First things first, here is my Superbowl prediction:

New Orleans Saints 31

Indianapolis Colts 28

Now, what’s your prediction?

But, aside from the parties and shows in Miami, there is much more going on.When you think of Superbowl week, A-list celebrities, NFL

player media days, over-the-top events like Rihanna rocking South Beach and

bringing any city to its knees with traffic congestion are a part of the usual

mix. However, if you believe that either one of these examples given is what

makes Superbowl week something that every football fan should experience, you

are sadly mistaken.

On February 4th, “Kickoff to Rebuild” an extraordinary

event in its 15th year, led by Comfort Inn by Choice Hotels and “The

Steve Harvey Morning Show” joined forces with Rebuilding Together, NFL players

and over 300 volunteers to renovate six homes in the Coconut Grove area of

Miami.

Renovations included interior and exterior painting, pulling

up weeds, laying down grass and mulch, upgrading electrical wiring, replacing

appliances and so much more. Local volunteers got their hands dirty with NFL

players like Brandon Jones and the President/CEO of Choice Hotels

International, Stephen P. Joyce. “We’re in the hospitality business, so we’re

used to taking care of people,” said the CEO in between laying down grass. “So

when we witness the needs in our country today; people that are having

difficulties in holding onto their homes, we wanted to make a difference. While

other companies are pulling back, we (Choice Hotels) are lucky to be doing well

enough to give back.”

Across the country, there are thousands of families in dire

need of assistance. The Truesdell’s are one of them. Wesley Truedell is a 92

year old, disabled Army veteran of World War 2. He is the father of 13 children

and has lived in Miami since 1920. His family has lived in their current

residence for 40 years. Wesley decided to hire a contractor to increase the

size of his home. The contractor took Wesley’s $92,000 and ran off, leaving his

home incomplete and all hope, lost. I stood out front of the Truesdell home

with Wesley’s daughter Michelle and granddaughter Charmaine and watched on as

volunteers changed their lives forever.

“This is just tremendous,” said Michelle as she marveled at

the renovations. “I love it. We don’t know how to take care of a yard. Someone

is going to have to teach us how to keep it up because this is something we’ve never

had. All we had was dirt and rocks. We had a two bedroom home, with one

bedroom. Now we have a five bedroom home with three bedrooms. ‘Rebuilding

Together’ is the best!”“Words can’t even describe it,” Charmaine added. “We lived

here for two years without this. And to see this happen with my own eyes, it’s

breathtaking. We shared a bedroom, four of us because the house wasn’t

finished. For two years, we didn’t know where we were going to go. But now, to

see all of these amazing people out here helping us, it makes me emotional. It

finally looks like a home again.”

Gary Officer, President/CEO of ‘Rebuilding Together’, walked

by during my conversation with the Truesdell’s, so I grabbed his attention and

asked him about the turnout. “Today is an example of an extraordinary

outpouring of volunteerism,” he replied. “Everyone out here wants to see this

community stabilized; they want to be a part of the rebirth. And to see over

300 volunteers out here, five major national corporate sponsors, and

contractors working together on these homes, transforming these homes back into

assets again, shows the goodness in all people and the true power of giving

back.”

Steve Harvey and his morning show crew broadcasted live from

Coconut Grove. And while traveling to see the six homes that were renovated,

local residents gave him the Rock Star treatment. Let’s be honest, Steve wasn’t

about to pick up a brush and risk getting pink paint on his classic suit. His

purpose and presence was best suited as a motivator. He brought smiles to faces

before saying a word and laughter afterwards. During the Pep Rally, he managed

to do it all.“What you all are doing today is amazing,” he said. “You

have volunteered your time, your services and expertise and placed it into a

community that is often forgotten. I just met the Truesdell family. I just

“adopted” Wesley’s granddaughters both 12 and 14 years old. One wants to be a

pediatrician and one wants to be a doctor. So I made them make a promise to me.

If they stay in school, get good grades and don’t have any kids (waiting to

have children until after they’re married), my wife and I agreed that we’d put

them both through college. I also told them that if any boys try to speak to

them, spit on them and keep walking.”

