A Couple Things XIV

-- The fight was awesome. Well, the actual fight had its moments, but it wasn't Hagler-Hearns or Castill-Corales (can't wait for Saturday). But, the atmosphere was ridculous.

I did realize that I don't necessarily like covering boxing. Sure, the ringside seats are dynamic and it's cool for a dude like me to get to kick it w/ Glen Johnson and Jeff Lacy. But, I'd much rather go to a fight w/ my boys, drink, people watch (translated: talent search) and cheer. That's the hugest drawback of attending a fight as a reporter.

I wanna be that dude losing my voice, standing outta my seat and actin a fool. It was, at times, torturous covering the fight. So many times I wanted to bellow out partisan cheers and use the word 'nigga' a lot. But I couldn't.

Me and my dudes already said that (since an overseas trip is probably a 2007 affair) a big 2006 trip could be a big Vegas fight. And it's gotta happen. it'd be a weekend to remember.

-- The Tampa crowd SUCKED!!! Oh they were loud and yes, the were raucous. But 1.) They booed homeboy Tarver. That's just stupid. And that's why I hate the South. Often, they allow transplants and visitors to just gangsta them into submission. You think if Tarver was a Philly native or NY native or Buff native or Chicago native...whatever native...you think he'd have been gettin booed while Jones got earsplitting applause?

No doubt, Jones is my Man, but hometown Tampa disgusted me with how they initially deserted Tarver. It wasn't until the 6th round, when Jones got tired and Tarver got tougher, that those idiots started reppin for the Tarver (if you think I'd ever denigrate Earvin Johnson by refering to pink-lip Tarver as Magic Man, well...you don't know me very well.)

See my man Tarver's face on the jumbo as his hometown booed him...I just felt sorry for my man.

2.) The talent was solid, but not like you'd expect for a fight of this magnitude. I mean, there were definitely emasculating woman prancing around with 2-inch waists and them thangs that make ya say 'Lawd'. (emasculating because you realize that on your best day, you have no chance. But then again, it only has to do w/ pocket-girth. I mean, Winky is a very regular looking and and regular-built dude, but the skeezers were on his bozak like no one's bitness.) So there were a good deal of Tarver-Jones III ladies, but not as many as the ones that made ya say 'Ewwww, put a bra on em.'

3.) Tampa/St. Pete is still acclimating itself to being the boxing capital of the nation. With Winky, Lacy and Tarver all from the Bay area; there will be more and more fights here. Especially after both the Lacy and Tarver-Jones fights sold out easily. But these knucklehead Bay-area fans think theyre at a football, hockey or baseball game. So they engage in STUPID, ANNOYING chants like "Let's Go Tarver!" What?!!?!?!!! That's not a boxing chant. What dorks. What we need is for some Hispanics to come rep at the spot, with their flags and whatnot...gettit poppin.

-- after the fight, I went to a little post-fight party that one of my co-workers threw. He lives in the Hyde park section of Tampa and I fell in ove with it. Reminds me of all my favorite sections of the cities I've lived in: Buff's Elmwood, DC's Dupont Circle, Atlanta's Lil Five Points, Orlando's Lake Eola Heights.

My editor urged me to live out in Hernando, since that's the county I'm covering. it makes perfect sense. Commuting to and from the communtiy youre covering, in first year, is not the move. I've learned so much about my County in these first two months and it's all about vicinity, proximity and just being around.

However, after my lease is up...I'm out and I'm moving to Hyde Park. Hyde Park is the kinda neighborhood that'll make you not wanna leave Tampa. It's quaint, it's hip, it's urban...I liked it.

-- Also, after stints with the AJC and Wash Post, I thought the Sentinel was an anomaly. Nowhere, I thought, would there a be a big paper, with this many young people. I was wrong. The Times is full of 23-35 year olds. And most of them are interesting and fun people. The difference is that, there seems to be a lot of couples at the Times...and we all don't live in the city -- so it's not exactly like the Sentinel. But I've met a good deal of challenging people.

Last night, we sat on my man Justin's porch, drank beer and wine and the Northeners and Southerners argued about the different ways each regions manifested racism and bigotry. Of course I was the only black dude...well there was another black dude, but he wasn't reppin...anyways, you know Twist was workin overtime.

I'm tellin, youI need to get paid for these things.

-- finally set up my desk in my room, which means I no longer have to sit in my semi-uncomfortable chairs at my breakfast counter when I wanna use my laptop. Those things used to mess with the circulation in my legs