Binnie Klein

GREAT COVERAGE OF WOMEN BOXERS HEADED TO OLYMPICS 2012

2012-01-30T09:46:00.000-08:00

NPR Series on Women Boxers

It's starting to happen....we're starting to see media coverage and excitement building towards the 2012 Olympics inclusion of women boxers. Above is Part One of a series. The first segment is called "I am a Boxer: Fighter in the Ring, Lady Outside It," and it aired on Morning Edition.

WNYC website article on women boxing

See this article on women boxers on WNYC's website

And.......

New York Times Magazine piece on women boxers, Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sue Jaye Johnson’s video and photo essay, Bout Time in The New York Times Magazine section was also published yesterday and is fantastic.

Recent Articles

2011-02-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

"The Boxing Ballerina" for 8Countnews.com

Review of "The Fighter" for Mediaite.com

Boxing/Promoter/Philosopher -- Dmitriy Salita

About Binnie's writing:
"I really do love Blows to the Head: How Boxing Changed My Mind and the immediate impact it's had on my life, and I hope it wins a large readership." -- Susan Henderson, Up From the Blue

"Binnie Klein continues to indulge her affections for the Sweet Science, proving yet again how boxing is, in Liebling's words, "connected to the historic past like a man's arm to his shoulder." Boxing has been an oasis in our often lamentable history of division and discrimination -a place where two fighters have no choice but to meet on equal terms and victory is far more merit-based than it is in the so-called real world. Klein shines much-needed light on a fading sport. Let's hope it shines again" -- Springs Toledo

"...elegantly literary, funny, philosophical, moving, and endlessly intriguing...a wonderful discovery! -- Katharine Weber, True Confections

Television Appearances

2011-02-12T11:33:00.000-08:00

Video Trailer on You Tube for book

Interview on Channel 8

TJC Cable, "The Salon"

Star in the Ring documentary!

2010-09-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

I am a Consulting Producer for Holden Kepecs' much-anticipated documentary about Jewish boxers, "Star in the Ring."
http://www.pugilistpictures.com

"Cover Story" in Barnes and Noble blog

2010-09-22T16:20:00.000-07:00

Melissa Walker's blog for Barnes and Noble describes the processes we go through as authors in watching the evolution of our book covers.
Click here to read about my story.

"Fighting for the Borscht Belt: Gleason's Gym Sets Up Camp at Last Kosher Resort"

2010-09-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, dear reader, I went to camp this summer -- boxing camp.

I ate kasha with former champions, chatted with a dance instructor whose story was told in Dirty Dancing, survived an hour with Hector Roca, wandered the halls of the last kosher resort in the Catskills, and read from my book to a wonderful group of campers...

Here's my article in the Forward newspaper, 9/24/10
and LISTEN HERE for my Radio Piece.

NY times Coverage of reading

2010-08-09T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hey - really cool - The "Shrinks Are Away" reading in Soho at McNally Jackson books was a great event AND got covered in the New York Times!

NY Times

Binnie on Broadway! (well, almost....)

2010-07-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, August 25, I'll be co-hosting a talkback with NYTimes Ethicist Randy Cohen about his provocative play "The Punishing Blow" at the Clurman Theatre! It's a very cool one man show w/Seth Duerr as an anti-Semitic college professor who must contend with the achievements of British bare-knuckle boxer Daniel Mendoza. Please come and be a part of the discussion about this intriguing and unique play.
INFO

Interview in The Nervous Breakdown

2010-07-30T06:22:00.000-07:00

Susan Henderson did a wonderful interview with me for a great publication, The Nervous Breakdown!
Interview

"Blows" reviewed on WSHU

2010-07-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

click here to hear June 3 review on WSHU

THE MOVIE IS OUT!!!

2010-04-02T04:59:00.001-07:00

I am thrilled to present the book video trailer for "Blows to the Head: How Boxing Changed My Mind" -- designer Bill Brown of Madison, CT, hit the ground running and produced a marvelous, concise, moving 2 minute trailer. I am so grateful to him; I hope you will visit Bill's website and send him praise! And if you are so inclined, send the YouTube around so that as many people can see it as possible. A little bit of that "internet excitement!!"

