‘Man of Leisure’ tops two

IPGC golf from Lewiinski’s

Sunday, April 29, Green Valley – White Tees, Stableford
A Flight
1st Bob Dibben (8) 40pts
2nd Klaus Schackt (9) 40pts
3rd Bob St. Aubin (11) 39pts
B Flight
1st Eddy Beilby (17) 42pts
2nd Dave Porter (16) 41pts
3rd Ian Grout (13) 39pts
C Flight
1st Barry Chadbourn (20) 43pts
2nd John Lawton (21) 41pts
3rd Alec Hoare (20) 39pts
Near Pins: #2: Roy Thornton; #9: John Emmerson, #12: Data Lost; #16: Colin Davis
2’s: Klaus Schackt, Larry Watson, Jack Grindvold, Bob Patterson, Jim Munns, Gareth Gill, Eddy Beilby, Colin Davis, Ian Halfpenny, Jan Eriksen
Non-counting 2: Peter Ring
The story of the day was Chad Chadbourne and his 43 which topped his playing mate and fellow C Flighter, John Lawton, by two points. Those two scores made Alec Hoare’s fine 39 point effort seem inconsequential..
Eddy Beilby, our title guy topped B Flight with 42 points, one clear of the Valet’s Best Friend and two clear of the tandem of The Tile and One Ball. Ian won the count back and you could hear George’s wail in Naklua.
Bob Dibben and The Volkscomputer tied atop A Flight, but Klaus didn’t calculate the count back favorably. Bob St. Aubin and a count back knocked Blackpool Steve off the rostrum.
Monday, April 30, Bangpra –White Tees, Stroke/Medal
A Flight
1st John McHugh (8) 38pts
2nd Jim Munns (11) 36ptss
3rd Keith Brooks (8) 35pts
B Flight
1st Eddy Beilby (17) 42pts
2nd Dave Schelling (20) 39ptss
3rd Carl Lovatt (20) 36pts
Non-counting 2: Charles Sheppard
There was our title guy again topping B Flight and the field with an MoM 42 points, three clear of Dave Schellling. Carl Lovatt captured the last money slot in the second flight with his even to handicap round. John McHugely was the only A Flight player to better his handicap as he edged Capt. Fogg by two. Keith Brooks handed Blackpool Steve his second count back loss in as many days to seal the third slot in A Flight
Wednesday, May 2, Crystal Bay A & B –
White Tees, Stableford
1st Tony Kitchen (19) 42pts
2nd Jack Sheedy (11) 40ptss
3rd Neil Cameron (16) 38pts
4th Carl Lovatt (20) 37pts
2’s: Eddy Beilby, Jan Eriksen, Yui Duangkiew
Tony Kitchen edged IPGC newcomer Jack Sheedy by two points with a fine 42 points to take first place on the day. The Clubmaker to the Stars came third, one ahead of Carl Lovatt who placed for the second time in two outings.
NB: Friday’s fixture at the Emerald was cancelled due to rain.

