Top 10 fights of the decade

Boxing has given us many great battles over the past century, Duran Vs Leonard, Ali Vs Frasier, and of course, for sheer controversy alone, Tyson Vs Holyfield.

Pugilism’s glory days seemed numbered after the Tyson incident, with numerous critics questioning the sportsmanship and safety of those who dared enter the ring.

However, contradictory to common belief, boxing is as prosperous as ever, with the best Pound for pound fighters to have ever lived (Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather) speculating a bout for within the next two years.

But what was the best fight of the past decade? Which provided most entertainment? And which was most influential? Ive rounded up some of the modern classics that will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.

10: Joe Calzaghe (GBR) Vs Mikkel Kessler (DEN)-WBO, WBC, WBA and Ring Magazines Super Middleweight titles- November 3rd 2007- Cardiff

Both fighters went into the match unbeaten. Little did critics know that the fight would be a complete whitewash 0n Calzaghes part. The earlier rounds were more even, with Kessler maybe winning a couple. But as the bout wore on Calzaghe was diving in and out, using his jab effectively. Considering neither boxer had ever fought someone of such a high caliber as their opponent, Calzaghe made it look easy, winning a unanimous decision. Joe was always slated by American critics prior to the match, but he secured his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time through the victory, going on to beat legends such as Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Junior.

9: Ricky Hatton (GBR) Vs Jose Luis Castillo (MEX) - Light Welterweight-June 23rd 2007- Las Vegas

Probably one of Ricky Hattons Greatest Victories, Hatton Vs Catillo was greatly anticipated and received by many who viewed it. Critics were split as to who would have the upper hand going into the fight...unbeaten Hatton? or the more experienced Castillo? The question needn't have been asked really, with Hatton giving Castillo a complete lesson on how to throw a punch. From the get go the Mexican was pummeled by staggering right and left hooks to the body, paying diffident in the 4th. Pushed against the ropes, Castillo was hit with a phenomenal body shot forcing him to the ground, where he sat until the ten count, the first time ever in his career.

8: Oscar De La Hoya (USA) Vs Fernando Vargas (USA)-WBC, WBA Light Middleweight titles-September 14th 2002-Las Vegas

Not a fight necessarily well remembered for its showmanship and spectacle, the De La Hoya- Vargas fight was however a perfect example of grit, perseverance and sheer emotion. Going into the fight, there was a great rivalry between the two fighters, with De La Hoya still sour over his controversial loss to Shane Mosley. The Bout was completely even until the 10th, with De La Hoya completely dominating to the bell. Caught with a flush left hook in the 11th, Vargas fell to the canvas but got back up immediately, only to be met with lightning fast combinations from De La Hoya, at which point the referee interfered. De La Hoya could hardly fight back the tears post fight, in a truely "Balboa" moment.

7: Israel Vazquez (MEX) Vs Rafael Marquez (MEX)-WBC Super Bantamweight title-March 1st 2008-Texas

Another Mexican stand off in the list, Vazquez Marquez 3 was the third and final fight between the pair that saw Vazquez win by a split decision, despite being knocked down in the 4th. One thing that always remained consistent throughout all three fights, was the tenacity and passion of both fighters. Boxing analyst Al Bernstein described the fighting styles of both fighters by saying "If ever two fighters were made for each other, these two are. They are in front of each other throwing excellent punches. Both men have a smidge of a problem defensively, so that leaves the chance that they can be hit." Rarely did 10 seconds pass throughout the entire bout when either man was throwing or being hit by punches, and both fighters faces were proof of that by the end of the match. Had the fight taken place in the 20's, pennies would have covered the canvas.


6: Erik Morales (MEX) Vs Marco Antonio Barrera (MEX)- WBO, WBC World Bantamweight tiltes-19th February 2000- Las Vegas

Offering one of the best trilogies since Ali Vs Frasier, each of the Morales- Barrera bouts was as thrilling as the last. Both Boxers went into the first match as title holders, with Morales confident following a knockout victory over unbeaten Daniel Zaragoza. The fight was controversial to say the least, with Barrera going on to lose, despite scoring the only Knockdown in round 12 of the fight. The Pair went on to battle again on 2 occasions, with Barrera winning both by judge’s decision. The first fight will certainly go down as the most memorable though, with the two Mexicans providing a master- class in determination, how to take a punch and fighting prowess.