Click here to watch the mini-movie

Boxing with My Heritage on Stage

2010-03-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

I'll be one of the storytellers this month at the fantastic series, "Off the Wall storytelling," created and hosted by dynamic duo and pied pipers of the form, Ina Chadwick and Simon Billig. This month's theme is "Caught in the Act"
Click here for information. It's Tuesday night, March 16 at 7:30 pm at Fairfield Theatre in Fairfield, CT. Hope to see you there!

Profile in New Haven Advocate, Hartford Advocate, Fairfield Weekly

2010-02-19T17:20:00.000-08:00

Very surreal to see myself on the cover of these newspapers! And the same week I was interviewed on WNPR. Many thanks to reporter Laura Gottesdiener and photographer Sean Corbett.
Click here to read

WNPR's "Where We Live" rumbles with Binnie Klein in the radio ring

2010-02-19T17:12:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Libby Conn, producer, and host John Dankosky, for thoughtful questions and a surprise laugh at the end!
Listen

Rachel Resnick, author of Love Junkie at Yale Bookstore

2010-02-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

I was thrilled to introduce author Rachel Resnick at the Yale Bookstore last Sunday, who read from her provocative and brilliant memoir, "Love Junkie."

RJ JULIA READING/SIGNING, Feb 16, snow and similes

2010-02-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

Reading/signing at RJ Julia Bookstore, Madison, CT was delightful. Lovely snowy night in New England, terrific audience. Thanks to host John Wackman, and store owner Roxanne Coady

SOLD OUT book event@Barnes &Noble, North Haven, CT

2010-02-01T06:42:00.000-08:00

Thrilled! 65-70 people came out in the cold to my reading/discussion/signing at the bookstore. What a wonderful crowd, full of enthusiasm, insight, great questions, etc...

My new blog at WomenTalkSports

2010-01-27T16:48:00.000-08:00

WomenTalkSports is a phenomenal site, created by three dynamic women who are dedicated to giving voice to women not usually heard.
They have graciously invited me to blog for them.
Click here to visit

On Sarah Meehan's Sirius Satellite Radio 98 "Under_Score" show

2010-01-20T11:34:00.000-08:00

Sarah Meehan is another rare bird -- an intellectual woman with a passion for sports. She hosts a terrific show about sports and culture.

Click here to hear us talk about my book.

CT Young Writers Event at Hartford Club

2010-01-16T18:52:00.000-08:00

Had a great time reading "in the ring" at the Hartford Club yesterday, as part of a benefit for CT Young Writers. John Spehar of Fighting Fitness graciously "escorted" me into the ring! I was blown away by award-winning poet Gaby Calvocoressi, reading epic boxing poetry, powerful and full of yearning, from her book "Apocalyptic Swing" - out now.

Ken Best Radio Show Interview

2010-01-11T07:58:00.000-08:00

WPKN programmer Ken Best asked me fascinating and provocative questions....
Click here to listen

Nice feature in New Haven Register

2010-01-11T06:21:00.001-08:00

Thanks so much to author Sandi Khan-Shelton for her terrific piece in today's New Haven Register!
Click here for article

My article on the Salita/Khan Fight in England

2010-01-02T20:46:00.000-08:00

The Forward asked me to write a piece on the Salita/Khan fight in England

http://forward.com/articles/120599/

Therapist by Day, Boxer By Night

2009-12-09T13:07:00.000-08:00

The Forward published an excerpt from my book today!
It warms up a chilly, wintry day.....

Click here to read excerpt
http://forward.com/articles/120570/

2009-11-20T07:07:00.000-08:00

Reporter Cindy Mindell of the Jewish Ledger called to ask me questions about "Blows to the Head: How Boxing Changed My Mind," and how I came to write it. It was my first official interview for the book, and very exciting! Thanks to Cindy for a lovely piece.
Click here for the article

Katie Kitamura talks with me on WPKN about "The Longshot"

2009-10-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

Katie Kitamura's debut novel, "The Longshot,"
is like a great indie film which never strikes a wrong note. Lean, spare, insightful, has received great reviews. Some have called Katie a female Hemingway -- her story involves a trainer and his fighter, on their way to a re-match of a mixed-martial arts bout in Mexico. It may be optioned as a film. Great story; not just for fight fans -- about a relationship between two men.

