Le Tour

It seems a bit perverse to get obsessed with the Tour de France just because I ride a bike everyday. Like if I became really interested in the socio-cultural implications of the design of change-pockets, just because I keep my money in them sometimes. It's an almost incidental connection that I could make with thousands of things. (Obviously our interests have to come from somewhere. This is just the conceit for allowing me to think aloud about why I like the race. Hello, journalistic conventions!)

So why do I get so into the Tour?

I know that what these riders do on a bike is not what I do on a bike. I cannot cycle at an average speed of 25 mph consistently for up to five hours. I do not strip the frame of my bike of non-essential components to make it as light as possible. I don't have a car following me everywhere I go to provide me with food, water, and a spare bike if mine gets a puncture at an inopportune moment.

I'm not a hardcore cyclist. I don't have a track bike, or even a road bike. I've got a Ridgeback Hybrid (ugly and inelegant, but at least it's lighter than the Dutch cruisers I rode in Amsterdam last week). I don't have any interest in doing what the Tour racers do. I don't wear lycra. I use my bike for getting from place to place. Which is what they do, too, but they make this travelling into an occupation, into the definition of their existence. But there's something about this vicarious experience that persists. It's a fundamental part of our experience with sport. We enjoy watching it because we imagine we could do it. To make a somewhat obvious point.

I ride my bike everyday. The start of the summer season combined with mounting financial pressures (insert "there's a recession?" gag here) has made me into a bit of a fascist on this front. I'll only use public transport in London now in certain drunken situations (and I have to be close to blindingly so for this to happen). Combined with watching the ITV4 highlights of the previous day of the Tour with my breakfast, this means that whenever I cycle I'm doing some imaginative recreation of yesterday's events.

When I'm having a good day on my bike (read: two breakfasts, not carrying my laptop, and none of this insane wind we've been having this week) I do a lot of over-taking. The day after Alberto Contador's attack on Stage 7, when he accelerated away from the rest of the race favourites to become the virtual maillot jaune, every time I put in a burst of speed to get round a fellow commuter, I was Contador. Lifting myself out of the saddle and powering up hill, leaving that cocky Yank, the upstart Brit, and those lookalike Luxembourgians behind.

Going round corners downhill becomes much more fun with the psychic context of the Tour. Cycling through a corner is one of the most exhilarating things you can do on a bike. Head down, the wind rushing past you, bending close the road but not quite hitting it. It's like being on a rollercoaster! Just don't do it like Jens Voigt, who skidded 50m after a high-speed crash over a bump in the road. I've wrecked a couple of pedals in the past with these antics, but that's all so far.

If I was more patriotic, I'd be Mark Cavendish whenever I stand out of the saddle to sprint through a traffic light that's about to change to red. I've got fuck-all stamina, but when it comes to raw speed, I'm one of the best you'll see trundling through the lights at Kings Cross when I probably should've just slowed down and waited.

When I'm having a bad day, going up Camden New Road and down to my lowest gear, people walking past me faster than I'm cycling, I'm Lance Armstrong's struggling 37-year-old body, just physically incapable of matching the freakish acceleration of Contador. I'm wondering why I ever got back on this bike. Why didn't I take the Tube? And I always forget my rain cape, too.

What's going to happen to me after Sunday? Start looking forward to next July, I guess. I mean, it's not like there's any other bike races going on, is there?

(Photo by Joe Shlabotnik)

UFC 100

Our resident UFC expert Paul Morris gives us a rundown of UFC 100.

This Saturday sees the Ultimate Fighting Championship pass the century mark as the Mandalay Bay Events Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada plays host to UFC100. It’s quite staggering how far the UFC has come in the years I’ve been watching. From headbutts and groin punches to the three rounds 10-point must system to reality television to monthly PPVs, maybe UFC President Dana White’s boast of MMA being the “biggest sport in the world in ten years time” isn’t as implausible as it seems. I mean, it won’t be. There are way too many powerful detractors who still view MMA as two geezers going at it inside a cage. However Saturday’s milestone, which will unquestionably by the biggest ever grossing MMA event, is another massive step in a direction that can’t be long ignored.