The Beautiful Game?: Riz Taylor

Almost all to play for

It’s the business end of the season, and with no time for the idle gossip and speculation on which this column has built its success, we start off with the Premiership title which headed to Manchester on Sunday after Chelsea could only manage a draw at Arsenal.
“All of them were good,” beamed Sir Alex Ferguson after being asked how the latest triumph rated against the other eight wins during his reign. “Maybe the fact that for two years Chelsea dominated the Premier League and we had a big job to do to catch them makes this one special. The key was a good start to the season and we did that very well. It gave us momentum and from that moment on we did not lose it.
“I used to have an obsession of winning in Europe but the Premiership has become a priority,” added the Scot, days after watching on in horror as his team were dumped out of the Champions League by a classy AC Milan side who took Italian revenge for United’s 7-1 humbling of Roma in the quarter finals.
Milan will be joined in the final by Liverpool, who of course battled their way past a lacklustre Chelsea to set up a rematch of Istanbul’s 2005 classic. I can’t see it quite living up to that one, but it’s an intriguing rematch none the less. Milan’s hero against United was the thuggish midfielder Rino Gattuso, who has already given notice of his side’s intent by stating: “This final will be different - that I promise. It is important to put the record straight.”
More on that next week, but for the meantime we go into the Premiership’s final weekend with plenty to play for. The three UEFA Cup places are yet to be settled, but it’s at the bottom where the action is. Wigan travel to Sheffield United knowing nothing other than a win will do, whilst West Ham visit Old Trafford hoping that United rest players for next weekend’s FA Cup Final showdown with Chelsea.
The Hammers have been in fine form lately, most notably Argentine striker Carlos Tevez who has single-handedly hauled his side out of the relegation places. Yet it’s his presence in the Hammers’ side that had everyone talking this week after West Ham were fined for fielding him, alongside countryman Javier Mascherano, despite the pair being ineligible to appear earlier in the season.
A 5.5 million pound fine might sound like a large amount, but not when your chairman is an Icelandic billionaire with more cash to burn than a bell-ringing sailor on shore leave. Along with that, the decision to only slap the London side on the wrists could save them up to 60 million pounds should they avoid relegation.
Wigan, along with several other clubs at the foot of the division, were furious. And why not? West Ham were let off lightly due to the club now operating under a new regime, but fielding an ineligible player shouldn’t be dusted under the carpet. The other sides complained that they have been penalised by the decision, and it’s hard to disagree.
Let’s also not forget that League Two side Bury were in the same situation earlier in the season, and although it was the club themselves that noticed the error and reported their mistake to the FA, the club were still booted out of the FA Cup. One rule for the rich and another for the poor? How else could you explain it?
Regardless, we go into the weekend on a knife-edge, made all the more entertaining by the continuing tradition of playing all the final matches at the same time. What to watch? I’ll leave that up to you, but don’t forget that the matches kick-off at 9pm Pattaya time on Sunday.
If that’s not enough for you, don’t forget the Championship playoffs which start with Southampton against Derby tomorrow and then a Midlands battle as Wolves host West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, both kicking off at 6pm Pattaya time. The return legs will be played in the early hours of Wednesday and Thursday morning and, given the entertainment that the Endsleigh Rumbelows Championship has provided us this year, well worth a late night.
It was a cracking climax to the season in England’s second tier, and Sunderland claimed the title by thumping Luton at Kenilworth Road as Birmingham couldn’t beat Preston, who were unlucky to miss out on the playoffs.
It caps an amazing season for Sunderland, who under Roy Keane have climbed from rock bottom of the division to Champions in what seems like no time at all. Even less surprising is Keane’s determination to make a real impact in the Premiership next year, and I was impressed by the Irishman’s refusal to take his side around the city on an open-top bus.
Strengthening the playing staff will be Keane’s summer priority. “There are a few players at the back of my mind who I would like to bring to the club, but that is just the start. Signing them is sometimes easier said than done,” he said. “They are good players, at good clubs, and they are under contract. You have to set your standards very high, and we will have to raise the bar next season.”
You’d expect a few Premiership strugglers will be nervously looking over their shoulders. The first to blink were neighbours Newcastle United, who sacked yet another manager on Sunday when Glenn Roeder “resigned” after an emergency board meeting at the club.
Red hot favourite to take over will be Sam Allardyce, despite Newcastle’s claims to the contrary. It all sets things up nicely for an interesting season ahead, but it’ll have to go some way if it’s to live up to the current one. More shenanigans over the next fortnight, so don’t even think about leaving that barstool.
Pepe pays the penalty
Pepe Reina’s heroics between the posts during Liverpool and Chelsea’s Champions League semi final made the difference as the Spaniard magnificently saved two penalties to send his side to Athens, but he might be forgiven for employing a house-sitter when he goes away in two weeks time.
Reina returned from his epic night to find that thieves had broken into his Merseyside home and stolen his Porsche, expensive entertainment system and personal documents. And a one baht gold chain, no doubt.
It’s not the first time that footballers’ homes on Merseyside have been targeted. Fellow keeper Jerzy Dudek had his European Cup medal stolen from his house whilst on holiday in June 2006, while Daniel Agger and Peter Crouch have both been raided. Everton winger Andy van der Meyde was burgled twice last year, and Wayne Rooney also lost footballing memorabilia when his parents’ Liverpool home was broken into.

