Happy New Year

May each day of the coming year be vibrant and new bringing along many reasons for celebrations. Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy new year.

Wade suspended for kicking Sessions in the Groin

NEW YORK (AP) -- Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade was suspended one game without pay by the NBA on Thursday for flailing his leg and making contact with the groin of Charlotte Bobcats' Ramon Sessions.

The incident happened with 8:12 left in the fourth quarter of the Heat's 105-92 victory over the Bobcats on Wednesday night. Sessions was called for a foul on the play. Wade will serve the suspension Friday night when the Heat visit the Detroit Pistons, and return Saturday night in Milwaukee.

''I'm far from being a dirty player, (plus) my intent was never 2 kick Ramon Sessions. I just reacted to the contact that I got from him,'' Wade tweeted Thursday night. ''More than anything, I think of my boys watchin me be4 retaliating 2ward any player.''

Nets coach Avery Johnson Fired

Avery Johnson was fired by the Brooklyn Nets and assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo was promoted to interim head coach. The Nets will let Carlesimo coach in the short-term, but GM Billy King is expected to talk with several candidates about taking over the job on a full-time basis, sources told Yahoo! Sports. If the players respond to Carlesimo and the team gathers momentum, there's a chance Carlesimo could finish the season.

The Nets (14-14) squandered an 11-4 start, have lost 10 of 13 games in December and are currently 6½ games behind the New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division. One of those losses was an embarrassing outing against the Boston Celtics on Christmas, a 93-76 loss.

Johnson was 60-116 since becoming the Nets' head coach in 2010.

Carlesimo has been a head coach in Portland, Golden State and Oklahoma City.

The Nets made a big push in the offseason to become contenders in the East, re-signing Deron Williams to a five-year, $98.8 million deal and trading for Joe Johnson, who had four years and nearly $90 million left on his contract.

Williams sat out of Wednesday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks with a sore wrist, an injury he aggravated Tuesday against the Celtics.

Merry Christmas

I hope that your Christmas would be
fun and may the essence of
Christmas remains always with you.

Merry Christmas!!

‘Sports Friends Classics’ - LeBron James and Dwyane Wade

A really funny clip from Sports Friends Classics – LeBron James and Dwyane Wade Before they won a championship together, they would sit for minutes at a time, talking about teammates, dreams, and cravings.

Former Reds Ryan Freel found dead at his home

Freel was found dead at his home in Jacksonville, Fla. on Saturday afternoon, victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police confirmed via the Florida Times-Union. Freel was 36 years old, leaving a wife, Christie, along with at least two daughters, notes C. Trent Rosecrans of CBS Eye on Baseball.

Freel played in parts of eight major league seasons, seeing action in 594 games — 544 with the Cincinnati Reds — and four other teams, from 2001-2009. He batted .268/.354/.369 with 143 stolen bases and 22 home runs. He logged most of his innings in the outfield, particularly center, but was known for having enough versatility to play third base and second.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.

Tragic event in Connecticut, a very sad day

Sad day in Sandy Hook Elementary School Newtown, Connecticut my prayers are with you and your family.....

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 In one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States, at least 26 people, including 20 children, have been killed at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, about 60 miles northeast of New York on Friday.

The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School appeared to be the US’ second-deadliest school shooting, exceeded only by the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007, in which 32 people, including two Indians, were killed and 17 others wounded.

The gunman, identified as Adam Lanza, killed his mother at their home and then opened fire inside the school. The 20-year-old killer, carrying at least two handguns, committed suicide at the school, bringing the death toll to 28, authorities said.

December 12, 2012 (12-12-12)

What will happen on December 12, 2012? I don't know we'll soon find out.

December 21, 2012 is the end of the Mayan calendar.  This will mark the end of the Piscean Age of secular materialism, and the true beginning of the Age of Aquarius, which will last for one thousand years. It is also prophesied in Revelation chapter 20 verses 1-3.

Juan Manuel Marquez knocks Manny Pacquiao out GIFs

Juan Manuel Marquez knocks out Manny Pacquiao in sixth round

The 39-year-old from Mexico lands a jarring right hand as the former welterweight champion from the Philippines is moving forward just before the bell.

LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao was seeking to definitively affirm Saturday night the judging that gave him two decisions and a draw in his three tight fights against rival Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

But Marquez, who earned a draw in their first meeting and lost two controversial decisions in their second and third bouts, caught the former welterweight champion from the Philippines with a jarring right to knock him out just before the bell to end the sixth round in their non-title welterweight bout.

“I threw a perfect punch,” said the the interim light-welterweight champion from Mexico. “I knew Manny could knock me out at any time.

“I felt he was coming to knock me out the last three rounds and I knew he was going to be wide open.”

Pacquiao went down in the third round but returned the favor and knocked down Marquez in the fifth. The fighters, who started slow before engaging in a slugfest, were exchanging big punches throughout the sixth round before Marquez threw a right hand that sent Pacquiao to the canvas face down at 2:59 of the round.
Marquez improves to 55-6-1 with the 40th knockout of his career, helping to end the torment he's suffered through, the narrow margins dividing him further from the mythical worldwide status that Pacquiao (54-5-2) achieved.

