Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Perdomo Reserve Champagne Sun Grown - Cigar Review

Perdomo Reserve Champagne Sun Grown
7 x 54 Churchill

WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Sungrown
BINDER: Nicaraguan Habano
FILLER: Nicaraguan
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Medium

MY [six-second read] NOTES: A decent performer, marred by audibly cracking top-leaf. Nuanced, but lacking in delineated notes. Sweet and kindly piquant bits a' honey caramel, suede, clove, nutmeg.

FINAL GRADE: B

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59

May 2017 Pound for Pound Boxing Rankings

1. Gennady Golovkin 37-0-0, 33
IBF, WBA, WBC Middleweight Champion

2. Terence Crawford 31-0-0, 22
WBC, WBO Jr Welterweight Champion

3. Andre Ward 31-0-0, 15
WBO, IBF, WBA Light Heavyweight Champion

4. Saul Alvarez 49-1-1, 34
WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion

5. Keith Thurman 27-0-1, 22
WBA Welterweight Champion

6. Roman Gonzalez 46-1-0, 38
WBC Junior Bantamweight Champion

7. Sergey Kovalev 30-1-1, 26

8. Anthony Joshua 19-0-0, 19
WBA, IBF, IBO Heavyweight Champion

9. Errol Spence, Jr. 22-0-0, 19
IBF World Welterweight Champion

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Adonis Stevenson vs Andrzej Fonfara II - Boxing Preview

Gentlepersons, if yer Light Heavyweight gazes focus sharply on June 17th's Ward vs. Kovalev, ya got good peepers. Through a deservedly fuzzier and peripheral lens can be seen June 3rd's rematch all its own -- Misters Adonis Stevenson (28-1, 23KO) vs. Andrzej Fonfara (29-4, 17KO) for Stevenson's WBC Light Heavyweight crown. The Bell Centre in Montreal will play homer-host to the lineal champ whom just ain't impressed since wresting the strap from Mr. Chad Dawson in 2013. Adonis, a name not 'nuff hyperbolic so "Superman" was employed, has faced since then only over-matched rivals to his reign.

Even whilst I am one whom believes that with rank comes privilege insofar as the champ gets his pick -- Superman's optioned oppositions rub even me wrongly. Not only has he defeated Fonfara back in 2014 by a lesser margin than expected and should've, but he waited to make/take this fight till the Pole's following hot-streak hit a bit of a schneid. Most recently Fonfara was knocked-out in the opening stanza by under-dog Mr. Joe Smith, Jr. then barely beat an all but already beat Mr. Chad Dawson. It is my feeling that the 39 year-old Stevenson is but keeping the belt warm for either Andre Ward or Sergey Kovalev, but in light of his reign, that mayhaps eventual bout seems doomed to be as cold as Lex Luthor's heart. How would you promote a Ward vs. Stevenson row? You'd book a phone booth as the venue and pray for a nigh sell-out, that's how.

"It's now official," Stevenson wrote on social media way back then. "June 3rd rematch against Andrzej Fonfara in Canada. The undercard will be interesting as well." That interesting under-card consists of Stevenson's mandatory challenger, one Mr. Eleider Alvarez (22-0, 11 KOs) being fed former WBC King Mr. Jean Pascal (31-4-1, 18KO) whom hath won only three of his last half-dozen prizefights.

El Baton - Cigar Review

JC Newman
El Baton Robusto 5 x 54

WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Corojo
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

ORIGIN: Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Medium-full
MANUFACTURER NOTES:
"The full bodied, Nicaraguan blend cigar is a spicy addition to the J.C. Newman Cigar Company. El Baton cigars are hand rolled in in Nicaruagua [sic] using only the best Nicaraguan grown tobacco leaves. Originally released as a nickel cigar in 1914, its return has been met with rave reviews, receiving a high score of 91 on Cigar Aficionados rating scale. El Baton cigars are grown in the most fertile areas of Nicaragua, providing for a smooth, hearty smoke with a little spice. The Nicaraguan tobaccos exude hints of oak wood and black pepper. A Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper completes the spicy mix." - www.JCNewmanOnline.com
CIGAR AFICIONADO NOTES: 
"Covered in a dark wrapper, this cigar smokes evenly, offering bold and meaty flavors and some pepper notes underscored by hints of orange peel." From www.CigarAficionado.com along with a 90 rating.