Overall, ‘Kickoff to Rebuild’ was an overwhelming success

this year, as it was the 14 years that preceded it. You could say that it’s on

to the next one; the next year that is. And if the next Superbowl city is near

you, reach out to ‘Rebuilding Together’ and Choice Hotels for information on

how you could be a part of something special.

Steve Harvey with a member of the Truesdell family whose home was chosen for renovations during “Kickoff to Rebuild”

Wesley Truesdell and family sit as volunteers finish the final touches on his home of 47 Years

Mrs. Elester Anderson home of 59 years received new siding, flooring and foundation repair

Choice Hotels President and CEO Steve Joyce (second from left) and Rebuild Together CEO Gary Officer (left) discuss their partnership for “Kickoff to Rebuild” on the Steve Harvey Morning Show who broadcasted live from the event:

First things first, here is my Superbowl prediction:

New Orleans Saints 31

Indianapolis Colts 28

Who is bold enough to make their prediction?But, aside from the parties and shows in Miami, there is much more going on.When you think of Superbowl week, A-list celebrities, NFL

player media days, over-the-top events like Rihanna rocking South Beach and

bringing any city to its knees with traffic congestion are a part of the usual

mix. However, if you believe that either one of these examples given is what

makes Superbowl week something that every football fan should experience, you

are sadly mistaken.

On February 4th, “Kickoff to Rebuild” an extraordinary

event in its 15th year, led by Comfort Inn by Choice Hotels and “The

Steve Harvey Morning Show” joined forces with Rebuilding Together, NFL players

and over 300 volunteers to renovate six homes in the Coconut Grove area of

Miami.

Renovations included interior and exterior painting, pulling

up weeds, laying down grass and mulch, upgrading electrical wiring, replacing

appliances and so much more. Local volunteers got their hands dirty with NFL

players like Brandon Jones and the President/CEO of Choice Hotels

International, Stephen P. Joyce. “We’re in the hospitality business, so we’re

used to taking care of people,” said the CEO in between laying down grass. “So

when we witness the needs in our country today; people that are having

difficulties in holding onto their homes, we wanted to make a difference. While

other companies are pulling back, we (Choice Hotels) are lucky to be doing well

enough to give back.”

Across the country, there are thousands of families in dire

need of assistance. The Truesdell’s are one of them. Wesley Truedell is a 92

year old, disabled Army veteran of World War 2. He is the father of 13 children

and has lived in Miami since 1920. His family has lived in their current

residence for 40 years. Wesley decided to hire a contractor to increase the

size of his home. The contractor took Wesley’s $92,000 and ran off, leaving his

home incomplete and all hope, lost. I stood out front of the Truesdell home

with Wesley’s daughter Michelle and granddaughter Charmaine and watched on as

volunteers changed their lives forever.

“This is just tremendous,” said Michelle as she marveled at

the renovations. “I love it. We don’t know how to take care of a yard. Someone

is going to have to teach us how to keep it up because this is something we’ve never

had. All we had was dirt and rocks. We had a two bedroom home, with one

bedroom. Now we have a five bedroom home with three bedrooms. ‘Rebuilding

Together’ is the best!”“Words can’t even describe it,” Charmaine added. “We lived

here for two years without this. And to see this happen with my own eyes, it’s

breathtaking. We shared a bedroom, four of us because the house wasn’t

finished. For two years, we didn’t know where we were going to go. But now, to

see all of these amazing people out here helping us, it makes me emotional. It

finally looks like a home again.”

Gary Officer, President/CEO of ‘Rebuilding Together’, walked

by during my conversation with the Truesdell’s, so I grabbed his attention and

asked him about the turnout. “Today is an example of an extraordinary

outpouring of volunteerism,” he replied. “Everyone out here wants to see this

community stabilized; they want to be a part of the rebirth. And to see over

300 volunteers out here, five major national corporate sponsors, and

contractors working together on these homes, transforming these homes back into

assets again, shows the goodness in all people and the true power of giving

back.”

Steve Harvey and his morning show crew broadcasted live from

Coconut Grove. And while traveling to see the six homes that were renovated,

local residents gave him the Rock Star treatment. Let’s be honest, Steve wasn’t

about to pick up a brush and risk getting pink paint on his classic suit. His

purpose and presence was best suited as a motivator. He brought smiles to faces

before saying a word and laughter afterwards. During the Pep Rally, he managed

to do it all.“What you all are doing today is amazing,” he said. “You

have volunteered your time, your services and expertise and placed it into a

community that is often forgotten. I just met the Truesdell family. I just

“adopted” Wesley’s granddaughters both 12 and 14 years old. One wants to be a

pediatrician and one wants to be a doctor. So I made them make a promise to me.

