Morning Sports Report; Oct. 1, 2009
VICK DOES NOT HAVE AN ENDORSEMENT CONTRACT WITH NIKE
Contrary to a slew of reports that came out late yesterday, Nike has confirmed that it is not signing an endorsement contract with Michael Vick.
My take: Good! There is no bigger Nike whore than me, but this situation had me re-accessing my allegiance to the swoosh. Even our good friend Randy Capps had blogged his disapproval (although it’s been updated).
But good for Nike; I’m not saying it’s the most ethical organization, but it knew this would be suicide to align itself with Vick.
CHICAGO FAVORED FOR 2016 OLYMPICS
The International Olympic Committee will decide Friday which city — Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid or Tokyo — will host the 2016 Summer Olympics. British bookmakers have Chicago as the favorite, followed by Rio.
My take: I had the pleasure of attending several events at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and would love the chance to see the Games in Chicago.
And with President Obama and Oprah being in Copenhagen for the vote tomorrow, how can’t the IOC select Chicago?
KIMBO SLICE GETS BEAT … AGAIN
Mixed martial arts “star” Kimbo Slice was beat by my twin, Roy Nelson, last night.
My take: I’m yet to get on the MMA bandwagon, but has Kimbo won a single bout in his career? I know he was an Internet “sensation”, but it seems every fight he’s been in, he loses.
I don’t think Chicago should get the Games. My vote’s for Rio.
The Olympics have never been in South America. It’s time.
Yeah, had to do some editing after the Nike P.R. folks came out blazing this morning. But to me, giving him gear to wear is very much like signing him as an endorser.
Think about it. Why give him gear if you don’t want folks to identify him with the product?
Comment by randycapps — October 1, 2009 @ 11:04 am
Kimbo is actually 3-2, although I can’t imagine who the 3 tomato cans were that he beat.
If you watch the Ultimate Fighter, you would see that while Kimbo is working hard to make himself into a MMA fighter, he’s a street fighter, and nothing more at this point.
Roy Nelson was at least 40 lbs. over weight, and yet Kimbo couldn’t do a thing with him. Kimbo needs to stick to Youtube, because that’s the only place he will ever be a star.
Comment by heelatious — October 1, 2009 @ 11:29 am
Kimbo has to learn that everyone is not gonna stand up and brawl with him. I think he could be a decent MMA fighter but he surely has to work on some ground game, even if it just defense, and some sort of martial arts. I think he would have a better shot a being a boxer instead of a MMA’r.
Comment by bhatcher — October 1, 2009 @ 11:57 am
I agree. I think if the ground game wasn’t an option, he’d be much more successful.
Comment by randycapps — October 1, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
Why isn’t Kinston in the running to host the Olympics? Or Trenton?
Comment by killdozer — October 1, 2009 @ 2:21 pm
Kimbo is completely helpless on the ground. The shots Roy Nelson put him away with were weak, but he had isolated one of Kimbo’s arms in the crucifix position, and he couldn’t do anything. I agree, I think he’s got a better shot as a boxer, than as a mixed martial artist.
Since we seem to have some more MMA fans, whose some of your favorites. Some of my favorites to watch fight are Diego Sanchez, Lyoto Machida, Kenny Florian, BJ Penn, Anderson Silva and Urijah Faber, who is wide open all the time. Chris Lytle is another fighter that never disappoints inside the octagon, win or lose. I respect GSP’s skills, but I would love nothing better than to see somebody whip his rear end.
Comment by heelatious — October 1, 2009 @ 9:42 pm
Almost forgot about Jose Aldo. His 8 second knockout of Cub Swanson was remarkable. He came running out of his corner, and hit Swanson with a flying knee that split Swanson’s head open just above one of his eyes. If you haven’t seen it, go to youtube and take a look at it.
Aldo and Mike Brown hook up later this year, and that should be a war.
Comment by heelatious — October 1, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
Machida, Penn, Anderson Silva are most def in my top 5. I like to watch Clay Guida as well. He isn’t the best fighter, but his fights are always entertaining because he is going 1000 mph. He is one tough tough dude too.
Comment by bhatcher — October 1, 2009 @ 11:27 pm