Hatton TV has launched a new panel discussion style show hosted by the one and only Ricky Hatton. Ricky’s guests for the first episode are Micky Cantwell and the recently retired Jamie Moore. They discuss Jamie’s career path and his decision to retire. There is a feature on the man Ricky feels is the best prospect in Britain, Scott Quigg. They take a look back at the British Amateur championships, and discuss the recent world title fights featuring Kevin Mitchell and Amir Khan. A good first episode, definitely worth checking out if you have a half hour to spare.
You can watch the show by clicking *HERE*

They show the famous pre-fight conference call that we linked to here.

Rashad says it’s hard to push yourself when you’re fighting someone you don’t respect. He thinks that’s why Rampage is pushing himself so hard.

While going through a crazy workout, Rashad does his Rampage howling impersonation.

After his crazy workout, he sits in an ice bath and play it like Rampage wouldn’t be able to handle an ice bath.

Trevor Wittman, his striking coach says that Rashad’s fitness is at a ten out of ten. That means he’s going to be huffing and puffing in round two. It always does.

Strength coach Mike Dolce says at the beginning of training camp, Rampage was 251 pounds. He’s dropped 30 pounds, which still leaves him at 16 pounds above the weight class limit. Dolce thinks it’s because of Rashad’s trash talk that has pushed Rampage to train so hard.

Wittman etched a photo of Rashad that described his confidence and gave it to Rashad.

There was really nothing to this episode except for more of the same with the hype. I will give them credit for intensifying the build up. This is a big fight for a non-title fight. That’s for sure.

Last week, Dana White mentioned that there was an announcement coming today from Toronto. The major announcement is that the UFC opened an office in Toronto, headed by former Canadian Football League commissioner Tom Wright.

According to F4W/Wrestling Observer, the main short-term goal will be to get MMA regulated in every Canadian province.

They want to run three live events in Canada every year, and there was a hinting towards George St. Pierre and Josh Koscheck fighting late this year or early next year in Canada.

If they get in Toronto, they can run a big building with that fight.

Last month’s Extreme Rules left a lot to be desired for me. It was the first PPV following the great WrestleMania card and it fell flat. Because of that, I don’t expect much with Over The Limit, which seems to be mostly a rehash of the feuds from the last show. There will probably be some good matches, but already, just two months after Mania, many of these feuds seems stale.

1. Kofi Kingston vs. Drew McIntyre

I wish Christian was facing Kofi again from Smackdown a couple of weeks ago. That was a great match. I don’t have high hopes here.

You never want to hear the words “slow the pace down” when talking about an opener and that’s what Michael Cole just said Drew McIntyre is doing. What should we call the move where Kofi leaps crotch first onto the second rope while the guy is in the corner? Testicles corner punches?

It was an ok match, but pretty short. Kofi missed the Trouble in Paradise, got out of Drew’s Future Shock, and then hit the SOS for the pin. I didn’t expect him to win at all.

Winner: Kofi Kingston

Matt Hardy came out and hit a Twist of Fate on McIntyre. The match felt like a back drop. I have no idea what they’re doing with Drew McIntyre.

2. R-Truth vs. Ted DiBiase Jr.

Virgil is back! And this time in a suit!
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Kevin Iole wrote a great piece today about why Manny Pacquaio vs. Floyd Mayweather is going to have the same hold-ups that it did the first time.

The article details the dates in which Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley were drug tested by the USADA.

According to the article:

Mayweather gave blood and urine on March 22, April 1, April 13 and then May 1 after the fight. He gave urine only on April 3, April 6, April 21 and April 24. Mosley gave blood and urine on March 23, March 31, April 12 and then May 1 after the fight. He gave urine only on March 29, March 31, April 7, April 20 and April 26.

Iole pointed out that the blood testing dates were more than two weeks before the fight, which is what Team Pacquiao is now saying their limit on blood testing will be.

But Travis Tygart, the chief executive officer of USADA, points out what the entire crux of the issue is.

From the article:

“That totally misses the point,” Tygart said of the reaction some may have upon hearing of Pacquiao’s concession and the timing of Mayweather’s last blood test. “If you know you aren’t going to be tested within the last 14 days, you can cheat and get away with it. It is our right to test at any time, 30 days before the fight, 20 days before, the week of, the morning of – that provides the deterrent. If you block out a period of time and say we can’t test during that period, then an athlete could cheat and get away with it.”

And that’s the issue. That’s why the drug testing needs to be random. If you know 14 days in advance of the fight you won’t be blood tested, you have no fear. You can take things that won’t show up in urine analysis without conscience. That’s also what makes people think that Team Pacquiao is hiding something.

The USADA is as hip to the drug testing game as any organization going. Are the tests perfect? Well, I’m still not convinced they are catching anyone who takes HGH, so I’d say no. But the fact that Manny Pacquiao wants to name his testing date is a black eye on his stature as far as I’m concerned. And as a fan, it’s frustrating to see a guy who is so brilliant and smart in the ring, be so unintelligent about why this is important outside of the ring.

Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe had the last word, and this is why this fight is going to be so hard to put together.

I will say this: If and when Floyd Mayweather decides to fight again, random blood and urine testing will be part of it. Period.

The first episode was excellent. Let’s see if they can build on it for week two.

The first shot is of Rashad buying suits. He said when he looks good, he feels good.

Shane Carwin comes to train with Rashad. Shane works Rashad up against the wall so that Rashad can work fighting off the cage. Rashad tells Rampage that he needs to stop eating twinkies and looks fat. He’s worried that he’s not going to make weight. He said he sweats margarine.

They show him working his wrestling with King Mo.

Rampage is training in England before heading out to Vegas next week. He ran five miles and said it’s his best time ever. He also had a breakthrough in his jiu-jitsu. But he didn’t say what it was.

He says that he doesn’t like when he turns into Rampage because he always has to apologize for things he does when he becomes Rampage.

Rashad talks about leaving his family and how hard it is. Rashad bought Rampage a Snuggie to keep him warm when he knocks him out. He web cams with his kids every night and his son says that Rampage is going to win. He thinks he’s mad at him for being away.

And then because The Ultimate Fighter went so long, the show cuts out on me here. Bummer.