5: Erik Morales (MEX) Vs Manny Pacquiao (PHL)- WBC Super Featherweight title-November 18th 2006- Las Vegas

It seems good things come in threes, as the final match in the trilogy between the two featherweights was to be the most memorable. With one victory each, it was billed as a "Grande Finale" and it seemed Pacquiao had some unfinished businesss to attend to. From the get go Morales was made a fool of, Manny dominated using straight rights and lefts, putting down Morales in the second round via a left hook. Morales persisted non-the-less, only to be put down twice in the 3rd by the Filipino. The fight put an end to Morales' career, as he never recovered from his loss. Nevertheless, the victory secured Pacquiao as one of the greatest pound for pound fighters in history.

4: Flloyd Mayweather Junior (USA) Vs Diego Corrales (USA) - WBC Super Featherweight title- January 20th 2001- Las Vegas

The fight between Mayweather-Corrales was to be the defining moment in a flawless career for "Pretty Boy." Throughout the fight Mayweather dominated, dropping Corrales five times overall, which when considering Corrales had never been knocked out is a pretty impressive statistic. After two consecutive knockouts in the 10th, the referee rightfully intervened. Since the fight Mayweather has secured the title of best Pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and is commonly respected as the greatest boxer to have ever lived.

3: Ricky Hatton (GBR) Vs Costa Tszyu (AUS)- IBF Light Welterweight Title- 4th June 2005- Manchester

Going into the fight, Hatton was a clear underdog as many believed Tszyu to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of the generation. It soon became apparent that this wasn't the case, as Hatton stood toe-to-toe with Tszyu and emerged victorious after Tszyu refused to leave his corner in the 12th round. The fight is one of the greatest boxing upsets, and is still deemed to be the greatest moment in Hattons career, allowing the critics across the pond to take note.

2: Micky Ward (USA) Vs Aturo Gatti (CAN)-May 18 2002- Connecticutt

The most astounding thing about the Gatti and Ward trilogy is the fact that there were absolutely no titles on the line. Just 30 rounds of non stop boxing, in a show of sportsmanship, boxing ability, will power and pride. Their first fight in particular was specifically spectacular, as Gatti got put down in the ninth, but battled on non-the-less. The result was a controversial split decision in favour of Ward, but both fighters were considered winners by all who viewed it. A truly inspirational fight, and two truely great fighters. The match was awarded Ring magazines Fight of the year, and has gone down in history following the death of the late, great Aturo Gatti.

1: Diego Corrales (USA) Vs Luis Castillo (Mex)- WBC, WBO Lightweight Title- May 7th 2005- Las Vegas

One round completely sums up the best fight of the decade, round 10, Corrales- Castillo. Like a scene from a movie, Corrales went down twice in the round, and it all seemed over. Corrales rose and did something phenominal, fought back, caught Castillo with a left hook and erupted with a barrage of punches. The referee intervened and Corrales got the victory. A Glissando of emotion, the fight will go down in history as one of the best fights ever, but un-doubtedly the best fight of the decade.

Student Diet article

When is the defining moment in a students education? Is it the moment you enrol? results day? Graduation day? Or is it when you find yourself eating a Pot Noodle at two o’clock in the afternoon in nothing but your pants, screaming in support of Jeremy Kyles most recent antics? Unfortunately, popular opinion sways in favour of the latter, a stigma that is hard to shake.

The notion that students rely solely on junk food to function has always been present within society. In one scene from the student based sitcom, “The Young Ones,” in the early eighties, when inspecting the communal fridge, they find “a green blob of mould,” a “urine sample,” as well as a potion, that “when the patient drinks it, he turns into an axe wielding homicidal maniac.”

