Random Coyote Howlings
 By Coyote Duran (Dec 18, 2006)
Sometimes the Howl comes out when I least expect it. When it happens, I’ve gotta scrawl ‘til I can’t scrawl no mo’! in this edition of ‘Random Coyote Howlings’, we look at the future of pay-per-view boxing, a lousy decision that DIDN’T happen in boxing, great local bands, pain-in-the-ass 12-year olds and Barry Gibb: Country music star? Wait, don’t leave! Stick around and check out ‘Random Coyote Howlings!’
Just to give you the scoop on the poop that keeps you in the loop (Thank you, Chef George Duran!), so you don’t get all misdirected and confused, our Brothers-in-Arms at Maxboxing.com, in conjunction with Bobby Bostick Promotions, will
be bringing you another live pay-per-view boxing event tonight featuring the double-tough Joan Guzman, 26-0 (17), in his first defense of the WBO super featherweight strap he gained from Jorge Barrios back in September (8 PM ET/5 PM PST/7 PM central). The opponent? Antonio Davis, 22-2 (11). With the undeniably positive response and success that Messrs. Randall, Fischer, Kim, Gerbasi, et al. received with their first foray into the pay-per-view-via-the-internet world (which featured IBF welterweight titlist Kermit Cintron vs. Mark Suarez), combined with a very low-price along with great membership options, it’s a no-brainer that the Max-Boys are taking a sleeper idea and evolving it into something fresh and exciting to carry into the New Year. And the less we media contemporaries give props to those who helped throw this excellent idea of viewing fights into the spotlight, the more we risk tearing Our Sport further away from the mainstream consciousness. You wanna order it? Go here, pals: www.maxboxing.com/ppv/order.html.
I’ve gotta tell ya, I’m not a Justin Timberlake supporter, especially since he so eloquently insulted Taylor Hicks by claiming that Hicks “couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket” (Obviously, I’m a member of ‘The Soul Patrol.’ Sue me.) but I have to give credit where it’s due. The guy’s got comic skills. Much like his first foray into hosting NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Timberlake made with the funny and effortlessly, at that. Key highlights of this past Saturday night’s broadcast: A Digital Short where Timberlake teams with Andy Samberg do work a ‘90s-style R&B jam about the perfect Christmas gift, Timberlake’s return as a rapping, singing mascot for a soup kitchen called ‘Homelessville’ and ‘The Barry Gibb Talk Show’ which brought back Jimmy Fallon for this episode as Barry Gibb. “Talkin’ ‘bout chest hair…talkin’ ‘bout crazy cool medallions!” Classic!...
When I watch a cat like Edison Miranda deep-six the likes of Willie Gibbs in one round, I can’t help but think that the middleweight division is in some serious trouble. I was rather intrigued to hear Max Kellerman ask Miranda why he’s still interested in IBF titlist Arthur Abraham when the recognized world champion is Jermain Taylor. It’s not that I wouldn’t want to see a rematch between Miranda and Abraham. I definitely do. But it’s nice to see that while under HBO’s employ, the somewhat ignorant mentality of the network hasn’t entire clouded his desire to recognize real champions. I would just like to know why he didn’t mention The Ring magazine by name, though. As much as he carried on about it while at ESPN2, it makes me curious as to what he’s exactly allowed to talk about by HBO’s standards.
…which makes the fact that the real-life Barry Gibb isn’t actually throwing karate kicks while having a hissy and screaming “I’M BARRY FREAKING GIBB!” quite funny. The real Barry Gibb is reportedly planning on putting together his own country music album. Gibb: "I am a country artist, always have been a country artist, and this is my chance to get some self-expression out because the group (The Bee Gees) is no longer the group." First I’ve heard of this. Hmm…tunes about broken hearts and whiskey done in a falsetto voice? Don’t think so. What’s ironic is that just recently, Gibb bought a lakefront house that used to belong to late country legend Johnny Cash. That same ‘Man in Black’ is probably spinning like a drive shaft in his grave.
Although In-Jin Chi did regain his WBC featherweight strap via unanimous decision Sunday over Rudy Lopez, the win is slightly bittersweet. With Humberto Soto now apparently campaigning as a junior lightweight, his deserved clash with anyone who held the WBC title at 126 pounds is now a forgone thought. Since leaping into the spotlight by upsetting Rocky Juarez in 2005, Soto has gone on a tear, knocking out his next three opponents and making his presence known at 130 pounds. And in the land of Pacquiaos, Barreras and Valeros, Soto’s understated-yet-overlooked presence will only add excitement and intrigue to what’s arguably the game’s hottest division.
