Wimbledon’s Almost Over

Wimbledon’s almost over and I promise, I won’t talk about it anymore, at least until next year. Right now play has been stopped due to rain. Nadal’s up 2 sets, it’s his turn to serve and he’s down 5-4 in the 3rd set. We may be witnessing a changing of the guard, at least temporarily.

I apologize for getting away from boxing and concentrating on tennis but the blog is titled “An American Journalist in Asia,” not “An American Boxing Journalist in Asia.” I played tennis when I was a teenager and have covered the Thailand Open for the past couple of years so I’ve got a fondness for the sport. I’ve also got a little money riding on Rafael Nadal. He’s playing well and seems to have Federer’s number.

There were some halfway decent fights today; Torres vs. Holt and Peterson vs. Casteneda. Not really a great weekend for boxing but the Torres – Holt fight was fun while it lasted – one round. UFC was pretty good today; most people thought Quinton Jackson was going to give Forrest Griffin a beating but instead, as Jackson said after the fight, “he gave me an ass whupppin.” Rampage is great for the sport and is always a crowd pleaser.

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So this week I’ll start making final preparations to go to the Philippines. My wife and youngest son came home early this morning and while I’m happy they’re home, I still feel piss-poor. As I said yesterday, if I don’t feel better in a couple of days I’ll make an appointment to see the doctor.

It’s Sunday night and I’m going to keep it short. I promise to get back to boxing this week and get my picks in early for those who care. I’ve been doing very well the last few weeks – 80% plus.

Fight Quest, Lacking Energy, and Wimbledon

It’s Saturday night and I’m bushed. I’ve been lacking energy for the past few days so if I don’t feel better by Tuesday or Wednesday, I’m going to make an appointment with the doctor. I’m used to being in pain – I’m in pain almost every day – but the feeling sluggish for days on end is hard to cope with. It’s even difficult to sit at the computer.

My wife and youngest son are coming home in about 6 hours so maybe with them back I’ll have more time to myself and to rest and recuperate. Not that I’ve been doing all that much. I did the dishes, cleaned our kitchen, and I dare say the house is in better shape than before the wife left. We’ll see when she gets back because I have a feeling she’s going to be shocked.

This weekend is the last two days of Wimbledon. Tonight Venus Williams and Serena Williams played in the finals against each other. Venus Williams won in two sets which is good since I had a little dough on her. Tomorrow, Rafael Nadal plays Roger Federer in the men’s final and I haven’t got a clue who wins this one. Federer has won five straight at Wimbledon – how can you choose against him? Well, Nadal has been playing great and beat him a couple of months ago. It wasn’t on grass but nonetheless,he beat Federer and actually holds a 10-5 edge over him. The level of tennis at this years Wimbledon has been incredible and I’ll be watching the final for sure.

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Since I’ve been pretty much laid up on the sofa for the last few days, I’ve been watching more TV than I usually do or at least than I like to watch. While channel surfing I came across a show, Fight Quest, featuring two twenty-something martial artists who travel around the world in search of martial arts to practice. There was a time when I was a decent fighter and I always wanted to do what these guys are doing. I just happened to be too old by the time I was good enough and had enough money to travel. The show is on the Discovery Channel.

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I’ve started giving my picks on weekly fights however this week I just didn’t have the strength to do so. Next week though, I’ll make between 3-5 picks. I’ve picked 82% since I’ve begun recording my picks so I’m lucky, know what I’m doing, or both.

Until later…

Wimbledon, Wifey and Boxing in Asia

The other night, we get a phone call late at night. The call is from my wife’s brother, and he asks to speak to her. Within a few minutes, I know it can’t be good. My wife begins crying. Her nephew has been killed in a motorcycle accident. I know the kid and he was only 17 or 18 and a decent sort. Apparently he was riding with two other kids on a little 110cc motorbike and was hit by a truck. One of the kids is still in the hospital, status unknown, the other has a broken leg. The incident reminds me – any one of us can be gone in a split second.

She makes arrangements to go home to the south of Thailand. Hours later she buys her tickets; one for herself and another for our youngest son. Our eldest son stays with me. She is normally the one to handle their day-to-day activities and I’ve got to figure out everything while operating on very little sleep. He goes off to school, and my wife and other son catch the train. They’re now in the south while my son and I hold down the fort. We’re both missing them and the house feels empty.

I’ve spent the past few days watching Wimbledon. It’s on late here in Thailand and last night I stayed up until around 3 AM. I needed to wake up at 5 AM to get my son off to school. Next thing I know, he’s waking me up asking for my keys because the school bus is waiting for him outside. He’s seven years old and got up, brushed his teeth, ate breakfast, showered and got dressed by himself – thank Buddha.

I’m no longer used to a life of discipline where I must wake up at a certain time. I rarely wake up via an alarm clock, like most people I hate using one, and most of the time I just wake up whenever I wake up. Which is how I like it. It’s been nice spending time alone with my son but I’ll be glad when my wife and younger son are home. Hopefully, that will be in a few days.

I’m still trying to figure out my schedule for the next few weeks and my accommodation for the Olympics. Chris John is fighting Jackson Asiku – a fight I want very much to see – on July 26. On the same day, AJ Banal is fighting Rafael Concepcion in the Philippines. The day after, a short flight away, there’s another show, then on August 2nd, yet another.

My dilemma comes in which show to go to. I want to go to the Chris John fight, but the money won’t be nearly as much as I’ll make in the Philippines. Plus, I’m working on a piece about Burmese boxing and there’s a show on July 20. I really need to spend 3-4 weeks in Burma to finish the piece but I don’t know if this is possible.

By tomorrow I should know what I’m doing. For now, I’m going to watch Wimbledon – Federer vs. Ancic, and Nadal vs. Murray. Star Sports just showed the footwork of Federer in slow motion. Quite a few boxers could learn a thing or two from him – he’s extremely light on his feet.

Until later…