Well, I decided to take the back roads to the fights at Fitzgeralds Casino in Tunica Mississippi. Just 20 minutes south of Memphis, Tunica has become a hotbed for boxing, due to Brian Young and his "Prizefight Boxing".

I work alot of shows for Prizefight, and this particular gig is one that we do every month at the various casinos in Tunica. Just a small venue gig with a great bunch of boxing fans, I would say this casino room holds around 600 or so people, and, as usual with a Prizefight Boxing show - it was sold out.

Now, back to the reason I took the "back roads" to the show. I thought perhaps some of you might be interested in seeing some of the Mississippi Delta scenes, that I have come to enjoy in my travels as a Ring Announcer on the Gulf Coast. So sit back and tag along with me on a short little weekend getaway...

So, I am driving down the road and it's a beautiful cool morning, blue sky and I look over to my right and spot some people doing something a bit unusual for these parts -
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/9739/FullofHotAir.jpg
Hot Air Ballooning!

More of the trip coming up!

Now, the Delta is famous for a couple of things - the first one is Cotton -
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/6897/Cotton3.jpg
Lots of Cotton
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/7640/Cotton2.jpg

The second thing, and for me, it's very near and dear to me - is the BLUES! I love listening (and playing) the blues. The Delta is the birthplace of the blues, and here is where it all began!http://img122.exs.cx/img122/198/BluesBirthplace.jpg

Not far from the "Birthplace of the Blues" is the place where a man named "Robert Johnson" a blues artist from way back, is said to have "sold his soul to the devil" for fortune and fame.
That place is known as "The Crossroads" - and here is the spot!
http://img126.exs.cx/img126/8327/Crossroads.jpg

More of the trip is on the way, I hope you like the ride....

Now, along the way, you will see a few good Bass fishin' holes like this one - it's fall now, but you better keep an eye out for snakes just the same!
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/9505/BassPond.jpg
And since the winter is coming, watch out for the critters that are out to bomb your car!! There were thousands of them, but I could only snap this one pic in time, since I was driving
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/6185/RIPAlfredHitch****.jpg

So, it's been seven hours on the road, and FINALLY, we get to the Casino - And here it is, my first time here too, Fitzgeralds!
And I'll be damned, it looks like a Castle straight out of Disneyland !http://img126.exs.cx/img126/3712/Fitzgeralds.jpg

I pull up and get checked in, they give me the room keycard and an envelope that contains tonights bout sheet and 6 meal tickets for the buffet above the casino, also a half a dozen drink cards are telling me I might be up all night partying after the show!
I find my room with a little help from the bellman - room 406 - that's me! A little 2 room cozy spot this week - cool.
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/5373/MyRoom1.jpg
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/5618/MyRoom2.jpg

Time to kick back, now, where is that remote? College football is on, and I gotta catch some scores - besides I always like to doze off for a nap before the show.
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/417/MyRoom3.jpg

Naptime is over, I've gotten cleaned up and it's off to the soundcheck - 2 hours until the doors open. 10 minutes later and the sound is good to go, time for a quick bite to eat and then into the Tuxedo. It's SHOWTIME !! Are you ready over here?!

Let's get the show started!
http://img113.exs.cx/img113/6843/JDcallsone.jpg

The night starts with a couple of young fighters who look promising, and as expected, they get the crowd going with their fast hands. Bantamweight Rayonta Whitfield 3-0-0 of Augusta, Ga. wins a U.D. over a very tough Minneapolis, Mn. fighter, Jesus Velasquez now 1-2-0.

Bout 2 is a 4 Rounder in the Jr. Lightweight Division.
Olympic Finalist Anthony Peterson is now 3-0-0 (3 KO's) with a 1st Round KO in just 1:37 ! His opponent - Billy Tipton of Covington, Tn. needs to find a different occupation...

In the 3rd bout it was St. Louis, Mo. fighter - Leon Bobo 4-0-0 (3 KO's)getting a U.D. over Atlanta's Jose Hernandez, now 4-2-1 (2 KO's) in a Featherweight matchup.

IBF Regional Champ Antonio Davis 15-1-0 (7 KO's)won a U.D. against journeyman Tyrone Wiggins in yet another Jr. Lightweight bout.

Wow, half the card down and I am going deaf from the loudest woman I have ever heard sitting behind me!
http://img105.exs.cx/img105/1816/JD-ReadyOverHere.jpg

http://img115.exs.cx/img115/7240/PetersonPicFedEx.jpg

Jr. Welterweight Lamont Peterson, 3-0-0 (3 KO's)(Yes, he is Anthony's brother and also an Olympic finalist) took care of business just like his brother did, with a K.O. at 2:20 of the 1st Round! Michael Moss, of Jackson, Ms. had no answer, in fact I don't think he heard the question - it's time to hang em' up Michael, I know you're young, but you just don't have it.