click here to listen

Lucia Rijker inducted into World Boxing Hall of Fame

2009-10-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

The amazing Lucia Rijker shyly listened to the presenter list her many achievements. Video of an episode of "Fight Science" was shown to the Banquet Hall. In the experiment "Can a woman punch as hard as a man?" Lucia astonished everyone by generating 922 lbs of force, 200 lbs more than her opponent. Lucia rose to accept her award as the first female boxer inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, dazzingly beautiful in a strapless black evening gown, diamond necklace, elbow-high fingerless gloves, and her great swirl of curly hair pulled up. "I dedicate this award to all the bold girls who are coming," she said. Her parents were boxing fans. She remembers them watching Ali & Frazier on TV. She was 7 years old and said "I'm going to be like that, Mommy." Lucia was a very introverted child who didn't speak much. "I learned to make a career out of managing my anger."

see post and link below for my WPKN interview with Lucia Rijker

July 17, 2009 special on the anniversary of The Moon Landing

2009-10-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

The moon, the moon, mostly the moon, standing on the moon, walking on the moon, pink moon, the Dead, Talking Heads, the Police, Neil Young, George Harrison, The Byrds, Turin Brakes, poetry about the moon by WH Auden, DW Winnicott, May Swenson. The 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Click here to stream

Interview with Louise DeSalvo, June 18, 2009

2009-10-13T06:49:00.000-07:00

Louise DeSalvo discusses her book "On Moving: A Writer's Meditation on New Houses, Old Haunts, and Finding Home Again" (Bloomsbury, 2009)
Click here to stream

My WPKN interview with Lucia Rijker

2009-10-02T05:50:00.000-07:00

Thursday, October 1, 2009, on my weekly WPKN radio show, I had the great pleasure of interviewing famed undefeated boxer Lucia Rijker. Lucia was in the Netherlands filming. Lucia discusses the 2012 Oympics, obstacles in women's boxing, her own transformation, and her upcoming induction into the World Boxing Hall of Fame later this month in Los Angeles. Coach John Spehar joined me with his questions for Lucia, too. She is a marvel. Click here for stream of interview:

http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/listen/2480

Matt "Sharpshooter" Remillard fights in So. Windsor Saturday Night

2009-09-18T03:47:00.000-07:00

I interviewed Matt Remillard a few years back, and found him to be a charming, motivated, and candid young man who felt that boxing had saved his life, and put him on a good track. When I had the opportunity to see him box, I understood why they called him "sharpshooter." A hand injury kept him on the bench for almost two years, and he's happy to be back. Matt is 23 years old; will compete for the vacant NABF featherweight title in South Windsor, CT. His opponent is Rafael Lora. Matt is thrilled to be fighting so close to his hometown of Manchester, although he feels the pressure: "I have to win and look good. I don't have a choice." For more info, contact Bob Trieger, bobfcp@hotmail.com

Kasia Boddy's "Boxing: A Cultural History" in paperback!

2009-09-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

Kasia Boddy's remarkable book: "Boxing: A Cultural History," which was shortlisted for the British Sports Book Award in 2008, will be out in paperback September 15!!!! Joyce Carol Oates (author of "On Boxing") wrote: "Boxing: A Cultural History would seem to include everything that has ever been written, depicted or in any way recorded about boxing." Boddy's book is full of "inspired mini-essays." Check out my WPKN interview with Boddy last year on this page (right sidebar of interview streams)

James Toback's "Tyson" is a knock-out!

2009-08-19T19:21:00.000-07:00

Mike Tyson, iconic figure, rose from the streets of Brownsville to unimaginable heights as heavyweight champion of the world, fell to horrific depths, rose again, fell again, and the cycle continues, with Toback's amazing documentary.

Toback got Tyson out on day passes from rehab and Tyson, filled with regrets over a life filled with rage and poor choices, riffs on his past for the camera -- it's completely compelling -- he talks like a sputtering engine, with surprising spurts of insight and introspection. He's the classic misunderstood boxer. From the moment he speaks of his tremendous fear of being humiliated (as he was as a boy) as being his motivation for becoming a champ, we're pulled into the story. At Cannes, "Tyson" received a 10 minute standing ovation.

Women Boxers Headed to 2012 Olympics

2009-08-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

Executive Board of the International Olympic Committeehas unanimously decided to add women's boxing to the 2012 Olympics, to be held in London. 36 women are competing.

Will this help lead to changes in the inequities in compensation for boxing matches?

