If you’re a bit of a sports nut like me then last weekend couldn’t have been better. It just happened to coincide with my Wife going back to the UK to visit her family. Which was not planned by the way!
The Ryder Cup started on the Friday and although it looked over by the end of that day there was still the thought that Europe might make a comeback. Saturday lunchtime was Chelsea v Manchester City, a must watch game from two of the teams expected to be battling it out for the Premiership title. City playing really well and getting the win. We left the house at 4pm that afternoon for my eldest Sons game in Palma. He was Captain and they ran out 3-0 winners. Saturday night was the World Heavyweight Championship boxing between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk, whilst we were still getting gubbed in the Golf. Now talking of getting gubbed, what happened to Joshua? As soon a I saw his ring walk I was worried. He was smiling, fist pumping everyone and kissing grannies! And so it proved, he was well and truly outclassed by a better boxer. By that time there was a little hope for Europe as they had rallied but was it enough?
Sunday was a busy day particularly on the football front. We left the house at 8am for my youngest sons game in Palma. They won 3-0 and the it was off to watch Atlético Baleares play Real Betis B at 12. They are going a little under the radar as Mallorca’s other Professional team as most people’s attention is on Real Mallorca in La Liga. They won 1-0 and are second in the league behind Villareal B. We left that game a little early to arrive on time for Real Mallorca to kick-off against Osasuna at 2pm. A game that Mallorca should have won they ended up losing 2-3 and their form is a little worrying having lost 3 out of the last 4 games. While this was on, the F1 was happening in Russia with Lewis Hamilton winning an exciting race in the rain in the final 2 laps. We arrived back home at 4.30 in the afternoon just in time for the big North London derby, Arsenal v Tottenham. As an Arsenal fan it couldn’t have gone much better, winning 3-1 and even going above them in the league. Unfortunately Europe couldn’t close that gap in the golf but at least it meant I could get to bed early after what was a hectic weekend.
The sporting theme ran onto my radio show this week. I’m not a huge boxing fan but if there is a big fight on TV I will always watch it. I’ve been lucky enough to meet and interview a couple of legendary boxers in Nigel Benn and Joe Calzaghe. Also I’ve been a ring announcer for a couple of boxing events on the island which was really enjoyable.
My two boys have been doing some boxing conditioning work with Paul Hamilton at the Shambhala Gym in Santa Ponsa. It hadn’t escaped my notice that Paul had been training a young Welsh boxer by the name of Liam Jones. He looked very handy and I asked Paul if we could interview him on the radio. Paul said now would be a good time as he’s about to turn professional. Liam is from the Rhondda Valley in Wales and has been coming to Mallorca on and off all his life as his parents have a place here. He first entered a boxing gym at the age of 11 and his inspiration was watching the Rocky movie. Floyd Mayweather is the boxer he admires the most and he hopes one day to emulate him. He’s a softly spoken guy but don’t let that fool you. This boy can punch and Paul tells me there are a lot of people looking at him here in Mallorca, on the mainland and back in the UK. But he wants to stay with Paul here in Mallorca and learn his trade. Paul has trained many champions over the years and took young aspiring fighters from all over the world, some of Britain’s top Thai Boxers have been produced by, trained by or have benefited in some way from him. Liam has already accrued a list of sponsors including Cardiff Steel, Motor Connect UK, Watches of Wales, Sam Dry Lining and Custom House Wales and he becomes one of the first boxers here in Mallorca to be paid to train. His first fight is scheduled for November 6th in Calvia and if you like your boxing I suggest you go along and watch someone who in many people’s eyes already is a future World Champion.
Take care everyone and enjoy your Weekend!
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.radioonemallorca.com on mobile through their free App for IPhone & Android, The Tunein Radio App, iTunes, the Spanish TDT TV service and all smart speakers. If you can’t hear him on the radio then you’ll find him working at Pirates Adventure the islands number one night out and every now and again he may make an understudy appearance!
Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com
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