On The Warpath

How often does a fight often, and let's be honest with ourselves here, live up to the hype? The hype machines at companies like Top Rank and Golden Boy have become quite skilled at polishing a turd, selling lackluster fights to fans as if this showdown between two mediocre fighters is the end all and be all in the history of boxing. And then there's the fights that we ourselves as fans don't need million dollar PR campaigns and HBO specials to get excited for. Mike Alvarado versus Brandon Rios was just that type of fight.

Nice Night for A Movie, Innit?

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The movie, in terms of actual content, seems to be a bit polarizing. Beyond that though Bronco Bullfrog is warmly regarded for it's depiction of what would become known as the Suedehead style. So sit back and see if you can sit through it.

West Ham 1 Arsenal 3

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Well this effort from Momo Diame was a bit special, now wasn't it? It was also sadly one of the few highlights from yesterdays match. Arsenal had the lions share of possession throughout the game, and Diame's wizardry came out of nowhere's in a first half where West Ham rarely maintained possession for longer than a minute. That said we were also quick on the counter attack, playing with a nice mix of the long ball game so despised by certain West Ham supporters. Not exactly sure why Kevin Nolan didn't take his golden opportunity a few moments before Theo Walcott put Arsenal ahead, but we really wish he would have made the most of it. In tight games like this all the difference in the world is made by converting those easy chances. Ricardo Vaz Te was staking his claim on his position before going out near the end of the first half, dislocatng his shoulder in an accident that could put him out til the New Year. And finally Big Andy Carroll made his return to the first team, missing one chance and otherwise making himself busy throughout the game. Does look like we could do with some extra pace at the back though. Walcott might possess unnatural speed but no one even came close to catching him, might be time to give James Tomkins a chance linking up with Winston Reid in the center of defense.

First Cut: Success

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Straight up, Rupie Edwards did not get enough respect. Odd we know, in that the Pama subsidiary he ran was Success. None the less the man was immensely talented as soon as he sat in the producers seat and the first tune released on the Success imprint shows that exactly. "Look Who Buss A Style" by the Mediators has all the hallmarks of a skinhead reggae classic: killer instrumental backing and a sickly sweet vocal. A wonder then, probably down to the touch and go Pama distribution system of the time, that the Success label isn't more regarded in the current skinhead reggae collector and DJ scene. Might have a lot to do with it not being initially popular amongst the original skinheads. The fact tunes weren't released on the label til near the end of 1969, with media exploitation of the cult at its peak, might also have something to do with it. Either way this is one of the finest stars of any label from that time period, both sides absolute monsters in their own rights. It's just too bad Mr. Edwards doesn't receive the acclaim he righteously deserves.

FNF: Jamie Moore versus Matthew Macklin

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For The Suits loves boxing. As if there was any doubt. But we figured we might as well just make it so glaringly obvious one has to accept it. We love everything boxing can be, everything it can encompass. It can be two of the sports worlds biggest celebrities meeting at the MGM Grand Garden Arena amongst the greatest of pomp and circumstance. You know the deal: Michael Buffer handling the introductions, millions of people watching on pay per view and the sports entire fan base waiting on baiting breath through everyone round as two of the sports elite fighters battle it out for supremacy. But that ain't all the sport is. Sometimes it's about two lads giving it 110% in a sweat box in Manchester, England with friends and family screaming themselves hoarse in support of someone they know intimately. Alphabet titles don't matter between the two and many would consider they're fighting for a prize much smaller. But at that moment in time nothing could be more important. For each and everyone round they lay it all out on the line. That is Matthew Macklin versus Jamie Moore. Many only know Macklin as a failed opponent of Sergio Martinez.Yes he lost to Sergio, one of the best fighters in the world at the moment, but he's the kind of fighter who came up the hard way. Jamie Moore was much the same. Not too much glitz and glam. More hard work and dedication to the sweet science. And when these two met, it was explosive. Enjoy.

Warrior Sneak Peek

We've been given a bit of a sneak peek at the new range of Warrior shirts set to come out for the Autumn/Winter 2012 season, and us being us we figured why not share with our readers.

West Ham 2 QPR 1

Well we've finally gotten that pesky away win weight off our shoulders after a dominant first half display saw West Ham put Mark Hughes in an even deeper hole. Ricardo Vaz Te was in splendid form all evening and Matt Jarvis scored his first for the club in what was the clubs first away win since a win at Blackpool under Avram Grant. It wasn't all good news though as Winston Reid, a revelation so far this season at the center of defense, went out after a knock with Jussi Jaaskelainen. But James Tomkins, fighting for a spot in the team, looked more than capable of taking over the role. If we can keep up more performances like the first half, we may be able to breath a bit easy a lot sooner in the season then we're use too. Twat of the night undoubtedly goes too referee Mark Clattenburg, who was pulling out the cards at a breakneck speed leading to eight Hammers in total picking up yellows. That Mark must be doing some kind of special math seeing as everyone was astounded when he added on six minutes of injury time for no apparent reason other than wanting a chance to reach into his pocket once or twice more.