So why is it students get such bad press when concerning their diets? Is it indeed just a stereotype? Or is it in-fact a realistic representation of student life?

The FXU President of Welfare, Samantha Finneran, defies the common myth.

“Personally, I try to eat as healthily as I can, and try shop at local farm stores wherever possible, but due to work commitments I often find myself in Asda every couple of weeks deliberating between organic, fair-trade or just plain British. I have finally got a veg patch in the garden which I have been looking forward to since I started University – home grown courgettes, peas, cabbage and spinach are like luxuries, they taste so good. Myself and my housemates tend to shop together as everything is cheaper in bulk, and we can ‘wind each other up’ about buying unhealthy stuff too. The only down side is that they eat a lot more meat than I do which is more expensive. I am into my fruits and veggies with a bit of meat every now and then.”

She goes on to say:

“I always try to get £50 out on a Monday, and not spend it all by the end of the week. Sometimes it works, Sometimes it doesn’t but I just keep at it, give myself a pat on the back if I have a good week and try not to kick myself too hard if I spend a lot more. The best thing I ever did was start writing down what I spend my money on and add it all up each week. This is really easy to do with Internet banking, plus I'm saving trees by not having paper statements that will get filed away and never read.”

In contrast to Samantha, not all people find it as easy to adapt. Michael Lyle, a Journalism student at the College found it particuarly diffucult to find a diet that worked for him.

“I lost two stone over the first year after moving to Falmouth. The regularity I had in my diet at home was lost when I moved. At home I was given a set meal everyday, whereas at University I was arriving at home at different times, making it difficult to cook when I wanted. Cheaper junk food is far more appealing and much easier to prepare.”

The UK has been completely entwined within the “Obesity epidemic” that has sprung up over the past 5 years, with an increasing number of shows such as “Celebrity Fit Club” and “You Are What You Eat” epitomising the change. But as of yet, there have been no programmes focused completely on University students, moving away from home and becoming completely self sufficient for the first time.

Birmingham based dietitian and member of the BDA, Susan Jenkins found it particularly bewildering that in this day and age, people are still detached from what we eat.

“In order sustain a healthy diet, we need a balanced combination of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and fibre. It goes without question that a diet based completely around junk food will have a drastic effect on the body, inducing either weight gain or loss, skin conditions, heart conditions and also stress. We cant neglect our eating habits simply for our own convenience.”

There are services provided for students however. The British Dietetic association website, www.teenweightwise.com offers many recipes and services ideally suited for a student on a budget. Other websites include the independently run www.beyondbakedbeans.com which has a particularly helpful section on how to cut your food bills. Whats more there is a quiz which allows the user to determine how healthy they are. Also, the University College Falmouth itself is holding a “hows it going week” at the Stannary commencing on Monday November 2nd in conjunction with Tremough Campus services, The Student Union and The University of Exeter Cornwall Campus, Including a “Health and wellness day” on Thursday 5th, and also “Food and Fitness day” on Friday the 6th, both starting at 11am.

Zine work

As part of my course I have been working on a small perzine, condensing my views on a whole range of subject matters. It allowed me to get to grips with in-design and was pretty enjoyable.

British Leyland

Nothing beats the smell of a petrol in the morning. Especially when its bellowing out the arse end of a British leyland. What the hell has happened to engineering? Rarely do I see a contemporary motor that emits such elegance and beauty as did the Leyland range (not so much the metro.)

I've recently come to a crossroads in terms of buying a new car. Do I go for a Fiesta or a Corsa, just like everybody else would? Cheap parts and good reliability? Or sacrifice that and spend the same on a Leyland? Actually drive a car that wants to be driven, for 30 miles at least.

Auto Trader has become my Mekkah over recent weeks. Budget...£750. What will it get me? 1972 Austin Mini 1250 gt? Out the question, they are like goldust. Triumph Dolomite? Essentially a pint sized Cadillac that wouldn't look out of place in the parking lot of a 50's diner. Rust bucket, not worth the cash. Which got me thinking...what about a Morris Marina? All the bad press Top Gear has given it means nobody can sell them. I quickly narrowed down my search and discovered they were available in abundance.

