho implied Johnson had dived to win a penalty although television replays suggested he had received a shove in the back from Boulahrouz before going to ground. Everton boss David Moyes has defended Johnson saying: 'In my eyes the referee gave what he saw. It shows that even such a good coach as Jose Mourinho gets it wrong and doesn't choose the right words at the right moment. 'It was only a few weeks ago that their goalkeeper Petr Cech got stood on at Reading. In this instance our player jumps over the goalkeeper to avoid injuring him and he gets criticised for that. 'You have to decide who you think is making the rules up.' A Premier League spokesman said: 'This is a matter for the FA and we would only get involved if it was a direct dispute between the clubs. Otherwise it is a disciplinary situation for the FA.' An FA spokesman claimed they would not comment until they received an official complaint from Everton. Phil Neville has also warned Mourinho to keep his nose out of Everton's business. Neville has rounded on Mourinho, blaming the likes of the Chelsea manager and Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger - who was also critical of Johnson earlier this season - for getting his team-mate a bad name. 'Jose Mourinho has no right to say things like that,' said Neville. 'It wasn't a case of cheating at all. The reason why Andrew Johnson is not getting penalties at the moment is because people like Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho are coming out and having a go at our players. 'It is nothing to do with him. He should leave everything that is concerned to Everton FC to our manager and our chairman.' Including yesterday's incident, which admittedly Moyes said should not have resulted in an Everton penalty, Neville is convinced Johnson has been denied four spot-kicks this season alone. 'He was pushed over at Fulham, pushed over at Blackburn, pushed over against Arsenal and again yesterday,' said the Toffees' skipper. 'Believe me, Andrew Johnson does not go down easily in the area but on none of those occasions did he get a penalty. 'Maybe he (Mourinho) needs to be sent a video of this and have a look at himself in the mirror.' Of more concern to the Everton camp just now is Johnson's 11-match scoring drought since he netted his sixth of the season in the home draw with Manchester City on September 30. After such an explosive start to the campaign, the former Crystal Palace star is now struggling for chances. However, his link up with 18-year-old rookie Victor Anichebe against Chelsea was encouraging and Neville has nothing but admiration for Johnson's contribution to Everton's overall team play. 'Andy has gone a few games without scoring but you can see from his effort and quality it has not affected him,' said Neville, who must now serve a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the campaign. 'Goalscorers thrive on goals and I am sure he would tell you he would love to score. 'But his overall play was fantastic and he terrorised the Chelsea back four, making runs behind and creating a lot of space for Victor.' lol... what type of legal action could they possibly take??

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – The PGA TOUR announced today that actor George Lopez will narrate and host “Every Moment Counts,” a one-hour special presented by the PGA TOUR and AstraZeneca that airs nationally on ABC, December 24th from 3-4 p.m. ET. Produced by PGA TOUR Productions, the show will feature two perspectives on PGA TOUR events – what’s happening inside the ropes and what simultaneously happens at five charities that each respective tournament benefits – demonstrating that every moment on the PGA TOUR makes a difference. Lopez, the co-creator, writer, producer and star of ABC’s sitcom “George Lopez,” is a regular at the PGA TOUR’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, which earlier this year announced he would be the first-ever celebrity host of the tournament. Lopez also hosted the 2006 World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony in October. In 2005 he was ranked 45th in the Golf Digest “Hollywood Top 100” celebrity golf list with a 14.2 handicap. “Golf has been my passion for most of my adult life…anything I can do to give back to the game that has given me so much, I'm more than happy to do,” said Lopez. “‘Every Moment Counts’ is a unique look at some stories that need to be told. Don't miss it.” The PGA TOUR is the only pro sports league designed to donate the net proceeds from its events to local charities, meaning nearly all of the TOUR’s 100+ tournaments around the country (PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour) are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. Because of its unique charitable set up, the TOUR relies on more than 80,000 volunteers a year to help run its tournaments. In 2005, the PGA TOUR officially surpassed the $1 billion mark in charitable donations through its tournaments and is expected to raise its second billion dollars within the next decade. The TOUR’s first recorded donation of $10,000 was made in 1938; today, more than 2,000 charities and one million lives are helped annually. “Every Moment Counts” will also profile the AstraZeneca Charity Challenge, a weekly competition that rewards the tournament leader entering the final round at 35 select PGA TOUR events. In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, $400,000 was contributed via the AstraZeneca Charity Challenge to cancer charities across the country. The special will highlight one woman’s battle with breast cancer and her participation in a 5k walk & run in Greensboro, NC. Since the program’s inception in 2004, AstraZeneca has donated $9.7 million to health care and PGA TOUR charities. The program will include special moments from the 2006 PGA TOUR season and highlight the following charities, which are supported by the accompanying event: Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc. – Sony Open (Honolulu) PGA TOUR Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc. was formed as a result of the collaboration of a group of Hawaii business and community leaders to generate needed funding for Hawaii’s not-for-profit organizations that benefit women, children and youth. This year’s grant was awarded to fund the Spirit of Aloha Culinary Academy at Farrington High School, a troubled-youth program designed to help students get their lives back on track through the skill of cooking. More than $6 million has been generated through the Sony Open and other charity partners. Blue Ridge Literacy Council – BMW Charity Pro-Am (Greenville, SC) Nationwide Tour The Blue Ridge Literacy Council (BRLC) provides more than 300 adult students each year with the English communication and literacy skills they need to reach their full potential as individuals, parents, workers and citizens. Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce – Nissan Open (Los Angeles) PGA TOUR Through the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, young professionals cultivate leadership, governance, interpersonal and networking abilities that create a dynamic skill set for future community service and professional endeavors. LAJCC programs currently impact more than 10,000 children throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Since 1989, the Nissan Open has generated more than $20 million for local charities, including the LAJCC. Funny guy, this should be pretty good! BTW, it airs on Christmas Eve on ABC.

