**UPDATE** Monday, August 25, 2008 11:30 AM  EST

As many of you have probably seen by now Michelle Obama just

delivered her speech as the first keynote speaker of the DNC.  After an

emotional day for the Democratic Party, featuring a tribute to former

President and present humanitarian Jimmy Carter, and a courageous

appearance from Democratic royalty Ted, Kennedy, it was left up to

Michelle Obama to deliver the goods.

Consensus and prognosticators seem to agree that she nailed it.  She

touched on all the issues that we prescribed above; drawing on those

feeligns of family, and commonality and patriotism, but without making

Barack seem like some schmuck husband.

She drew on her personal history and stories of her childhood and a

father with multiple schlerosis not depending on help but forging ahead

with rugged self determination.  She spoke on the strength of her

mother in holding the family down, and the presence of her older

brother as a positive male role model in her life, two things which

normalized her experience not as solely Black, but American and

relatable to all. In that frame we have a mission accomplished.

She gave obligatory kudos to Senator Clinton and used her own

identity as both Black and female, referencing both the 88th

anniversary of Women’s Suffrage, and the 45th anniversary of the March

on Washington to evoke visions of an America where anything is

possible.  This both brought people in emotionally and placated the

still disgruntled Clinton supporters.  Mission accomplished.

The cherry on top came with the afterparty.  The Obama children in

particular the precocious Sasha really brought home the idea of family

and the genuine love and affection that is readily apparentis not

something that could be faked.  This love is self evident and i think

it went a long way towards humanizing Barack Obama without limiting him

as a man, or reducing his stature as a potential head of state. 

In a nutshell, Barack trusted his most prized treasure and secret

weapon with the task of softening up America to his image. He chose his

partner with his political destiny.  She, with three generations of her

family in tow delivered in spades.  Full of emotion and absent of

rhetoric she made the connection.  The ball is in Barack’s court now.*********************************************************************UPDATE**  

Much has been made about celebrities injecting their opinions and

star power into the general  political conversation.  Some sectors

wonder aloud whether or not they should be there and what exactly

qualify celebrities to even speak on world affairs with little more

than their own fame to qualify them.  Alfre Woodard would tend to

disagree:

*********************************************************************UPDATE**

High gas prices and increasing travel costs have combined with other

issues to limit the number of protesters.  While expecting thousands of

protesters, the Denver Police Department has numbered the protesters to

around 1000.

The loud minority spoke on many issues including the war in Iraq,

the crumbling economy, and human rights issues.  They are comprised of

college students, high school activists, and veterans among others. 

Perhaps the tremendous police presence has discouraged protesters from

getting rowdy. 

According to the Mayor of Denver, John Hickenlooper, the city spent

roughly $50,000,000 in logistical and security measures to prepare for

its first political convention in 100 years. At the time of this report

only 4 protesters have been arrested for minor disturbing the peace

transgressions.

The theme of the protestors in general has been “Recreate ’68” a

reference to the Democratic Convention of 40 years ago.  The police

would like to prevent incidents such as the political upheavel, riots,

and assassination or anything even close to that which occured that

same year.  They have adopted a zero tolerance policy and the Secret

Service, as well as many intelligence entities such as NORAD, will be

monitoring live video feeds.

As of yet there hasn’t been any violence from either side.

********************************************************** AllHipHop At The DNC. Monday, August 25, 2008 3:00 EST

AllHipHop will be bringing you color live from the Democratic National Convention here in Denver, Colorado.  Throughout the week we will update you on happenings, events, and the general tone of the convention.  As we journey through the next stage of developments towards this historic Election 2008, hopefully we can inform you and give you a different perspective and shed some light on things you didn’t know.

As the convention begins tonight, all eyes will be on Michelle Obama who is the headline speaker.  Her place in these events is of the utmost importance, as she is the first representative of Team Obama and will set the tone as how both she and her husband are viewed by America.

Mrs. Obama is no stranger to the campaign trail and has been an active participant thus far, providing a far different approach than Barack’s stadium filling speeches.  Michelle conversely has followed his performances with a far more intimate delivery, appearing in front of prospective voters in small towns and on smaller settings.  These appearances have given Michelle the nickname “The Closer,” as more often than not, those who hear her message generally change from the straddler to the converted.

Tonight’s program however, will have a decidedly different  tone. Her job will be to reintroduce herself as a wife and a mother; two roles that resonate with most Americans, and stands to soften the undercurrent of sentiment that she is aggressive and stand-offish.

