I had a really good day for my first in Fargo I really like the people here and the newsroom was very cool. The sports guys are great they have taken me under their wing and I am sure I will learn a great deal from them. I am working on a couple of stories that should be pretty interesting so make sure you look out for those.
It is still very unclear whether there will ever be a Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight, never mind the back and forth hoopla around who’s fault it is, which reminds me of the haggling between Roy Jones Jr and Bernard Hopkins fight number two which was talked about after Hopkins took down then undefeated Felix Trinidad in 2001 but did not take place until 9 years later when Hopkins avenged his ’93 loss. Mayweather and Pacquiao need to take a cue from this and realize the moment, while many say that this match could save boxing I don’t concur I think that boxing is not in its golden age but like comic books will evolve and survive. However this match and moment is very important to the legacy of both fighters hailed as the best of this generation. While many say the loser has much to lose I do not agree If this fight lives up to the hype which it almost certainly will these two fighters go into the great and illustrious history of boxing lore. Each fighter himself is already among the best in this era along with Roy Jones, and Bernard Hopkins, but the winner would undoubtedly go into the category of top 10 boxers of all time. The bottom line is the fight needs to happen and it needs to happen now not 4 years down the line like Hagler and Leonard. If the fight was to happen I am sure it would live up to its great expectations, as both fighters have immense natural ability and unbelievable work ethic and dedication to the sport. Pacquiao would present Mayweather with the greatest threat to his unblemished record and challenge arguably the greatest defensive fighter in boxing history with his seemingly never ending birage of punches that come from all over no matter if the pac man is against the ropes dodging shots or going backwards he seems to always throw and land shots. He is a very dangerous opponent for Mayweather and the former pretty boy now know as ‘Money’ knows it. However this does not mean Mayweather is afraid he is anything but, anyone who has faced and defeated 43 opponents and not tasted the canvass would be confident and lets face it Floyd has reason to be confident, he has beaten every obstacle put in his face, whether it was dismantling Diego Corrales, beating down Rickey Hatton, out classing Juan Manuel Marquez, systematically breaking down Shane Mosley or strategically defeating Miguel Cotto Mayweather is a pro, and whether you like him or not you have to respect his boxing intelligence, ability and versatility. If Mayweather is to win this fight he has to do what many boxers can’t do which is think clearly every second of the fight. Pacquiao gets many fighters to join into a brawl with him and throw as many shots as he does, but this is a mistake because Pacman has proven he has a good chin and can give as good as he gets. Still if you have watched Mayweather you know he will not stoop this he will use his patterned shoulder roll defense also known as the Philly shell, to avoid major blows but the Key will be his accuracy and speed. Fight fans and experts always say oh man Pacquiao dismantled this fighter or that fighter but that is because he is no doubt faster than every fighter he steps in the ring with that might not be true when he steps in the round with Mayweather. However if Pacquiao is to win the fight it will be because he has pressured Floyd like no fighter has ever done throwing a barrage of shots the likes of which Mayweather has never seen. If there ever was one who was capable of completing this task it would be the PacMan who seems to never tire even whilst throwing 50 punches per round every round. Scores of fans think Manny will knock Floyd out, but its not going to happen Manny has to out box Floyd if he wants to win that fight and beat Mayweather by being the aggressor who doesn’t get hit. My prediction if it ever happens is that Floyd ‘Money’Mayweather wins 116-112 and frustrates Manny who won’t be able to land as many plush shots as he is used to.
Today is my last day as an Intern with the Herald-Mail, It has been amazing experience that has contributed to my growth and development as a journalist and as a person. Over the past 8 weeks I learned how to cover hard news stories like fires, and rescues, in addition to learning the nuances of city government reporting. While here I worked on feature stories and town events which challenged me to come out of my shell and really get to know the community. Overall my summer was pretty unique there are not to many college students who get the opportunity to do this and I am extremely grateful to have had the pleasure to work here. I want to thank Schurz Communications and Mr. Pittman and Mr. Schurz for the opportunity to work for the company. I also have to thank the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute for believing in me enough to select as a multimedia scholar to participate in this program. I appreciate everything that I was taught while in Nashville. Individually I would like to thank the staff Jack, Val, Bill, Reggie, Anne, and Tiffany helping me become a better and more complete journalist. I also would like to thank the Herald-Mail for embracing me and taking the time to mold and shape me into a better reporter, and giving me the opportunity to get my name out there and contribute to the community. Special Thanks to Jake, and Linda for looking out for me, and Dan, Heather, Joel, Ric, Kevin, Don, Caleb, Joe and Crystal for always helping when I had questions or coming to chat with me throughout the day. This was truly a splendid summer and as journalist I could not think of any better way to spend it.
