21st Century Boxing

Here goes again. I hear the fight between Derek ‘Del Boy’ Chisora and David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye has now been sanctioned by the WBA and the WBO.
In a Statement released earlier today, Paco Valcarcel, president of the WBO, said, “We have to go ahead and approve the fight. The Luxembourg Boxing Federation is a member of the WBO and the problem is between the LBF and the British Boxing Board of Control, not the LBF and the WBO.”

The “Licensed To Thrill” card, is being staged by BoxNation in association with Hayemaker boxing.
Now, I may still have separate thoughts about the overall quality of live boxing being aired on the pay channel but they have delivered this fight. And clearly, judging by the number of tickets it has already sold, it is a fight the public wants to see.
The British boxing board of control will not sanction the fight and have stated they will terminate the license of anyone taking part.
Also, siding with the BBBoC are the WBC, stating they will remove licenses of those involved, including the suspension of the Luxembourg Boxing Federation, whose affiliation with WBA and WBO has sanctioned the fight.
Just for a second, consider this… The WBC are the same governing body that allowed Mike Tyson to fight for their version of the heavyweight title after he had bitten off Evander Holyfield’s ear.

I’m going to keep it quite simple really..
And it is a question to those again considering themselves the purists of this sport.
Do you really believe that it is the actions of boxers that are bringing the sport into such disrepute?

If you really do, then here’s a suggestion for you all…
The reality is that is the combined efforts of the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, WBU, IBO et al that are actually killing boxing. You are like the boxing equivalents of religions, each one of you proclaiming to be the ones that will clean up the sport. What a complete nonsense.
So, 2012 will see the commencement of a new tournament.
Forget the Super 6!
I give you the regulating bodies barn burner…
A knock out tournament to the death, leaving only one remaining governing body.
Where does that leave us then?
Well, next up, Goldenboy, Hatton, Don King, Showtime, Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn, Frank Maloney and cohorts duke it out to become the head honcho.
The boxing boards of control of all nations swear allegiance to them, or are terminated themselves.
A new universal proclamation is made, The magna carta of boxing is created by A committee of elder boxing statesman, as voted for by the paying public, which boxers, promoters, boards of control and the the chief of the new world order all sign up to.
Chisora and Haye get it on, Haye wins, fights Vitali Klitschko, loses, retires properly this time, and boxing takes over world as millions switch allegiances back from the UFC.
It may be confusing for a while but the public will see the fights that they want to see and we’ll be rid of this alphabetic chaos.
As it all falls together, Mayweather fights Pacquiao and 21st century boxing is baptised and again crowned king, on the same night.
Simple!

Someone Telling Stories?

Sometimes life has the habit of running away from you.
And, hands up in the air, I’m as guilty as the next man of not stopping to take a breath and totally appreciating everything that is going on around me.
Why has there never been a Ferris Bueller t-shirt with this quote on??

How about something a little different?

Asking your friends to suggest music thats ‘something different’ is potentially opening a door that you might not be ready to walk through. I’m always willing to try something new though.
In fact, I’m a great believer in always trying something twice. That may partly explain why I’ve always learnt things the hard way.
But, it also might explain why so very often, I change my thinking about something that others may be quick to dismiss.
Anyway, below is my take on the suggestions given to me by my friends. Quite a mixture, I think you’ll agree…

If Carlsberg did reunions?

Yes, you all know how it works. If Carlsberg did reunions they would probably be the best reunions in the world. Everything would be just perfect. It would organise itself without a hitch, everyone would agree on a location and everyone that everyone wanted would be able to attend. Folk would be talking about it for years to come and it would be the envy of all those that failed to make it. But as in all good stories, there’s a happy ending. Nobody would have missed it at all, because it would have been the best reunion ever. Keep up!

A New Era for Boxing?

Am I the only person who is seeing that a positive effect can still come of the weekends boxing events?
Of course, I am referring to the slap, the water spitting and the brawling which have all overshadowed a magnificent performance by a British boxer, challenging for a (and once most prestigious) version of the Heavyweight championship of the world.
The boxing experts, governing bodies, promoters and worlds press are all onboard the band wagon, criticising and expressing their disgust at the behaviour of men who fight for a living.
Does anyone else sense just a little irony here?

