Sunday, June 24, 2018

"Riot" at the Amir Khan vs. Carlos Molina Fight (2012)

Matt Ward, Dustin Johnson, and Steve Ward of The Weigh-In made the trek to Los Angeles from the greater Phoenix area back in 2012 to witness Amir Khan knock out Carlos Molina at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.


The weekend was full of mayhem and antics that regular readers of this website would expect from the likes of anyone associated with this "fine" online publication. Matt Ward got a speeding ticket for driving 20 mph over the speed limit on a lonely stretch of California highway, and proceeded to argue with the cop; Steve Ward almost blacked out on the streets of LA after drinking sake bombs for the first time; and Dustin displayed his functioning alcoholism by waiting for the Yard House near the Staples Center to open on Saturday morning. All things considered, it is amazing that your pals at TWI made it to the show on December 15, 2012!


The real mayhem began after Khan defeated the crowd's "champion." Molina supporters, full of beer and prescription pain killers, were quick to turn their frustration on the 50 or so Amir Khan fans in attendance. This video does just enough to set the tone of the carnage that spilled over from the cheap seats onto the concourse. The video leaves out the footage of police helicopters hovering over the arena, cops decked out in riot gear, and the deployment of pepper spray. It also fails to capture the one and only red head in a sea of angry boxing fans, Dustin Johnson. Some sources covering the fight claim that he actually urinated on himself in a desperate attempt to avoid assailants and escape the arena... You be the judge of that!


Enjoy this "vintage" piece of boxing fan's finest, and remember TWI dudes love all of you... The next time any of us find ourselves in this type of mayhem, we will be sure to have our camera phones pointed towards the action, providing all of you with live play-by-play on Facebook!




Love, 


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Saturday, June 23, 2018

CREED II Official Trailer

Ladies and gentlemen, 

In case you missed it... Coming Thanksgiving 2018! 



UFC’s Dana White Might be the Greatest Promoter/ Executive Ever

Finally! The People’s Red Head has come back to The Weigh-In!

When we look at the history of combat sports, we often overlook the role of the promoter. Without the promoter, our sweet science and mixed marital arts may not exist today. The role of promoter has truly evolved during the past few decades. The promoter was originally thought to be a silver haired eccentric man who drew the attention of all during Mike Tyson’s reign. I am of course referring to Don King.


It is rumored that Don King was originally asked to play the role of Dos Equis’ most interesting man. He respectfully declined due to concerns that the time commitment would take away from his harem. If you who are reading this do not know what a harem is, follow one of the Ward brothers, because my writing requires deep contemplation. Further, it is important to remember that The People’s Red Head does not fact check, and the aforementioned rumor above is a fact that predates Google.


At the opposite end of the promoter spectrum, we have Bob Arum. Arum has promoted his fair share of fights and has done it in a quieter manner than that of Don King. However, make no mistake, Arum is King Midas incarnate. It is likely Arum is reading this piece right now, while sitting on his gold toilet. We all know Arum is an avid Weigh-In reader. If I could have selected a father in life, it would have been Arum. In fact, Arum should be everyone’s dad. He is an amazing force that has done so much for the sport. The only complaint we have here at The Weigh-In is that Arum never takes us up on offers to join us at after parties. Honestly, I do not blame him. I blame Luis Cortes, the wild party man. One night Luis partied a little too hard and it was rumored he woke up in some rural area casino with glow sticks stuck in places your imagination could not conjure. Again, we do not fact check, always remember that. Furthermore, what happens on road trips should stay on road trips. Anyway, we certainly do not blame Mr. Arum for remaining professional and not engaging the wild party animals at The Weigh-In.


The next individual is worthy of mention even though he was a little late to the promoter game. This person had a legendary boxing career and has transferred this success into his own promotion empire. I am of course referring to the great Oscar De La Hoya. Oscar falls somewhere in-between King and Arum. He may not be as boisterous as King, but he is also not as quiet as Arum. After all, De Le Hoya did let everyone know he wears dresses and does not give a fuck who knows it. I do not personally have the heart to tell Oscar his legs look too muscular in a dress, but deep down, I think he knows his truth.