Anyway, the point of this column is that for about a year now me and my mate Moore have been routinely betting on each UFC card (PPV and TV events). Of a 10-11 fight card, we’ll pick winners for several fights (usually 7 as a minimum) and place a £10 accumulator. While we’re not raking in huge money, our winnings certainly outweigh our losses. At times we’ve been lucky and at other times we’ve been very unlucky (I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive Josh Koscheck for losing to Paulo Thiago). It genuinely adds to the viewing experience and helps us learn more about this most unpredictable, exciting, devastating and intelligent of sports.

Now I’m by no means an expert. Far from it. But I have a healthy interest in MMA and this column (if you want to call it that) is just a small extension of what I’d discuss with Moore when deciding fights and outcomes. So what I’m going to do is note down a few thoughts on each fight plus a prediction of the winner (Ed. I actually got a little carried away with the first 3 bouts). There’s no doubt I’ll have reconsider my picks after speaking at length with Moore, but what you’ll essentially read is my gut.

Let’s start at the top…

UFC Heavyweight Championship – unification bout: Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir

Despite being almost 18 months since they last fought, the problems that face each fighter pretty much remain the same. Can Mir’s exceptional jiu-jitsu combat Lesnar’s furious ground-and-pound? Can Lesnar’s dynamic wrestling negate Mir’s submission talents? Both were impressive in their last outing, in particularly Mir who showed much improved stand-up to dominate and stop the unstoppable ‘Minotauro’ Nogueria. Lesnar has fists the size of a Coventry head and while not exactly smooth on his feet, his power means he can change a fight with the merest (that’s not intentional) of blows.

I can see there being a round of feeling out before Lesnar’s unable to control the gung-ho nutbag inside of him as he dumps Frank on his back. From there I think it’s a question of how much has Brock evolved as a mixed martial artist. If it’s a lot then I see him overpowering Mir and methodically raining down forearms and hammerfists until the ref steps in. However, if the word “methodical” remains absent from Lesnar’s vocabulary, he’ll no doubt present Mir with enough of an opportunity to grab a limb to take home with him.

While the value’s with Mir, I’m optimistic Brock has grown sufficiently enough to subdue Frank’s ground game and finish what he started a year and a half ago. Lesnar TKO in the 2nd.


UFC Welterweight Championship: Georges ‘Rush’ St Pierre vs. Thiago ‘Pitbull’ Alves

GSP is about as good as it gets right now. His dismantling of both Jon Fitch and BJ Penn (in spite of the “greased up” allegations) proved that he has the ‘big game’ temperament to go along with probably the most well rounded skill set in MMA. Thiago Alves rightfully earned his shot with 7 straight wins, the last two being the brutal TKO of Matt Hughes and a surprisingly mature and accomplished unanimous decision over Josh Koscheck. In the Koscheck fight Alves displayed excellent takedown defence against one of the division’s best wrestlers, something he’ll have to demonstrate again if he’s to stand any chance against the whirlwind that is GSP.

Alves’ power is undisputable (he’ll probably enter the fight at close to 200lbs) and he’ll no doubt have the edge standing. A slight question still hovers over how good GSP’s chin really is and Alves looks like the perfect opponent to test it. GSP, however, will test Alves at every turn. While having all the ability in the word, the one significant advantage GSP has over Alves is stamina. Alves has documented problems with weight cutting and this, plus the frenzied pace GSP will set, could put the ‘Pitbull’ in a world he’s never been to.

Alves has a chance if he can keep this thing on its feet and utilise his devastating leg kicks to set up the big finish. For that to happen though, GSP will have to have an off day and I honestly can’t see it happening. I fancy GSP to stay elusive and seize one of the many opportunities Alves will hand him to take it downtown. From there GSP will be relentless in his attack, tying Alves in knots with his superior ground game and forcing the tap out. GSP submission in the 2nd.


Middleweight: ‘Hollywood’ Dan ‘Hendo’ Henderson vs. Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping

While this may very well be the most boring match on the main card, it’ll no doubt be the most anxious I’ll be all night (unless I’ve got 300 bones riding on an unseen prelim). For all his arrogance, hyperbole, lack of name opponents, the assumption he’s Dana’s ‘boy’, I’m a fan of Michael Bisping. Partly because he’s British, partly because of his awesome deadpan delivery of “you’re living in a dream world” on the third season of The Ultimate Fighter, but also partly because I think he’s a decent, intelligent mixed martial artist. Across from him is Dan Henderson; a man with an incomparable CV of opponents and as much experience as anyone still fighting today.

