Manny Pacquiao's Fight Against Cotto - A Dilemna

The much-awaited 7th title for the Philippine boxing superstar, Manny Pacman Pacquiao is just within reach at the expense of Cotto, the WBO welterweight champion who is supposed to be the younger, bigger and stronger fighter. But mind you, the superstar himself humbly reiterates that he should be the underdog, being the challenger.

Most of his fans, however, think otherwise and the weight of preference favors Pacman. He has even hit Las Vegas as the heavy favorite. The numbers that are reflected in the giant electronic billboard of Mandalay Bay’s betting station suggest a one-sided contest this coming Saturday. Based on the odds, the 30-year-old Filipino superstar is now a -350 favorite, meaning you need to place $350 just to win a hundred bucks.And for those rooting for Cotto, there’s everything to win and nothing to lose now. The 29-year-old champion from Puerto Rico is placed at +270, meaning you get $270 dollars for every bet of $100. Odds that this fight won’t last the distance are at -155 and that it would are at +125. It’s now 1/2 that Pacquiao would win by a knockout and 6/1 if it’s Cotto up on his feet in case of a knockout.

Now, here are some forecasts that you might want to drill on:

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: If Manny can take the punches of Cotto, then I see him knocking out Cotto in the 10th round. But if the punches of Cotto are too powerful for Manny to absorb, then I see him winning by decision. Why? Because Manny would use the tactic he used against the Golden Boy so Cotto would not catch him.

Lito Sandico, Quezon City: Much as I want to go with the rest and hope for a win for our Pacquiao, I think this time will see a battered Manny. He’s in for a big loss.

Imee Aglibot, USA: Manny will win again for sure. I asked my husband who had the edge, and he says Manny has it all. By the way, all our neighbors here (Armenian, Korean, Chinese, American and even Mexican) are fans of Manny. Even in my son’s school, Manny Pacquiao is a popular name.

Antonio Aguas, Quezon City: Cotto will knock out Pacquiao in the first round and Pacquiao will be comatose after this fight.

Norman Clavio, Bulacan: Pacquiao will lose by majority or unanimous decision. Cotto is no pushover; he’s in his prime. He will expose Pacquiao to the world.

Charlie Benzon, Cotabato City: The power of Cotto will end the speed and kayabangan of Pacman and Roach. It’s Cotto by knockout.

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: My fearless forecast: Pacman will suffer a humiliating defeat; you’ll see him sprawled on the canvas, not knowing what hit him.

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: This is going to be a brawl in the ring and I am afraid that it’s going to be a bloody one for both fighters. Still, my fearless forecast is that our man, Pacquiao, will come out the victor! Let’s watch

it na lang!

Elpidio Que, Ilocos Sur: With a clairvoyant’s confidence, these are what I foresee in the coming Pacquiao-Cotto fight in Las Vegas: 1. Politicians and government officials will again fly to Las Vegas for the fight, courtesy of the people’s money, to be seen on worldwide TV by millions. They will bet heavily millions purloined from funds earmarked for their constituents’ well-being. 2. It will prove that Manny is not an honoris causa Dr. Pacquiao for nothing, as he will be able to read the wind of change coming. He realizes he needs to break free from the strings of this regime. His Puerto Rican opponent is named Miguel; Manny will unleash his fists of fury to be endeared to the next regime that will come from the ranks of the enemies of this graft-charged and mandate-questioned regime. 3. Miguel Cotto will give Manny a good fight unlike what Almighty Freddie claims that he will be KO’ed early.

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Si Manny po by knockout. Lalo po siyang humuhusay at mas hahanga po ang sambayanang Pilipino kung lalayo siya sa mga politicians.

So what do you think? Wanna bet?

Internet Gaming Tips for Newbies

Internet games use the cyber world technology for playing. Games are extremely popular and constantly evolving.

There are:

• Games played using e-mail.

• Games played on a browser window by using a web address.