Who cares if they handle like a "skip on wheels?" Have you sat in one Mr Clarkson? Its like a time warp. I booked a viewing on one as soon as I could.

I found one just 12 miles away. 1978, 1.3 hatchback...perfect. The excitement and anticipation as I travelled to view it was unbearable. Shropshire had been frost ridden for over a month and today was no exception, so I had my doubts as to whether the thing would even start.

One look at the little beast and I fell in love. Mustard yellow, mint interior and a completely rust free engine bay.

I put the key in the ignition and twisted....nothing. I tried again....nothing. I could feel my heart sinking, one more time...twist the key...nothing. Looking blankly at the owner I felt as though my dream car was just out of reach.

"You've gotta pull the choke out mate."

A choke? Now this is motoring. Pulling the lever with glee I twisted again and the roar from beneath me was truly magnificent. Everything was beautiful. The finish on the dash, the huge steering wheel, the grill reminiscent of a Mustang, why would anyone want to buy a Corsa?

He took me for a spin. Almost everybody we drove past turned their heads in ore (or maybe in embarrassment) of the Marina. This IS my destiny, I have to have this car, I don't care if I've got to get Falmouth and back, this is the one.

As the engine bumbled down back at the garage, I knew we had to talk money.

"Whats the least you'll take?"

£950...cash.

Once again my heart sank. Okay Mitch, haggle.

"£700?"

"£950...cash."

"Can we meet in the middle? say£850?"

"£950...cash."

For fear of crying , I had to walk away. My heart was broken...a broken man. A Corsa it is.

But Ill say this, next time your thinking of buying a car... don't go for the Fiesta, or the 106... take a chance on a true classic... a British Marvel...The Morris Marina.

Im off my tits on Facebook

Hello, my names Mitchell Cooper, I'm 20 years old....and...and...I'm a Facebook addict!

I cant touch a computer without checking my home page. I don't know why, but I cant. Do I need help? Ive tried deleting it, but its impossible.

I deleted my account, but couldn't stand life not knowing what Mike Collins thinks about Robbie Williams' Brit performance....I DON'T EVEN KNOW MIKE...HE ADDED ME!

Even when you delete it...it still knows. I was clean for three months during the summer. I thought it had gone for good...but it never goes away. I clicked the old link on my bookmarks by accident which directed me straight back to my homepage.

"Welcome back Mitchell Cooper."

Smug bastard. It always knew I'd return, enticing me with a new layout.

My addiction started at a young age, 15, just dabbling with the lesser addictive social networking sites...visited Bebo every now and again, just a casual thing. Of course one thing led to another, Myspace was next. Highly addictive, I learnt HTML In less than a day. Those were the glory days. When you could get away with that kind of thing, sit on the computer after school and change your profile picture over and over again...same pose...different angle.

Then my mate got me into the really hard gear, Facebook. None of these namby pamby profile layouts or profile views, Just your straight to the point networking rush.

Its been two years now and I'm still....

Sorry I just got a notification, Stacey Williams "likes" my photo. Ill just comment on it. Wait there...Brb

You'll get a smack

What is youth?

For me, youth is a memory. Countless summers spent building bases in the shrubbery scattered around a council estate in the West Midlands. Scuttling around in brambles next to coke cans and old crisp packets with pictures of "Spice girls" and "Tazzo's" on. Sitting on an old car bumper and envisaging how I could set boobie traps so that no-one would "invade" the fortress. Wedging old "screwball" ice cream packets in the spokes of my bike so it sounded like a scrambler.

One day I just peeled the bark off a tree...don't know why, just did it.

Winters were much more special. A new bike made everything twice as impressive. Every bump in the path now became a "jump" and I could travel to Joels house in half the time, which meant I got to play football for longer.

My upbringing was pretty basic. Two older brothers, one sister. Dad was a welder, Mom looked after the kids.

I shared a room with my brother Adam for years, so as you can imagine we got through a fair few beds, as my brothers admiration for "The Undertaker" meant I was body-slammed through "the ring" on regular occasions.