Henderson has the superior wrestling, ground-and-pound and power to go along with his granite chin. Bisping is a technically better striker who will look to utilise punches, knees and kicks to always be scoring. Both will prefer it kept standing but both will have entirely different approaches. Henderson will want drag Bisping into a brawl whereas Bisping will want to frustrate Henderson into making a mistake by picking at him and staying elusive. This combination makes for a potentially dull fight which is why I fully expect Henderson to shoot for the takedown once he realises Bisping is going to anything but stand there and exchange. The one real advantage I feel Bisping has is in stamina as Henderson has noticeably tired in all four of his UFC fights.

It’s tough to call this one and the safe money would be for Henderson to wrestle his way to a decision. However, despite the first round in the Anderson Silva fight, Henderson has far from impressed me in his second UFC run and looks nothing like the fighter who wore two belts in Pride. Maybe I’m blinded by hope but I feel Bisping has enough to keep Henderson at bay and grind out the judges favour.
Bisping split decision (29-28).


Welterweight: Jon Fitch vs. Paulo Thiago

Jon Fitch is an uncomplicated wrestler who continually comes forward and pushes the pace. Prior to the GSP defeat, Fitch had amassed an 8-0 record that was built on him overwhelming and dominating fighters with this no-nonsense style. Paulo Thiago is coming in off the back of an unlikely TKO of Fitch’s teammate Josh Koscheck. Despite that result shattering my acca dreams, Thaigo looked anything but convincing. He was never given the opportunity to show off his jiu-jitsu and looked decidedly out of his depth until that one-in-a-million haymaker.

I don’t expect Fitch to have too many problems with Thaigo. The fight will undoubtedly end up in the mat and while the Brazilian may feel comfortable there, I don’t believe he’ll be able to stop the onslaught Fitch will have for him.
Fitch TKO in the 1st.


Middleweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan ‘The Talent’ Belcher

I don’t really know too much about Akiyama. I’ve seen a couple of his more recent fights in Japan, and while he looked decent, I’m not entirely sure if he’s deserving of the acclaim heaped upon him by much of the MMA community. That being said, Belcher has never looked like having the necessary to take that step up to the next level. Fundamentally a kickboxer, Belcher will utilise his accomplished striking to stay away from Akiyama’s clinch. If he gets caught, Akiyama will take him down the hard way with one of his bad-ass judo throws. If it ends up there, it won’t belong before Belcher has to give it up.

Bottom line is Belcher isn’t good enough to keep this thing standing for three rounds, possibly even one. It’ll inevitably find its way to the floor and that’ll be enough to see Akiyama victorious in his UFC debut. Akiyama submission in the 1st.


Light Heavyweight: Mark ‘The Hammer’ Coleman vs. ‘The American Psycho’ Stephan Bonner

After the farce that was his last fight, Coleman shouldn’t really be anywhere near an Octagon. Watching him despairingly stumble through three rounds as ‘Shogun’ awkwardly tried to finish him was one hell of an embarrassing sight. There won’t be a repeat of that this time. Bonnar is technically proficient enough to finish this fight standing while Coleman’s gas tank remains the same. Even if Coleman is able to evoke the wrestling monster from yesteryear, Bonnar’s grappling will get him back to his feet or find an opening to for a submission.

I can’t see anything other than a Bonnar victory. He might break a couple of knuckles on Coleman‘s head in the process but he’ll eventually throw one too many right hands that will fell this crazy old bastard. And to think, Coleman was once in line to face Brock Lesnar. That could have been serious. Bonnar TKO in the 2nd.


Lightweight: Mac Danzig vs. Jim Miller

This is likely to be a close fight that will see both go at full pelt for the entire 15 minutes. Danzig will prefer to keep it standing with the crisper, cleaner striking while Miller’s wrestling advantage means he’ll probably want to get this to the floor quick sharp. If Danzig can avoid the takedown and connect sufficiently, he can really take Miller out of his game. If Miller can get it to the ground he can dominate from the top and inflict a third straight loss for the former Ultimate Fighter winner.

Miller’s one dimensional yet effective top game rightly him favourite. But I like Danzig to stay away from the takedown and keep busy on his feet as he causes enough damage on his way to taking a majority decision. Danzig majority decision.


