The wife and I went to TGI Fridays for dinner a few nights ago and I began to think about how strange the name of that restaurant was. I began to think of the line up of horrible television shows that they used to have on Friday nights. I began to think about Steve Urkel from ?Family Matters.? That was always on Friday nights and do you know what I think of when I think of Steve Urkel? I think of my cousin Neil, and this little 3 year old foster sister that I used to have, ?Taylor.? She was hilarious and with me as a role model, you knew that she was going to rock! Anyway, whenever the show would go on and Urkel would come on, she?d scream: ?It?s Neil!? I don?t know where she got that from, but it was very funny to everyone buy my cousin, who cannot take a joke by the way. I wanted to adopt Taylor, but I didn?t have the means at the time. I heard that she?s doing good and she is probably around 14 or so right now and I hope that she thinks about me whenever she watches Family Matters and then thinks about Neil and has a good chuckle.
I tried to get into foster care, but my wife quickly hung up the phone when I requested 18-year-old, attractive girls. Hey, I?m just trying to help. What can I say, some women are jealous?and that?s the cloth that my wife is cut from. Anyway, did any of you see these new studies that claim that MTV and Pro Wrestling are ruining the children? What sort of crock is this? I have been watching the WWE/WWF since I was a kid and I have never walked up to anyone and gave them a ?Rock Bottom,? or a ?Choke Slam from Hell? unless they were really asking for it, or I was bored. It?s amazing just what people will try to blame things on. The next thing that they will report is that some poor man got kicked in the grapes after reading my mailbag. What a crazy world that we live in people.
I want to thank everyone for their birthday wishes. It truly meant a lot and I want to give a special thanks to Pacland for posting that is was my birthday as they did. I have printed out all of the birthday greetings and have stapled it all together like one big birthday card. I once again thank you for making this birthday of mine so very special.
Well, I have another autographed copy of Graeme Kent?s: Great White Hopes to give away and I have to lay down some rules for the Geno Bambino Question of the Month Award. You have to claim it people within 7 days of the announcement and that means that I need an address to send it to! If I don?t get that information by then, the prize falls back into the vault. I want to give this stuff away, but it?s not always easy my friends. Make it easy for me, will yah?
Okay, enough small talk?let?s talk?.
THE SWEET SCIENCE
I never failed reading RSR for the boxing update and somehow curious why it is being called the “Sweet science.? Could you please explain why it is so? Thanks and more power!
Carlo
Carlo,
How is it going my friend? Okay, the sweet science was a phrase that was coined by a sportswriter/journalist, Pierce Egan. He lived in the late 1700s and called boxing: ?The Sweet Science of Bruising.? It was a term that he used quite regularly in his articles and it just took off. Now, I am not entirely sure why it is called by this name, but I?m going to throw out an educated guess. When you say that you have something down to a science, you are really saying that you have skill at something and knowledge that you have gained through experience. The sweet part is the extra something that you bring to the table, like Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard?sweet as sugar as they say. So, that is my guess?
I?m glad to hear that you love RSR and we aim to please. We are too sweet as the N.W.O of professional wrestling used to say. Have you seen the wrestler ?Sting? lately? He looks like the man that ate Sting, he?s gotten so fat. Only in wrestling can you get away with face paint and not be called an idiot. Don?t believe me? Paint your face up like Sting, or the Road Warriors, and walk down your street. You will hear: Look at that idiot. Sorry?.going a little off topic here?
PACMAN?S EXIT FROM THE GAME
Hello there Geno!
This is my Third time to write you a question here in your POPULAR mailbag. We saw in the news that MP will be retiring by 2007 and he just wants to finish 2 more fights including EM’s bout on Nov. I just want to know what impact would this bring to World Boxing considering that he is one of the most popular if not the most popular boxer in recent times especially if he beats morales again and barrera or Juarez?
Thanks I hope to hear from you and more power!!
Rene Doloiras
Hello there Rene!
I?m happy to see that my mailbag is popular and I appreciate all of the support. I heard the same thing that Manny was hanging up the gloves in 2007, but I don?t believe it. I think that the money is going to be too much to refuse, and not to mention his place in history. Now if he does retire in 2007, there will be a kick to the grapes for the fans because of his popularity. It?s horrible to see somebody that brings so much excitement to the game leave it when there is so much left to do, in many people?s eyes. Maybe he?s rich enough and happy enough and wants to exit the game with his faculties in check, and I can understand that. He is a warrior though and a warrior fights and I suspect him to do the same.