If they stay in school, get good grades and don’t have any kids (waiting to

have children until after they’re married), my wife and I agreed that we’d put

them both through college. I also told them that if any boys try to speak to

them, spit on them and keep walking.”

Overall, ‘Kickoff to Rebuild’ was an overwhelming success

this year, as it was the 14 years that preceded it. You could say that it’s on

to the next one; the next year that is. And if the next Superbowl city is near

you, reach out to ‘Rebuilding Together’ and Choice Hotels for information on

how you could be a part of something special.

Mayweather-Mosley Release First Statements Since Fight Signing

Now that both men have officially signed on for their May 1 superfight, Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley have begun the inevitable subtle trash talk against each other.

In the wake of his sensational knockout of Antonio Margarito last January, Mosley had launched a campaign to get Mayweather in the ring, even going as far to call out Floyd face to face in the ring following Mayweather’s decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez. Contrary to experts, Mosley thinks he’ll secure an easy victory since he sees no advantages in this fight for his opponent.

“I have always wanted to fight Floyd and now it is finally coming true,” Mosley said a prepared statement. “I am already in great shape and ready to show everyone on May 1 that I am stronger, faster and better than he is. I will have no problem beating him.”

Mosley’s lack of activity as a 38 year old fighter has been noted as a knock against him going into the Mayweather bout. By fight night, he’ll have been out of the ring for 15 months facing an opponent who relies heavily on movement, especially against larger opponents.

“I’ve been in training camp, sparring, staying in the gym working,” Mosley told the LA Times. “I’m ready. I’ll go back to training, and believe me, people will see the good Sugar Shane. There’s no rust on me. I never stay away from the gym too long. I’m a fighter, I love boxing, it’s what I do.”

On Mayweather’s end, the undefeated multi-division has done a 180 in his assessment of Mosley. Last year, Floyd on ESPN TV and in this very column derided Mosley as a steroid abusing, washed up athlete.

Reluctantly, Mayweather acknowledged Mosley’s formidable skills, but maintained he’s still a level below him.

“This one is definitely for the fans as I wasn’t going to waste anyone’s time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked to fight Shane immediately,” he explained. “I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won’t be great enough to beat me.”

At 32 years old, Mayweather faces his own inactivity issues, having fought just one bout since December, 2007.

Look for an official press conference within the week, rumored to take place in New York City. Both men are also said to be in Miami for Super Bowl weekend to beat the promotional drums.

Glen Johnson Scores Impressive KO on ESPN

41 year old Glen Johnson (50-13-2, 34 Kos) proved last night that he still is a force in the light-heavyweight division with a 6th round KO of #7 RING ranked contender Yusef Mack (28-3-2, 17 Kos) on Friday Night Fights.

Johnson pressured Mack all night and forced the younger man to go straight by jabbing his way in and working hooks. Mack would counter sparingly on the inside, and attempt to roll with the hook Johnson rained on him.

Early in round 4, Mack unwisely traded on the inside and got the worst of it, being forced to retreat. Mack rebounded in the second half, scoring well on the inside with hooks on a slower Johnson.

In the 6th Johnson trapped Mack in a corner, and caught him with a hard overhand right counter to score a knockdown.

Johnson was patient, and methodically wore Mack down further with hooks to the body before pinning dropping him again, this time with a left jab-straight right.

Mack hit the canvas shortly thereafter on a short left, prompting the referee stoppage.

The win earns Glen Johnson an IBF title shot against undefeated Tavoris Cloud (20-0, 18 KOs).

“Tavoris Cloud is a tough fighter, an all-action guy. The type of guys I like to fight,” Johnson said in his post-fight interview. “They come in there no-nonsense and go about their business and that works well with me ‘cause I do the same thing. I think that’s going to be an explosive fight and a fan-favorite fight. I’m looking forward to fighting him.”