Pacquiao had been promised at least $23 million for the fight while Marquez will get a guaranteed $6 million.

Round-by-round recap (scoring not official):

Round 1: After a thrilling buildup in a sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena, referee Kenny Bayless gave the fighters their final instructions and the fight begins. Pacquiao's ready to charge. A Marquez counter right lands. A nice Pacquiao left. They move for position. This isn't the three minutes of action Pacquiao promised, but he did press the action, and did enough. Pacquiao wins the round, 10-9.

Round 2: Again, they're waiting each other out. Pacquiao shoots in a right, then misses a left uppercut. Marquez gets in a short right. Pacquiao with a straight left, a nice punch. Marquez content to stand back. He gets in a good right. Again, Pacquiao did more work. Pacquiao wins the round, 10-9. Pacquiao leads, 20-18.

Round 3: Marquez throws overhand left. Pacquiao charges with a right that lands. Good left by Pacquiao. Counter left by Marquez. Left uppercut to body by Marquez. Big right and Pacquiao is down at 1:12 mark. Hard right by Marquez, then a big right to body by Marquez. Hard left uppercut by Marquez. Pacquiao fighting buzzed. Hard right by Pacquiao, Ton of passion in this fight at end, both guys swinging. Marquez wins the round, 10-8. Fight is even, 28-28.

Round 4: Marquez lands with a high left. Marquez follows with a straight right. Pacquiao not in huge hurry to engage here. Pacquiao lands a jab, but Marquez makes him eat two hard rights before the bell. Marquez wins the round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 38-37.

Round 5: Pacquiao drops Marquez with hard left. Incredible round. Marquez takes eight count. Pacquiao is at his most dynamic, battering Marquez with set-up lefts. Hard rights. He had Marquez cornered twice and wailed on him. Pacquiao wins the round, 10-8. Pacquiao leads, 47-46.

Round 6: Big left snaps Marquez head back. Marquez missing now. Marquez's nose is bleeding and appears it might be broken. He's breathing with mouth wide open. Hard right by Marquez. Jab by Marquez. Pacquiao lands a right. Marquez follows with wicked hard right as Pacquiao was moving forward. Pacquiao's out, not moving, fight is over. Marquez wins. He runs to a corner and stands. Pacquiao down on canvas with his cornermen over him. He's now sitting up. Marquez wins by knockout at 2:59.

All three judges had Pacquiao leading the fight, 47-46, after five rounds.

By Lance Pugmire LA Times

Juan Manuel Marquez knocks Manny Pacquiao out cold

Juan Manuel Marquez knocks Manny Pacquiao out cold with a straight right hand at round 6. The end comes officially at 2:59 of round six. Marquez by KO.

Manny Pacquiao Goes down; MARQUEZ KOs Pacman

Manny Pacquiao Goes down, a good hook to the body by Marquez then a big overhand right that lands square on Pacquiao's jaw and sends Pacquiao down. First time Marquez knock down Manny.

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Pacquiao knocked down Marquez in 5th, and pressured him in corners twice.


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FIGHT IS OVER MARQUEZ KOs Pacman

Big right hand by Marquez as the bell was ending in round 6 staggers Pacquiao, drops him and knocks him out. FIGHT OVER

Pacquiao vs. Marquez Live USTREAM

Watch Pacquiao vs. Marquez Live Online Stream 

Here's a good link from USTREAM

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/manny-pacquiao-vs-juan-manuel-marquez-4-live-stream

Mitt Romney front row seat to Manny Pacquiao fight

LAS VEGAS -- Gov. Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, sat in the front row at the MGM Grand Garden to watch the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight Saturday along with his wife, Ann.

Romney was a guest of Bill Brady, the chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission. Brady worked for the Romney campaign. A friend of Brady's is a neighbor of Romney's and relayed Romney's interest in attending.

"He watched all the 24/7 [preview shows on HBO] and he was very interested in seeing the fight," Brady told Yahoo! Sports. "It's great to have him here."

Bob Arum, the fight's promoter, was a staunch Romney supporter. He told Yahoo! Sports "I think it's great to have him here."

No more visit to the Whitehouse for you pacman....

source yahoo news.

Pacquiao, Marquez rumbles tonight

LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will try to put to rest Saturday evening lingering doubt about who is the superior man in the ring.

The welterweights collide for a fourth time in a scheduled 12-round non-title fight at the MGM Grand Arena (HBO pay-per-view, 9 p.m. ET). The card is promoted by Top Rank's Bob Arum.

A sellout crowd of more than 16,000 is expected to watch the fight mainly supporters from the Philippines and Mexico.

Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs) has never lost to the Mexican counterpuncher. A draw and two slim decisions led to a fourth bout with Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs), considered the greatest fighter to emerge from his country since Julio Cesar Chavez.