Hart beats at Plutaluang

IPGC Pattaya Golf Society at the OK Corral

The Pattaya Golf Society visited the Royal Thai Navy course at Plutaluang on Sunday, April 28 to play its weekly Sunday Special stableford over the South and East nines. The day was humid and the condition of the course had improved since being last played with quickening greens, and the construction of new cart paths can only make the recovery of fairways faster and more lush, all the better for golf.
The group was missing many regulars as a result of “home” visits but those who played were to witness the best round of the year in the shape of Ian Hart’s 46 point score which was also his finest round in the forty or so he has played with the group. He was a country mile ahead of runners-up Keith Barr, Tom Hunsicker and regular winner Tony Kitchen and their scores of 34 points, and how he relished the loss of his “rabbit” status.
There were no birdie 2’s on the day, requiring a rollover the following week, and the Booby Bevy could well have been shared by the two players who did not finish the course, but injury took its toll on one player and potential injury in the form of compulsory “call holes” by a following fourball put paid to another. Such is golf in Thailand!
Soggy spectacle at Emerald
On Tuesday and Thursday, 1st and 3rd May, the Pattaya Golf Society visited Emerald Ban Chang to play a two-day stableford eclectic tournament in what turned out to be two tempestuous days in terms of weather. Delayed starts, shelter breaks, soggy fairways, winter rules, saturated scorecards, we’ve all been there, done that, and no doubt will continue to do so!
Golfers are made of stern stuff, no more so than Ian Hart who took the course by the scruff of the neck, wringing out two excellent rounds in classic eclectic style with a twenty-plus total on the back nine on the first day and a similar score on the front nine on the final day. His score of 48 points was far ahead of runners-up Emiel van der Wiele and Keith Barr, both on 41. Keith had the honour of winning the second day’s individual event with a creditable 38 points whilst the first day winner, David Thomas, struggled in the conditions knowing his chances of success over two days were restricted because of his low handicap. He did, however, have the honour of firing the best gross of the week, a fine 78 on Tuesday.
Don Nellis and Erik Anttonen both recorded two birdie 2’s for a share of the “birdie bahts” and Tom Hunsicker received the Booby Bevy for the shot-of-the-week. Playing out of the rough on the eighth he found the fairway with his rescue shot only to find that his ball had been lying on top of another which was plugged. Both were “Titleists” but the correct ball was identified as being the one in the fairway. But which one had he contacted first? The debate continues...as does the fun with the PGS.
Potential players are reminded that we now leave at 9:30am and not 10am as before and full details of news, results and schedules can be found at www.thebunkerboys.com

