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Ricky Hatton, Ricky Fatton, does it matter?
In the build up to the Ricky Hatton versus
fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas this weekend, Hatton's alter ego "Ricky Fatton" once again came up. Hatton's coach, Floyd Mayweather senior, has said categorically that Hatton should quit the booze (and, presumably the pies) between fights. He has at times ballooned by over 40 lbs between fights, hence the nickname. Mayweather reckons that any drinking will 'catch up' with Hatton, while Ricky reckons that as long as he gets in shape for each fight, why should he change the habits of a very successful career.
Not being a physician, or even a nutritionist, I'd be curious to know whether his between-fights 'regime' will really hurt Ricky Hatton, or whether the effects will simply be felt in the longer term - especially if he becomes "Ricky Fatton" once he stops boxing altogether....
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
Athletes Missing the Point on Lottery Funding?
I was distressed to read this week that Andy Turner, the British 110m hurdler has decided to appeal against his lottery funding. When UK Athletics start making the tough decisions that they can't avoid if they are to produce the goods in London, the athletes start whinging to the press.Turner strikes me as a decent international athlete, but he's not World Class. Stating that he'd need to find a sponsor or work part-time he complained, "It's going to be tough but I have to do it as I've still got dreams of winning a medal in the Olympics."
You know what, maybe he will, but it doesn't strike me that he's demonstrated his that to date.
Meanwhile many other athletes that narrowly miss out will accept that a ruthless focus on the athletes that can bring back medals is what this country needs, if it is to build on the success of Beijing.
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
Should Joe Calzaghe Retire?
Joe Calzaghe achieved one of his dreams by comprehensively beating Roy Jones Jr last night at Madison Square Gardens, his 46th straight win as a professional boxer. In the past he suggested that he woudl retire if he did. So should he?
Well, he is 36, and perhaps his opponent hould be considered as one reason why not. At 39, Jones Jr is not the boxer that he has been through a glittering career. Calzaghe has the opportunity to retire at the top of the sport, an unbeaten and undisputed champion.Lennox Lewis certainly agrees. Claiming that Calzaghe has "nothing left to prove" he saidd he should go now. His former promoter, Frank Warren, thinks that even though he has no need for the money, Calzaghe will opt to fight on.
Many of the arguments for retirement are 'ego' arguments. Go while your record is unblemished, while you have nothing to prove. What if Joe Calzaghe simply feels that he can challenge himself further to go on? What if he loves to box, and will do so as long as he is allowed? So what if he might lose along the way?
Of course, the decision is not simple. It certainly isn't purely a rational one. Lennox Lewis also said that Calzaghe needs to have other things in his life other than boxing. Life after professional sport is hard if you are unprepared. Actually, it can be hard even if you are.
The mature athlete does have other interest, be it family, business or simply a hobby. Their sport is not all-consuming, not identity-threatening. But a lot of athletes are not in that place when they retire. Athletes can suffer emotional problems as they 'grieve' for their loss - of status, of success, of pride, of many things. Research has shown that drug an alcohol problems are common for former athletes.
So perhaps the question for Joe Calzaghe is "are you ready to retire?". Has he planned for it, has be prepared for the physical and emotional 'come down' from such an exciting and rewarding career? Does he know how to proceed with the next stage of his life? Does he have the emotional and social support to get through any difficult times?
If he can answer "yes" to those types of question, then his answer should be "yes". But then, if he is not ready, what then? Like having a baby, maybe you can't be competely prepared. In boxing, that must be better than shuffling around the ring, waiting to take a battering, or worse, because that's the reality of boxing.
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
DIY Promotion and Roy Jones vs Joe Calzaghe
The BBC this morning is reporting that tonight's Roy Jones Jr versus
Joe Calzaghe fight at Madison Square Gardens has been suffering from a low-key build up and
sluggish ticket sales.Some might say that the problem is that the two guys involved are both 'nice guys', while both counter that you don't have to have bust ups to sell a fight.
One thing's true. There's no professional promoter for this fight. No Frank Warren, no.. ...dare I say it... Don King to raise the temperature. This fight was agreed with a text message, the takings are being split 50:50 and in many ways this fight is the antidote to the ills of the sport.
On the other hand, sometimes you just have to accept that there are professionals who, despite appearing to take a lot of money for their input - whether it be promoting a sports event, selling a house, or or marketing a product, do actually create value. They may take a larger slice of the pie, but if they are good the whole pie is big enough for everyone.
Check out more sports marketing blogs & articles.
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
