NEUTRAL CORNER (OF THE END ZONE)
UNLV apparently has found a novel way to fill Sam Boyd Stadium during the middle of football season: Rent it out to boxing promoter Bob Arum for a rubber match between Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao on Mexican Independence Day.
Arum told reporters Sunday that a third fight between Morales, of Tijuana, Mexico, and Pacquiao, the pride of the Philippines (along with Imelda Marcos’ shoe collection), is a done deal for Sept. 16 at Sam Boyd Stadium.
No word yet on what Arum’s take of the Corona concession will be.
HOLT THAT LINE
Former UNLV assistant football coach Nick Holt is leaving as head coach at Idaho to become an assistant with the St. Louis Rams under Scott Linehan, another ex-Rebels aide. Good for him. But bad for him for the way he handled the announcement.
During a Wednesday conference call with reporters, Holt (5-18 in two seasons at Idaho) credited the Vandals’ recruiting effort to stability within the coaching staff during his two years on the job. Four days later, he resigned.
WHO NEEDS THE SISTINE CHAPEL?
“Kickboxing Champ David Michelangelo May Be Vegas’ Next Singer.”
How’s that for an attention-grabbing headline on a news release?
“Tokyo native proud of Italian heritage; trains $100,000 German shepherd.”
How’s that for an attention-grabbing sub headline?
Say this about Michelangelo: When it comes to irons in the fire, the guys pouring slag at the steel mill have nothing on him.
According to his publicist, Michelangleo is a crooner in the Tony Bennett mold. He also claims to have a martial arts record of 54-0 with 50 knockouts, although he says he hasn’t fought since 1996 when his career went to the dogs – his prized German shepherd has been featured on Animal Planet. Or maybe because he left his hook in San Francisco.
299
The bowling score of Green Valley’s Louis Brown during last week’s high school state championships.
TICKET TO DERIDE
This is why I like English football (you probably know it as soccer):
Last week, a fan of the Middlesbrough team stormed onto the field and threw his season ticket at manager Steve McLaren to voice displeasure with a 4-0 loss.
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson said afterward he wouldn’t ban the fan from attending future games or revoke his tickets.
Not exactly what I would call a vote of confidence for Mr. McLaren.
ESPN’s (and former UNLV quarterback) Kenny Mayne:
“I used to smoke that in high school.”
noting during the Super Bowl pregame show that Martha Stewart likes to sprinkle fresh cilantro on her nachos.
