Tuesday, January 23, 2007 Pages: Con-Con: Why it’s proven to be a success By John Pages Match point
THE Cebu Sinulog Marathon, the first in this Visayan is land since 1990, will be held on Feb. 18. Just last week, I met Raffy Uytiepo, the founder of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (the organizers of the run), and found him smiling and excited about this 42.125-km. run.
Originally scheduled a week before the Sinulog, it was moved to next month because of the Asean Summit. The route, as explained by Raffy, will take the runners from Plaza Independencia to the old Mactan Bridge, straight to Plantation Bay, they’ll turn, climb up the new Fernan Bridge, trek through the streets of Mandaue City, and sprint to the finish line at the Provincial Capitol.
Coming off back-to-back successes at the 12th Asean Summit and the 27th Sinulog, the 1st Cebu Sinulog Marathon promises to be that—another success!
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Did you read this funny, crazy article on Floyd Mayweather Sr.? I say funny because where, but boxing, can you find a father willing to train another boxer to fight his..... son.
Only in boxing.
Floyd Sr. is, of course, the father of Floyd Mayweather Jr., the world’s top pound-for-pound boxer. (But as we Filipinos will dispute, he’s only no.2, next to you know who…)
Now, here’s the interesting part. This May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is climbing the ring to fight Oscar de la Hoya in what is called “the grandest ever non-heavyweight title fight in history.”
What’s interesting? Floyd Sr. trains Oscar de la Hoya who’s fighting Floyd Jr. Get it?
Questions: Will dad continue to train his son’s enemy? Will dad train with less heart because his spirit is with his son? (The two Mayweathers are at odds and haven’t spoken since ’99.) Will dad choose blood relations over money?
Here’s what happened. Floyd Sr. announced that he’s willing to train Oscar de la Hoya against his son if—and this is a big, expensive “if”—the price is right. How much?
Two million dollars. Ouch!
Oscar de la Hoya initially offered Floyd Sr. a $500,o00 guarantee plus another $500,000 if he wins. Floyd Sr.’s reply? “Let him take his million and give it to someone else,” he said. “This isn’t just any fight. And that isn’t just any fighter. That’s my son in there.”
Blood, true, is thicker than water. But not as thick as money.
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In headline news all over the US, the Indianapolis Colts defeated the New England Patriots, 38-34. What a comeback! Down 21-3 in the first half, the Peyton Manning-led Colts sought revenge in the second half to finally beat their arch-rivals and the Patriots’ star QB, Tom Brady.
“Greatest Game Ever?” asked the Foxsports.com yesterday. Sayang, I missed the game on ESPN yesterday morning. Had to leave early for the office. On second thought, it was a blessing in disguise because my team was the Patriots and it would have been crushing to see them beaten at, literally, the last minute.
It’s now off to Miami, Florida on Feb. 4 where the Colts meet the Chicago Bears for the biggest US spectacle of the year, Super Bowl XLI.
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In Australia, it’s the quarterfinals of the year’s first tennis grand slam. Roger Federer. Andy Roddick. The Big Two, as I call them, are still part of the Last Eight. The Swiss world no.1, as usual, has worked as precise as a Rolex.
Andy Roddick? He’s looked just as impressive. His wins against Marat Safin (in four sets) and Mario Ancic (five sets) were tiresome and difficult. But he prevailed. There’s no doubt the arrival of Jimmy Connors has ignited the spark plug inside Roddick.
What’s the difference, you ask, between The Old Roddick and The New One? Plenty. Let’s start with the mind. Connors has brainwashed Roddick to think that he’s the world’s best. And isn’t it all about the mind? It is. In reality, among the world’s top 50, very little physical ability or tennis prowess separates them. The deciding factor? The brain.
With Roddick, you can see his “mojo” is back. His last two matches against The Fed? Last November, he held match point and “almost” won. Two weeks ago at an exhibition event, he finally beat Roger. (Only his second win in 14 tries, would you believe.)
Today, Roddick stays closer to the baseline. He attacks. He uses slice. Drop shots. He serves-and-volleys. He runs around his forehand and smothers the yellow orb with an inside-out. He drills backhands down-the-line for winners.
What a difference the two “Cons” make: Connors and Confidence.