Light Heavyweight: Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones vs. Jake O’Brien

Boasting easily my favourite name in MMA today, Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones did actually look like the real deal in his last fight against Stephan Bonnar. He is an untamed ball of energy with extravagant striking and explosive wrestling. O’Brien is an orthodox wrestler who is moving down from Heavyweight. His only prominent win came against Heath Herring but that was more to do with Herring’s inadequacies than O’Brien’s ability.

I’m not sure what the cut will be like for O’Brien, but I suspect it will only facilitate the inevitable. I see Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones overwhelming O’Brien with his powerful offence and making short work the Irish-American. Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones TKO in the 1st.


Welterweight: Dong Hyun ‘Stun Gun’ Kim vs. T.J Grant

In his last two fights, Kim has been on either end of two split decision (the second of which was overturned into a no contest). He showed he is a game competitor as well as an excellent grappler. Unknown Grant made an impressive against Ryo Chonan when he also got the better of a split decision victory. He displayed decent all round skills to trouble the Japanese fighter both on the feet and ground.

This all points to an evenly contested 15 minute war and I can’t see anything but. I’m going to take Kim over Grant because I’m a sucker for a judoka. I think he’ll consistently score with trips and throws and keep plenty busy in top position.
Kim majority decision.


Middleweight: ‘The Doberman’ CB Dollaway vs. Tom ‘The Filthy Mauler’ Lawlor

These are two excellent wrestlers who’ll rely on versatile striking to set up the foreseeable takedown. Unfortunately for Lawlor, I think CB has the advantage in both areas. Lawlor has the requisite ‘puncher’s chance’ but I think CB and his heir lip will make short work of ‘The Filthy Mauler’ (good nickname though) once it hits the ground. Dollaway submission in the 1st.


Lightweight: Matt ‘The Real One’ Grice vs. Shannon Gugerty

I’m not going to pretend to know too much about these two. I remember seeing Grice get caught in a crowd-pleasing triangle by Terry Etim at UFC70 and similarly Gugerty to Spencer Fisher in his last outing. Of the two though, Gugerty looked the much more accomplished, and was fairing well against ‘The King’ before he was stopped. I expect this to be tight but favour Gugerty due to his proficient jiu-jitsu and Grice’s bull-headed approach. Gugerty submission in the 3rd.

It’s a very tight card so I couldn’t even tell you now how many or whom will go into our accumulator. A lot will depend on how much Moore’s opinions differ from mine and what the value is on a lot of the fighters. The favourites are really short priced and there isn’t the usual value in the underdogs to risk it. My selections would give you an 11-fold of ridiculous proportions (which I might have a cheeky quid on), but I would recommend that. There’s always going to be a surprising result or decision, it’s a case of being lucky enough to pick where there’ll occur.

Team of the Season

Just as Sky begins to advertise for forthcoming pre-season friendlies Paul Morris and I finally complete our Team of the Season selection. Perhaps selection over email wasn't the best idea?

First XI

Mark Schwarzer

I’ve never been a massive fan of Schwarzer. He always appears a bit stiff and doesn’t generally contain the kind of athleticism I like to see in my keepers. And while I still have that opinion, I can’t argue with some of the displays he’s put in since his arrival at Craven Cottage. Having escaped relegation on goal difference last year, Fulham have taken points off all the top four this term with Schwarzer keeping clean sheets against three of them. His most notable all-action performance came in the 2-0 home victory over Man Utd that, momentarily, put Liverpool back in the title race. Integral to Fulham’s lofty European hopes.

Bacary Sagna

Probably the hardest position to pick for considering it’s been a pretty lean year for standout right backs. Although Sagna was selected for 2008’s official team, he still receives minimal fanfare outside of the Emirates. Certainly one of Wenger’s more astute recent signings, Sagna is proving to be an excellent complement to the similarly energetic Clichy. Very competent defensively, he’s clearly not out of his depth going forward either. Fast, strong, committed, Arsene could do with a few more like him.

Brede Hangeland

Bit of a no-brainer this choice as the Norwegian captain has really optimised the phrase “towering presence”. Hangeland reads the game well, is comfortable in possession, commanding in the air and, similarly to the much eulogised Nemanja Vidic, loves defending. Will doubtlessly be the subject of interest from many top clubs before the August transfer deadline, but will need to choose his destination carefully as to not fall foul of that “one season wonder” tag.