MY NOTES:
An offering the antithesis of my grandfather's "For-showing-not-for-blowing" handkerchief. Not always cosmetically sound, this -- but exceptionally performing. My schmatta. Hits all primary tastes* with an easy piquant attachment of peppercorn and mulling spices. Hardwood and mocha notes are primary atop a compost under-belly. Twixt thems are beefy leathers and baccy.

FINAL GRADE: A-

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59
El Baton, schmatta back-drop.
EDITOR'S NOTES:
Perchance thought more-so than note, proper. In the interest of sharing what yous gentlepersons may deem frivolous to share due to its personal preference or bias, even -- this is my favorite smoke. As a reviewer, I cannot truly say I have an 'everyday,' but I do grab an El Baton whenst looking for some smokable comfort cuisine outta my own wallet. And now ya know a bit about me. It's like we're chums. Pals. Buds. Don't touch me.

Too, on one of my now defunct radio shows, I was accompanied by another El Baton offering. You can listen to that HERE.

*Sour, salty, sweet, bitter, and umami.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Gispert Intenso - Cigar Review

Gispert Intenso
6 x 50 Toro Box Press

WRAPPER: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan
ORIGIN: Nicaraguan
BLENDER: Grupo de Maestros / AJ Fernandez
FIRST STANZA:
A nice looking stick. Dark canvass with a nice bit a' toothiness. Moderate and non-interfering veins. Tight nigh invisible seams. Nice even complexion. Excellent sheen over-top. The cap is exceptionally well-affixed and there is bupkis insofar as hard/soft spots on down its well-packed shaft.

On the first couple pulls, there is a forward peppercorn with further bracing wood bit. Manure is pushing all ahead from the under-belly and in the narrow twixt, there is some molasses and bittersweet chocolate. Mascara line begins a tick on a wobble, but corrects itself on its lonesome at bout a half-inch in. A bit more along, there's a coffee soda addition and toasting of the wood, a hickory varietal. Shortly thereafter, a bit of dark grains round out the umami-ness and some salt checks in on my lips. Peppercorn sees accompaniments of cayenne and cumin in the piquancy realm.

SECOND STANZA:
With some dust a-settlin', I can now say the profile is a gentlepersonly full. Medium-full strength of a nice wooziness with slight schvitz on upper-lip. Full-flavored, and I shall speaketh mo' to that in a tick. Body is medium-full and growing in a darkly toasted cream and syrupy leathery oils. Something of a sarsaparilla is on the long-legg'd bittersweet finish. Very rich, quite well-balanced. Fleshing out nicely.

Flavors are as they were at the opening stanza's end, with a hibiscus addition hither and thither. Primaries are a mesquite piquancy. Up-top the middlings is a now dark chocolate, under that is a pull of espresso and pile a' hickory. Under-belly is manure and dark grains. 

The box press hath loosened some up toward char. Draw is an excellent medium+ tension. Smoke out-put is moderate and full off of foot and into mouf, respectively. Seams hath tightened and sheen is deepened. Pace of combustion seems somewhat quick. 

At the mid-point, a purging is needed as there is a quick two/three puffs of a diesel something. This calms and as the final stanza looms nigh, strength is upped to full and manure-led under-belly rises. Caramelized sugar hits espresso and hello, Cuban coffee.

THIRD STANZA:
With all notes aboard, still, there is a thicker and separate leather and new nutshell vibe. Profile stays of same zetz, with a strength traveling downward to my challah-basket. This drop nicely by-passes any throatiness. Rather a smooth smoke for its heighty-height. Hey, my heart is palpitating.

Ash hath grown all along to a solid inch of marbled heather-grey burnt-offerings, coming outta an even and thin burn-line. All remaining notes to construction/combustion hold firm and the end is a cool and nicely firm nub. Before the end, a marked spittiness occurs with a slight dialing back of piquant tongue-tingle. Nicely complex, all-told with neat-O nuances complexities 'nuff. Transitions are via a well-rehearsed deepening of maturing notes, although too come with the aforementioned diesel dalliance and a final-third charcoal lilting.