What I do remember about my childhood in particular however, is that if we were naughty, we were smacked.

Both my Mother and Father employed this parenting technique with meticulous precision. Right on the back of the thighs, what a stinger.

I remember only ever getting smacked when I had done something really wrong, and considering I was a cheeky little shit it rarely happened, which is surprising.

Of course, a smack is no use if used every time a child is naughty, as a good telling off is just as effective. But when a child does something that truly warrants an arse tanning, do it. They sure as hell wont do it again.

But one very clear memory of my childhood is that of a boy called Aaron Philips, a lad I went to primary school with.

One day, after stealing a packet of "Space Raiders" (and getting caught...I was a rubbish thief) I came into school telling the tale of how my dad had given me a "good hiding."

During Milk time I told Aaron the story and he found it astounding that my dad had smacked me.

"My Mum or Dad never smack me."

I didn't retaliate, just found it strange.

But what happened at home time really stuck with me. Aaron's Mum had come to pick him up in "her brand new Mercedes" that he wouldn't stop talking about (my dad had a Talbot Sunbeam...awesome.)

I don't remember exactly what happened, but I distinctly recall Aaron calling his mom a "stupid bitch" in front of all the other mothers.

She did nothing. Just took the abuse and put him in the car.

Even as an 8 year old boy I felt empathy for her. The embarrassment she must have felt to have her child show her up like that in-front of so many people.

But that experience, and the Morals my parents employed through their teaching, punishment and love helped produce the rather smashing chap I am today, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The fear of the "smack" was what kept me from doing wrong, and without sounding like my father, and without using cliches, what has happened to kids today? Why are parents scared of smacking their kids on the back of the legs? I'm sorry but I'm going to say it...IT DID ME NO HARM.

Goggles when playing conkers? No more" baa baa black sheep"? No more throwing snowballs? Continuous cleaning by parents so that their kids won't get ill?

Jesus Christ let them enjoy their childhood.

Part of growing up is the scabs and bruises on your arms and knees. Getting chicken pocks and wiping your nose on your sleeve.

My ten year old cousin doesn't even know what a scooter is. The first time he went on a bike his mother had him looking like Shinobi in arm knee and shin pads.

The most recent report in The Telegraph had me absolutely fuming.

"Children were stopped from wearing swimming goggles at their local pool because of health and safety fears."

It continued:

Officials say the goggles can cause children to bump into each other and the rubber straps are dangerous if a child has them ''snapped back in their face''.

Here's another great one:

Wear goggles when using Blu-Tack: the safety rules ruining education

Blu tac? I used to eat the stuff.

Why are people wrapping their children in cotton wool?

Yes, your child is the most precious thing in your life, but they are much more resilient than you think.

I know I'm in no position to talk as I don't have kids, and I respect any decision a parent makes on the upbringing of their child.

But I remember clearly what it was like to have a childhood spent enjoying life and exploiting my adolescence for all it's worth. Even if I did get smacked when I was being naughty, i deserved it, I was being naughty. I think more children should spend their youth playing football, rather than sat indoors pretending to play it on the PS3.

Student prejudice

Having savoured the rather sweet taste of student life for over a year and a half now, I've finally come to terms with the fact that there is a particularly discriminative mindset from local people, that seems to orientate its hate directly towards students.

My first experience of this came in Wetherspoons pub. Having finished my "Frilly Tutu" pitcher (a drink only real men can handle) I stumbled into the toilet and looked around for a spare urinal. I noticed a clear gap between two burly builders in high visibility jackets, that I just about managed to squeeze into. Now although this sounds like the deleted scenes from a George Michael music video, it soon became apparent that the pairs hatred for students was truly sincere.

Nudging my way in-between the two silver backs I tried my best to get to grips with what could only be described as a well earned slash.

"I take it you lot have been payed today haven't you?"

"Yeah, typical. No wonder were in a credit crunch."

Having never been stigmatized for any reason my entire life, and of course, being a coward, I took it upon myself to do the the gracious thing, and lie.

