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Mayweather breaks from training to spend time with US Troops in Afghanistan

U.S. Army soldiers and boxing enthusiasts from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, talk with five-time World Boxing Council champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. via Skype at Forward Operating Base Salerno Sept. 2 (Photo by Maj. Travis Dettmer).

by John Martinez
Boxscore
September 4, 2011

While in the midst of busily training for his upcoming bout with Mexican powerhouse and WBC Welterweight title-holder Victor Ortiz (29-2-22KO), the undefeated six-time world champion of five weight classes, Floyd Mayweather Jr (41-0, 25KO), temporarily set aside his preparations holding a candid, yet lighthearted, Skype session on Friday with United States Soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

Despite his training schedule, Mayweather Jr. found the time to hold nearly two-hour discussion in which he appeared relaxed, confident, and in good humor prior to his September 17 HBO PPV fight.

“God bless you, thank you for fighting for this country... the red white and blue, there’s nothing better than this country, America - you guys are great, thank you so much… from the bottom of my heart.” Continuing, “You know, you guys are out there [fighting] in 120 degree weather so, if you guys can make [that] sacrifice, why can’t Floyd Mayweather make a sacrifice?” asked the Michigan born boxer to the Soldiers of mostly 1st Battalion 6th Field Artillery HHB “Hellions”(Task Force Centaur) and other Soldiers of Task Force Duke.

He was cordial and humorous even when he gave the deployed warriors a tour of the “Big Boi” Mansion. “Hey, y'all need anything? Let me show you house.” And with that, the Soldiers were granted a VIP tour of a dwelling that puts other people’s homes on an episode of Cribs to shame. From the built in waterfall to the large screen television hidden behind a picture to the closet that is a home within itself, Floyd proved that he lives his moniker, “Money.”

When Floyd finally discussed his upcoming showdown for the WBC welterweight title, he dismissed the punching power and chances of Ortiz with a laugh and a flash of a smile.

“Ortiz? Ha. Its gonna be easy work -like taking candy to a baby. I'm not worried about him at all, I have a lot of experience and I’ve been places in the sport [boxing] he will [probably] never go in his career.”

One Soldier asking Mayweather why so many of his fights have gone the distance at this stage of his career? Floyd responded by laying blame on the foe not wanting to engage him in a fisticuff scrap.

“It’s like y'all, one shot can end it all."

Continuing he explained, "Once I get to beating these guys and I take the lead, these guys go into survival mode. They try to say they went the distance with Floyd Mayweather instead of trying to go for the victory. You have fighters that will just settle and be happy that way. You know, you have fighters like Shane [Mosley] who hit me with a good shot. I bit down like a true champion and I kept fighting and what did Shane do? He went into survival mode. When I was beating [Juan Manual] Marquez, his corner could have easily stopped the fight but what did he do? He went into survival mode, so there’s nothing I can do. And when I faced Oscar De La Hoya, he chose to be the heavyweight gloves, he chose the weight class, so they are always putting me in a no-win situation, so, you know, all these guys work together. I’m a one-man Army. You know, you have all these guys working with certain promoters, and like I said before, I’m the trainer, the promoter, and the fighter.”

Despite a 16-month layoff, Floyd’s trip back into the ring promises to be  an event, victory, or both. His prowess is second to none. His defense is “impregnable,” but more importantly, like many others hypothesize, it seems like a tune up for bigger things.

“I’m working on the biggest contract ever!” he exclaimed. “Y'all know who it is.” To the delight of the packed room, Floyd began simulating the act of tying a tourniquet around his arm and pretending as though he was injecting a syringe into his veins.

“Poochiao (Manny Pacquiao) don’t want this. You know,” he claimed. With Pacquiao supporters amongst the gathered troops, Floyd exclaimed, “He can’t say nothing. He’s getting my left overs. I beat them [Manny’s biggest named conquests] all way before he got to them. What's he gonna say? I beat them in their prime and when they still had something to give. I got 'em first.”

When another Soldier questioned him on how he stays motivated, Floyd stood up in front of the camera, pulled 100 dollar bills from his pant pocket, numbering in the seemingly thousands, and flushed the screen with what could only be "chump change” to the world class fighter and entertainer. He described himself this way, “There’s talented and then there’s gifted. I’m God gifted. It doesn’t matter who they put in front of me. Others have been knocked down and lost.“

As the soon to be seven-time world champion ended his time with the troops, he did offer his political views on the conflict in Afghanistan.

“Everytime we get someone new in the White House, they always say they’re gonna bring you (Servicemen and women) home; well it’s time to bring y'all home. You know what I’d do? I’d be buying jets and sending them over there to pick you all up, that’s what I’d do. Gotta send the jets over there to pick y’all up and bring y’all back home.”

With all the bravado and swagger that only an undefeated fighter can possess, Floyd Mayweather showed he is more than just a self-promoting boxer. He proved he was a supporter of the troops and offered to put on an exhibition - meet-and-greet for the Servicemembers of FOB Salerno, Afghanistan after he makes “easy work” of Oritz and prior to his “biggest contract ever” against whom he hints is ”Poochiao.”

For more about Mayweather's session with the troops - Undefeated Mayweather talks upcoming title-fight with TF Duke troops in Afghanistan

Note: The Salerno Skype Session between the Soldiers and Floyd Mayweather Jr. would not have been possible without the sincere dedication, hard work, and cooperation of Kelly Swanson and Leonard Ellerbe. And a special thanks to Floyd for taking the time to answer questions from some of those who are currently serving in Afghanistan.

John Martinez is respected boxing writer who has interviewed many of the sport's top fighters. A regular writer for the Boxscore World Sportswire, he is an Afghan War veteran who is currently on active duty assigned to the U.S. Army Task Force Centaur PAO, S7 & S9, 3rd Brigade 1 ID, 1-6HHB.