FINAL GRADE: A-

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Top 10 Lightweights in Boxing History: Ranked

Gentlepersons,
Sans ado, adon't, or amaybe...

10. Alexis Arguello
El Flaco Explosivo (April 19, 1952 - July 1, 2009) stood 5'10" with a career record 78-8-0, 62KO. He was a three-weight champion, owning the Featherweight title as well as Super Featherweight and Lightweight titles. Arguello was never unseated from his throne in-ring, instead abdicating to pursue crowns of higher weights.

9. Jack McAuliffe
The Napoleon of the Prize Ring, the cat-quick McAuliffe (March 24, 1866 - November 11, 1937) ruled the Lightweights from 1886 - 1893 with a career record of 28-0-10, 20KO. He was Nat Fleischer's #5 all-time Lightweight and boxed an exhibition with Jack Dempsey and several with Benny Leonard and Georges Carpentier.

8. Carlos Ortiz
Puerto Rican born in September 9, 1936 and New York City raised, Ortiz was a slick-smart boxer with more decent than indicated by record power in both his quick hands. His career stats are 61-7-1. Twice in the 1960's, he held the 135-pound title. Mayhaps the greatest-ever Puerto Rican pug.

7. Barney Ross
Living December 23, 1909 - January 17, 1967, fighting in the 1920s-'30s whenst Adolf Hitler was spreading his anti-semitism. Barney Ross 72-4-3, 22KO was seen by Jews as the emblem of Jews fighting back. Willful, strong, and fast; the triple-division champ was never knocked down, and was a decorated WWII Veteran.

6. Ike Williams
Born August 8th 1923 and passing away September 5th 1994, Ike Williams amassed a record of 126-24-4, 61KO with victories over Kid Gavilan, Beau Jack, Bob Montgomery whom he beat in '47 to become the unified Lightweight King. An advocate of fighter rights, he was blackballed by the Managers Guild.
5. Pernell Whitaker
Sweet Pea was born the second day of 1964. He'd become a wizardly counter-punching defensive southpaw with a career record of 40-4-1, 17KO, going 19-3-1 4 KO in title-fights. By August 20th 1989 Whitaker held the IBF, WBC, and Ring Lightweight belts. His control of mid-divisions lasted into the mid-'90s.

4. Henry Armstrong
Homicide Hank was born Henry Jackson December 12th 1909, escaping this mortal coil October 23, 1988. A whirlwind of combos, motion, and power -- Armstrong fought a dozen times a year and ran a shoe-shine stand; winning the Lightweight championship title on August 17, 1938. Eventually becoming a three division crown-wearer.

3. Joe Gans
Old Master, November 25th 1874 - August 10, 1910 ne'er did get old, but wound up his career masterfully: 145-10-16, 100KO. Gans is Nat Fleischer's #1 Lightweight of all-times, and is considered as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers in pug history. Gilbert Odd, historian, lists him as champion from 1902-1908.

2. Roberto Duran
Manos de Piedra, b.June 16th 1951. On June 26th 1972, Duran defeated Ken Buchanan in MSG for the WBA Lightweight Championship. He'd eventually make twelve successful defenses, 11 via knock-out, then abdicate in February 1979. 103-16, 70KO on his career, he'd go on to win world titles in four weight-classes.

1. Benny Leonard
The Ghetto Wizard April 7, 1896 - April 18, 1947. Leonard lost his pro debut and were knocked out three more times in his first professional seven months. He finished 89-6-1, 70KO. Twixt that, on May 20, 1917, Leonard knocked out Freddie Welsh in nine rounds to win the World Lightweight Championship. He would be World Lightweight Champion for almost seven years till he relinquished (1917-1925), which is still history's longest lightweight title reign. Much the Muhammad Ali of 135-pounders, Nat Fleischer called his rivals, "a field of the greatest lightweights that ever appeared at one time in the division."