Phil Jagielka

Nothing short of phenomenal this season, Jags has been an outstanding blend of composure, practicality, awareness and consistency. While England’s captain still flatters to deceive, the former Blade is routinely turning in weekly performances that certainly deserve more recognition. However it was his shackling displays of Fernando Torres that made people realise this was more than just another Northern utility player. Jags fittingly scored the winning penalty to take Everton to the FA Cup Final, only to tragically rupture his ACL a week later. A cruel blow but not one that should sour an exceptional campaign.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto

Initially chosen due to the unfortunate and underwhelming Gareth Bale, Assou-Ekotto has rapidly repaid Redknapp’s faith with some very competent displays. Established as first choice left-back, he has played a large part in Tottenham’s resurgence, underlined by his impressive performance opposite the people’s favourite Ronaldo in this year’s Carling Cup Final. Out of the same mould as compatriots Evra and Clichy, Assou-Ekotto gets up and the down with ease, comfortable in either defence or attack.

James Milner

I’m not sure of the Opta stats, but I’d be surprised if there’s a more hardworking player in the Premier League. Having spent the first few years of his career filling in gaps, Milner has since carved himself out as a genuine winger. While he hasn’t received the same accolades as his quicker, flashier teammates, Milner’s success is in his simplicity. He doesn’t overcomplicate his play and the results mean he’ll be a more than useful player for a very long time. Furthermore, with over 40 Under-21 caps, what’s the brother got to do to get a senior one?

Wilson Palacios

It’s no coincidence that Palacios’ departure from Wigan and arrival at Tottenham resulted in regression for the former and progression for the latter. He added much needed steel to a lightweight Spurs midfield while leaving a seemingly insurmountable void in Wigan’s. At his most impressive breaking up and launching attacks, the Honduras international appears to be a very good piece of business at £12 million (as ridiculous as that sounds). Passed over by Wenger two years back, the Arsenal manager would probably give all the berets and baguettes in the world for a time machine.

Stephen Ireland

Who could have foretold that a man only known for novelty underwear and being the worst liar EVER would end up being one of the most exciting and dynamic footballers of the year. Despite looking like a greasy light bulb, Stephen Ireland has been a revelation for Man City this term. He has shown poise, creativity and an incisiveness that hasn’t been evident in seasons past. Clearly thrived playing alongside Robinho, it’ll be interesting to see if Ireland can remain such an influence following what is likely to be a tumultuous summer at Eastlands.

Tim Cahill

If a better 1.5 million has been spent in the last 10 years then I can’t think of it. Cahill is the perennial ‘impact’ player. His exploits are by now no secret, but Cahill continues to influence the game in the same way: the opposition’s 18 yard box. In tandem with the differently physical yet potentially as dangerous Fellaini, Cahill led Everton’s attack when they had none. Is as important to Everton as Lampard is to Chelsea, Gerrard is to Liverpool and Fabregas is to Arsenal.

Matt Taylor

A hardworking and versatile player, Taylor has really impressed in a wholly uninspiring Bolton team. He has always had an eye for goal but this season has seen his best return with a league tally entering double figures. Obviously enjoying playing further forward, Taylor has settled in very well as the left hand side of a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1. His dangerously accurate left boot has not only paid dividends for him, but it serves battering rams Elmander and Davies quite nicely as well.

Kevin Davies

I’m not a fan of Sam Allardyce. That’s another rant for another day. But while he’s no longer associated with Bolton, his accomplishments and influence cannot be overlooked and are still very much evident. This is embodied by Kevin Davies; a no-nonsense centre forward who leads the line with strength and aggression. His limits as a player are obvious, but Davies’ years at Bolton have seen him adapt his game to be a consistently effective performer at the top level. Has had the best goalscoring season of his career, that saw him catch the eye of Fabio Capello (albeit briefly).

Substitutes

Chris Kirkland

Kirkland’s constant injuries have regrettably robbed us of a genuinely international class goalkeeper. And while he may have individually underachieved throughout his career, his performances for Wigan mean they continue to overachieve. It’s a testament to Kirkland’s natural ability that he’s been able to help the smallest club in the league (probably 3 leagues) stay afloat the last few years. Similar to Ledley King, he only “does” match days. But this curbed training regiment is obviously working for the pair as they’ve both enjoyed their most successful season in a good while. Might be the way forward.