More power to you too?
PLAY IT AGAIN GENO
Hello there, Geno baby!
I’ve been thinking…why not utilize “instant replay technology” during live fights to help the referees issue the right calls? I’m not only talking about boxing but all the sports that use referees and umpires as well. After all, they are just humans and are not always in the right angle to see all movements. What fans call a ripoff may be partly, or mainly due to poor officiating.
Thanks again. More power and fans.
High Tension
High Tension,
I don?t think that the referees will consider it ?help.? They are second-guessed enough, I think, before we go to the tape and have a couple of jerk offs judging whether or not the referee is right or wrong. It would only ruin the rhythm of the sport and the referees would lose all the power that they had. If the problem is really bad, they can appeal, as Kirk Johnson has done when his ankle was stepped on my Javier Mora, leading to a TKO loss. It will be a no contest when the dust settles. If they took the referee aside, kicked him in the grapes, told him that his decision didn?t mean squat, it wouldn?t be right. Remember that the referees are only human, but so too would be the people watching the video replay to determine what they think happened. So, thanks, but no thanks on that video deal. I?ll keep it the way that it is my friend.
SOME QUESTIONS FROM CARL
Hi Geno!
I have 2 sets of questions in mind that I want you to answer. I hope you don’t mind.
1. What’s the difference between a world champion and an interim world champion? Is the latter the same as the Number 1 contender?
2. Why did’t a bout between Mike Tyson and David Tua ever take place? What are your thoughts on this match-up of very explosive fighters had they met at their primes? Who would you favor to win?
By the way, I would like to give a piece of advice to my idol, The Pacman. I hope he doesn’t run for public office because I know that he would be corrupted by the system. Please Manny… don’t join the club of thieves and crooks.
Thanks for taking the time to read Geno. Hav a nice day!
CARL
Carl,
What is going on? Okay, let?s get right into these questions, shall we? No, you want to talk a little before I answer anything. Well, what should we discuss? Oh, I know?how about chicken pizza? I?m the only person that I know that really likes this dish. Is pizza considered a dish? I tell my friends to keep their meat far away from me. I don?t like sausage or pepperoni?but chicken is downright heavenly.
Okay, onto your questions.
1. An interim world champion is an excuse that the sanctioning bodies to bleed more money out of the fighters. The thing is that if the champion cannot defend the title, the interim champion will be declared the champion. So, he?s the just in case champion. 2. Mike Tyson was beyond his better years when David Tua came around. In fact, Tua was called ?The New Tyson,? and that means that there is an old Tyson, which was our good buddy, Iron Mike. The stars just weren?t aligned correctly for this one to go down. If they meet in their primes, Tyson wears down Tua and stops him in 8 rounds. Tyson was incredible at his best.
You seem to be in the majority when it comes to the future of the Pacman. Politics are always crooked and corrupt for sure.
I HAVE A FAN CLUB?
Hi Geno. Your stories are treasures for boxing fans like us.
I am just wondering who do you think are the most famous boxers today. Can you give us your top ten list in ranks.
What about your top 10 most exciting fighters today?
And another….your top ten most expensive boxers in the world at present.
I used to read newspapers a lot long time ago but this internet thing got me hooked to get news and information fast and fresh as a newly-cooked bread. The only problem is i cant bring it inside the toilet.
Keep punchin’, man
Geno?s Fan Club President
Geno?s Fan Club President,
Hey, that is a great idea. If Peter McNeeley could have a fan club at one time, why can?t I? I?m at least as popular as Peter McNeeley and I don?t rob pharmacies either. I?m more of a role model. The most that I do is to ogle other women outside of my wife. She always says: ?You just checked her out,? and I of course, deny it. I?m a victim here. I?m a victim of the media and the filth that they put out there. MTV showing girls shaking their money makers has detrimentally effected me. In other words, forgive me, I know not what I do.