It’s official: Publishing giant HarperCollins has fired ReganBooks’ Judith Regan in a ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ move which likely stemmed from Regan’s involvement in the now-dead O.J. Simpson book-and-interview vehicle ‘If I Did It.’ If you’re naïve enough to beg for a substantiated reason for Regan’s dismissal, it can merely be summed up in one word: DUH.
James Toney working with Tae-Bo pioneer Billy Blanks? Far from the body beautiful, ‘Lights Out’ was dangerous enough without a conditioner. If he can get himself used to a new approach (in such short time, being that his upcoming rematch with Samuel Peter is right around the corner on January 6) to stamina, Peter’s screwed.
I don’t watch the show but the rest of The Coyote Pack watches ‘Survivor.’ By now, you know that Yul won by ONE vote over Ozzie, who dominated immunity challenges and looked like a shoo-in for the million bones. That being said, I’m glad I’m not a fan of the show. It wouldn’t pay to be an addict of TWO televised forms of competitive entertainment where sh__ty decisions run rampant.
IBF lightweight titlist Jesus Chavez vs. Julio Diaz on Showtime, February 3? IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME! It would be kickass on it’s own but it’s stapled to…
So I guess it’s someone else complaining about Kanye West instead of Crybaby Kanye complaining about everything else. Legendary (and very, very former) stuntman Evel Knievel is suing West for copyright infringement relating to West’s using imagery familiar to Knievel’s famous-yet-unsuccessful Snake River Canyon jump in his video ‘Touch the Sky.’ Wow. It looks like West finally has something genuine to cry about. Kanye believe it?
…the WBC light heavyweight titlist Tomasz Adamek’s third defense of his belt against the undefeated ‘Bad’ Chad Dawson. Whatta way to start the year! But to be fair, it is a helluva counterpunch to HBO’s January 20’s World Championship Boxing telecast of The Ring World Champion Ricky Hatton’s second defense of the real junior welterweight championship against IBF junior welterweight titleholder Juan ‘Iron Twins’ Urango. Good fights, Howlers. Let’s hope a fresh New Year means starting over and having a competitive and eye-pleasing schedule war between HBO and Showtime without overlapping on the same night. Let’s have a solid 12 months where the fans REALLY win.
On December 3, an unnamed 12-year old boy in South Carolina was turned in by his mother when the ‘disruptive’ (according to his mother) lad opened his Game Boy Advance (It was a Christmas gift) early. Sure, he had issues, but damn…all this time, I thought my mother was a dick.
Speaking of the upcoming Hatton-Urango fight, not unlike the very pleasing Adamek-Dawson/Chavez-Diaz, the co-feature involving Jose Luis Castillo vs. undefeated Cameroonian Herman Ngoudjo. It’s easy to overlook a name like Ngoudjo’s but consider that in only his 12th fight, ‘The Black Panther’ would beat the wildly popular hard-luck hero Emanuel Augustus over 12 rounds, unanimously. Does he have a chance in hell to beat ‘El Temible’? Oh, of course. Will he get beaten by Castillo? It’s way more feasible gathering that Castillo’s body has been aching to climb a weight class and his power’s goin’ with him. All in all, another great appetizer leading into a very intriguing main course.
Will Sylvester Stallone get the last laugh when his fistic swansong ‘Rocky Balboa’ hits screens on December 20? It’s lookin’ real good, kids. Let’s just put it this way, when Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper (a personal idol of mine and fellow smartass) give the sixth film in the ‘Rocky Saga’ two thumbs up, you have to wonder if something seriously cool is on the horizon. Some things in life come full-circle. It’s nice to see that 30 years later, Sly can make a flick that not only (possibly) speaks to the fight faithful, but makes his life and most beloved character both come full-circle. I’ll be in line, kids.
Just to clear up something with any of you who thought I erred in statement when I said that Ricky Hatton would be defending the real World Junior Welterweight Championship against Juan Urango, I meant what I said. Since Hatton did not vacate his Ring belt when he visited the welterweight division to challenge Luis Collazo for the WBA 147-pound belt and ‘The Bible of Boxing’ did not strip him of his belt for jumping classes (unlike what most sanctioning bodies are compelled to do), he’s still the man to beat at 140 whether the suits at HBO, the ringside analysts or the ring announcers like it or not. But Urango will still get to come to the ring second. Hmmph. What can ya do? Oh, before I’m done with this paragraph, I’d like to say this to the WBA for stripping Jermain Taylor of their ‘Economy-Sized Middleweight Title’ or whatever the hell they call it: F__k you, bozos.