"Actually, I'm a plumber mate."

The situation diffused quickly with a swift apology, but it got me wondering...why do some Falmouth locals hate students?

There were 413,430 full time students recorded in the UK in 2007, with UCF accounting for over 3000 of them. Surely we pump enough cash into local businesses to warrant at least some respect. Without us here the place would be a ghost town. Shops, bars and restaurants would go bust, and the ambiance surrounding the place would be completely neutral.

Maybe the reason behind such animosity is fear of change? A Miss-understanding or maybe even a lack of communication.

Maybe we've somehow spoilt the delicate ecosystem that is Falmouth, with our drugs, alcohol and constant partying.

Or maybe jealousy is the main reason. People who have worked their entire life, missed out on three years of sheer fun, either due to lack of opportunity or knowledge, and now feel the need to compensated for their own loss via discrimination towards students.

I'm not naive enough to believe that all the indigenous people within Falmouth hate students. I love this place, and the vast majority of people here are warm, welcoming and easy to talk to, but its that slight minority who really make me bitter.

But what frustrates me most of all, is the fact that in thirty years time, after what will undoubtedly be an illustrious career, maybe a Nobel prize, I will glance over at a snotty nosed nineteen year old in a Wetherspoons toilet, gurning his tits off, and share exactly the same hatred the builders felt, Because I know me. I know what it's like to be a student as I do very little, and I know I can be a pretentious little cock ring.

Jeremy Kyle

Every morning, mid-toast, my breakfast is interrupted by a man who physically makes my piss fizz. A man who my mother loves, exploits the lower class, has the IQ of a garden snail, but still takes it upon himself to rid Britain of their problems via a third rate talk show. You know who I'm talking about, its Jeremy Kyle.

Essentially, the programme is a hybrid. A modern day freak show, within an amphitheatrical auditorium ideal for the gladiators to fight it out, with Jezza getting the final decision as to who's right and who's wrong . Guests are scooped up off a council estate in Toxteth, paraded around the stage, angered and then left to fight it out...at which point Jezza will sit on the step, and utter those infamous words..."This show doesn't condone any violence, now apologise."

The audience (gods waiting room) then marvels in ore as the messiah himself "Graham Stainer," the shows psychologist emerges from backstage, and rather than turning water into wine, offers his pearls of wisdom, "You cant help someone who doesn't want to be helped"...no shit Sherlock, are they actually paying you for this first class psychological analysis?

Whats most shocking is the programmes target audience. OAP's, students, and of course, those who he is exploiting, the dole rats sat on their sofa picking their arse laughing as Jezza screams "Who pays for your weed? us the tax payer."

Who payed for your brother Neils smack Jezza? Why don't we bring him on the show and sigh as he bends over and shows us his skid marks? Why exploit these people and then offer them help...just give them bloody help.

And so much for their "aftercare team." What about Rebbecca langley? Where was her aftercare? After appearing on the show she wasn't even contacted, just beaten by her boyfriend who fractured her eye socket. I thought you cared Superjez?

Even the shows former producer Charlotte Scott acknowledges the shows ethical issues:
‘Guests are wound up like a coiled spring. It is an integral part of preparations - a process, sanctioned by the show’s editors, called “talking up”. The whole show is designed to produce a gladiatorial-style exchange.’

But lets not forget, our Jezza's a nice chap, as every now and again he gets into "mufty" and hits the streets, visiting leukemia suffering children like Santa, offering them an action man, or the new Barbie bubble bike..."Thank you so much sir, you're such a wonderful human being...but whats your name?...My name doesn't matter...just know that I'll be here for you wherever you go...Jeremy Kyle."

When will this hypocritical tosser realise that the day he does indeed resolve every social domestic problem in Britain is the day he's out of a job. It's with this point alone that re-enforces the notion that the only reason he hosts such bear bating is for ratings and cash.

So lets all raise a glass to Jeremy Kyle, the man who ruins my breakfast, ruins daytime TV and ruins lives. TWAT.