Saturday, May 27, 2017

George Groves Strikes Boxing Gold in Fourth Attempt

On the under-card of the Mr. Errol Spence coming-out party, Mr. George Groves (26-3, 19 KO) at long finally last festooned his waist with the WBA World Super Middleweight strap. It took four attempts and over-coming his own slow start here, but the Brit was able to cause Russian champ Mr. Fedor Chudinov (14-2, 10 KO) to relent -- or at the very least have the referee relent on his behalf.

West Londoner Groves, opened on his back-foot whilst Chudinov threw punches in bunches and bunches of punches -- seemingly overwhelmingly so. The Russian marched forward and Groves seemed on the verge of being wiped up, if not whipped up-on. Finally in the fourth, Groves began to employ his own combos, as Chudinov's pace slowed-some. Success bred aggression, and with the clock ticking in attempt four, Groves upped his out-put again in the sixth off rocking Chudinov with a sharp flurry. The punches landed cleanly, then begun the blitz a' unanswered hooks which caused the stoppage.

Post-fight and in-ring, Groves offered the candid tid-bit that yet another failed grasp at gold may well have had him hanging 'em up. Instead, we are now beset with the potentiality of familiar foes he and Mr. James DeGale, the IBF champ, squaring off down the none too distant road.

Errol Spence Makes Kell Brook Quit in 11th

Before 30,000 plus fans at Brahmall Lane in Sheffield, England; Mr. Kell Brook (36-2, 25 KO) proved to be just the step-up in class which many thunk he'd be. Yet Mr. Errol Spence, Jr. (22-0, 19 KO) proved to be the phenom many thunk he'd be -- although I openly doubted as such and am eating my hat as I type. It's quite dry really, but filling. Like my humor.

The end came at 1:47 of the 11th round after Brook, whom ne'er before lost at 147, barely survived a knock-down in the prior stanza's opening, then finished the round well via gutsy and mainly still potent uppercuts. A couple stanza's prior, Brook's eyes begin to swell; both the titanium and meat enforced 'uns. Up till the 7th it was a great outing by the Brit, who seemed to be handling well, Spence's impersonation of Mr. Shawn Porter. Brook fought in effective spurts, till them spurts came fewer and far-er twixt and then the tide doth did turn and the momentum in turn swung. Throoughout, it was a joy to see two rapid-firing lites with rather high sweet science Intelligence Quotients.

The wily and mighty southpaw Spence went from needing a knock-out to secure his bid to be new IBF Welterweight crown-bearer -- to needing not be KO'd to return home with gold-mounted-to-leather. To take nada from Jr., I do feel he should give Mr. Gennady Golovkin at the very least a warm phone-call, post haste. Brook having moved up two weight classes to take the September GGG fight no-one wanted, and suffering a busted peeper, seems to have all but ended this talented and brave pugilist.

Via The Gaurdian, Spence spoketh in-ring: “He’s a tricky fighter. He’s awkward. He’s very strong and he can punch. I proved today I have a chin and I have true grit." Proved, he did. Further proof? Golovkin eats souls gentlepersons. Drats and congrats to the newly minted champ -- long may he reign. Please pass the kosher salt.

Friday, May 26, 2017

18 Sabbaths Cattle Baron Bull Cigar Review: 4th Sabbath

Cattle Baron Cigars
Bull 4 1/2 x 58
w. Nicaraguan Habano
b. Dominican
f. Dominican Seco and Nicaraguan Viso
m. De Los Reyes, Dominian Republic
in collaboration with Mr. Phil Zanghi of Debonaire House.
A muscularly built cigar with a well balanced medium-full profile. Well delivered traditional notes of sweetly piquant cocoa and cedar around a clean tobacco core. [A short (25wd) review as part and parcel of THIS Four Cigars Reviewed in 100 Words vol. III post. Reprinted with my own written consent and minuscule editing herein.]

HERE is a write-up of the Cattle Baron blend in its Trail Boss vitola.
HERE is me talking about the Cattle Baron blend in its Stockyard vitola.

Find out more about this, my 18 Sabbaths project, by clicking HERE.