Doors close on Tim Peaks Diner.

Today sees the doors close on Tim Peaks Diner. But this isn’t another business calling time amidst a countries financial woes. This sees the end (?)of the hugely successful brainchild of Charlatans front man Tim Burgess.
Tim Peaks Diner is a virtual cafe that people can pop into by simply dropping Tim @Tim_Burgess a tweet or twenty on social networking site Twitter. The diner plays host to tens of thousands of people during it’s opening hours and boasts quite a significant selection of coffees, teas, spice infusions, shakes and more. The selection is…well, endless. Whatever your mind can concoct, Tim can serve up. And it’s a diner, so if you feel the need for something a little more substantial then you can always treat yourself to a selection of cupcakes, muffins, biscuits…hey he’ll even rustle you up a sandwich if you ask nicely. (the vegetarian selection is outstanding)

There is a jukebox too, which will always keep you smiling. Tim’s eclectic mix of musical tastes kick off each morning with #timsbreakfastbanger which is aired shortly after opening hours. There then ensues many other playlists and some corking tunes. Where else could you here Prince singing with the muppets, Kraftwerk and The Beach Boys all played by one dj.
All very interesting I hear you say, but what makes makes this diner so special for it’s residents?
Well…for a kick off, Tim personally dishes out the orders. In the virtual world, this means personal responses to each ‘tweet’ received. Translated into social media speak, this means that, with over 20000 followers, he’s dedicating a fair old amount of time to interacting with his fans.
In the months that the doors have been opening, that’s quite some tweeting, and quite some typing. There’s been the live events too.. Not content at being totally virtual, the diner doors entered the physical world for some real life human interaction over twitter too. I think Mr Burgess might refer to that as a touch of psychedelic irony…but who am I to second guess him.
The Charlatans albums listening parties from Nashville, Dublin, Manchester et al were all smashing events for those who attended too.
Having had the pleasure of meeting him on one occasion, it’s a double dose of gratitude that has to expressed in closing the review.
For the musical memories that pretty much define the soundtrack of a generation, for keeping going and, in keeping with the subject of the blog, for opening the doors of Tim Peaks Diner to us all, we thank you.
I think everyone who has stopped by will testify, it’s been an enormous amount of fun.

Go on, get over to Tim Peaks Diner today.
If your quick…and I mean really quick, you might catch Tim for that last cuppa!
Or Check out The Charlatans
And look out for Tim’s autobiography coming soon…

One For the Ladies…

And quite possibly some of the guys.
Whilst looking through some of this years photos I realised that for me, it’s been as good a year for gigs as I’ve had in some time.
Long gone are those days of at least one gig per month and a festival sprinkled in for good measure though.
Oh no, that kind of regularity dramatically reduced around 9 years ago.
And, if I’m honest, it’s probably a good thing. The old bones may still like the odd venture to the front of the crowd, but in reality the old bones are..well just that. Fighting my way to the front to stand crushed against the pit barrier for the duration was always an attractive proposition in my younger years, but now, not tso much. I’m now quite content to stand back a little and enjoy the show, just out of  ’nutter’ or ‘moshpit’ range. One thing I have learnt though, is that there is no such thing as out of beer range. That stuff (and all other discharged plastic pint glass contents) will hit you no matter where you stand.
Anyway, I digress. (funny that eh)
2011 has been particularly memorable for gigs, for a number of reasons, but that 9 years plays a large part.