Alan Griffiths again in top form

IPGC golf from The Haven

Monday, April 30,
Green Valley, Stableford
1st Alan Griffiths 38pts
2nd Roar Berger 36pts
3rd Rick Holmes 34pts
After starting with two ‘no-score’ holes, Alan Griffiths settled down to a very good round that he had been threatening for a very long time. With his new application in the thinking department, gleaned from his new golfing guru, it will mean that in the future he will be joining the elite golfing 5% with handicaps of 18 or better.
Roar Berger also had a very steady round at level par to claim second place ahead of Rick Holmes. Rick is still struggling to keep his place in the “Pot Hunters Team” and will need a few better scores in the near future if he is to avoid the dreaded call to the “Captains” office and possibly a seat on the bench along with the oranges.
There were no 2’s in the first division but Peter Aitcheson had the only one in the second division to sweep the pool.
Before presenting the prizes The Doc welcomed back Al Rolnik and Tom Baigent.
Wednesday, May 2, Eastern Star, Stableford
1st Alan Griffiths 35pts
2nd Paul Hartley 29pts
3rd B.J. Smith 27pts c/b
4th Peter Aitcheson 27pts
With the wind howling and the rain pelting it was amazing that anyone even turned up at the sign-up at The Haven. But turn up they did and a large number of hopefuls trooped off in high hopes to Eastern Star where they found the condition of the course and the climate conspiring against them to play any kind of competitive golf.
Alan Griffiths was the lone contestant to threaten the course but, despite being in top form of late, even he was unable to play to par. In the event 35 points was enough to secure victory by a clear six shots from Paul Hartley, who took full advantage of his cold weather training in Kazakhstan. B.J. Smith led a gaggle of not so good scores, but good enough to get a mention here, to take third spot on count back from Peter Aitcheson with Russell Exley and Roar Berger rounding out the podium.
With the conditions so difficult it was no surprise to find that no 2’s were recorded on the day.
Friday, May 4,
Pattaya C.C., Stableford
1st Paul Hartley 35pts c/b
2nd Russell Exley 35pts
3rd Alan Griffiths 33pts c/b
4th Tony Kitchen 33pts
Paul Hartley rounded off a good week with a solid one-over par round which included a very good back nine to squeeze out Russell Exley. The rot set in for Russell (after an excellent front nine of four-under) when he struggled to read an eight-inch put and his caddy gave him not only the wrong line but also the wrong side of the hole.
Alan Griffiths, vying to equal the record of three wins in a week, held by The Doc and Kevin Taylor, found the pressure just a little too much as he slipped to three-over in the face of Paul and Russell’s fine efforts in the difficult conditions. Tony Kitchen unfortunately slumped on the inward half after a very tidy two-under on the front and had to settle for fourth place.
The difficult conditions again ensured that there were no 2’s in either division.
Back at The Haven, The Doc, in the continued absence of Richard Livingston, welcomed new members John Bickle and John Harris and also welcomed back Jim Byrne, Bob Finley, Mike Padilla, Bob Zepik and Fred Ewens.

Allred in a class of his own

PSC golf from The Café Kronborg

Derek Brook
Monday, April 30,
Burapha, Stableford
The Burapha A & B layouts were host to a Stableford competition in two flights on Monday, with the cut at 17 and under. The course was in the best condition that we can remember and in association with T.A.T., Burapha are currently offering a Green Fee of 650 Baht until the end of May.

Marty Allred had a great week shooting Gross 71 and 69 at Burapha and Greenwood respectively.

Bill Plath took the A Flight with 40 points, ‘Steady’ Ted Morris was second with 38 points and Marty Allred, after volunteering to play off the Blue Tees, came third with 37 points (it was a Gross 71).
Jovial Nigel Perry was the winner of the B Flight with an amazing 41 points with a count back for second on 40 points that saw J.C. Lhoste beat Mike Winfield into third.
Thursday, May 3,
Greenwood, Stableford
This is always a popular venue, being well priced with a fine, testing course. On this morning though the numbers were a little down due to the time of year, and the constant rain of the past week.
Still, off we went under threatening skies and the course was fairly empty and we were soon away. The group including Dave Richardson and Marty Allred were first off, and we could see something was wrong as they spent some time walking in circles around where Marty’s ball should be. Finally it was declared “lost”, probably it was up a tree, so they were able to go ahead.
The other groups followed closely behind, and with an overcast sky and constant drizzle keeping conditions cool, it turned into a pleasant round. As said, with the rain of late the ground was soggy but the whole course was lush and the greens were in fine condition.
Finished and showered, we went up to the restaurant which is now back in use. The day provided a fine winner as Marty Allred, after losing his ball on the first, went on to shoot 40 points. Off his 1 handicap this was equivalent to a Gross 69. A fine round indeed. In second was ‘The Admiral’ Dave Richardson with 37 points on count back over Derek Brook in third, now playing off his ‘New’ handicap. In fourth was J.C. Lhoste with 36 points on count back.
T.T.F.N.