• Games played using Internet Relay Chat, Telenet, MUD client, or a Web based forum.

• Games that are graphic need stand-alone software that permits players to play with or against one another using an Internet connection.

The first game, MUD, was developed in 1978, and the market has burgeoned since then.

To play, one needs:

• A reliable Internet connection.

• A personal computer or game console.

• Selected software required by specific games.

One can play simple board games like scrabble, or bingo, or games like poker, mahjong, and pool. Another popular category is simulation games-these imitate real-life situations and cover aspects like combat, city planning, strategies, as well as flight simulation.

For serious gaming the computer performance must be optimized. This can be done by:

• Running the disk defragmenter and organizing the computer files. This should ideally be done once a month at least.

• Correct folder and file errors by using scandisk---use once a week and the computer will give trouble free performance.

• Clean your hard drives-get rid of Internet files, temporary files, as well as files in the trash/recycle bin. Clear the cache and uninstall programs that are not in everyday use.

• Update the operating system software. Download any new security patches. Keep video drivers updated.

• Clear space on the hard drive---store files on a back up system.

• Clear any spyware you have inherited from websites.

• Minimize number of programs running-when playing a graphic intensive game if there are too many programs running simultaneously the graphics will become choppy and game will be slow.

• Delete add on game files-wall papers and other paraphernalia will just clutter the computer.

• Run an anti-virus program regularly but disable it when you are loading/playing games. Antivirus programs slow down games.

• Always shut down the computer properly.

The Internet allows gamers to compete with people across oceans, on the other side of the world and anywhere in the universe. Some use PCs while others use consoles. What you use is a personal choice and depends on issues like costs and so on.

Before you buy a game you must:

• Consider "system requirements" - some games can run on systems that are not exact others need specific hardware.

• Find out if the game is single player or multi-player. Many games need the Internet-and, the broadband connection is more efficient than the dial-up connection. Many like Xbox Live only work on a broadband connection.

• Find out if the game can be played using a mouse/keyboard or whether it will need a full-featured joy stick.

Be wise and try a demo before making an actual purchase. Playing a demo benefits the player as well as game developer. Many online games offer free trial periods - beta testing is a great opportunity to find out if the game suits your taste as well as pockets.

Do your research thoroughly-usually there are several games competing for players within a genre. Read game reviews before taking the final step.

Author: Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com, the premier website to play thousands of free online games including arcade games, action games, card games, flash games, strategy games, puzzle games and more.

Which Sport Is The Hardest On Your Body?

My jaw drops every time Roger Federer returns a crushing serve at 130-140 mph to his opponent. For some, matching Bobby Jones's classic elegant swing is equivalent to reaching the epitome of sporting success. But calling tennis or golf or any other the hardest sport is debatable. I

personally believe that running a marathon is the toughest sport out there. Agreed, all other sports like baseball, rugby or golf require finely-tuned mental and physical co-ordination and each tests you at different levels of strength, stamina and psychological prowess. But none of them push the limit like running 26.2 miles under 3 hours, in a climate that may or may not be conducive to comfort and without a single pit stop. Nor is there any technology to lean on. It's just you and your body against the elements-from the start to the finish line.

"The Mile Has All The Elements Of A Drama!" said Sir Roger Gilbert Bannister, a former athlete who couldn't have put it better. Dedication, determination, exhilaration, pain, action and emotion, you name it. Unlike baseball or golf where the main focus is to match hand-eye movement and complement it with a stroke that is pure brute power, or adapt and change your strategy tactically in tennis and NASCAR racing, a marathon I believe is the hardest sport on the body. There are several reasons why.

First, most runners train on hard, concrete ground. The pounding legs and joints feel every time feet touch the pavement and leap back up is at least four times a runner's body weight. And this continues for the entire distance!