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Sexy Pole Dancing Fitness Interview Featuring Instructor Nicole Williams...

Written by Ed Magik

"Hollywood" Holland Baxley hosts a two part episode of Daring Dames TV where she interviews Nicole "ThePole" Williams, founder and instructor of Allure Dance & Fitness Studio, located in Los Angeles, California.

Pole dance fitness places a new face on a physical activity that was once only considered to be limited to the stages at gentleman's clubs.

Clearly, pole dancing has fitness benefits in addition to being sexy, thus making it a new trend in improving and reshaping women's lives in their physical appearance, confidence and in their relationships.

In addition, much like gymnastics, men are getting involved in pole dance fitness too!

Watch the two videos that appear below to learn more about pole dance fitness:





Nicole "ThePole" Williams teaches pole dance fitness at Allure Dance & Fitness Studio

Daring Dames TV was created and produced by Ed Magik.

The 25th Annual JazzReggae Festival Announces Full Lineup

By Ed Magik

13-May-2011

During this coming Memorial Day weekend, May 29th and 30th, UCLA will host the 25th Annual JazzReggae Festival featuring  a fantastic lineup of great music recording artist including Bilal, Pharoahe Monch, Me'Shell Ndegeocell, Talib Kweli, Quadron, Karriem Riggins, Little Dragon, Lee Fields & the Expressions, The Stepkids, Le J Trio Collective, Gyptian, Tanya Stephens with Detour Posse, The Wailing Souls, J Boog, Los Rakas, The Expanders, and Reggae day headliner Steel Pulse.
This years event will be something that you will not want to miss.
Performances will start at 12 Noon and run until 7 p.m. each day.

There will also be plenty of food, drink, arts and crafts.  Be sure to bring a blanket or two for the picnic with music type of atmosphere. 

Also, in the past, the sound isysttem was very good despite the fact that the stage is outdoors, so just about any spot within three hundred feet of the stage will suffice.

In the past years events, many other great performers have graced the main stage.
ED MAGIK TV has interviewed a number of the performers.  See videos below.





Emerging from the streets of Birmingham, England in 1975, Steel Pulse has since become one of the most active and influential reggae bands of all time. Renowned for their roots reggae foundation and their politically-inspired subversive lyrics, the band’s hugely diverse fan base extends far beyond the reggae community alone. Since their 1978 debut Handsworth Revolution, Steel Pulse has achieved worldwide success, boasting a Grammy award for their 1986 classic Babylon the Bandit as well as three additional Grammy nominations. Steel Pulse's reputation precedes them as the band continues work on an upcoming album and feature-length documentary honoring the longtime reggae legends' rich history. Having headlined several of the most famous reggae festivals in the world, the 25th Annual JazzReggae Festival is proud to be a part of Steel Pulse’s longstanding legacy as they bring both their classic roots and their latest sounds to the stage as this year’s headliners for Reggae Day.

For more information on the 25th Annual JazzReggae Festival, check out the festival's website at www.jazzreggaefest.com.







 Use your cell phone's scanner application to scan the QR Code to the right in order to navigate directly to ED MAGIK TV's YouTube channel.   ED MAGIK TV is a YouTube Partner that provides you with entertainment and interviews from numerous celebrities in music,dance, art, film, and television.

http://www.youtube.com/edmagiktv

The 25th Annual JazzReggae Festival Announces Full Lineup

The 25th Annual JazzReggae Festival Announces Full Lineup

After a quarter century of entertaining Southern California, the JazzReggae Festival announces its full lineup, which celebrates its illustrious history while providing a platform for upcoming new artists.  As headliners Sean Paul and Lupe Fiasco return from previous years to UCLA’s Intramural field, the 25th Annual JazzReggae Festival at UCLA boasts an innovative and eclectic lineup that will guarantee this year’s festival-goers a truly unique experience.

This year’s festival is excitedly redefining the Jam Day experience on May 29. The festival is proud to announce the debut of The JazzReggae 25 Revue with The 12-piece Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble Featuring Special Guests Talib Kweli, Bilal, Pharoahe Monch, Me’Shell Ndegéocello, Quadron, Karriem Riggins and More TBA. One of Los Angeles’ most ingenious and experimental young composers, producers, and musicians, Miguel is well-known for composing the Suite for Ma Dukes, a musical tribute inspired by the work of late producer J. Dilla. He has worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Wayne Shorter. After two sold out shows in Los Angeles early this year, Swedish sensation Little Dragon is returning to bring their electric soul style to Jam Day. Funk and Soul veterans Lee Fields and the Expressions are sure to please crowds with their classic sound. Recently signed with Stones Throw Records, The Stepkids will be performing for Jam Day audiences, as well as Le J Trio Collective, a UCLA based jazz group.

Jamaica native Gyptian, whose hit single “Hold Yuh,” will be following headliner Sean Paul on Reggae Day, May 30. Tanya Stephens, accompanied by Detour Posse, will be bringing her socially conscious and influential dancehall music to UCLA’s Intramural field. Also performing on Reggae Day, Panamanian duo Los Rakas combines bilingual lyricism with a mixture of reggae, hip hop, and dancehall sounds. Also performing on Reggae Day are The Wailing Souls, whose classic reggae roots sound is sure to add to the upbeat vibes of this beautiful Memorial Day spectacle. Southern Californian locals The Expanders and Samoan reggae crooner J-Boog will be performing as well.

The JazzReggae Festival is proud to introduce its sponsors S.O.Terik and Grooveshark. Tickets are currently on sale at UCLA’s Central Ticket Office and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.  For further information, visit the 25th Annual JazzReggae Festival on-line at www.jazzreggaefest.com.