Hollywood "Heavyweight" Writer Budd Schulberg dies at 95

2009-08-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

Shulberg had a fascinating career as a screenwriter and novelist. He was a devoted boxing fan. "I've seen all the greats," he said, "and Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest of them all." "Boxing...is a sport that best reflects life, with its one-on-one struggles that we can all relate to." Schulberg won an Academy Award for writing On the Waterfrontand is also known for The Harder They Falla boxing story that was Humphrey Bogart's last film. Schulberg's dad was a huge fight fan, and admired Jewish boxer and lightweight champion Benny Leonard the most. In 2003 Schulberg was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Congress Seeking Pardon for Jack Johnson

2009-07-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

From the Associated Press Wire: Congress has approved a resolution urging a presidential pardon for Jack Johnson, the black heavyweight champion in the early 1900s who was imprisoned because of his romantic ties with a white woman.
In 1913, Johnson was convicted of violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for immoral puposes.
Johnson was a native of Galveston, Texas and became the first black heavyweight champion in 1908. The Senate resolution was sponsored by John McCain of Arizona.

Side note: I've never been a fan of John McCain, but he's been one of the few forces in the Senate to advocate for boxers' rights and health protection.

Boxerama, Tarrytown, NY March 15, 2009

2009-03-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

The American Association for the Improvement of Boxing will hold its Annual Luncheon on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 12 Noon at the Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown.
AAIB is a non-profit organization founded in 1969 by Rocky Marciano and Stephen B. Acunto.

Kelly Pavlik will be there this year, along with many boxing luminaries. Dr. Charles Butler will be receiving the Medical Award, Ken Norton will be receiving the Rocky Marciano Award, and Bruce Beck will be receiving the Media Award. It's a fun event; I went last year -- you have to reserve a place, so check out the details at their website
www.aaib.org, or email aaib@verizon.net

SUNY PRESS to publish my book

2009-01-28T08:01:00.000-08:00

Happy news: Suny Press will publish my memoir/narrative, "Blows to the Head: How Boxing Changed My Mind" in 2010.

The book is about what happens when a professional woman -- a self-described "sedentary" psychotherapist -- takes up boxing! "Blows to the Head: How Boxing Changed My Mind" explores what it feels like to move outside of your comfort zone, to say YES, and to turn over the weird stones in life and embrace the experiences that lie beneath.

Author George Kimball, "Four Kings" on my show

2009-01-12T17:48:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, January 16, at 10:30 AM, in "In Your Corner," on WPKN 89.5FM, WPKM 88.7FM, www.wpkn.org
and streaming on iTunes under public radio, join me for an interview with award-winning sportswriter George Kimball. We'll talk about his new book "Four Kings: Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Duran and the Last Great Era of Boxing.

Click here to stream

AARP PRIMETIME POSTSCRIPT debuts my piece on "Aging Bulls"

2008-07-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

On July 22, 2008, AARP radio's Primetime Postscript featured my piece on "Aging Bulls." This is a four-minute audio portrait of the unique program at Fighting Fitness gym in Orange, CT, and a little bit of my own story, as well.
Click here to listen

Kasia Boddy & "Boxing: A Cultural History"

2008-07-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

John Spehar says "Boxing: A Cultural History" is quite simply the best book on boxing he's read in ages. Through the help of Reaktion Books' publicist Harriet Green, we interviewed Ms. Boddy on Thursday, July 10, on "In Your Corner" on my show on WPKN-FM.
Click here to stream

Vacation Synchronicity - Buddhist Monk/Boxer in Maine

2008-06-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

I'm in Sanford, Maine for another few days, relaxing into lake culture, where you wave to a neighbor from your kayak and discuss the Red Sox with swimming children.

Pulling out a copy of PortCityLife from April 2008 from a wicker basket on the screened porch, I find an article by 28 year old Jaed Coffin about a recent art exhibition of George Bellows' boxing drawings at the Portland Museum of Art. Sorry I missed that! But Jaed, a former middleweight amateur boxer and author of "A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants," a memoir about his experienes as a Buddhist monk, lives in Portland!

He's happy to be interviewed, so I'll be meeting him tonight. Therapist/boxer meets Buddhist monk/boxer. Vacation serendipity. I'm following the trail of bread crumbs; who knows where it will lead. This isn't work to me; it's joy.

Connecticut Conquest at CT Convention Center June 13, 2008--Grano provides knock-out in first round!