Michael Turner

A complete unknown to most, Turner was a prominent figure in Hull’s magnificent start to the season. With eye-catching performances against Arsenal and Liverpool, Turner was mentioned for an England call up that few could have argued with. The turn of the year saw Hull plummet from Europe to relegation, but Turner has been the unmistakable bright spark of The Tigers retched 2009. Will no doubt incur the advances of many teams this summer.

Herita Ilunga

Another relatively unfamiliar name, Ilunga was signed on a season-long loan by Alan Curbishley about 10 minutes before he was unceremoniously sacked. Under Gianfranco Zola Ilunga he has proven to be an excellent acquisition, acclimatising to the Premiership comfortably. Typical of modern day full backs, he is as capable in his own half as he is the oppositions. Ilunga’s consistent displays established him as regular in the first XI and culminated in him signing a permanent deal at Upton Park.

Stiliyan Petrov

After two underwhelming seasons at Villa, Petrov finally started to justify the hype this year with a number of commanding performances alongside Gareth Barry. Playing a lot deeper than he (and we) were accustomed to, Petrov has flourished with this additional time and space in which to operate. Most surprisingly Petrov has shown added ‘bite’ to his game, assuming a great deal of defensive responsibility that was never previously associated with his game.

Steven Pienaar

During his initial loan spell, Steven Pienaar visibly struggled with the strength and pace of the English Premiership. But David Moyes saw enough to make the diminutive South African’s move permanent (for a mere £2 million). Since then Pienaar has asserted himself as an integral member of the team, developing an almost telepathic understanding with Leighton Baines down Everton’s left. After the devastating injury to Mikel Arteta, Pienaar was looked to to provide much of the team’s creative impetus. He didn’t disappoint as Everton reached the FA Cup Final and cemented their league status as ‘best of the rest’.

Peter Crouch

Despite being one of the most high profile English strikers of the past 5 years, Crouch still gains more negative attention than positive. Crouch didn’t get off to the best of starts when he returned to Fratton Park as ‘Appy ‘Arry upped and left for Spurs and Tony Adams struggled to inspire as a manager the same way he did as a player. With the club disillusioned, Crouch unselfishly put himself before the team (unlike Defoe) and got to work trying to rejuvenate the FA Cup holders. His eventual tally of 11 went more than a long way to keeping Pompey afloat, but it was Crouch’s all round work ethic that was significantly more key to their survival.

Ricardo Fuller

In possessing the most physically imposing team in the top tier, Stoke are an illustration of what heart, determination and often brute force can achieve. Hidden inside these behemoths is Ricardo Fuller, a bit of a journeyman striker who has been unable to reproduce his Championship success at the highest level. But his talents are evident (particularly in an one-dimensional Stoke side) and winning goals against Aston Villa and Arsenal helped banish the Potters as an afterthought. Fuller’s injury, attitude and disciplinary problems are never far away, but when firing on all cylinders his pace, power and skill are a handful for anybody.

Froch Keeps Title and Gets Big Reward

Second article from our boxing obsessed contributor, Wizzy.

So Carl Froch extended his unbeaten record (25-0) and did so with a dramatic late KO win over Jermain Taylor. I watched it and was again baffled by the level to which Froch can persistently put on master-classes in how not to box yet still come away with the win. His technical faults appear to be endless; he is adept at parrying shots with his face, moves his head with all the sublime dexterity of a man in a neck brace, walks forward as he punches and relies too heavily on singly shots…yet has never tasted defeat as a pro.

He was completely outclassed for about ten rounds and got dropped in the process. Taylor’s jab was rooted to his chin and he seemed to be moving on fast forward compared to Carl who bore a strong resemblance to a man caught in quicksand but then, in the final straight, Taylor’s heart broke. He had blasted Carl with everything he had but still the bar room slugger piled forward, Taylor had boxed the ears of him but McCracken – Froch’s trainer – was not about to throw in the towel and, ultimately, Taylor’s always suspect stamina reserves were spent. Froch knocked him out with fourteen seconds left in the fight. It was dramatic, edge of the seat stuff but the lingering thought remained: How on Earth does he do it?