We now move to the world of mix martial arts. Some think this sport is very new. Many think this sport has come out of nowhere, and gained tremendous popularity. Mixed martial arts has been around since before the Ward brothers were expelled out of the tip of their father’s… you get the point. What has mixed martial arts gaining such ground on other mainstream sports? We think the answer to this question is rather simple. MMA owes its growth during the last few decades to Mr. Dana White. Say what you will, but White may be one of the greatest promoters of all time.


Dana White is a combination of everything that made the individuals above so successful. Dana White says whatever he wants. I am not sure if he ever wore a dress, but he would not give a fuck if he did. In addition, he is perhaps one of the most entertaining men on the planet. This piece intends to point out the hilarity that is Dana White, and examine whether he is worthy of being in the conversation of top promoters of all time.

Let us examine the brilliance and hilarity of Mr. White.  As we all know, Tony Ferguson against Khabib was just canceled for a fourth time, as Ferguson injured himself while wearing sunglasses indoors. White reacted by stating, everyone who wears sunglasses indoors deserves an injury like that. That line had me pissing myself.


Some of my favorite Dana White quotes are:

“This is the Ultimate Fighter. We don’t vote guys off, we beat them off.”

“Hell, forget about college. I barely finished high school.”

“Look at how huge we are. I don’t need fucking Coke to keep doing what we’re doing, man. “

“Boxing is a road map of what not to do. The greedy promoters basically killed the sport by taking it off free TV.”

“Women isn’t one of them. One of the things we have always said, is we know what this is for – it’s for males 18-34. And if women watch, that's just gravy for us – that’s beautiful.”

“Our female fan base has grown incredibly. But to go out and market toward women would be very expensive and not make much sense.”

“Conor will probably end up a convicted felon.”

Regarding the possibility of Jon Jones receiving a long term suspension, “It would be the biggest waste of talent ever, in all of sports.”

As you read through that list, White pulls no punches and has no filter. Everything White says is news worthy. He never hesitates to speak his mind. Due to this, the UFC continues to celebrate increased popularity. White has taken the UFC to places it never dreamed of being. As the sports popularity increases, so does White’s exposure. This writer is convinced White would literally fight anyone on his roster if they pissed him off.

Say what you will about White. There is no denying that White followed a dream, and is now reaping the benefits of his incredible belief in his passion. White is an example of what can happen when you follow a passion. In addition, he appears to be the same person who bought the UFC, with the exception that he has fuck you money.


Special Thanks To:

Steve Ward for loving men in undies


Matthew Ward for loving friction


Luis Cortes for just being cool


Matthew Walker for comedy


Ryan Gosling for The Notebook, Ward brothers favorite movie


Thank to the following for the quotes above:
fightstate.com
evancamichel.com
bleacherreport.com
azquotes.com



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Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Joe Hand Promotions Presents Xcite Fight Night II Preview

Professional boxing returns to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino on Friday, June 29th. The eight fight card, that is promoted by Joe Hand with matchmaking by J. Russell Peltz, is headlined by a flyweight bout between Carlos Maldonado (15-4-1, 6 KOs) and Miguel Cartagena (10-2, 7 KOs). Maldonado, an orthodox fighter from Los Angeles, is coming off of a unanimous decision defeat to Joshua Franco last December. Philadelphia's Cartagena last fought former flyweight champion, Brian Viloria, on the undercard of Wisaksil Wangek vs. Roman Gonzalez from Carson, California on September 9, 2017. This will be Cartagena's first fight in his home state of Pennsylvania since 2014. Maldonado has fought all but one of his previous fights as a professional in Mexico.

The card also features a rematch between Anthony Prescott (8-8-2, 2 KOs) and Isaiah Wise (6-2, 3 KOs). The two men met on March 9th at Parx Casino when Prescott won the six round bout by split decision. Wise, who is no stranger to the Philadelphia fight scene, won three straight fights before losing to Wise last March. The two men will again square off in what is expected to be a competitive match up next Friday.