Brother D is early leader in new 30 week league

Pattaya Sports Club Friday Bowling League

200 Bowlers: Teuvo, Mai, Sven, Dang, Konrad & Ooy.

Brother D has got off to a good start as they won all four points for the second week in a row. This week they were led by Ooy who bowled a 204 game, 570 series and Konrad, 223 game, 516 series, to beat team Beaver. Café Ole won three points from Three Sisters and is tied for second place with Café Kronborg who got three points from Mai’s Thai Restaurant. VFW Post 9876 won three from Diamond Shop and Jack & Tar led by Mai’s 205 game, 541 series, took three from Montana.

“Wet, Wet, Wet”

PSC golf from The Bowling Green

Saturday’s winners: (L-R) Colin Cronin, David Thomas, Les Burns, Mam Morel and Joe Kubon.

Barry Hooper
Well it was a wet week but three days of play were completed despite the conditions and having many members who were written up to play crying off because of the conditions
Tuesday, May 1, Plutaluang, Stableford
1st Tewin Lamthong (25) 36pts
2nd Frank Kelly (18) 34pts
3rd Brian Rideout (30) 31pts
4th Allain Taddei (7) 26pts
Near Pins: None
2’s: Bunseiri Somkid
Play was competed by one flight off the white tees over the North and West layouts and it was to be a ladies day with Tewin Lamthong taking the top honours with her 36 points. Frank Kelly was two points back in second with Brian Rideout and Allain Taddei completing the podium.
Thursday, May 3, Khao Kheow, Stableford
1st Chaten Patel (16) 37pts
2nd Stuart Thompson (6) 34pts
3rd Tewin Lamthong (25) 33pts
Near Pins: Mashi Kaneta
2’s: None
I have an apology to make to this week’ Thursday winner Chaten Patel. I incorrectly reported him as having placed second in last Saturday’s event at Eastern Star when if fact he won the event on count back. Sorry Chaten, I was still a little jet lagged after my return from the UK.
One flight this week played of the white tees with conditions on the day very damp making it difficult for all concerned. Along with Chaten, runners up Stuart Thompson and Tewin Lamthong were the ones who coped best.
Saturday, May 5, Eastern Star, Stableford
A Flight
1st David Thomas (7) 32pts
2nd David Stocman (9) 31pts
3rd Colin Cronin (14) 30pts
B Flight
1st Joe Kubon (29) 35pts
2nd Mam Morel (25) 32pts c/b
3rd Les Burns (25) 32pts
Near Pins: Daid Stocman, Bob Short, Davis Thomas (2)
2’s: David Stocman, Mashi Kaneta
One flight off the white tees and with the greens very slow and with no running it meant that no handicaps were broken on the day. Despite the tough conditions, the two Dave’s (Dave Thomas and Dave Stocman) rose to the top with only one point dividing them. Dave Thomas also had two nearest pins with Dave Stocman taking one as well.
The wheels fell off a little for Chaten Patel, Thursday’s winner, who today returned one of the lowest scores ...oops!
Reminder - If anyone is interested in golfing with the Bowling Green we play every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We meet at Bowling Green at 7:45am for breakfast and transportation, and new players are always made to feel welcome. Call Tewin on 086 056 7019 or the Bowling Green on 038-720742 or send an email [email protected].

CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

Friday 29th June 2007 at Eastern Star

Organized by
Pattaya Mail Media Group, Pinnacle Jomtien Resort & Eastern Star Golf Club

FOUR-BALL TEAM SCRAMBLE.
SHOTGUN STARTS at 06.45 am & 12.30pm - limited to 25 teams each
SCORING by ‘SYSTEM 36’ No handicaps required - all golfers welcome
TEAM ENTRY FEE 10,000 baht. (2,500 baht player) Includes: Green & Caddy fees, Inaugural shirt, other goodies, Team & Technical trophies by Lotus Crystal, Prizes on every hole, many Draw prizes, Seafood & Suckling pig BBQ Buffet Dinner, Two free beers, Prize-giving, Live band & Entertain ment beachside at Pinnacle Jomtien Resort & Spa.
BENEFICIARIES:
Rotary Foundation’s work with children
Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Water Purification project
Scholarships to Pattaya Schools via the Diana Group Foundation
Ban Dorntupab Pattana, Primary School
Pattaya Young PR Ambassador Program
Camillian Aids Center – Cindy Burbridge project
SPONSORSHIP INVITED details listed below:
Follow the Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Blatt, Pattaya Mail Television or go to www.pattayamail.com/golfclassic for updates.