Secondly, there are no 10-minute rest room breaks, fuel recharge pit stops or injury time outs or replacements. Yes, one might engage in a slower pace or walk while entering the midpoint of a race. But pull to a complete stop and recovering lost time is out of the question.

Next comes the long, winding road. A 26-mile run is a daunting task, even for a seasoned marathoner. Putting the body through a test like this for a stretch of three hours entails physical and mental exhaustion to the brink of pain and numbness. Many tend to simply switch off their brains, distancing themselves from the pain. This may work for some, but most of the best athletes refrain from doing so. Yes, they feel the pain too. But they choose to accept the aches, tune their bodies to adapt to each situation and reach the finish line. This is what makes for an elite runner.

Where's the strategy involved? In a tennis match, strategy is critical to break the opponent's game. That strategy needs to be modified every time rivals decide to spring a surprise. So, if Andre Agassi capitalized on his serve and volley tactics, Pete Sampras had to rely on more than his super-smooth aces to stay put in the game. Similarly, during a marathon it is crucial to strategize the entire route to protect the body from burnout. Some runners make the mistake of going too fast in the beginning to take the lead, they run the risk of losing fuel mid way and lagging off at the finish line. What makes running the best sport of all is that everyone is a winner.

Oh yes, there are the proverbial 1st, 2nd and runner up spots, but the ephemeral experience of a race well run is unexplainable. And for anyone still unconvinced, put on your tennis shoes and hit the streets!

Author: Brian Falati is a sports afficiando who loves the game of football. Visit his blog, Brian Falati's Top 10, to read his opinions and sports commentary http://brianfalati.wordpress.com

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Classy Gifts for the Motorist in Your Life

It is better, they say, to give than to receive. And although many of us do not necessarily believe that, there is certainly something great about handing over a gift and seeing the look of surprise and delight on the recipient’s face as they open it. Make no mistake; this will not happen with just any gift. Fail to research your gift purchase and you may end up, for example, handing over a bottle of champagne to a friend who has been teetotal for decades. It is much, much better to give it a lot of thought up front and consider what they most enjoy. Specifically, we will deal here with gifts for car lovers – a grouping that makes up a large section of society.

The car has become an indispensable part of our society, of course, women are far ahead. and sometimes they drive you nuts. As well as being, for many people, a necessary means of conveyance from A to B, it has become highly important from a point of view of identity. In some ways, our car is like our clothes – when people see us in the distance, arriving at a destination, they will recognise us before they even see our face, because they know our car. We spend a lot of our lives in our cars – going to work, coming home, going to see friends, holidaying and so forth. It is unsurprising, then, that we are identified so closely with our vehicles. It is also unsurprising that a car-related gift will often be very gladly received.

Car-related gifts vary between the practical and the almost frivolous. They may even have very little to do with actual driving. Depending on your budget they can be technological, sentimental, big or small, but they will all, generally, say something about us as a person and as a motorist. One of the most popular gifts for motorists in this day and age is, for example, an MP3 player docking station. The music we have downloaded to listen to on foot can be hooked up to play through the vehicle’s sound system – which is a real advance on how things used to be, allowing us that jukebox feel from the comfort of our driving seat. Alternatively, one may give as a gift something more practical, such as a mini vacuum cleaner to keep the car clean.

Really, the main thing that decides what kind of gift you give to the motorist in your life will be your budget. Items that make driving significantly easier, such as a GPS navigation system or a toolkit for running vehicle repairs, may cost in the $100+ category. Gifts that make the journey a little more fun, or the car a little more individual or homely, can be something as simple as an ornament to hang from the rear view mirror and cost significantly less than $50 or even $25. Depending on the level of interest in cars – or in a specific car or manufacturer – you may even buy them a T-shirt, cap or other item of memorabilia representing the car itself.

Are you putting off reviewing or changing your car insurance coverage? Visit AutoInsuranceRatesDirect.com today for information on how to determine what coverage you need, then find it at a good price. Insure your whole family.

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