June saw a welcome return (ahem) for Take That to Glasgow, and more specifically to Hampden Park. My previous outing to the home of our countries national team was to witness a courageous performance against the World chamions Spain, which I’ll not harp on about because tonights post is about music..
I was lucky enough (lucky, ahem again, really!!) to get a hold of a number of tickets for Take That.
And so it was, that we decided to let this be young Heather’s first ever gig (if you discount Attic Lights at Skyfest a few years back) and she was really excited about going. Not wanting to miss Heather experience the gig, I went along, but in fairness, not particularly over-enamoured with the band, tried to play it cool. As gigs go, the music was, well Take That. Possibly the nicest way to put it.
However, as shows go, I have to say it was a pretty fine display.
As stage entrances go, the band themselves made a pretty drab walk on to start with, but re-united with Robbie Williams to come cascading down a waterfall to The Flood was not too shabby. More so Mr WIlliams solo entrance was nothing short of showmanship epitomised. Heather was mesmerized.
I have to say, I quite enjoyed myself. Yes, so moving on.

July saw me en route to another sporting event that I’ll not talk about just now. But, the night before flying out to Germany I went along to Haigh Hall Contry Park in Wigan to see one of Manchester’s current finest, The Courteeners. I’d wanted to see them for a while and never made it along to the smaller venues on their previous visits to Scotland. So it was, in relatively native surroundings for them, I watched a thoroughly enjoyable summers evening set. What’s so memorable about this gig is that never more was it apparent, that age is catching up with me. Not only did Mr Osborne and I not touch a drop of alcohol…but we actually found ourselves leaving as the final number of the encore started. Nine or ten years ago there is absolutely no way you would have found me leaving to get out the car park early, whilst a song like “Not Nineteen Forever” bounced through the evening air. How apt  too.

Later in July, The Charlatans headlined the Split festival in Sunderland.
Another first for Heather as well as her Auntie Tina. A great gig, for which, yes, we made our way to the front to stand against the pit barrier. In Heather’s case, sit on it. Big thanks to the brilliant security team and also to Mr Burgess who waved and sang to Heather. Another first, and for me, there’s always something particularly special about Charlatans gigs.

On to November.
Voodoo Rooms in Edinbugh played host to the one and only (Andrew) Roachford, who ironically was the first band I ever saw live, way back in 1989 at Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom. Every time I see him perform he seems to get better. Believe me when I say, (especially those of you who think Cuddly Toy was his only hit) this is someone you should go and see live. Truly a wonderful voice.

So, perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea but if I dare, perhaps not actually over just yet.
I’ve secured a ticket to see The Stone Roses in Manchester next year, which means breaking my own self imposed rule about “Never going to see a re-formed band.” I’ll make an expcetion though, just this once.

So, in closing, the title of the post was “One for the ladies” and so I’ll stick to that.

Here, for you, in it’s unedited 11 minutes of glory is Robbie Williams making his way out onto Hampden Park.Fantastic camera work Heather!
Probably also worth saying…(through gritted teeth) The noise was louder than that I have heard at any Scotland match.

Enjoy. Yes…I did!

Life Begins!

11 years ago I embarked on a year long period of self-imposed abstinence from alcohol.Many said I was mad, most just said I couldn’t possibly last that long.

10 years ago, I celebrated my 30th birthday and had my very first drink for a year.
I’d managed to raise some money for charity, get fit, prove a few people wrong and said goodbye to a thoroughly enjoyably military career.

Last year, I decided it was time to get right back to basics..and what fun it was too.
Some of the best times I’ve had in years were in the last year, simply spent walking, playing like a kid, talking and my favourite, listening!
I heard some wonderful views.
Some interesting opinions on a wide variety of topics.
It has to be said, I did my fair share of provoking a lot of opinions too.
Growing the hair long, that goatee beard and periods of being teetotal and vegetarian all brought comments.

So, last month, I turned 40. My one piece of advice to anyone who considers this is just another birthday is to think again. Looking back at my life and recollecting a lot of the experiences that have brought me to where I am right now has been a lot of fun. But it’s also been quite humbling.  I’ve learnt a lot about myself and the amazing world I live in. No longer is their a fire burning of desire to prove folks wrong. That was then.
This is now. There is still a fire burning inside. Only now, many would say it’s for putting my feet up by….