From the WNBA Draft in April to the high-flying All-Star Game in New York in July to Detroit winning their second title WNBA title, 2006 was another terrific year in the WNBA and yet another brilliant year in photography. With WNBA photographers in every arena at every game, there were literally thousands of great shots to remember the league's ninth season. A good shot captures the moment, shows a players' emotion and always leaves a lasting impression. For the third straight year, WNBA fans can choose their favorite photograph from the past season in an elimination, playoff-style format held over the next few weeks. Last season, Shock guard Deanna Nolan was chosen as the best photograph of 2005 by the fans. Veteran photographer Nathaniel S. Butler snapped the winning image in at the 2005 WNBA All-Star Game. So who has what it takes to win the title in 2006? Will a previous winner or a newcomer be crowned the Photo of the Year? Instructions: Click on the thumbnails to see a larger version of the photo, then click the Vote buttons to vote in each individual matchup. Check back weekly for results and to vote in the next round. Select Photo

This horse just won't go away! ||angry.gif' border=0>

Who cares...||sleep2.gif' border=0>

Damn, arent there any AFL fans in here! ||an_clap.gif' border=0>

Barbaro continues gaining strength in his right hind leg since having his cast removed in November, another encouraging sign for the winner of this year's Kentucky Derby. Nearly seven months into his stay at the University of Pennsylvania George D. Widener Hospital's New Bolton Center, Barbaro's veterinarians said Dec. 12 the colt continues to recover gradually. "Barbaro will need a special shoe on his right hind foot that will provide extra support for at least the next several months," Dean Richardson, chief surgeon at the New Bolton Center, said. Barbaro will likely have his right hind shoe changed within the next day or two, Richardson added. Barbaro's laminitis-stricken left hind foot also continues to improve. "The left hind foot is progressing slowly, although his comfort on that foot remains acceptable," Richardson said. "Most importantly, Barbaro's overall condition is continuing to improve, and he weighs more now than at any time during his hospitalization." Owned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, Barbaro was injured soon after the start of the May 20 Preakness Stakes and has been at New Bolton ever since. The good news keeps piling up! ||an_wink.gif' border=0>

The Chicago Sky today announced that Bo Overton has been named the new general manager and head coach of the team. Overton has more than 20 years’ experience coaching men’s and women’s basketball, most recently as head coach at the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC), where he guided the women’s team to two conference tournament appearances and one title game berth in two seasons. Overton is also a former assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Oklahoma. During his six-year tenure there, the Sooners won three Big 12 Conference regular-season titles, advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times, and appeared in the 2002 NCAA National Championship game. “We talked to a lot of candidates about our coaching job and Bo is the best match for leading the Sky,” said Margaret Stender, president of the Chicago Sky. “I am so impressed with his passion for basketball, his understanding of the intricacies of the game and his proven ability to build and motivate a team.” Overton is considered one of the top recruiters and talent evaluators in the country, and he aims to make an immediate impact on the Sky, particularly as the team has the third pick in the 2007 WNBA Rookie Draft in April 2007. “Bo Overton is a perfect fit for the WNBA and the Chicago Sky,” said University of Oklahoma women’s basketball head coach Sherri Coale. “He was a great player and he coaches the game the same way he played it. He sees basketball through a player’s eyes, and he has a feel for things that happen on the floor that is just exceptional. He was an integral part of our building process here at Oklahoma and will be able to draw from those experiences as he builds the Chicago franchise. While Bo’s basketball pedigree speaks for itself, it is his ability to build personal relationships, whether it be with sponsors, season ticket holders, players, staff, or front office management, that will lay the foundation of success for the Chicago Sky.” “The Sky has made an outstanding selection in Bo Overton,” said Doug Bruno, head coach of the DePaul women’s basketball team. “I think he’s one of basketball’s best-kept secrets. He has a deep and intuitive knowledge of the game and the x’s and o’s, and he knows how to get athletes working together. I’m thrilled to have him in Chicago.” “I was born for this job,” said Overton. “I love the league, its dedicated and accomplished athletes and this beautiful city of Chicago. I can’t wait to get started.” Overton began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Oklahoma men’s basketball program in 1983-84, followed by a year as an assistant coach with the Continental Basketball Association Pensacola Tornadoes and another with Oral Roberts University. He then landed his first head coaching position, at Murray State Junior College in Tishomingo, Okla. After a two-year stay at MSJC, Overton returned to Oral Roberts to assist coach Ken Trickey. He remained with the Golden Eagles for two seasons before accepting an assistant coach position at Southwest Texas State under former Kansas State men's head coach Jim Wooldridge. Overton's and Wooldridge's working relationship extended over five years and two institutions, as the pair teamed up for one year at Southwest Texas and four years at Louisiana Tech (1994-98). Woolridge was assistant coach to Tim Floyd when he coached the Chicago Bulls. “I was thrilled when I learned Bo would be coming to the Sky,” said Stacey Dales, Chicago Sky guard, who was coached by Overton when she played at Oklahoma and led the Sooners to the NCAA Championship game. “A strong basketball coach has intellect and ingenuity, a know-how for running productive practices and a confidence for guiding a team in varied game-time situations. A strong basketball player's coach is someone special, adding an ability to understand personalities and the composition of a season, with a knack for motivating. Bo is a player’s coach, with all of these qualities – a perfect choice for our team, our fans, and our evolution as a franchise.” As a player, Overton was a starting point guard for the Sooners from 1980-83, where he led the team in assists in his final three seasons. He still ranks third all-time. He was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 1983 NBA Draft and played and coached for the Pensacola Tornadoes of the CBA from 1984-85. What comes after the WNBA for HC? ||an_speak.gif' border=0>

