Hartley Miller's Slap Shots August 14th, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009 03:45 AM
It is funny how an innocent comment can lead to an all out, knock him down, slugfest.As soon as promoters Wayne Sponagle and Dan Shenk announced the “Summer Beatdown” event, the first combined pro boxing and MMA bouts in Prince George, I suggested, (rather tongue in cheek) to my two esteemed 94X radio colleagues, Doc Andrews and Gary Long (G-Lo), that they throw their hat in the ring as combatants against each other. Really, is there a better promotion than two co-hosts of a morning show battling like gladiators? Adding to the intrigue is the fact that G-Lo (31), program director, is Doc’s (24) boss and both are good friends.
Although these men embraced my suggestion, on air, I hesitated to give this concept any more thought. However, that quickly changed when Doc and G-Lo announced to co-workers and their radio listeners (big following for Doc and small for G-lo) that they were about to embark on an intense three week training schedule with full intentions to participate on the fight card.
The boys’ announcement met with skepticism, not only by me, but also by others that knew them. However, they began their painstaking and structured workouts under the scrutiny of Shenk. The fight was “on” as hype developed each day.
As the exhilaration progressed, I installed G-Lo as a 3-to-2 favorite primarily based on a nastier personality. Of course, my prediction did not sit well with Doc, who believed that I was betraying our strong camaraderie. Nevertheless, I did explain my position to him, in that I certainly did not shout approval for G-Lo, but his history in the “back lanes” of Maple Ridge gave him a slight edge over his opponent, a nicer, mellower personality from Surrey.
With the bout approaching and posters put on display through the city advertising this “special exhibition” match, the message was clear; this was not a stunt. In fact, a poll taken in the radio station mostly predicted G-Lo as the winner.
Okay, then reality set in, and my next thought was that these two, just less than 170 pound buddies, would “take care” of each other in the ring (if you know what I mean).
On August 7, Doc and G-Lo’s bout was fourth on the card. The announcer (94X windbag Matt Porteous) called G-Lo's name first, but five minutes went by and there was still no sign of him. I am sure I was not the only one in the PG Roll-a-Dome thinking that perhaps the “mother of all battles” would not take place. In retrospect, both combatants had intended to wear boxing gloves, but received information by Athletic Commission representative, Eric Hunter, that the titans required MMA gloves so this bout could receive proper sanctioning.
With that issue settled, G-Lo appeared in the ring, with his usual cocky smirk, followed shortly after by a very determined and focused Doc. Folks, this epic battle of the DJ’s was about to begin. I sat at ringside in amazement as these two novices actually went for the gusto with no holding back. G-Lo landed a vicious left to Doc’s head in the first round that probably would have finished most fighters. All the same, the battle continued into the second round before the referee stopped it declaring G-Lo the winner. Poor Doc- he now was the proud owner of a black eye, huge bump on his forehead and a fat lip. Although, G-lo did not have any facial scars, his chest certainly had welt marks.
Much to my surprise, I actually witnessed mayhem in the ring. I must give credit to both these individuals for not only participating, but also laying it all on the line. This fight certainly vaulted the crowd into frenzy. In fact, it received the second loudest cheer of the 13 total bouts, only behind James Hanson’s (PG Shank Club) first round MMA knockout of Vanderhoof’s 30-pound heavier Scott Stewart.
Immediately after the fight Doc stated, “I just got beat pretty bad. I’m tired. The cigarettes definitely had an effect on that loss.”
Contrary to his normal character, G-Lo responded in a complimentary manner: “Doc is a competitor. He is an animal. I was worried. I think Doc was struggling near the end of the first round, but I was too. The best part about Doc though is that on Monday it will be back to business as usual.”
Yes, life on morning radio on 94X is back to a regular routine, if there is such a thing. There is a truce between the co-hosts and no talk of a rematch. At least not until the injuries heal.
*
Haymakers: 10 of the 11 MMA bouts were decided in either the first or the second round. Only one went to a decision: Ryan Hecker (PG) defeated Conrad Krzyston (Grande Prairie). PG Shank Tank fighters compiled a record of 3-4 with wins to Hecker, James Hanson, and Joe Trottier.
Meanwhile, on the boxing card, Stuart McLellan of Williams Lake scored a four round unanimous decision over Corey Houston of Winnipeg. In the last bout of the evening, Stewart’s brother, Roberto McLellan, knocked out Montreal’s Stephane Chartrand at 1:43 of the first round following a devastating body shot. I was surprised many of the 700-plus crowd left after the MMA Main (Brad Causey of Trail over Brandon Hurely of PG in the first round), not sticking around for the Boxing Main.
From the quote rack:
The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers had a benches clearing brawl Tuesday after a number of players on both teams had been beaned. Man, you go to a baseball game and a Patrick Kane taxi ride breaks out.
New York Giants QB Eli Manning signed a contract extension making him the highest paid NFL player, right ahead of his brother. Ahhhhh, so Peyton Places. Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York
Just read that the alleged attack by Patrick Kane on the cab driver over 20 cents "was blown out of proportion", according to the driver's lawyer. Translation, the latest tip is probably a lot more than 20 cents.
The U.S. birth rate dropped two percent in 2008. Some experts attribute it to the recession, some to the decline in immigration, and still others to the fact that Travis Henry is currently incarcerated.
At a recent Nationals-Diamondbacks game, a violinist played the National Anthem on a violin made from a bat. The crowd went wild. Nats and Dbacks fans are thrilled to see ANYONE do something useful with a bat.
Manny Ramirez has not been quite as effective since he returned from his 50 game drug suspension. A Dodgers source attributes it to his being hit on the hand recently. Sure, not like it could be anything else.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)
When I heard about the Patrick Kane robbery of a cab driver of 20 cents, I immediately thought of the Hansons destruction of a soda machine over a quarter in 'Slap Shot'.
There is a nude photo of Joe DiMaggio on display at an art museum in San Francisco. It was signed "Say Hello to Mr. Coffee".
There is a nude photo of Joe DiMaggio on display at an art museum in San Francisco. It was signed "Say Hello to Mr. Coffee".
A Las Vegas woman claims to have spotted Jesus in a bumper sticker in her bathroom stall. Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire immediately announced that they have become born-again Christians.
Saturn's rings disappeared on Tuesday---Kobe Bryant named and purchased them for Vanessa on StarMoniker.com. Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Cheech Marin married his longtime girlfriend, pianist Natasha Rubin, in Malibu on Saturday. Best man? Michael Phelps.
A Russian woman was arrested after she threw a ceramic coffee cup at the Mona Lisa in Paris; she did not damage the painting. Luckily, a Mets scout saw the entire episode and signed her to a multi-year contract as a reliever.
An employee at a recycling plant in western New York found a severed human foot mixed in with trash on a conveyor belt at a landfill. The Jets immediately claimed it to try to help their kicking game. Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/
Washington Redskins Coach Jim Zorn says he has never looked at a porn site on the Internet. No wonder he isn't on the same page views as his players. Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix
A study says that men stare at woman an average of 43 minutes a day. The other 23 hours and 17 minutes are spent looking at Internet porn.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will give away free Dodger Dogs at a September game at Dodger Stadium. The word is that the foot long dogs are just Vienna sausages that are on steroids. Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)
President Obama celebrated his 48th birthday by shooting his age in a game of bowling. Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)
And in case you missed it:
Like a fat kid laying on top of a grizzly bear hibernating in the summer under water.
Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett, discussing the snoring of roommate Orlando Scandrick.
Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com
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Posted by: Winstons on August 14 2009 12:50 PM