The card also features the following bouts:

Victor Vasquez vs. Vinnie Denierio - six rounds, junior welterweights

Gerardo Martinez vs. Nyrome Lynch - four rounds, lightweights

Sharif Jones vs. Kieran Hooks - four rounds, junior middleweights

Adolfo Serrano vs. Christopher Burgos - four rounds, lightweights

Emmanuel Rodriguez vs. Ndira Spearman - four rounds, bantamweights

Marcel Rivers vs. Mike Crain - six rounds, welterweights

For more information on this great night of boxing, please check out the Joe Hand Boxing official website or Facebook page.




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Monday, June 18, 2018

WWE Money in the Bank Recap

The split brand WWE Money in the Bank emanated this evening from a raucous Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. The card boasted four title matches and two Money in the Bank Ladder Matches. 

Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
Winner: Daniel Bryan via submission
Daniel Bryan took the fight to Big Cass early supported by a flurry of “YES” chants from the energized crowd but the tide quickly turned as Big Cass began to utilize his drastic size advantage to brutalize Bryan. In the end, Bryan’s technical prowess had shone through as he overcame multiple torture racks and cut down the seven footer with several YES Kicks. Finally, the founding father of the YES Movement earned the submission victory with a vicious heel hook submission.

Sami Zayn vs. Bobby Lashley
Winner: Bobby Lashley via pinfall
This match marked Bobby Lashley’s in-ring PPV debut since his return to the WWE.  Zayn’s early antics of playing cat and mouse with Lashley didn’t last long as he was absolutely decimated! After throwing Zayn around like a rag doll, Lashley finally finished him off as he executed his third delayed vertical suplex that was followed by a casual one-handed pin.

WWE Intercontinental Championship:
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Elias
Winner: Seth Rollins via pinfall
This match put the talents of both Rollins and Elias on full display. Rollins most impressive move of the match was a superplex that he maintained his hold on and converted immediately into a Falcon Arrow. The match concluded as Elias’ pin attempt was countered with a rollup by Rollins where he hung on to the tights for the 1-2-3 to retain his title.

Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Alexa Bliss vs. Natalya vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Naomi vs. Lana vs. Sasha Banks vs. Ember Moon
Winner: Alexa Bliss
The climax of this match came as it appeared that Becky Lynch would finally achieve redemption and claim the briefcase until The Goddess emerged out of nowhere and unceremoniously dumped Becky off the ladder causing her to face plant into another ladder wedged in the corner of the ring. Alexa then scaled the ladder and retrieved the money in the bank briefcase earning herself a future title shot.

Jinder Mahal vs. Roman Reigns
Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall
This match developed as a result of the Modern Day Maharaja costing the Big Dog the opportunity to participate in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.  The crowd just wasn’t into this match at all with chants such as: “This match sucks,” “This is awful,” and “CM Punk.” Aside from the crowd’s color commentary, they even went so far as to do the wave. Granted this match, which was controlled by Mahal for the majority of the time, was not that bad as he did display some proficient technical wrestling skills and there was a comedic factor implemented with Sunil Singh at ringside in a wheelchair with a sling and neck brace in tow. In the end, however, it ended in typical Roman Reigns match fashion with a spear and the pinfall.

Smackdown Women’s Championship
Carmella (c) vs. Asuka
Winner: Carmella via pinfall
With moments remaining in the match a masked individual climbed onto the ring apron dressed as a geisha.  This provided a distraction to Asuka that was accentuated when the figure unmasked himself to reveal the returning James Ellsworth! A seemingly terrified Asuka was then kicked in the face by Carmella leading to the pinfall victory.

WWE Championship Last Man Standing Match
A.J. Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Winner:  A.J. Styles
This match, which had the stipulation selected by Shinsuke Nakamura, was contested under Last Man Standing rules. For those of you who need a refresher, this means that the only way to win is to incapacitate your opponent to the point where he cannot respond to the referee’s 10-count. This match brought us a bit of everything: a Kinshasa delivered by Nakamura as he ran across two announce tables striking A.J. as he was prone on the third, A.J. being thrown through a table propped in the corner of the ring, and the dreaded exposed turnbuckle even played a part. The conclusion of this match, however, was truly phenomenal (pun intended) as A.J. gave Nakamura a dose of his own medicine kicking him between the uprights as he taunted Styles while propped up against the announce table. Styles then returned to the ring and propelled himself off of the top rope and delivered a Phenomenal Forearm that put Shinsuke through the table and this time prohibited him from answering the referee’s count of ten.