SPONSORSHIP & SUPPORT CHARITABLE SUPPORT for this inaugural Pattaya Mail tournament is invited in a variety of ways through donations, or sponsorship of specific items such as shirts (Pinnacle Group), caps, towels, balls, trophies and draw prizes. Due accreditation will be given at the event, during the prize-giving ceremony and in Pattaya Mail media. The value qualifying as one of the sponsorship categories below. PLATINUM SPONSOR at 200,000 baht Name/logo featured on tournament shirt, Name/logo featured in all literature, media publicity and at the Award ceremony Participation at the press conferences Two complimentary four-ball team entries, including Green & Caddy fees & two golf carts Company literature display facility at Eastern Star clubhouse and Pinnacle Jomtien Award ceremony Logo display board at 10th Tee A souvenir DVD of the Tournament and Award ceremony GOLD SPONSOR at 100,000 baht Name/logo featured in all literature, media publicity and at the Award ceremony One complimentary four-ball team entry, including Green & Caddy fees & one golf cart. Company literature display facility at Eastern Star clubhouse and at Pinnacle Jomtien Award ceremony Logo display board at 10th Tee A souvenir DVD of the Tournament and Award ceremony SILVER SPONSOR at 50,000 baht Name/logo featured in all literature, media publicity and at the Award ceremony Company literature display facility at Eastern Star clubhouse and at Pinnacle Jomtien Award ceremony Logo display board at 10th Tee. Eight complimentary Green Fee vouchers to Eastern Star A souvenir DVD of the Tournament and Award ceremony BRONZE SPONSOR at 25,000 baht Name/logo featured in all literature, media publicity and at the Award ceremony Company literature display facility at Eastern Star clubhouse and at Pinnacle Jomtien Award ceremony Logo display board at 10th Tee. Four complimentary Green Fee vouchers to Eastern Star A souvenir DVD of the Tournament and Award ceremony HOLE SPONSOR at 10,000 baht Name/logo featured at sponsored hole and accredited at the Award ceremony DONATIONS of complimentary merchandise and services, or cash, are used as prizes for the player’s Lucky Draw. Green fee vouchers from Eastern Star and the East Courses Golf Club members, or any course in Thailand such as Loch Palm and Black Mountain, will be welcome. ‘High value’ items, such as airline tickets, accommodations and top restaurant vouchers will also feature in a special Charity Draw held during the evening to raise additional funds. All donors will receive due accreditation in the tournament publicity, media and during the prize-giving party. WEB PAGE LINKS Sponsors are invited to have a link on the Pattaya Mail tournament web page www.pattayamail.com/golfclassic

Full details are available at the Organization Office:
Pattaya Mail Publishing Co. Ltd., 370/7-8 Moo9, Pattaya 2nd Road, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150 Thailand.
Or contact Mike Franklin: Tel: 08 18618036
Tony Malhotra: Tel: 08 1514 8584 Ingo Raeuber Tel: 08 19499433,
(Fax: 038 427 596), E-mail: [email protected]
PATTAYA MAIL EVERY WEEK FOR ALL YOUR GOLF