This year I realised how truly grateful I am for the life I have.  A year that showed me how many great friends I have.
Family and close friends that I see and talk to regularly. Work colleagues, old friends that I’ve got back in touch with recently and Facebook friends that I share a lot of laughs with.
For making my birthday, nay, my life so special, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The below are dedicated to you all, my Beautiful Friends.
Here’s to the next 40. Slainte!

The one below is especially for those who prefer I keep it brief .

365 Days in the Life

Wasn’t too sure about posting these on here but I guess I’m getting too old to care about what folk might think. One look at my attire in these videos taken almost 10 years ago though, you may suggest that I can’t have cared for a long time. Well, it’s happening. I’ll be 40 later this year, so why not remind the world of what I was up to 10 years ago. 365 Days in the Life, Part 2 in progress? Dont doubt it. Enjoy!

Graeme, What’s going on?

I’ve been thinking it might be time to re-visit this.

Quite a number of people have asked me that very question in recent months.
Maybe I should explain.
Around the turn of the year, during the period I was writing the India diary, folks started commenting on things changing about me….(I already know what’s running through some of your minds….no, not THAT change)
I’m not entirely sure which came first, but I think it was probably my refusal to listen to everyone that told me it was time for a haircut.
Truth is, I was finding it quite comfortable and even if I did look like Eddie Munster when it was gelled back, I wasn’t too bothered.
I was replying to folks with things like,
“What others think I should look like doesnt necessarily mean I’m going to conform to their idea of the best look for me”
And sometimes less eloquently, “Live with it.”
A few raised eyebrowes started.
You can imagine then, when I dug out “that” old leather trench coat, the comments started fyling thick and fast.
That’s when the “What’s going on?” really started.
The comparisons, (the looky likeys) started coming in thick and fast as well.
“Oy Neo” commented one.
“Shaky’s back”
“Daddy you look like a murderer”
“Shut it Columbo”
“Go on, Clouseau, you solve it”

That’s just some of the names that were echoing around my workplace and among family and friends.
A few more;
The Equaliser, Herr Flick of the Gestapo, one of my work colleage’s Dad 25 years ago, (never met the man but still one of my favourites) Alfie Moon, Cracker, Young Superman, the medallion man from Fawlty Towers, Snake Plisken, Devo, (you might need to google that, I did) and an old favourite Tyrone Dobbs. Not forgetting Elvis.

Just under a month ago, and initially quite by accident, I went without a shave for a few days more than it takes to become noticeable on me…(OK that’s over a week, maybe almost two, which probably means you may not believe it was accidental.)
I’ve only ever tried growing a goatee once previously, about two years ago, to much hilarity.
I thought all the chat about the hair and jacket might distract folk this time….and to be fair I only had a few comments about it.
I began to think my remark to my boss about folk getting bored of talking about me was becoming a reality.
But very soon I realised why not too many comments were being made about the bum fluff..
My ‘budgie smugglers’ that appeared in the video that accompanied the end of the India diary had detracted the attention.
That was about three weeks ago.
In the two weeks that followed, more names were launched at me, but something strange had happened.
Not so many insults this time….
“Whatever you say Keanu”
Hugh Grant, Mark Owen, George Michael.
Not too bad that.
Then to last Monday. I had indicated to a few people, that I would embark on a trial period of becoming a vegetarian.
More eyebrows…
More “Whats going on?”
I went away for a weekend to the lakes and climbed Scafell Pike with a good friend of mine…Maybe he’ll confirm or deny if I’ve flipped.

Then last Friday… came this;
http://www.blipfoto.com/view.php?id=1008322&month=3&year=2011
Not much I can say about that really…

Is there any way of silencing the rumblings or will anything more I say fuel the fire further?

Well….what is going on Graeme?
Is this some kind of mid life crisis?
Has the visit to India and re-birth in the Ganges finally tipped me over the edge?
Hmmm, dunno, maybe.
The truth sometimes hurts. Often it confuses. And just occasionally, it cannot be comprehended.
So, for those of you who are still reading…
check this out

Maybe I am stark raving mad.
Maybe my mid life crisis is in full flow..
Maybe I’ve just broken into heaven or
Maybe I’m just having a laugh.

You decide

See you soon
G