2008-06-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

I’m not used to being searched before going into a ballroom, but this is one of the many new elements of my life as a boxing fan. “Absolutely no weapons allowed” read the sign. CES promotions graciously provided me with a press pass to this fight night, and I got to sit with the other journalists in a special section. Little things mean a lot in the beginning, I suspect. Take me out in the woods and relieve me of my consciousness if I start smoking cigars, please.

When Super Middleweight Dhafir Smith emerged out of the darkness for the first fight, he was hooded like an executioner. Having just finished watching Season One of “The Tudors,” images like these were prominent in my mind. Poor Anne Boleyn, brave to the very end. But 35 year old Kingsley Ikeke won, and the crowd booed, unhappy with the judges’ decision.

Second fight was cancelled due to one of the fighters found tasting a little steroid in the bathroom before the bout. Poor judgment or what!?

Hartford’s own Addy Irizarry, female welterweight, strode in, hand in hand with her beautiful blonde girlfriend, whose backless shirt revealed “Irizarry” written across her skin. Addy won, and told me later her opponent Cim Harris wasn’t as tough as the “chick” she fought last time. It’s thrilling to see these strong women.

Heavyweight Tony Grano of Hebron, another local favorite, excited the crowd with a knock-out in the very first round, which sent Leroy Childs to the mat, and the ref said “that’s it, he’s done.”

Super Middleweight Brian Macy of Ledyard, CT remains still undefeated after beating Adrian Redmond.

The main event featured my new hero Matt Remillard, who looked agile, tough, and busy against Jose Magallon in the 10-round WBC World Youth Featherweight Title bout. At 22, Matt now has 14 KO’s to his credit, and told me afterwards that he was pleased with the results, and expected Jose to be tougher.

When you’ve met the fighter, as I did Matt Remillard at Bart’s Drive-In a week ago, and they’re as sweet as he was, you feel much more involved in their career.
I drove home happy, blaring my music, snapping my gum. I’ve attended my first pro fight; I’m sure it won’t be the last.

Matt Remillard at Bart's Drive-In, Windsor, CT, June 7, 2008

2008-06-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

A hot Saturday afternoon found me at a wholesome spot in Windsor, CT – “Bart’s Drive-In,” for an outdoor boxing exhibition to publicize CES Promotions’ “Connecticut Conquest,” upcoming on June 13, 2008. Bart’s is like a trip back to the 1950s – milkshakes, hamburgers, fries, staffed by teenage girls, set on the Farmington River, and owned by the volunteer Mayor of Windsor Donald Trinks, a jolly fellow who adores his town. They do a “cruise night” for antique cars, charity benefits, and because the Mayor loves boxing, this event may be one of many more to come.

My coach John Spehar transformed the small turn-out into a memorable event by enlisting the Cub Scout troop to “glove up” and get a chance to hit lightweight champion, 22 year Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard. “I hit good,” said one 4 year old proudly, after Matt pretended to be felled by the tot’s mighty blow. Then the Scouts returned to their car wash.

Matt told me of his troubled youth, and how boxing saved his life. He’s sweet and unpretentious, and gave me a tour of his tattoos.

John took me on a tour of his old stomping grounds in Windsor, where he picked shade-grown tobacco as a boy, and began his own boxing career. We stopped at the Windsor Historical Museum. Windsor is the oldest town in Connecticut, and will be celebrating its 375th birthday in September.

A Dirty Sport

2008-05-17T09:45:00.001-07:00

There are many internet boxing sites where you can read "blow-by-blow" accounts. That's not my intent. I'm not a sportswriter. This boxing blog is, well, more impressionistic. I'm a middle-aged woman who took up boxing a few years back. To say that while I was growing up my family lacked a certain…athleticism…would be an understatement. Although in the 1950s and 60s President Kennedy put the nation on a physical fitness kick, in my home there was no concept of “fit,” except as it applied to clothing, and because we didn’t do sports, our obsessive interest in food made matters worse. My sisters and I loved nothing more than to lay around watching television while consuming entire bags of Wise potato chips.

They say my father had been a track star at Thomas Jefferson High (recently closed due to low test scores), but I never even saw him walk fast. My parents both seemed worn out. Newark’s Weequahic High School had an award-winning basketball team, but I never knew anyone who played on it. (Philip Roth’s Portnoy reminds us of the classic cheer of the era: Ikey, Mikey, Jake, and Sam/We’re the boys who eat no ham/We keep matzohs in our locker! Aye, Aye, aye, Weequahic High!)