The Square Ring: by Howie Reed

One of the jobs of a trainer/manager/promoter is to do the CYA (Cover Your Assets) work for his boxer. Oscar Suarez did that for Acelino Freitas after Freitas quit like a ‘Tee Lock’ after she gets her name on your bank account.
Suarez said: “It was my decision to stop the fight. You can’t sit by and let a young man get punished like that. After the last shot, he didn’t recover to where he was. I could see it in his eyes and I will never let him get hurt in my life.”
Nice try Oscar. Those of us that saw the action live, especially after the 8th round, know different. With a camera and microphone in the corner Suarez asked, “Do you want to continue?” Freitas gave him the ‘Brook Trout Look’ that says, “Let’s take the money and run and like Al Gore tell’em we won.” Suarez does get an “A” for effort but Frietas gets the “Big Squadesh”.
There should be dancing in the streets as Thailand’s Prawet Singwancha gets a shot at the now vacant WBA lightweight title on Sunday. That’s the good news. The bad news is he has to go to Puerto Rico to face local “fav” Jose Miguel Cotto (28-1, 20 KOs), the brother of welter champ and superstar Miguel Angel Cotto (29-0).
With Singwancha his record is like the ‘ladies’ at Tiffanys - looks good but there’s a bit of deception involved. Sure he’s 30-2-1, but he’s fought guys that would build any boxer a record. His last 6 opponents have a combined record of 30-36, with two boxers making their debut and two at 0-1-0. Cotto should have an easy time while Singwancha gets a payday. But hang on; didn’t Juan Diaz just beat Acelino Freitas for the WBA title? Yep, but the WBA elevated Juan Diaz to “super-champion” after the fight.
Lot’s of Thai’s boxers in action since last we met so as time will allow, Jeeves gives us the news.
“Thank you Your Lordship. Former WBC flyweight champion Medgoen Singsurat at 49-4 had no trouble winning in eight over mostly Indonesian Refly Rengkung, who is now 1-5. Two-time world champion Sirimongkol Singwancha, with 56 wins from 58 fights, won the ABCO super featherweight title in 12 from defending titlist Thong Por Chokchai at Pantip Plaza in Ngamwongwan, Nonthaburi. This bout Your Lordship used the WBC rules of announcing the scores of the judges after 4 and 8 rounds. After 4 Singwancha led 39-37, after 8 it was tied at 76 all with Singwancha winning the last four rounds for the 116-112 win on all cards. After the bout, Sirimongkol relinquished the title because apparently he has a very hard time controlling his weight.
“Also two-time world champion Veerapol Nakornluang got to 57 wins with a 79-73 on all scorecards victory over Japanese Satoshi Niwa. Over to you Lordship for coverage of the big fight.”
Even with the earth shaking news that Paris Hilton was going to spend time in the ‘Gray Bar Inn’ (The world awaits her “Sex from Prison” video), the De La Hoya - Mayweather jr. fight couldn’t be kept from the front pages. For the record De La Hoya weighed in at 154lbs and Mayweather jr. at 150.
The death knoll for any professional prize fight is to call it “interesting” or “intriguing”, but alas that’s what Sunday’s bout between De La Hoya and Mayweather jr. was. By any known standards it was not a great fight and just barely a good one. It was “interesting” and “intriguing” because in one night on display before what may be one of the largest audiences for boxing in eons was what’s right and what’s wrong with the sport. It wasn’t boring.
For the record Floyd Mayweather jr. won a split decision as Judges Jerry Roth (115-113) and Chuck Giampa (116-112), both of Las Vegas, saw it for Mayweather jr., as Tommy Kaczmarek (115-113) had De La Hoya the winner. If anyone cares ‘The Square Ring’ had it 115-114 for Mayweather jr. If ‘The Square Ring’ and Judge Jerry Roth had scored the final round for Oscar, as both Giampa and Kaczmarek did, it would have been a draw and Oscar would have kept the title. How about that?
Oscar De La Hoya displayed what the sport should be by going in and actually trying to fight. Oscar tried to whack the heck out of the other guy to win the fight. Floyd for his part, as he has done throughout his career, just hit and ran. Jr. is from the Pernell Whitaker school of boxing which has killed the sport: Hit, run, be an ass, act like a hood, spew hatred and the hell with boxing fans. “I don’t fight for the fans.” That’s Floyd.
