NEW YORK — Hoops Cabaret in New York City (48 West 33rd Street), featuring dozens of sexy Hoops exotic dancers, and hailed as “the world’s sexiest sports bar,” will show the Premier Boxing Champions “High Stakes Showdown” pay-per-view event live on Saturday, March 25.
Undefeated former two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion David “El Bandera Roja’’ Benavídez and former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant will meet in a 12-round, high-stakes showdown to settle their long-simmering feud.
At Hoops Cabaret, fans can view the exciting bouts on the club’s giant Mega-Tron Video Wall and numerous HD TVs and flat screens, giving every seat a clear view of all the action.
Hoops Cabaret combines the fun of a sports bar with the excitement of a gentlemen’s club. Be sure to check out the beautiful Hoops Girls on stage and visit the club’s VIP Man Cave. There are also food and drink specials.
HOOPS CABARET and Sports Bar
Next door to the world famous Rick’s Cabaret NYC
Last year a New Jersey team/school, Saint Peter’s became the first 15th seed (or lower rated) to advance as far as the final 16, when they made the final 8/”quarters,” before being routed by eventual tournie second place team, North Carolina. (This season, I believe “N.C.” was ranked first early and did not even make the NCAA Tournament, before arrogantly refusing an N.I.T. bid–what would one time N.C. player and 1971 N.I.T. MVP, for N.C, Bill Chamberlain say?).
Now in this 2023 event I do not watch, two more very low seeded New Jersey teams/schools have pulled shocking first round upsets, though when you consider the history regarding the favorites/losing teams in those tilts, one is apt to “kick oneself,” for not seeing the larger chance of these upsets manifesting.
For the record, as was the case on a Friday night 5 years ago (Maryland Baltimore County beating Virginia) and for just the second time in 112 such matchups, a 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson, took out a one seed, so often underachieving, Purdue.
One Friday night in 1989, a 16 seed Princeton team, nearly “shocked out” a one seed Georgetown team, but fell just short.
This season, in a later afternoon Thursday first round tilt, a 15th seed, Princeton team took out two seed Arizona, another school, with big time tournament failures.
Unlike Purdue, which has never won a title, at least ‘Zona (had I played Mark Lindsay’s “Arizona” on my ’70’s CD before or after, the Princeton win vs Arizona?) won it all in ’97, denying the “still at it” “snake oil salesman,” oh I mean coach and he is a good one despite U.Conn ripping his Iona team yesterday, Rick Pitino, then with Kentucky, a repeat crown.
Ditto Virginia, victimized as referenced above by Maryland Baltimore County in ’18, also on a Friday night, in the only other 16 seed win vs a “1.”
In one of the earliest games of the 2023 event, Furman “came from nowhere,” to knock out a 4th seed Virginia team, which under “slow down” coach Tony Bennett, has been mostly “rags,” in tournament play, however, did get “tournie” “riches” with a very fortunate ’19 crown, which as with the Rams ’21 and Chiefs ’22, one severely aided by questionable calls.
Today in an episode of “Perry Mason,” airing on MeTV (The Case of the Ice-Cold Hands), I noticed two fine actors, each of whom were in the first series episode of “The Adventures of Superman” starring George Reeves.
Both Phyllis Coates, (she was in the very first ” Superman and the Mole Men”) the first “Lois Lane” on “The Adventures of Superman,” and the great, venerable character actor Dabbs Greer (he was in over 600 television episodes) were in the episode that aired. for the first time in 1964.
In that first episode of “The Adventures of Superman” Greer, not credited is the man saved by “The Man of Steel,” after falling from a dirigible.
The great Dabbs Greer, pictured in his role on “Little House on the Prairie,” above.
The tournament (64 down) begins today with me not up for it.
It is the 33rd and last for Nantz and as is the case with all of them, his successor also does not thrill me.
Nantz gets to be in “his” Houston for the national semis, with the local Houston Cougars at roughly 6 to 1 the top choice in what seems a wide open event.
Let’s see how little I will watch and I hope not to be too involved.
Elsewhere Joe (Pepitone) you did do proud, a fine player first on pennant winners and then as the once great team faded. Also, unselfishly “doing that,” and I did same, even if unlike then, I am not “zoomed” in.