Most famous boxers today?.well, #1 is easy: 1. Oscar De La Hoya 2. Manny Pacquiao 3. Diego Corrales 4. Floyd Mayweather, JR. 5. Ricky Hatton
Top 10 most exciting 1. Diego Corrales 2. Manny Pacquiao 3. Miguel Cotto 4. Ricardo Mayorga 5. Shannon Briggs 6. Sam Peter 7. Lamon Brewster 8. Jorge Arce 9. Ricky Hatton 10. Jose Antonio Rivera
Most expensive 1. Oscar De La Hoya 2. Floyd Mayweather, JR. 3. Shane Mosley 4. Manny Pacquiao 5. Diego Corrales
Can?t bring it to the toilet?get a laptop! Anyway, I appreciate your comments and for calling my work ?treasures.? Peace out and don?t forget to get some more members in the fan club man. I want to tell everyone that I have a fan club.
THE LION
Hey Geno,
How do my friend? Just wanted some information on the 1984 Los Angeles Boxing Olympics and in particular the bout between Lennox Lewis and Tyrell Biggs. I know Biggs beat Lewis-do you have any fight reports etc?? Was it a close fight? Also-do you know what bacame of former Lennox Lewis opponent Levi Billups? he gave Lennox a real good fight. Take care.
Abid “Battling Siki” Ali
Abid “Battling Siki” Ali,
How do? How you doing? All that I really know is that Lewis was very young and lost a decision to the more experienced Tyrell Biggs. Now, Levi Billups?he lost 10 of his last 11 bouts before retiring, but he was better than his record implied. He had wins over Terry Anderson, Mike Hunter, Terrence Lewis, Mike White, and Nate Fitch, which are names that you might not know, but are relatively good boxers. He did face a bunch of known fighters in the division: Michael Moorer, Lennox Lewis, Kirk Johnson, Vitali Klitschko, Larry Donald, Tim Witherspoon, Jeremy Williams, and Corrie Sanders. He did give Lennox a good go early on in his career and was competitive with some very good boxers. As far as I know though, he is retired at 46.
MAYOR PACSTER
Hi Great Man Geno,
Lately there were news that PacMan will run for government office next year…. that will be good and bad for him! Good he will pay the Manila Mayor his debt of gratitude and be a propaganda of the Mayor’s son Ali …. it’s a coincident Vote for Mayor Ali Atienza and Vice mayor PacMan … ha ha ha .. good for politician but bad for filipino people hopeful for more fame and gain respect from other people all over the world that PacMan could bring for his countrymen. The Ali-PacMan tandem for next year’s election…. Is totallyuse for political Manipulation. But let him decide his fate ….. an intellegent prize fighter must always have a brilliant decision!
Hubs
Hubs,
Politics is never a good idea for celebrities. Look at Arnold. He was awesome as the Terminator, and has not made too many bad movies, but when he jumped into politics, he didn?t gain any fans. The Pacman can probably make more of a change by remaining the national idol and making his feelings known that way.
PPVS
Geno,
I read your PPV article?how about having all those fights in one show in one night, six or seven times the price. is that possible? just kidding. but it will be the best show ever. i would really love to see those fights in the future. hope it all happens. very good choices. thanks.
Lex
Lex,
I?m glad that you liked and agreed with the article. I am hoping that the people at HBO will get their heads out of their?.well, you know what I?m saying, and put on some good PPVs and maybe think about it before they tag a 50 dollar price tag on it. I want to see good PPVs, not the crap that they are putting out there. Showtime is where it?s at. They are showing Toney-Peter and Corrales-Casamayor III for free to subscribers. HBO would have jumped on that and said: ?There?s another 50 bucks to bend over the fans for!?
Well, that is it for Saturday?s bag my friends. I will see you on hump day my friends, and keep those questions coming in. Believe me, I will be humping like crazy on Wednesday. I have many questions still to answer and they will be taken care of on Hump day?
Now, we have a chat room and I would like to see you all sign up for it and don?t forget that we have a message board as well and if you want to watch a movie and not sit on the net and talk, I recommend going to Xposse and spending a mere 10 bucks on my first movie: Evil Awakening. We ship worldwide friends. Geno Bambino?s Question of the Month Award is still available for August and if you want a chance to win an autographed copy of ?Great White Hopes? by Graeme Kent. So, take it easy people and I will see you in on hump day?