After the fight Floyd said, “He’s a great champ and I’m a great champ and we gave a hell of a fight.” Floyd was partially correct. Oscar is a great champ. Oscar tried to give the fans a “hell of a fight” but Floyd wouldn’t allow it. Manny Stewart set the HBO announcing crew straight when during the fight they pronounced Floyd Mayweather as a great fighter. “He’s not a great fighter’, said Manny. “He’s a good boxer.”
Some wondered why in the latter rounds Oscar seemed to abandon the jab - which was effective when used. “I don’t know”, he said after the fight. “When I threw it, it worked. It snapped his head back but for some reason this didn’t seem the night for the jab. I don’t feel like a loser. I felt like I did what I needed to do. I respect the judges’ decision, they are professionals and I respect that ... I came out to fight and put pressure on. If I didn’t put on the pressure there would have been no fight. I had to take the risk and push forward or there would be no fighting.”
In the end this may have indeed been the fight that will save boxing from itself and give it back to the fans. After the fight Floyd Mayweather jr. said he would retire. If he stays retired, which he won’t, it might signal the end of the “F the fans and pay me the money era.”
What did readers of ‘The Square Ring’ think of the fight? A highly placed newspaper executive who watched the fight at the Jack Tar on Soi 6 writes, “I just watched the De La Hoya - Mayweather bout. I thought it was an ok fight but nothing special. Mayweather looked like he didn’t want to fight for much of the contest. Not sure about the judges scoring either. 116 - 112 seemed a bit generous to Mayweather to say the least. I would say it was set up for a re-match but you normally have to have a barnstorming first fight in order to sell a second to the masses - and this wasn’t it.”
Could not agree more. Spot on.
While watching the fight live at the Blind Guy’s Showplace Mansion, I my very own self said to HBO ‘Expert Judge’ Harold Ledermann, “You’re full of it. This is a close fight.” I had it one point for Floyd but had it been the other way or a draw “no problem.”
O.R. Cross, Pattaya’s fight expert, saw things a little differently. “What can I say about the fight of any importance after I scored it a draw. I thought it was a good fight but won’t wait up late at night to see them do it again. Well, maybe I would. I think the months of hype made me believe it was going to be a barnburner, sort of like the Gatti/Ward get-togethers were. Now that was a real trilogy. Mayweather has to be the slickest fighter in the game today. I do believe that maybe the wars that De La Hoya has been in might have caught up with him. He really ran out of petrol in the last three rounds and I guess that’s what decided it.”
‘The Square Ring’ begrudgingly gave Mayweather jr. the last four rounds as “real judges” gave him 3 of 4. If in fact the ring wars have taken something out of De La Hoya, what does that say about the claim of jr. that “he’s a great fighter” if he struggled to beat someone who may be worn out? That’s like playing hide-and-seek with Ray Charles and he’s “it” first.
My favorite response on the fight came from a Pattaya resident, not a big fight fan, and someone who always has an opinion.
“Greetings from the Land of Smiles and other goodies. As you are aware I am hardly what one could describe as a fight aficionado, however, me-thinks that the judges gave credit to Mayweather for punches that landed on Oscar’s gloves. Recognizing that Oscar slowed down in the last two and a half rounds, he still appeared to have an edge from the early rounds. Add to that the fact he was the champion, it should have been Oscar by a split decision. But what the heck do I know, Huh? Hope your ‘fight credentials’ got you a seat next to Mrs. Delicious La Hoya. I hope Mr. Mayweather does, in fact, retire only because basically I hate loud mouth ****** who wear Mexican attire. Is that less offensive than nappy headed hoes? Your Pal.”
Did not have the pleasure of being in the same arena with Millie De La Hoya. I stood behind the Blind Guy who actually scored the fight for ‘The Square Ring’ and did a heck of a job.
As Jeeves has returned with the ‘elixir of life’ it’s time to bid adieu to another sterling effort.
“Your Lordship, we’ve had quite a week. You won your bet on the Kentucky Derby with the Queen in attendance, and the Chicago Cubs have gone 4 and 0 after our toast last week. We didn’t get a win for De La Hoya but you know what they say in the Mother Country? Two out of three is Jolly Good.”