Whilst still in the starting-ups of Serie III, lettuce set a base for this blend by employing the Kaplowitz Scale. This exercise will be re-done in a later Sabbath, for comparison's sake. A reminder: K is least, Z most... we are speaking in terms of amounts, not my personal favorabilities. Re: construction/combustion, the most-er the better, gentlepersons.
Construction: W
Combustion: W

Flavor: W
Sweet: O
Sour: L
Bitter: W
Salty: L
Umami: O
Piquancy: W

Body: W
Strength: L

Balance: I
Complexity: W
Nuance: O
Transitions: P

On Bob Fitzsimmons, Jem Mace, and Wyatt Earp

Gentlepersons, earlier this morning I posted the following to my Twitter: "Bob Fitzsimmons, born to-day 1863. The first 3 division #Boxing champ in #History. Taught by Jem Mace and screwed by Wyatt Earp." I felt the need to prattle on a bit more. Expound, if ya will.

Lettuce begin with one Mr. Jem Mace, a name I first heard as a pre-boxing enthusiast youth whilst reading a Louis L'Amour novel. Since then, I've learnt more 'bout Mace; in quite shortened strokes, this: born in 1831 and bidding adieu in 1910, he was an English pug whom fought in bare-knuckle'd and then gloved competitions and then exhibitions. A middleweight with slick-smart defenses and notable punching power, he saw much success against much larger foes. Earning moolah as an exhibition fighter, he laced 'em up till the age of 78. James J. Corbett referred to him as "the man to whom we owe the changes that have elevated the sport."

During an 1882 tour of New Zealand, Mace discovered the future World Heavyweight Champion and future, future great, one Mr. Bob Fitzsimmons; whom was a then a kid on at the end of a 93-day journey to re-location with his parents from England. Under his guidance Fitzsimmons developed and evolved his punching technique into short and accurate piston-like motions which oft and singularly changed a fight's complexion.
Neat, huh? Ya ain't read nothing yet. Fast-forward now to San Fransisco, Californ-i-a. December 2nd 1896. Like Jem Mace, Bob Fitzsimmons was a middleweight with Heavyweight desires. Remember, in those days there was no division twixt. Enter Mr. Tom Sharkey... but more importantly perchance, enter famed law's long-arm, Mr. Wyatt Earp -- whom were also a gamblin' man. The Tombstone participant had officiated a smattering of matches prior, but none under the Marquess of Queensberry rules which were in effect for this match.

The lengthier and quicker Fitzsimmons controlled the fight, and Sharkey, from the opening stanza on. Then in the eighth, he tagged Sharkey with his infamous solar plexus punch. This is not the WWE finishing move it sounds like, simply it is an uppercut to under the heart. I'd rather take a folding chair up-side the meat of my back, thank-you. All in attendance were surprised by Sharkey's reaction: sir dropped to the canvas and grabbed hisself so as to indicate a low-blow hath occurred. He did muster the wherewithal to cry foul. Loudly, clearly, and repeatedly.

Wyatt Earp called an end to the fisticuffs, basing the decision to do-so on the rule-book stating: "A man on one knee is considered down and if struck is entitled to the stakes." Problem is nary at most, were the persons whom saw this stated infraction. Hoots, hollers, and cat-calls rang out. Boos, hisses, and cusses too. Earp awarded the decision to Sharkey, whom's corner-men lugged him out as "limp as a rag." (Shillingberg, William B. (Summer 1976). "Wyatt Earp and the Buntline Special Myth". Kansas Historical Quarterly. 42 (2): 113–154)

Punch Bareknuckle - Cigar Review

Punch Bareknuckle
5 x 50 Belicoso

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER: n/a
FILLER: Honduran, Nicaraguan

ORIGIN: Honduran
STRENGTH: Full

NOTES: A cigar that handles like a sports car. Somewhat of a singular bittersweet note melange of peppery citrus and cocoa beans with toasted wood accompaniment.
FINAL GRADE: B+

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59

Get 'em HERE from my chums at Cigars City.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Happy Birthday, Mr. Jack Root

Gentlepersons, lettuce all wish a very happy birthday to Jack Root. Mr. Root was a Light Heavyweight champ, and strongly mayhaps the very first a' thems. He, George Gardner, and Bob Fitzsimmons all held the light heavyweight world championship title in 1903.

