Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Ward vs.The Real Son of God
Six weeks ahead of his return to the ring against Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, boxing’s top biggest name and cash king, Floyd Mayweather, used an interview with fighthype.com to fire a series of verbal jabs… at 168-pound champ Andre Ward. Apparently Ward, the best boxer on the planet not named Mayweather, is a long-time friend … Read more
Venezuelan Baseball’s Two Strikes
Original published Nov. 25 2012 in the Toronto Star. Morgan Campbell Business Reporter MARACAY, VENEZUELA—Angel Guillen turns 16 in January, but his fresh face and braces make him look younger. He’s 6-foot-2 and long-limbed, thin as a praying mantis. On the pitcher’s mound, however, he wields his right arm like a whip, unspooling fastballs that … Read more
Oh Canada… Malcolm Subban repels opponents and racist troll fans
What we didn’t see coming: Canada losing a lopsided semi final to the U.S. Thursday morning at the World Junior Hockey Championship. This tournament is Canada’s equivalent of March Madness — the entire country uniting to follow the future stars of an insanely popular sport through a series of progressively tougher challenges. This event has … Read more
Friday Night Fighters and Writers
Another quick update for the folks who were waiting for my preview of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez showdown — you’ll have it Saturday morning, and that’s a promise. We’ll meet here to discuss the Pacquiao-Marquez and the fairness of steroid innuendo. Would have had it today, but fate called. In this case fate was … Read more
Told y’all I’m not dead: Venezuela to the Woodshed
Just a quick note to thank you all for you patience, with a special shout out to those of you who missed me enough to ask where the hell I’ve been for the last seven weeks. As I pointed out before my hiatus, I’m not dead — but I did spend a few weeks buried under … Read more
Yunel Escobar, homophobia and the folly of tolerance
My mom has a thing for fools. More correctly, she has a thing for saying the word “fool.” She loves it. Enjoys saying “fool” the way most women enjoy eating chocolate. Curls her bottom lip beneath her top row of teeth so she can push the word out with extra force; the fricative morphs into … Read more
Here’s the thing about Lolo Jones
First, a disclaimer: If you follow this blog or know me personally you know I’m more than a passive observer of any 100-metre hurdles race at the world class level. I make that fact clear only to make this one clear: my thoughts on this particular topic are mine and mine alone. The opinions expressed … Read more
My (un) biased take on the false start rule: It stinks
Full disclosure: When a listfranc fracture in her left foot kept Canadian hurdle heroine Perdita Felicien out of the 2008 Olympic Games, she spent much of her summer in Mississauga, Ontario, staying in shape as best she could without running, and often that meant climbing on a bike and repeatedly riding up a steep hill … Read more
NCAA, Pay-for-play and the search for sympathetic victims
Monday night the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team vanquished the Kansas Jayhawks to win their first national championship in 14 years and tie together several compelling subplots. There’s the one about high-profile coach John Calipari delivering an NCAA crown to long-suffering fans who expect Sweet 16 appearances like the rest of us expect taxes. And … Read more
April 29, 2011: Gary Goodridge and the High Cost of Living Dangerously
MORGAN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER BARRIE—When Gary (Big Daddy) Goodridge strides into his living room, the hands that once delivered punches now cradle pill bottles. Fifteen years ago, Goodridge won his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut by knocking his opponent cold with one elbow strike. The other seven were pure adrenaline. That fight made the Barrie resident … Read more