Watching the fight, puzzled by the technical inadequacies of a former Amateur success story and professional World Champion, I was reminded by the story of Rocky Marciano and his trainer Charley Goldman. Marciano retired undefeated from Heavyweight Boxing, the only champion to do so (49-0). However, the fact is that from a technical standpoint, he was crap. You would never teach a kid to fight like he did. His own trainer, Goldman, once said in relation to Marciano that, ‘If he did anything right, I didn’t see it’. It feels like that watching Froch which is precisely the reason why I can not wait for the touted fight between Froch and Lucian Bute (which I think is unfortunately actually pronounced B’yoo-tay).

Bute, thankfully, suffers from the same affliction as Froch, in that he is incapable of raising his hands above waist-height, hates his own face and does not believe in the fallibility of the human frame. It is the perfect ingredient for an armchair fan: Two fighters who have absolutely no regard for their own physical features.

It should be a cracker and I wish Froch all the best, not because he has the skills of Ray Leonard or the speed of Joan Guzman but because he makes the fights in the Rocky films look like a pile of puke. I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the Froch vs Pascal fight where again Froch sacrificed himself at the altar of viewer entertainment and for that, and the fact that he is our only current World Champion, we should be thankful. Bring on Bute and may the slugfests continue.

DeGale and the ‘Boo-Boys’

A guest post this week from the mysterious boxing maniac only know as 'Wizzy'.

The Olympians have racked up a few wins now and, supposedly, the most shocking revelation of those first few fights was the fact that James Degale, the Olympic Gold medallist, got a rough reaction from the fans. The commentators and pundits on Sky were all outraged and baffled as to why he got booed on his debut and received what I heard called a ‘mixed reaction’ in his second fight. I guess the mix in the mixed reaction was those who booed and those who did nothing as it just sounded like a poor reaction all around to me.

The reaction, in both fights, is not that difficult to comprehend. I was at his debut and the excuse peddled by some, that Darren Sutherland’s fans were the ones booing (Darren Sutherland having lost in Beijing to DeGale) was nonsense – loads of people were getting involved. In fact, the excuses were getting so tenuous that I half expected a Smithers-esque pundit to come out saying that they were actually chanting ‘Boo-urns, Boo-urns’. The reason for the booing can be found in the comments that DeGale made before he had even got his professional gloves on: That two British Champions, Wayne Elcock and Brian Magee, were effectively nobodies.

The charge was reminiscent of the Audley Harrison approach to the transition from the amateur to the pro ranks, shout your mouth off about well liked, longstanding British fighters and set yourself up for a fall – not that there is any chance of him screwing anything up like Audley did, that became an artform in itself. Surely the first thing a promoter says to a rookie boxer these days is, ‘Don’t do an Audley Harrison’. Unfortunately, it would appear that DeGale took this to be a challenge, throw in the fact that the performance itself, in his debut, was lacklustre with a couple of referee warnings about slapping his opponent and the fuse was lit.

So, it was not an issue that required Columbo; Criticise popular professional British boxers before you have even taken your headguard off and you face an uphill struggle to become the next Frank Bruno in the eyes of the public. Oh, and did I mention that DeGale’s debut was in Birmingham and that Wayne Elcock is from Birmingham? Or the fact that Brian Magee is from Northern Ireland and Degale’s second fight was in Belfast? Like I said, not rocket science.

If You Read One Article This Week...

...make it the Guardian's From-the-Vault on Celtic's Lisbon Lion's European Cup victory. This is the stuff I grew up with. This is why I love football. This is what I believe in:

"Inter will play it defensively. That's their way and it's their
business. But we feel we have a duty to play the game our way, and our way is to attack. Win or lose, we want to make the game worth remembering. Just to be involved in an occasion like this is a tremendous honour and we think it puts an obligation on us. We can be as hard and professional as anybody, but I mean it when I say that we don't just want to win this cup. We want to win it playing good football, to make neutrals glad we've done it, glad to remember how we did it."
Jock Stein.

You can't say fairer than that for a philosophy of football.

Look out for some end-of-season features next week!

Artsoccer - Empty Set

Tommy Ogden is one half of Empty Set (the left half in this photo). Their debut album, As neat as a new pin, can be bought from Tough Love Records, now!