On July 3rd 1905 he fought Mr. Marvin Hart after Heavyweight king Mr. Jim Jeffries had retired undefeated and named the pair top contenders to his abdicated throne. Jeffries ref'd the bout himself, which saw Root losing via a 12th round knock-out. He retired with a career record of 47 wins and three losses with three draws and 28 knock-outs.

Root then served as President for the City of Angels' famed Olympic Auditorium. He resigned his post on February 27th 1926, returning to his showbiz roots. He was also a World War I United States Army Lieutenant.

Padron Ambassador Maduro - Cigar Review

Padron Ambassador Maduro
6 7/8 x 42 Lonsdale

WRAPPER: Nicaraguan
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

ORIGIN: Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Medium
MY NOTES: A gentleperson garbed in work clothes. A supremely performing cigar. Notes of Americano and cocoa beans atop sweet woods and a cumin-led piquancy. Floral dalliances. Second half shows molasses notes and sweet almonds. Cumin gets a nutmeg attachment, Americano a sploosh a' cream. Black pepper builds. toothy nub is firm and cucumber cool.

FINAL GRADE: A

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59
Please check out my pals at Cigars City, and their Padron collection HERE.

Ali vs Liston II May 25, 1965: A Timely Boxing Retrospective

Mr. Charles L. "Sonny" Liston was born into an Arkansas sharecropping family. The exact date of his birth remains unknown. His death is shrouded in just as much mystery, except we know it occurred December 30, 1970 in Lost Wages, Nevada. An armed robbery conviction sent Liston to the Missouri State Penitentiary, where he learnt the sweet science of pugilism. Up-on becoming a professional prize-fighter, and vastly through-out is career, his contract was owned by one Mr. Frankie Carbo. Carbo upwardly mobilized hisself from mafia hit man to senior member of the Lucchese crime family. Said Lucchese Family notoriously ran the Mafia's boxing rackets.

With these dark under-world connections and his own menacing power including a left arm larger than his right, which thudded jabs and thundered hooks; Liston was the single most intimidating pug of his day. A day in which he was considered one of the all-time greats. Mr. Jim Wicks, British Champion Mr. Henry Cooper's manager stated publicly: "We don't even want to meet Liston walking down the same street." Liston became Heavyweight Champion of the World via destroying Mr. Floyd Patterson via an opening stanza knock-out. Less than a year later, the feat saw its repeat.
Mr. Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942. Mr. Joe E. Martin, a Louisville police officer and boxing coach first introduced him to the idea of pugilistic endeavors. Threatening to thump the thief whom took his bicycle, Martin told the young Clay he'd best learn to box first. Clay, by 22 years of age was a brash and quite fast talker of trash. He'd already earned the nom de ring "The Louisville Lip" from ring writers and with each day earnt it more. In-ring, he was an Olympic Gold Medalist in 1960 Rome with quicker than the proverbial hiccup hands, feet, and reflexes.

Nevertheless, loud-mouthed Clay was disliked by reporters as much as Liston were. His pending challenge to Sonny's throne was roundly dismissed. There was 46 ring writers present ring-side, three gave Clay a snowflake's chance at a Vice President Pence commencement speech. New York Newsman Mr. Lester Bromberg quipped: "It will last longer than the Patterson fight -- almost the entire first round." Not to be out-done, Mr. Jim Murray a scribe from the City of Angels offered: "The only thing at which Clay can beat Liston is reading the dictionary." As the opening bell rung, Clay was a seven to one under-dog.
Then this, their first fight, went down as everyone doth know it doth done did and we are not here to discuss that. Gentlepersons, though perchance I'd be remiss in entirely ignoring it. The fisticuffs were hosted in 1964 Miami Beach, Florida. February 25th, to be precise. My birthday to be personal. Natch, the beauty Clay won whenst the beast Liston quit at the seventh stanza's opening

Post fight and post haste, Liston told media he had fought with an injured shoulder since the opening stanza, citing an injury which occurred in camp. More were skeptical than were accepting of this. Much later, his own corner-man said the excuse was a spur-of-the moment concoction to secure interest in a rematch which was already agreed to. Twixt them times, Dr. Alexander Robbins, chief physician for the Miami Beach Boxing Commission chimed in to diagnose Sonny Liston with a torn left shoulder tendon. Regardless of legitimacy, Clay had "Shook up the world." Which brings us to our focus for to-day. Although my guess is we are some 63% or-so through this article.