Morehead State barked at 9 plus to 1 vs Clemson in the N.I.T. (the NCAA event ruined the N.I.T. another reason not to “ga ga” it) but 1– and one no hitter for Dave Morehead, who is 81.
The 3 1978 Guidry losses (give him credit as he won 25!) were to pitchers named Mike, the one on a Friday night to Caldwell was at a time, I thought the Yankees were out of it.
They were not and I still am not. His darkness, ability that is for this society varies greatly with my darkness and unrecognized talent.
Oh ’78 and Bobby Caldwell’s great “What You Won’t Do For Love.”
Bobby died, too young at 71, go easy and I guess I will keep trying.
Add March 9th to “The Ides of March,” in the “beware of” category, as another great and one I truly admired, Otis Taylor died on that date, days back at the age of 80.
He died having suffered from dementia and without achieving entry to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
So many deciding such do not have a clue, never saw Otis play and are far too lazy to do the work that would clearly show he deserved the honor.
In reality, a) why care and b) they really have no clue when it comes to receivers as it took “nearly forever” to get greats Lynn Swann and John Stallworth into that diminished, albeit still place of honor.
Otis was “Big Play,” the wrap up the title, “hitch pass TD” from Len Dawson, who preceded Otis in death by 7 months with their team, the Chiefs, winning a third crown in between, now a month and a day ago, making it (23-7), vs the Vikings, in the 4th and last AFL/NFL championship game.
There were so many others amidst his great play and Otis and Len might chuckle that one of them, a huge, so important one in the last AFL Title Game, a (17-7) win at Oakland, vs the Raiders, was a long pass from the shadow of the K.C. goalpost, that pretty clearly was gathered in brilliantly, but out of bounds, by Otis.
Then on so clear have replay, not on the one that nullified Hurts to DeVonta Smith, a key play, again helping the Chiefs (3-0) on the NFL or NFC network (in exclusive Supes, first was on both NFL and AFL a Green Bay “ease” vs the Chiefs) win a Supe.
This yet– “another blow” and clearly not easy to say, “that’s how it go!”
In brief and with the utmost respect to the wonderful Linda and with condolences to her family, she was an incredible person.
She loved her family and dying so unexpectedly, still young and with so little time having been shared with her three grandchildren, again causes– who the “F” is running this?!
Yet, she as a journalist, among many other assets and good deeds, volunteering to help, would cite and advise–live each day!!
Three years apart and in many ways before and after, she added so much to my life.
My dear friend, be on a seismic adventure and this time the microwave item can wait!
This language has only one word for all kinds of love and with no doubt or hesitation, I say love you, Linda.
Far from “on the corner,” Linda was accomplished, but also gave back so much to those who may have been stuck there.
I know she would chuckle and perhaps will when she realizes she does not have to spell “Czechoslovakia” (ode to St. Peter as well as Dickie Masur and Josh Mostel in “Old Jews Telling Jokes.”) to gain entry into heaven.
Where in the “wide world” of Earvin 42 and “Silk” 37, (cue “Blazing Saddles”), did 29 years go, as that amount of time elapsed from March 8/9, 1994 when my father died and night time March 8th (52 Years multiplied by 52 weeks, could not find a times sign on this =’s 2,704 weeks? since Frazier/Ali, (cue Cosell) “the first time around”) when Earvin Johnson Sr. died at age 88?!!
I will stop with the numbers except to reference May 16, 1980, when in a game televised on delayed tape to most of this country, Johnson Sr’s son Earvin “Magic” Johnson led the Lakers, playing without the great Kareem Abdul Jabbar, to a title clinching win, as at least 8 point underdogs, at Philadelphia, vs the 76ers, in game 6.
I wonder how Mr. Johnson or for that matter my father, followed that game.
As the game progressed and I watched and listened in Howard Johnson’s room 302, to Chick Hearn, calling Jamaal “Silk” Wilkes’ 20 footers, “the layup,” I kept imploring the then, “my” Lakers, to win it for my dad.
Earvin “Magic” talked and always will of his beloved parents Earvin and Christine, the latter still here, her over 60 year marriage over and in referencing his dad-’twas the work ethic instilled, the truck and the building confidence, that Earvin “Magic” cites most often.