DeMarco-Valero Go To War Tonight

One man will be left standing and the other viciously KO’d when WBC lightweight titlist and knockout specialist Edwin Valero (26-0, 26 KOs) makes his second defense against Antonio DeMarco (23-1-1, 17 KOs) tonight (February 6) on Showtime.

Because of 2001 motorcycle accident, Valero failed MRI in New York and has struggled to get sanctioned to fight in the US. To date, Texas is the only seat that has cleared him to fight.

Because of this, Valero has built a strong internet following as nearly all of his fights have been confined to Youtube. Of his 26 KOs, 19 have been in the first round.

De Marco is a tall lightweight at 5’10, and has rose to prominence after a strong 2009 that saw him post 3 stoppages over solid competition in Almazbek Raiymkulov, Anges Adjaho, and Jose Alfaro.

This is a crossroads fight and huge test for each fighter. Both are the best pugilists of each other’s resume. DeMarco has never seen power like Valero’s but he’s also been tested and excelled in several firefights. Valero has steamrolled most of his competition easily and it’ll be interesting to see how he handles DeMarco’s height.

As far as I’m concerned this fight is 50-50, and it’ll be surprising to see this go more than 6 rounds. Because of DeMarco’s has had better tests in his career, I’ll go out on a limb and say he pulls off the upset.

Adamek Continues Heavyweight Experiment

Cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek (39-1, 27 KOs) also fights tonight in Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center against Jason Estrada (15-2, 3 KOs).

This will be Adamek’s second fight in heavyweight, following his easy 5th round KO of faded Andrew Golota last October.

The Polish champ has upped his weight to a ripped 220 pounds. But it remains to be seen if his frame can support the weight without sacrificing speed and stamina.

“Cruiserweight was more difficult for me. I always had a problem getting to the weight,” Adamek told ESPN. “I feel very good at this weight. I feel faster. The difference in training is the sparring partners are heavier, 240, 250 pounds, but I feel stronger because my weight is natural.”

If he wins, HBO has confirmed they are looking to have Adamek face Chris Arreola on April 24.

“Estrada is a good boxer, but I am serious about this fight. I need to win. It is very important in order to move up for a heavyweight title,” Adamek explained. “We have this fight. Right now I concentrate on that. Maybe in April, Arreola. We’ll see. Maybe one more fight after that and then I will be ready for a championship fight. Right now I must win against Estrada.”

As you can tell from Estrada’s KO record, Adamek’s promoter Main Events selected an opponent with a low likelihood of testing their fighter’s ability to take a heavyweight punch. This fight will serve as a tune-up for an Arreola fight, and a gauge of how well Adamek carries the extra weight. If he looks bad, there will be an evaluation of whether he’s better suited for cruiserweight.

The fight can be seen online for $9.99 at gofightlive.com. The expected live turnout is 10,000.

News and Notes

–          Rafael Marquez has promised the “mother of all wars” in his fourth bout with Israel Vazquez on May 22. If he wins, he wants Juan Manuel Lopez next. “My punch is much more powerful. If I beat Irsael, I’m going to look for a fight with Juan Manuel Lopez. I can beat him. I am looking to get the big fights in the 2 or 3 years I have left in the game.”

–          The management of junior middleweight contender James Kirkland is hopeful that he can be back in the ring by August. Last year, Kirkland received a 24 month jail sentence for illegally purchasing a firearm as a convicted felon. He’s had six months shaved off for time served, and is looking to get another 100 days off due to good behavior. His last bout was a 6th round TKO of Joel Julio in March 2009.

–          The German press are buzzing that WBC champ Vitali Klitschko may face former WBA champ Nicolai Valuev on May 29. Since WBA champ David Haye is tied up with a mandatory defense against John Ruiz in April, Vitali may be trying to post a better win over a common opponent to build to a showdown later this year.

 vs.

Mythical Matchup of the Week: Aaron Pryor vs. Kostya Tszyu

The junior welterweight division may not have the glamour or history as the weight classes it’s sandwiched between (lightweight and welterweight), but the 140 pound class has produced some legendary fighters since its modern creation in 1959.

Two of those elite fighters are Aaron Pryor (39-1, 35 KOs), who ruled the division in the early 80s, and Kostya Tszyu (31-2, 25 KOs), who cleaned out his weight class in the late 90s and early 2000s.