In the fight's fall out, each pug found immediate and independent controversies to add to their shared helping of such. Each were seen as a black eye to the sport of black eyes. Days after the bout Cassius Clay announced he had joined the Nation of Islam, adopting first the name Cassius X. A month later, he was re-named Muhammad Ali by group head Mr. Elijah Muhammad. "When Cassius Clay joined the Black Muslims and started calling himself Cassius X, he became a champion of racial segregation." Said Mr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As to Liston, he was arrested on March 12 after being pulled over for driving through a residential neighborhood at upwards of 80mph. Without a license, and whilst carrying a loaded Sunday Special. The icing on the cake, as if it were needed, came via empty bottles of vodka in the car. The former champ's companion to these vehicular festivities was a "young woman" whom got away free as whomever this Scott fella is.
Gentlepersons, that is how we get to Lewiston, Maine, the site of their rematch. The Hamlet sleepily rested some 140 miles north of Boston, a mill town with a then population of about 41,000. This made it the teeniest burgh to host a Heavyweight title row since Jack Dempsey fought Tom Gibbons in Shelby, Montana -- Oh, but that is another tale for another time.

What occurred on May 25th 1965 will forever remain mayhaps the single most controversial occurrence in all of boxing's long and oft shady history of controversial occurrences. At the opening stanza's mid-mark, Liston put out a jab which Ali trumped by going over with a fast right. The former king was downed. Most spectators did not see the punch that done him in. Mr. Jersey Joe Walcott, a former champ and great hisself, couldn't wrangle Ali to a neutral corner. "The Greatest" instead opted to stand over his fallen prey taunting: "Get up and fight, sucker!" Picture clicker Mr. Neil Leifer snapped the famous image up top of this article... I'm soitenly certain you've seen it prior. Post snap-shot, Ali danced around the squared circle, arms raised triumphantly. With his count interrupted, Walcott turned to the timekeeper for a clue he didn't get. Then Liston fell back to the canvas. The count never did get continued. Jersey Joe Walcott then separated the by then resumed pugs, and stopped the fight. Muhammad Ali was declared the victor.

The fight ranks as one a' the shortest Heavyweight title fights on record... no matter how ya count it, gentlepersons. You see, the official time of the stoppage was announced as one minute of the opening stanza. In reality, Liston was felled at the 1:44 mark, regained vertical alignment at 1:56, and Walcott called it at 2:12. "I did my job," Walcott said. "He [Ali] looked like a man in a different world. I didn't know what he might do. I thought he might stomp him or pick him up and belt him again."

My dad oft told the story of missing a Mr. Mike Tyson go in its entirety whilst making a pre-fight sammich. Similarly, many spectators had yet to file into their seats at the time of stoppage. I just thought I'd end here on that brief anecdote.

A Review of Recent Grade A Cigar Offerings


"Sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit, these men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem - If no one else can help - and if you can find them - maybe you can hire the A-Team."

Gentlepersons, below is a list as shallow and pedantic as Lois Griffin's meatloaf. It is a list of recent (May '17) cigar offerings I humbly found to be worthy of A (A- to A+) review ratings.
THE A LIST
{Names are links to full review.}

Please look first to my chums at Cigars City, whenst looking to procure any these fine and recommended by moi offerings.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

La Gloria Cubana Serie R - Cigar Review

La Gloria Cubana Serie R
No. 5 Maduro 5 1/2 x 54 Robusto Extra

WRAPPER: Connecticut Broadleaf
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan

ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
STRENGTH: Medium-full

"A pioneer of the large ring gauge revolution, Serie R delivers bold spiciness and powerful, yet refined flavor." www.lagloriacubana.com
MY NOTES: A stiff drawing smoke, burning on nigh too cool wobblings. Semisweet woods and cocoa beans. Hibiscus/dark fusty attachments. Piquant via peppercorn and mulling spice.

FINAL GRADE: B+

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59

Gentlepersons, get 'em HERE from my good pals at Cigars City.