I send my condolences to Earvin Jr. and his family, recalling his kind words to me, I believe it was the last time I saw him (day of Lakers vs Sacramento #7 in ’02 when he was to have dinner with Byron Scott, then coaching the Nets still New Jersey, already in the final, in which the Lakers, lucky to have beaten “Sac” and no longer my team, (I liked Bryant, not O’Neal and that is another “exchange” that galls me), would sweep to claim a third straight crown) in reference to the loss of my mother.
Earvin Johnson Sr. who rooted for Wilt, and his son the great player Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. pictured.
Some team will win the 2023 World Series, 120 years after the first one, which was won by the Boston Red Sox franchise. (Later this week a post about that one).
Eventually, I will cite all the 5/10 year(s) multiples of “years ago” baseball titles.
In this first “batch of 7, almost all of the World Series contested have been best of 7, however not the above referenced Boston 5 games to 3, best of 9, crown, won vs Pittsburgh in 1903), the Boston and Chicago Cubs teams, eventually to endure respective 86 and 108 year title droughts, won the first two, as the Cubs beat Detroit in 1908.
Next the last of 3 Connie Mack managed Philadelphia Athletics’ crowns in 4 seasons as they beat the New York Giants in the 1913 World Series.
The Red Sox won it all in 1918 beating the Cubs and the Giants took the Washington Senators in 5 games to win the crown ninety years ago in 1933.
In between the New York Yankees won the first and third of their 27 titles, winning vs the Giants in 1923 and sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in 1928.
The Giants had won the 1921 and 1922 World Series vs the Yankees while the Grover Cleveland Alexander led Cards had won the 1926 World Series in 7 games vs the Yankees, winning the last two games at 4th year Yankee Stadium.
Alexander won #6 and saved #7, not before a Yankees’ great Tony Lazzeri, bid for an extra base hit, before “Old Pete” (Alexander) struck him out with 2 outs and the bases loaded, the Cards clinging to the eventual final score,(3-2) lead.
The great pitcher, Grover Cleveland Alexander, pictured above.
I suppose the Boston Bruins’ great record of (49-8 and 103 points is worth noting. Upon ‘review” it certainly is.
They will almost certainly win The President’s Trophy. Last season, the Colorado Avalanche won both the relatively meaningless President’s Trophy and the real goal (pun if it is, intended as you need to score goals), the Stanley Cup.
However, there have not been too many recent examples of a team winning both of those.
A word on the Canadiens of ’76-’77 and the fact they won it all 4 straight seasons. Right now the Bruins are not close to as good and very likely never will be.
Look it up, as Montreal in 2 straight seasons went (24-3) in the “what counts” playoffs and “titled” in ’76 and ’77.
Boston will not come anywhere near that feat and if they do, I will admit the error of my statement.
Click above for highlights of the Canadiens’ game 4 win at Boston, vs a good Bruins’ team, to sweep the ’77 final.
Jacques Lemaire had both Montreal goals in the (2-1) overtime, Saturday night clinching game.
The great Danny Gallivan is the play by play broadcaster with Dick Irvin providing commentary.
Alas, did you note the March 8th date, as then it marked 41 years since two other great sports rivals, Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali met for the heavyweight boxing crown.
Joe Frazier won that night and Ali would win the last two of their 3 epic bouts.
I would like to think with now, all 4 of these greats gone from this, they are enjoying each other’s company in a better place, enriched with the knowledge their great rivalries made them and us, to a large degree, better.
Maybe Ali and Frazier are again driving from Philadelphia to New York, Ali talking incessantly with Joe actually enjoying/enduring it from behind the wheel.
Wilt and “Russ” might be playing with Bill’s great electric trains. That reminds me of Moses, no not the great denied the “promised land” “despite,” man, but Malone.
See last night (cue Marilyn McCoo and the Fifth Dimension) as “I could not sleep,” and a recording cited Russell’s praise of Malone’s greatness in ’83, as “here comes that train again.”
The Moses Malone train was on time, leading his 76ers to their lone crown in the 55 seasons (Wilt once had 55 rebounds in a game!!) since Wilt led a great ’67 team to the title, the one time in 8 playoff series any of his teams (the Warriors, Sixers or Lakers) won vs Bill Russell’s Celtics.
Andy B Sports 