Former Phish lead singer Trey Anastasio was arrested on December 15 for possessing drugs. When I first heard this, I thought, “SO?!” But when I heard that the drugs in question were Percocet, Xanax and Hydrocodone, I had to bow my head in sadness. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned ‘shrooms, Trey? 
If you haven’t heard enough of me rambling about the Ring, brace yourself for more. For those of you who don’t know yet, The Ring has put together its very own ratings advisory panel which aids the core group of writers and editors in compiling the most comprehensive and accurate ratings list available today. Prior to the formation of said committee, I, along with many other internet personalities who cover boxing, was invited to participate. Of course, I jumped at the chance but had to wonder, with the internet as huge as it obviously is, was I going to be just one name among many? Well, upon reading the list when the big announcement was made public, I found my name among a pantheon of greats in the boxing press community including Maxboxing’s Doug Fischer, Dr. Margaret Goodman, Cliff Rold from Ring Talk.com, and President of the BWAA, Tim Graham among other prominent names. It sort of made me feel like I was the Blue Beetle among Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern. So, if this is the Justice League of Boxing, then I’m damn privileged to be part of it. If this reduces the idiotic tactics of the alphabet groups when composing their lousy lists, then call me a member for life.
If you’re in the southwest suburban Chicago area and you can score the opportunity to shoot into Aurora, take some time to visit Walter Payton’s Roundhouse. The Roundhouse, which is the oldest existing limestone structure roundhouse in the United States, was actually a building and repair shop for the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad originated in the mid-1800s. In 1995, the late former Chicago Bear, Walter Payton and his partners were unanimously permitted by the Aurora City Council to redevelop the Roundhouse to what it is today: A grand building that houses a giant award-winning brewpub, top-notch restaurant, entertainment accommodations and a tribute museum dedicated to the man once known as ‘Sweetness.’ Two suggestions: Try the homemade jambalaya and their in-house brewed Scotch Ale called ‘Let’s Get Buck Naked and Brew Scotch Ale’. The ten-ounce ale is served in a snifter and limited to two per customer per visit. At four bucks a pop, it’s worth it, kids. If you dig great food, great beer and you have a love affair with the Chicago Bears, get here and quick. You can visit the Roundhouse at www.walterpaytonsroundhouse.com.
Have you checked out www.boxingemag.com/ yet? Do it, Howlers. Javiel Centeno, co-founder/ace photog for www.fightwireimages.com, owns the site which combines internet convenience and speed with a slick magazine-like look which actually combines savvy graphic design and an actually magazine structure. In his pursuit of fresh boxing news, Centeno also uses his publication as a partial compilation of some of the best internet fight prose out there. What really impressed me about Javiel’s professionalism was how in a reprint of an article about Juan Diaz that I wrote for Doghouse Boxing, Javiel, did not omit my mention of Joel Casamayor possessing a Ring magazine belt, unlike Boxing Digest, who ‘Photoshopped’ The Ring’s logo off the welterweight championship belt Cory Spinks was sporting in a photo published within BD’s pages. And that’s pretty damn cool.
Last but not least (speaking of the Roundhouse), I’d like you to introduce you to a new Chicagoland musical staple who is gaining some serious buzz. The band, who I got to check out at the Roundhouse is Lazy Maybes, a cover band, primarily, yet with a sound all their own. Possessive of a tight sound and impeccable musicianship with a laid-back emphasis on fun, the Maybes have a sound reminiscent of one of my favorite bands, Fastball. I got to meet the Maybes’ drummer, Derek (“D-Money!”) and was delighted to find a humble rocker who idolizes to death a man I compared his frenetic rhythm style to, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters (who once hit the skins for Nirvana). If you ever get a chance to get to the southwest suburban Chicago area (I’m sounding like a shill for the Chamber of Commerce now, aren’t I?), track these cats down and rock out. I paid six clams to see ‘em at the Roundhouse and got treated to an almost FOUR-HOUR show. Do me a favor and visit ‘D-Money’, Jake, Mike, Ben and John at www.myspace.com/lazymaybes and download their stuff on their main page. It’s a good time, I promise you. That being said, Lazy Maybes, for giving a damn about making some great tunes, loving what you do and charging me a paltry $6.00 to hear ‘em, you’re in my Howl Of Fame.
Prior to checking out Lazy Maybes, the last time Coyote Duran paid six dollars for four hours of entertainment, he wound up with a rash for a month.
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