RAW Women’s Championship
Nia Jax (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
Winner:  No contest
This match appeared as if it would be a massacre of biblical proportions by Nia Jax in the early going but Ronda proceeded to put her submission skills on display. Just as it appeared Rousey was going to get the armbar submission victory, the newly crowned Miss Money in the Bank interfered leading to a no contest.

RAW Women’s Championship Match TWO
Nia Jax (c) vs. Alexa Bliss
Winner: Alexa Bliss via pinfall
After disposing of Ronda Rousey by throwing her over the German announce table, Alexa beat Nia with the briefcase, cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase, and hit the Twisted Bliss to become the new RAW Women’s Champion!!!

Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens vs. Bobby Roode vs. The Miz vs. Rusev vs. Kofi Kingston
Winner: Braun Strowman
The onset of this match showed the other seven combatants join forces to take out Strowman and after he was driven to the stage by a series of ladder strikes, the other participants proceeded to bury him under several ladders. “The Monster Among Men” couldn’t be subdued for long however… Braun Strowman (with Kofi Kingston clinging on to his back) raced Finn Balor up the ladder as all of the other men were out of the picture. Braun proceeded to swat Balor off the ladder, tossed Kofi away like a bug, and easily attained the briefcase earning a title shot, presumably against Brock Lesnar, whenever he wants.

 

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Sunday, June 17, 2018

Claressa Shields vs. Hanna Gabriels

Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Claressa Shields (5-0, 2 KOs) is scheduled to fight Hanna Gabriels (18-1-1, 11 KOs) on June 22nd in Detroit. The two top-notch female fighters will square off in a ten round bout for the vacant IBF/WBA Women's Middleweight Title on Showtime. Shields, an undefeated fighter from nearby Flint, is coming off of a unanimous decision victory over women's middleweight contender Tori Nelson. Costa Rica's Gabriels, who is making her American pro debut, has one blemish on her veteran record, a TKO loss to Oxandia Castillo in 2013.

This title fight sits on top of a ten fight card, that also features another women's middleweight bout between Christina Hammer (22-0, 10 KOs) and Tori Nelson (17-1-3, 2 KOs) for Hammer's WBC/WBO Women's Middleweight Title. This match should be of interest to the winner of Shields vs. Gabriels in that it is likely that the winner will face Hammer or Nelson in their next bout. Hammer, an undefeated fighter from Germany, looks to preserve her perfect record in her American pro debut. Nelson, who is coming off of a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Claressa Shields, hopes to get back in the win column, and potentially get a rematch against the popular, Shields.

The card, which will take place at the Masonic Temple, will also feature the following professional bouts:

Umar Salamov (20-1, 15 KOs) vs. Brian Howard (13-1, 10 KOs) - ten rounds, light heavyweights for the IBF North American Light Heavyweight Title

Bakhtiyar Eyubov (13-0, 11 KOs) vs. Nicholas Givhan (21-1-1, 11 KOs) - ten rounds, junior welterweights

Aslambek Idigov (12-0, 5 KOs) vs. James Ballard (10-1, 3 KOs) - ten rounds, light heavyweights

Jarico O'Quinn (8-0-1, 5 KOs) vs. Yaqub Kareem (14-9-1, 8 KOs) - eight rounds, bantamweights

Franchon Crews-Dezurn (3-1, 1 KO) vs. Crystal Byers (0-3) - six rounds, female super middleweights

Apti Davtaev (14-0-1, 13 KOs) vs. Cory Phelps (16-10-1, 8 KOs) - eight rounds, heavyweights

Leon Lawson III (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. TBA - six rounds, junior middleweights

Joseph Bonas (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Michael Klekotta (1-2, 1 KO) - four rounds, welterweights




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