WINNIPEG (CP) - Milt Stegall is returning to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for another season and another shot at the Grey Cup championship that has eluded him throughout his 12-year career. The 36-year-old slotback had considered retiring, but said at a news conference Tuesday he believes the Bombers have a chance to go all the way next season. ''I think the team is headed in the right direction to make something happen,'' Stegall said. ''The fact that they brought coach (Doug) Berry in, they brought some talent here, this is the best situation I've been in, in a while.'' Stegall also needs just two more touchdowns to break the CFL's all-time mark of 137, shared by George Reed and Mike Pringle. Stegall remains one of the most dangerous receivers in the CFL, making 79 catches for 1,269 yards and seven TDs last season despite missing four games. His combination of speed and smarts has impressed Berry, who took over as head coach a year ago. ''Milt knows how to get open,'' Berry said. ''When he gets open, he certainly has plenty enough speed to get the job done.'' Stegall was an integral part of the Bombers 9-9 season, which ended in a 31-27 loss to Toronto in the East Division semifinal. Terms of his contract were not disclosed, although Stegall said money was the least of his concerns. ''The money is not a factor,'' Stegall said. ''If I make $1 million, that $1 million will be gone one day, but if I get a Grey Cup ring, that's something you can't take away from me.'' Stegall was leaning toward retiring partly because of his family in Atlanta, including a two-year-old son that has started to notice his father's absences. ''We had to make sure that my mother was able to come down (from Cincinnati) for another year to help out with my son,'' he said. Stegall also had to lineup help for a boutique and other businesses which he and his wife operate. He is almost certain 2007 will be his last year. ''Never say never, but more than likely, this will probably be it.'' he said. ''Me coming back next year, after this year, there's basically no chance of it.''< Berry said Stegall's physical conditioning allows him to play like a much younger man. ''I liken Milt to some guy like (former NFL great) Jerry Rice,'' Berry said. ''Milt is nowhere near finishing. At the end of the season ... I was sitting in the airport with Milt and I said `Milt, I know you're going home now, I just want you to know where I'm coming from, I do believe that Milt Stegall still has game.''' Stegall joined the Bombers as a free agent in September 1995 and has since played 170 CFL games, all of them with Winnipeg. Good or bad? ||thefootball.gif' border=0>

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) are fast running out of options as they search for a new England head coach - a position vacated by the recent departure of Andy Robinson. Former Wallaby coach and current Reds mentor Eddie Jones has become the latest person to turn his back on the RFU. The list of former and current coaches who have made themselves unavailable for the England hotseat is becoming more impressive by the day. On Monday former Bok coach Nick Mallett gave the RFU a polite "no thank you", while Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards also made it clear there has been no formal contact between him and the RFU. Gloucester's Dean Ryan is another who in recent weeks has removed his name from the RFU's list of hopefuls. Bristol's Richard Hill remains an outside bet, but England attack coach Brian Ashton looks more likely to be named caretaker-boss for the Six Nations next year - as the RFU's Director of Elite Rugby Rob Andrew runs out of time and options. On Tuesday Jones quashed speculation linking him with the role as England coach, saying he will lead Queensland through the entire Super 14 season. Jones made it clear he had no intentions of leaving the Reds. "I've got a normal contractual relationship with Queensland where I have to give them a number of months notice and they have to give me a number of months notice," he told the Australian Associated Press (AAP). "Having said all that, I can assure you I'll be coaching Queensland in the Super 14 this year." Jones, who has knocked back two approaches from rival nations, believed to be Japan and Fiji, doesn't expect to be chased by England but didn't rule out a move after May, 2007. "Like any coach, at the end of the season you don't know where you stand," he said. Crazy! ||surprised.gif' border=0>

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