Didn’t catch the Paulie Malignaggi fight on Saturday and catch a glimpse of his ridiculous hair extensions? Our Komondor dog shot wasn’t descriptive enough? The photo to the right is a “before shot” taken three days prior to Saturday’s fight. After the jump is the post-match interview Paulie did for British television. Check out the shorn locks and Paulie’s amazement that during the interview “they’re picking up pieces of my hair all over the ring!”

In the interview he manages to complain about many things. They include: his opponent Lovemore N’Dou’s complaining, N’Dou grabbing technique, the fact that N’Dou didn’t have any points deducted, his broken hand for “most of the fight” (actually only the second half), and that N’Dou was trying to unleash his ersatz locks.

His complaining isn’t what irks us the most here at www.jabandgrapple.com. No siree. We are livid at the Manchester United jersey and The Magic Man’s audacity at wearing it at Eastlands. His clear intention was to get under Manchester City supporter Ricky Hatton’s skin. He had better watch out. Those wearing United kits lost twice this year against the brave Citizens. If Malignaggi gets his bout against the Hitman we’re positive the Blues will notch another victory over the brash and overpublicized.

Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Malignaggi’s Hair: Before and After

In the main event of an entertaining mid-day Saturday pair of junior welterweight bouts Ricky Hatton outlasted Juan Lazcano by a wide margin.

55,000 screaming Mancunians poured into Eastlands, the home stadium of Manchester City FC, to see their favorite son outperform and out-brawl Lazcano. Hatton was hurt twice by Lazcano — in the 8th and in the 10th — but his near-constant pressure and successful stream of body punches and left hooks proved too much for the American.

The rugged fight was characterized by frequent close-quarter brawling and excellent action. The decidedly pro-American Versus network announcing team seemed eager to label the fight as a disappointing Hatton performance, a low energy and un-sharp effort, and a sign of his imminent decline. They accused Hatton of unduly influencing the referee and thought the judges (except the American) were out of line in their scorecards. (The American had it 118-110, the Briton scored it 120-110, and the Australian gave Hatton a 120-108 shut out.)

I saw it 119-109 giving Lazcano only the 10th. I thought Hatton looked excellent but not dominating against a very skilled opponent. Sure, Ricky’s face found its way into a lot of good punches but that was to be expected. I thought his work rate was terrific especially in the frigid 52-degree Manchester night air. I don’t think there was much decline or an indication of any diminished skills. Hatton is still the best 140-pound fighter in the world, one of boxing’s best draws, and still a good old-fashioned fun-to-watch scrapper.

Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Ricky Hatton Gets Back on the Winning Track

When Ricky Hatton steps into the ring on Saturday against Juan Lazcano he will be fulfilling his lifelong dream of competing on his beloved Manchester City FC’s home pitch. Hatton’s love for all things Citeh has been well documented. His father and grandfather played for the Blues, he wears Man City-colored trunks, and his ring entrance music is City’s supporter’s song “Blue Moon”.

As a child Hatton surely always dreamed of playing at Maine Road. He will never get the chance to play in that venerated and now-demolished stadium but he will be fighting at Eastlands, marching to the ring in front of 55,000 Mancunians who will all be singing “Blue Moon” at the top of their lungs. As a City supporter myself I have chills after typing that last sentence.

But, as any football fan knows, the current state of MCFC is a mess. Their autocratic new owner Thaksin Shinawatra has presumably sacked manger Sven-Göran Erikkson, despite qualifying for Europe, equaling City’s highest-ever Premier League finish, and defeating rival Manchester United twice! Rumor has it he’s also placed the entire squad on the transfer list.

Yesterday on GranadaTV Ricky Hatton gave fans even more fodder to light up the message boards by declaring that he hopes Man Utd. win the Champions League (they did) and “bring another belt and trophy back to this great city of Manchester.” We all should have seen this coming when he said his brother Matthew (who is also fighting Saturday) is a Man United supporter.

Ricky’s statement is tantamount to treason! Imagine, American readers, the most die hard Mets fan saying he hopes the Yankees win the World Series. Would that person suddenly lose their fandom credibility? That’s the message board debate:

Manchester la la la la says: “And he calls himself a city fan???”
Dubai Blue states: “He’s obviously not fully recovered from that knock to the head”
Jay MCFC reasons: “Dear oh dear Mr Hatton. This is a step too far.”
Blunderer cleverly thinks: “No doubt he’s been told not to isolate United fans so they will be fans of his. He’s just playing the politician. He hates them as much as the rest of us.”
NReddishblue concludes: “No one can doubt Ricky Hatton is City fan, we all support City in a different way”

Indeed we do NReddishblue but not all of us get to fight of the Eastlands pitch. Maybe he should be more careful about what he says. Nevertheless, I believe that Hatton has done so much for City that he can say whatever he’d like. He’s a City season ticket holder, in the HBO 24/7 documentary he and his son wore City gear, and he has promoted the team at length equaled only by the Gallagher brothers.

In this time of Man City strife it would be wrong to turn on good old Ricky. If he shows up to the ring wearing red, however, then we will really have something to talk about.

Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Ricky Hatton Supports Manchester United?