Pryor was a whirlwind of a fighter, throwing dozens of punches at a time and drowning opposition in never-ending pressure.

Unlike many fighters of that mold, Pryor had power and secured many early and mid round KOs

He first hit the national scene with a dominant destruction of legendary champ Antonio Cervantes to win the WBA title. The aged Cervantes was wily enough to get a flash knockdown in the 1st, but got an unmerciful pounding in the subsequent 3 rounds before a needed ref stoppage.

Pryor was an active champ making 10 defenses (8 by knockout) from 1980-1985. Two of those defenses were epic battles with fellow Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello, who was attempting to be the first man to win titles in 4 different weight classes.

Pryor’s downfall was not an opponent, but drug abuse. When he tried a comeback in 1987 after 2 years out, he suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Bobby Joe Young, and only fought 3 insignificant bouts over the next 3 years before retiring due to eye problems.

Kostya Tszyu was started quickly in the early 90s due to his amateur background (which includes a win over the late Vernon Forrest), facing former world champion Juan La Porte in just his 4th bout. By his 14th, Tszyu had won the IBF title by knocking Jake Rodriguez in 6 rounds.

A stalking, extremely heavy-handed puncher, Tszyu seemed primed for a long reign beating vets like Roger Mayweather before being upset by Vince Phillips in 1997, losing an exciting 10th round TKO to Vince Phillips.

Tszyu credited the fight as a learning experience in pacing and won the WBC title the in 1999 by KOing slick boxer Miguel Angel Gonzalez.

He strung off eight defenses with several notable KO victims in Julio Cesar Chavez, Shamba Mitchell (2X), Jesse James Leija, and Zab Judah.

Like Pryor, inactivity hurt Tszyu in the end. Plagued by injuries, he only fought 2 bouts over 2 years (2003, 2004) before being faced with a hungry Ricky Hatton in 2005.

In his UK backyard, Hatton grinded down the normally durable Tszyu over 11 hard rounds with mauling and low blows. Making no excuses, Tszyu never fought again.

As seen above, both men have unquestionable credentials, facing the best top opposition throughout their careers.

Pitted against each other, Pryor and Tszyu offer contrasting skill sets that will force adjustments and memorable exchanges.

Pryor’s punch activity and intelligent pressure will pose huge problems for Tszyu, who would be forced into fighting backwards and defensively for much of the fight. The issue is not the pressure alone, but the fact that Pryor uses many angles to turn opponents, and when focused was great at slipping punches and countering on the inside.

Tszyu’s possessed great accuracy, and his challenge would be creating the space to drive him his outstanding right hand which would do damage. Pryor had a great chin, but he could be stunned and dropped early (Cervantes, Arguello) when he got too wild with his pressure attacks. Case in point, see the shot below that dropped Pryor against Akio Kameda in the first round.

Tszyu and Pryor are both good hookers, but Tszyu usually throws much straighter punches. More often than not, Tszyu’s punches would land first if given the space. It’s unclear if Kostya is strong enough to push Pryor off like he did Sharmba Mitchell in their first bout, but he’ll want to do whatever possible to get Pryor to mid and outside range. There, Tszyu can seek to put him on the end of his best punch, like he did to Zab Judah in his most famous KO.

It’ll be a taxing battle for both men, but I feel Aaron Pryor has a style that’s been proven a nightmare to Tszyu with lesser skilled opponents. Even in his prime, Tszyu struggled and was KO’d when Vince Phillips crowded him and made him fight going backwards. Hatton added more fouls, but did the same thing years later. Tszyu was still able to land bombs on Ricky, but in most instances he was leaning backward and not getting full extension and power.

With Pryor, Tszyu won’t get the punching space he needs to be most effective. In addition, Pryor would maintain angles and keep turning Tszyu to prevent the powerful Russian from getting set. However, Tszyu’s too good to get completely shut out, and I’m certain Pryor would get dropped at some point by Tszyu’s right, which was many times set up beautifully by Kostya’s hooking jab.

My prediction is Aaron Pryor by TKO10 in a war that sees him dropped early.

Your thoughts?

QuestionsView Results

Aaron Pryor Highlights

Kostya Tszyu Highlights

Pryor’s Opinion of Tszyu