The Phoenix Network:
 
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 
Big Fat Whale  |  Failure  |  Hoopleville  |  Idiot Box  |  Lifestyle Features  |  Reality Check

Concussions

Balls, pucks, and monster trucks
By RICK WORMWOOD  |  December 3, 2008

Last Saturday night, fans of pulverizing hits had to choose between two options. The Portland Pirates, who hardly lost to start the season, were at home trying to end a four-game skid. Across town, at the Stevens Avenue Armory, were USA Boxing’s New England Championships. Since the Pirates have many games left and local boxing cards are rare, I attended the fights, as did some interesting VIPs.

Red Sox great Luis “El Tiante” Tiant was there, signing anything for ten bucks. Autographed baseballs cost more. Tiant’s moustache was amazing, one of the most majestic in baseball history, right up there with that of Milwaukee’s Gorman Thomas. It was cool to see, in a Seven Wonders of the Facial-Hair World kind of way, but I don’t pay for autographs.

Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure was also in attendance. McClure captured the light-middleweight boxing gold at the 1960 Olympics, where he roomed with Cassius Clay. A pugilist who earned a doctorate in psychology after a brilliant ring career, McClure once fought Rubin “Hurricane” Carter to a draw. It was cool to see him walking through the crowd, shaking hands for free. But the best part of the night happened in the ring.

The third fight provided the most dramatic sports moment I have personally witnessed since Trot Nixon’s 11th-inning walk-off homer in the 2003 Division Series. Chris Nickerson, from Detroit, Maine, faced Worcester, Massachusetts’s Kylie Nortey in a three-round contest to determine the 178-pound sub-novice light-heavyweight division champion (boxing’s taxonomy is beyond nitpicky). Round one: Nickerson, with greater size and physique, chased Nortey around the ring. Nortey looked scared, out-classed, and doomed. It took all he had to barely dodge Nickerson’s fierce punches. Round two was slightly, if not much, better. Nickerson dominated, and everyone in the joint had to know that he had a commanding lead on the judge’s cards. Round three: Nortey was still on the run, praying for the bell. But then, a couple minutes in, Nortey planted his feet and hit Nickerson with his only good punch of the evening. And down went Nickerson like 178 pounds of coal.

The near-capacity crowd came unglued. Nickerson staggered up, badly hurt. The suddenly stouthearted Nortey charged like a savage when the ref stepped away. Nickerson had his arms up, protecting himself, trying to move. If Nickerson could have gotten on his bike and lasted the round, he would have probably won. The drama was brief but gut wrenching. Nortey landed again; Nickerson was out on his feet. He took a standing eight, but the ref stopped it. Nobody seemed more surprised than Nortey. Nickerson might have been, but he probably didn’t know his name, the poor kid.

That night the Pirates lost, and nobody dropped the gloves. Everybody skated like Lady Byng Memorial Trophy finalists. But then, on Sunday, in the third period, Colin Murphy and Paul Baier of the Pirates both threw some punches, and the Pirates ended a five-game losing streak. Coincidence? I say heck no. Just like Kyle Nortey, when the Pirates finally show some fight, they win.

Also, I need to make a CORRECTION regarding my feature story, “Last of the Redskins,” in last week’s issue of the print version of the Phoenix. I inadvertently gave the name of Sanford High School’s principal as Paul Allen, when in fact his name is Allan Young. The mistake was entirely mine, and I really regret it, because Principal Young was not only generous with his time, but also forthright in answering tough questions. If only the Sanford High School community had a mascot that represented them as well as Young.

Rick Wormwood can be reached at rickwormwood@gmail.com.

Related: One Too Many is never enough, Portland scene report: February 29, 2008, Are you going to Scarborough Downs?, More more >
  Topics: Lifestyle Features , Allan Young, Muhammad Ali, Paul Allen,  More more >
  • Share:
  • RSS feed Rss
  • Email this article to a friend Email
  • Print this article Print
Comments

THE BEST 2009
ARTICLES BY RICK WORMWOOD
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   BRING BACK MARIS  |  February 26, 2009
     Balls, Pucks and Monster Trucks
  •   REDSKIN REDUX  |  January 26, 2009
    Balls, Pucks, and Monster Trucks
  •   ANNUS HORRIBILIS  |  December 31, 2008
    Balls, pucks, and Monster Trucks
  •   CONCUSSIONS  |  December 03, 2008
    Balls, pucks, and monster trucks
  •   LAST OF THE REDSKINS  |  December 02, 2008
    What can sports mascots teach us about Native American relations today?

 See all articles by: RICK WORMWOOD

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 



  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group