Mrs. Obama will stand in front of 50,000 people tonight to combat the idea that Barack is high-brow, erudite, and out of touch with Middle America, despite both of their back stories speaking to the contrary. Michelle herself was raised in a one bedroom apartment above her aunts home with both her parents and her brother. This is the first and best chance to share her experiences and create that connection.

Family and the image of the common man will be prevalent in her speech.  As a wife of 15 years and a mother of two children, Michelle has often been cast in black media as a superwoman.  Tonight, projecting the image of everywoman will be key in helping her husband overcome the feeling that he can’t relate to the lives of the average American.  Despite Michelle’s appearance on The View, and on the covers on the covers of many magazines, the Obamas haven’t quite driven home that connection.  Perhaps tonight’s speech and the selection of Delaware Senator Joe Biden as a running mate will put the proverbial cherry on top.

******************************************************************

De La Hoya Increases Pacquiao Offer

Oscar De La Hoya is not a man used to being told no. For over ten years, the Golden Boy has been able to dictate purse splits over all his opponents due to his immense mainstream marketability.

But in 2008, things have changed.

Just a week after his 70-30 split was rejected by Filipino star Manny Pacquiao, De La Hoya is reportedly upping the bid in hopes of securing the blockbuster super-fight.

As reported here last week, De La Hoya refused to negotiate to 60-40 from a flat 70-30 split for the proposed December bout. While this tactic worked last year on Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao promptly turned down the offer and instructed his promoter Bob Arum to begin negotiations for a November bout with Humberto Soto.

Shocked, Oscar’s team immediately derided Pacquiao as making an uninformed decision and losing out on millions of dollars. To counter, De La Hoya publicly stated he would begin negotiations with junior middleweight titlist Sergio Mora, pending he defeats Vernon Forrest again next month.

However with some time to sit on that plan De La Hoya likely realized a Sergio Mora fight is not exactly a blockbuster swan song to end a career.

A few days ago, news broke courtesy of Filipino writer Dennis Principe that the offer has been raised to 67-33 in favor of De La Hoya.

While details have not been confirmed, rumors are circulating that Pacquiao would get a 67-33 split for a certain number of PPV buys before changing over to 70-30.

While on paper a 3% increase may seem insignificant, it means a difference of millions of dollars and can result in Pacquaio actually making more than the $25 million Mayweather grossed for outboxing the Golden Boy last year.

Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach has offered to forego his training fee if Pacquiao loses. Golden CEO Richard Shaefer and Top Rank head Bob Arum have told media they would prefer to have the deal done in time to make an announcement this week.Pacquaio’s gamble appears to have paid off, much to the surprise of many.

Will he be content with 67-33, or will Pacquaio push his luck and remain firm on his original 60-40 split?

Judah Looks to Hire Floyd Mayweather, Sr as New Trainer

Former undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah thinks his figured out the solution to his post-title woes. The problem may be his trainer, and Judah is seeking to rectify that by replacing his father Yoel Judah with Floyd Mayweather, Sr.

Publicly, Yoel Judah is claiming the switch is due to him focusing on getting Zab’s promotional company off the ground. According to him, despite Zab’s abysmal record since losing the title and his recent stoppage to Joshua Clottey, the Brooklynite remains a hot commodity.

“Everyone wants to fight Zab. We know that we’re very marketable, and we know that when Zab comes he’s going to fight, win, lose, or draw,” Yoel reasoned to boxingscene.com. “Zab is like an Arturo Gatti at this point. Sometimes, a lot of good can come from a loss.”

The Gatti comparison is correct in more ways than Yoel envisions.

Since being upset for the title by journeyman Carlos Baldomir in 2006, Zab has gone 2-3 with 1 no contest in his last six fights. The two wins were lackluster decisions over unheralded Ryan Davis and Edwin Vazquez.

At this stage, Zab is becoming a stepping stone for fighters to make their names or stay-busy. He’s offensive enough to give a few good rounds, but then takes a sustained beating over the second half of the fight.

According to Yoel, offers have come in for a possible rematch with Miguel Cotto or Joshua Clottey. Also, Yoel mentioned his son facing Antonio Margarito, Paul Williams, and Andre Berto.

Mayweather, Sr. or not, I give Zab only a chance early against Berto. A promoter who puts Judah anywhere near Margarito is sadistic and must damn near hate Zab.