Pacquiao knocked down Marquez three times in the first round of their initial battle in 2004.

The Nevada Athletic Commission also concedes to appoint two of the three judges from outside its jurisdiction to score the main event, because of Pacquiao's questionable lost to Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas last June.

Promoters 50 Cent and Snooki (Nicole Polizzi) will also be at the fight.

50 Cent, the renowned hip-hop star, represents Yuriorkis Gamboa, the undefeated featherweight (21-0, 16 KOs) from Miami. Gamboa will fight Michael Farenas (33-3-4, 25 KOs) of the Philippines.

Polizzi and her father, Andy Polizzi, operate Team Snooki Boxing. Their fighter, Irish featherweight Patrick Hyland (27-0, 12 KOs), will challenge unbeaten Javier Fortuna (20-0, 15 KOs) of the Dominican Republic.

USA today

Pacquiao vs Marquez 4

Manny Pacquiao, weighed in at 147 pounds Friday while Juan Manuel Marquez came in at 143.

Both Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez have added bulk and pounds to their body since when they first met in the ring. Now they will meet again for the fourth and hopefully the last time.

Marquez has been eagerly waiting for this fight ever since their 3rd match, when the judges gave Pacquiao the decision. Marquez wants to finally prove that he can beat Pacquiao convincingly he is 0-2-1 against Pacquiao.

Marquez 39, wants this fight to be one of his legacy which is why it’s a fight he seems desperate to win.

Pacquiao also wants to win badly, he barely escaped with a majority decision over Marquez last November and wants to prove to the world that he is back to his former self, tenacious and deadly.

Place: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV
Date: Saturday, Dec. 8 at 9:00 p.m. ET
Watch: Pay-Per-View ($59.95 for standard definition; $69.95 for high definition)

Latest Sports News

BASEBALL

NEW YORK (AP) -- Baseball's all-time home run king and its most decorated pitcher likely will be shut out of the Hall of Fame in January. A survey by The AP shows that Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, as well as slugger Sammy Sosa, don't have enough votes to get into Cooperstown.

With steroid scandals still very much on the minds of longtime members of the Baseball Writers' Association as they cast their ballots, the trio failed to muster even 50 percent support among the 112 voters contacted by the AP - nearly one-fifth of those eligible to choose.

Candidates need 75 percent for election

Bonds is baseball's only seven-time MVP and Clemens its only seven-time Cy Young winner.

NFL

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) - It appears Tim Tebow will be watching from the sideline again.

And this time, the Jets' backup quarterback might be in sweats instead of his uniform.

Tebow was listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals because of two broken ribs that limited him all week. Coach Rex Ryan wouldn't officially rule out Tebow, but it sounded unlikely he would play.

Tebow was injured at Seattle on Nov. 11, played three offensive snaps the following week at St. Louis and was active but didn't play Thanksgiving night against New England. Tebow spent most of the 49-19 loss standing on the sideline while Mark Sanchez played the entire game.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - A former U.S. senator brought in to monitor Penn State said the university has gotten ''off to a very good start'' in responding to NCAA sanctions for the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.

George Mitchell's first quarterly report as Penn State's athletics integrity monitor noted there was a looming deadline to complete a set of reforms, including implementation of a college sports code of conduct, but he said he believes university officials are acting in good faith.

The 68-year-old Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant coach, is serving a 30- to 60-year prison sentence for abusing several boys, some on campus. He maintains his innocence.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Minnesota judge has dismissed child pornography charges against a college football head coach accused of making pornographic videos of his children.

A district court judge dismissed the case for lack of probable cause.

Todd Hoffner, the head coach at Minnesota State, Mankato, was charged in August with two felonies. Prosecutors said he made filmed his children performing suggestive acts while naked.

Hoffner and his wife insisted all along that the videos were not inappropriate, and were merely images of children acting silly and dancing after taking a bath.

No evidence of child porn was found and social workers found no evidence of abuse.

BASKETBALL

ATLANTA (AP) - A lawyer for former WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw says he's investigating the circumstances that led to assault and weapons charges against the Olympic gold medalist.

The 35-year-old is accused of smashing the windows and firing a shot into a car belonging to Jennifer Lacy, who plays for the Tulsa Shock. No one was injured. Lacy told police Holdsclaw was an ex-girlfriend and they were Atlanta Dream teammates in 2009.

After an appearance in Fulton County Magistrate Court, lawyer Patrick Sullivan said the case hasn't been indicted yet. Holdsclaw is out on bond and has been ordered to wear a monitoring device and have no contact with the 29-year-old Lacy.

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - VCU women's volleyball coach James Finley is fighting to get his job back after he says he was fired because he is gay.

Finley, 52, has filed a complaint with VCU's Office for Institutional Equity. University spokesperson Pamela D. Lepley said an investigation is being conducted and must be completed within 45 days.

The findings will be provided to Finley and VCU President Michael Rao. The coach said he would consider taking legal action if he is not reinstated.