I certainly never knew any boxers. I marched against the Vietnam War and considered myself something of a pacifist, just like the cooler-than-cool boys in high school I coveted, who professed a fierce pacifism when I quizzed them on fantasied scenarios of danger. No, babe, I don’t think I could defend you. Peace, baby, they droned while trying to master Woody Guthrie chord progressions on acoustic guitars.

Fast-forward a million years and I wind up in the following scene:

“Come on baby, that punch wasn’t sexy – put your hips into it.”

I am learning how to perfect my jab, in an inner-city gym where you can work out for $9.95 a month and then pop next door to pick up your unemployment check. One of a chain of low-cost fitness centers, it is homogenized, no-frills, and this branch is especially low on the chain. Six months before, the very first time I had bounded into the gym, hoping to convince former Middleweight Champ John Spehar to “take me on,” a scrawled sign on an easel warned me that there were to be positively, absolutely no “doo-rags.”

Doo-rags?
I was relatively sure I wasn’t wearing one.
My coach is a 200-pound unusual brute, physically a cross between Bruce Willis and Tony Soprano. His hobby is studying the French Revolution. My Venus of Willendorff belly is flopping as I lurch forward and try to make contact with his leather punch mitts, brown cushions around ten inches; up by his shoulder height they make him look like an angry bear coming out of hibernation.
My hobby is boxing.

“The Punisher” (John's boxing nickname from his competing days) is teaching me to crouch like a Ninja, slip and weave, keep my hands up, and send force up from my heavy legs into my middle and out through my arms, using my body in ways I never thought possible. It’s utterly new to hear the propulsive sound of my own grunts, and feel such a delight in my own strength and power. My body is bringing me a new kind of joy. I’m also blinking desperately because my eyeballs are sweating. That’s how serious an initiation I’m enduring – my eyeballs are affected.

Thwack! My glove makes contact. My god, it feels good. I do it again, remembering to snap my jab right back after I throw it. This is…it’s…thrilling. I’ve never made such a profoundly clarifying sound with my fist before.

By the hour’s end, my sweat smells like a mixture of bitter oranges, aluminum, and old pastry. It could be a mixture of both our smells. It is July, and John and I are sharing this odd intimacy in a small corner of the gym, where John has cleared away elliptical machines and treadmills with the deft push of one meaty hand.
“Okay, baby,” John beams. “Not too shabby.” He knows I’m shot. “Now go hobble over to the water and take a break.”

I walk over to the window ledge where I keep a collection of fluids –– and encircle a bottle of vitamin water with two giant gloved hands, like a clumsy baby. Water spurts everywhere and dribbles down my chin. John laughs, and tells me not to worry; it’s a dirty sport.

USA Boxing Olympic Invitational May 9, 2008

2008-05-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

A glossy media pass hanging around my neck, I hit the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, CT on May 9 to watch (and record) the first-ever USA Olympic Boxing Invitational, with several Olympians from the US, China and Brazil. This was one of the final competitions before the 2008 Olympics.

The big news of the evening was that contender Demetrius "Boo-Boo" Andrade of Rhode Island had decided "not to make the drive" to Bridgeport. (!)

Each match consisted of four rounds, two minutes each. The fighters wear protective headgear, a foul-proof cup, and a form-fitted mouthpiece. This is one of the things I like about amateur boxing -- the protection provided by the headguard. Boxing can be a dangerous game, which is part of its allure, but the unlucky injured pro boxers, long-since retired, who suffer from pugilistic dementia, may be wishing they'd stayed amateurs.

A few highlights -- A nineteen-year old Brazilian boxer named Yamaguchi Florentino. He beat USA's Cruse Stewart. Florentino did an incredible job, and entertained us with some unusual footwork. "He's doing the Ali shuffle," someone said. But when I spoke to him later, through his translator, he said he was copying what he'd seen of the footwork of Roy Jones, Jr. He won't be competing in the 2008 Olympics, because he did lose a previous bout, but as his coach says, "He's young. He'll be back."

The tenth and final round of the evening matched heavyweights Nijati Yushan of China with Deontay Wilder of USA. The ONLY knock-out of the evening! Wilder sent Yushan to the canvas with a straight right hand. The crowd roared. A little concern from Samantha Dane, ringside physician, about being able to communicate with Yushan's coach, who didn't speak English. She was of course, intent on making sure Yushan recovered from the blow.