If anything, Zab needs to strongly consider dropping back down to 140 pounds, where he is not undersized and can make exciting matchups with new titlist Timothy Bradley, Kendall Holt, Paulie Malignaggi, rematch Junior Witter, or take on champ Ricky Hatton.

US Olympic Boxing Team Records All Time Poorest Showing

In past decades the boxing world would look to American Olympic medal showings to gauge the sport’s next top fighters.

The ’60s saw gold medal wins from Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The ’70s and ’80s featured the same from greats like Michael Spinks and Ray Leonard. Even recently, we’ve seen super-middleweight Andre Ward take home the gold in the 2004 games.

However in 2008, the US Boxing team made its worst showing ever, taking home one bronze medal in the heavyweight division.

China took home two gold medals in light-flyweight and light-heavyweight, while boxing powerhouse Cuba secured no gold but eight medals overall. America’s lone medal was courtesy of Deontay Wilder at heavyweight, who ironically was the most inexperienced pugilist on the team.

The clear advantage other countries have gained over the US is that their teams are dedicated exclusively to amateur boxing.

With the amateurs seen merely as a stepping stone in the United States, many young fighters opt early on to juggle many responsibilities from their managers and promoters while eyeing professional stardom.

Due to this we’re seeing more glossy records, but fighters with poor boxing acumen, who get brutally exposed the first time they step up in competition.

While this situation won’t change overnight, let’s hope that amateur boxing starts to take steps at improving their system for 2012’s games.

Calderon Headlines Low-key August 30 PPV

Undefeated top ten pound for pound fighter Ivan Calderon (31-0, 6 KOs) will defend his WBO title in a rematch with hard puncher Hugo Cazares (26-4, 19 KOs).

In their 2007 bout, Calderon was dropped in the eighth and struggled to fight off Cazares’ pressure. Despite this, the champ was able to escape with a split decision win over his larger foe.

While this is not a mandatory PPV to get, it’s a chance to see one of the lesser known pound for pound elites in a very stiff test. If you have some cash to spare, definitely check it out.Highlights from the Calderon-Cazares I

Lamon Brewster on the Comeback Trail

Also on August 30, former heavyweight titlist Lamon Brewster (33-4, 29 KOs) makes his return to the ring in an untelevised bout against Danny Batchelder (25-5-1, 12 KOs).

Already looking ahead, Brewster wants revenge after being stopped in a lopsided rematch against reigning champ Wladimir Klitschko last year.

“I’m going to brush this rust off then go and knock Klitschko out,” he vowed.

Brewster was a welcomed addition to the heavyweight division over the last few years. But after all the grueling rights he’s had since 2004, we’ll see what the former titlist has left in the tank.

Throwback Fighter of the Week: “The Celtic Warrior” Steve Collins

Iron-chinned Steve Collins began his career as a middleweight in 1986.

Despite besting b-level competition it appeared early that Collins may never win the big one as he dropped decisions in his first three title attempts to Mike McCallum, Reggie Johnson, and Sumbu Kalabay.

That stigma changed in 1995 with a pair of memorable battles with WBO super-middleweight champ Chris Eubank.

Holding obvious disdain for each other, Collins dragged superior boxer Eubank into a bar-room brawl and outlasted him as both men tasted the canvas.

In a rematch six months later, Collins again roughed up Eubank, and his constant pressure was enough to eek out a close split decision.

From there Collins went on to eat the best power shots from dangerous Nigel Benn to grind out two entertaining stoppage wins in 1996.

Collins initially signed on to face a then unknown Joe Calzaghe, but withdrew on an injury and was stripped of his WBO title. Failing to secure a bout with Roy Jones and unwilling to reschedule with Calzaghe (“Joe is a good up-and-coming kid, but he wouldn’t fill a parish church.”), Collins retired in 1997.

However, Collins reconsidered in 1999 after Jones offered him millions and began preparations for a mandatory bout against Calzaghe before taking on Jones.

Unfortunately, Collins collapsed in training and was informed by doctors that he could potentially die from any further head trauma. Wisely, Collins retired again for good in 1999.

Never to be confused with a technically skilled fighter, Collins made his reputation as a punishing, wild swinging  brawler who was near impossible to hurt even with flush power punches. His will was strong enough to outlast his rivals Eubank and Benn, and many consider him the top fighter of Europe’s “golden age” of super-middleweight boxing.

Steve Collins’ final record is 36-3, 21 KOs.