Q. Liverpool!? I thought you were from Rochdale or somewhere near?

I've been a bit nomadic really. I'm shamefully (or sensibly) reticent about this, but I'm actually Welsh and lived on the island of Anglesey 'til I was five. Then I moved to Ellesmere Port, which is on the Wirral just on the other side of the Mersey and entirely Liverpool, Everton or Tranmere Rovers. Of my own accord I might've been a young Tranmere fan: I remember the first kit I had was Tranmere, my U12s team used to play next to their training pitch and I really liked John
Aldridge and Pat Nevin. My mum and dad are both from Liverpool though, and both love LFC, so I'm sure I was properly indoctrinated. My mum is a Gerrard from Huyton, born in Whiston hospital just like our Stevie.

I moved to Rochdale when I was 11, and quickly found it was United territory there. I took a few dead arms for my support of the enemy. I'd arrived with the accent too, so the nickname 'scouse' stuck with me through school even though I'd probably lost it after a year.

Q. But you live in Manchester now?

I've been living in the centre of Manchester for about two and a half years; just down the canal from Eastlands (The Council Ground). I enjoy hearing all the City fans walking past my window after matches, but sometimes the police close off the street to march away fans back
to Piccadilly, and that's annoying when I'm trying to get to the Co-op.

Q. I hate Liverpool, absolutely detest them. There’s no specific reason for this although I’m sure some of it comes from my Dad’s hatred of the "United of his day", do you encounter that attitude
much?

Ha! I can imagine they were a bit irritating in the 70s and 80s, yeah. No-one likes a dominating team, rightly. Of course, I started following them after they'd stopped winning anything, so I can't say I've ever really encountered much hatred from supporters of other clubs apart from United. I went to Old Trafford for the Liverpool match a couple of seasons ago and sat in the home end hiding my alleigence. That was a bit indimidating.

Q. How often do you get to Anfield?

Shamefully I haven't been at all this season. My weekends always seem to be spent travelling around. I'm always down there in cocking London! The past few years I've probably been to three or four games a season with my dad.

Q. This season promised so much barely two months ago, is it time for the luckiest manager in the history of football to move on or are you brainwashed enough into thinking that Benitez is some kind of tactical genius?

I'll paraphrase Shankly, "the harder we work, the luckier we seem to get". Benitez is a tactical genius, as you will have seen in the demolitions of Real Madrid and United! He spends any time he's not thinking about football playing chess, which I think you can see the way he positions and maneuvers players on a field so deliberately. I know it's sometimes 'boring' as it doesn't fit the celebrated English method of 11 mindless goons lumbering around for 90 minutes throwing
themselves at everything, John Terry style, but I like to see ideas being played out and Benitez is a grandmaster.

Q. It’s a simplistic view and not one that I particularly believe but it’s a common conception that Liverpool are over reliant on Gerrard and Torres, care to argue the case against (you’ll immediately fail if you mention the words Lucas or Leiva)?

Those two are among the best attacking players in the world, so of course we're going to be less dangerous without them. We have other world-class players like Alonso and Mascherano, who've both been outstanding this season, but up front we don't have enough back up
just now if either of Stevie or Nando are injured. United have four £30m strikers to call on; we have Lucas Leiva.

Q. There aren’t any (obvious) references to football in your music, are you trying to hide your passion?

I've thought up a few mentions before, but it's always seemed too gimmicky and not right for the song. Half Man Half Biscuit are lyrical heroes of mine though, and if I could write a football song as good as 'Mathematically Safe' or 'Bob Wilson, Anchorman' I'd be singing it everywhere. "If I were a linesman, I would execute defenders who applauded my offsides..."

Q. Last time we spoke you were playing a bit, are you still?

I've just started playing 5-a-side again after I injured my knee playing a few months ago and had a little trip to A&E. I've had to give up Sunday League for now, sadly, as I'm too unreliable at weekends, always off playing gigs or visiting friends. I'd love to get playing 11-a-side again.

Q. You’re planning a move to Sweden soon, have you chosen a team?

I'm moving to Stockholm in June, yeah. When I was there last year, I was sat in a bar watching a Bundesliga game when these two impressively drunk chaps in club shirts and scarves sat down next to me, having obviously returned from a match. While one of them fell asleep in his beer, the other proclaimed proudly that his Hammarby were the greatest club in the city; historically the club of the working-class in the south. We chatted about Swedish football and Liverpool a bit before they pair were sadly thrown out, but I decided right then I'd go along and see what Hammarby are like when I get there.

Q. And finally, Liverpool?

The most successful English club of all time. I'll keep saying it now, as United will very probably equal 18 league titles in May. Bah.