Tampa Bay, Fl. Light Heavyweight prospect Adam Hubinger improved to 6-0-0 (ALL BY KO) the kid has POWER! While Bo Skipper fell to 12-2-1 at the 2:55 mark of Round 1. :eek:

Now fightfans, it is my pleasure to introduce to you a man who became the 1st Southpaw Light Heavyweight Champ, a man who joined an exclusive club of fighters who KNOCKED OUT their first 29 opponents! The Former 2 Time HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD ! MICHAEL MOORER!
http://img117.exs.cx/img117/4999/JDMichaelMInRing.jpg

Michael is training with Brian Young who was his conditioning coach when he defeated Evander Holyfield to win the Title!
He will take on Vasily Jirov on the "Best Damn Sports Show" live on Dec. 9th! Michael told me he is looking forward to the fight, and he really likes the idea of having a great fight on a "non pay per view" - he thinks people should be able to see fights without having to pay for some movie channel to watch a descent fight. I agree, and I think it's good for the sport as well...
http://img117.exs.cx/img117/4499/JDMichaelMoorer.jpg

More pics of the "Trip with the Soundtraveler" and the rest of the nights action to follow. (including the fighter Layla Ali is scared to fight!!!)

Stay tuned we'll be back after this commercial break.... :D

By the way, is anybody actually following this thread - how am I doing? :confused: I know I am having fun, so if you are keeping up let me know! :D

We're back and it's time to bring out the ladies!
This next bout is a 4 Round Ladies Jr. Middleweight attraction-

Christy "Code Red" Nickel did not disappoint the many fans who came to see her, as she improved her record to 6-1-0 (4 KO's) with a U.D. over Little Rock, Ar. fighter, Amy Milam. This fight was full of head rockin' action from both fighters, as they left their defense in the dressing room! The crowd loved it!

Christy also fought on the undercard of the RJJ vs Johnson fight and won the fans over with her non stop balls to the wall style of fighting.

http://img103.exs.cx/img103/7554/CodeRedChristyFedEx.jpg
The woman is tough and was fighting with a "still not healed" broken nose - something I have seen alot of MEN QUIT because of, much less - get back into the ring with - a broken snozz!
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/2046/CodeRedontheProwl.jpg
After the show Christy and I ham it up for a quick pic - note the broken nose on this woman!
http://img105.exs.cx/img105/5305/JDCodeRedKristy.jpg

And now fight fans - the moment we've all been waiting for -
This fighter is the one that LAYLA ALI is SCARED to get in the ring with! In fact Layla said she won't think about it for a single penny less than - are you ready for this?! A whopping -- ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!!
http://img102.exs.cx/img102/4495/JDWhatTheHell.jpg

She is the Reigning WIBA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD-
ANN WOLFE ! Ann brings to the ring a Pro record of 18-1-0 (12 KO's) including the CRUSHING 1st Round KO of 6'6" Vanda Ward who had to be carried out of the ring on a stretcher during the Undercard of the Layla Ali vs Christy Martin fight! Layla saw that and KNOWS she doesn't want ANY part of the former Marine -Ann Wolfe! HOOYA'!
With her power, Ann could K.T.F.O. alot of MEN, and speedy hands like this means trouble for all who dare to get into the ring!
http://img130.exs.cx/img130/3616/AnnWolfeUpercut.jpg
Cassandra Geiger 6-3-0 (6 ko's) found out the hard way as she talked trash before the fight, even her corner said she would KO Ann - but when she got into the ring Ms. Wolfe demolished her with relative ease.

After the fight, Ann and I got in a quick pic for Boxingscene.com!
http://img105.exs.cx/img105/9010/JDAnnWolfe.jpg

Well fight fans --

I hope you enjoyed our trip, and we'll see YOU at the fights!
http://img105.exs.cx/img105/299/JD-YouTryIt.jpg

O.K. it's time for some feedback, was this something y'all would care for me to do after all my fights?

hell yeah, this stuff is great

O.K. it's time for some feedback, was this something y'all would care for me to do after all my fights?

definately kwwp it up. i love hearing about the up and comers.

yeah it was brilliant,enjoyed reading that.

Very cool soundtraveler. I also love the blues. Robert Johnson is a legend.

nice idea , great pictures =hats off to you.

great , really great.

I am so pleased to see that some of you are enjoying the trip! Thank You for coming along for the ride! I was hoping I wasn't wasting my time by taking the long route in order to show you folks some things y'all may not see everyday, wherever it is that you live...

This was an awesome thread! Thanks for doing that Soundtraveler. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of the countryside just as much as the boxing portion of the trip. Please do this again next time.

This was an awesome thread! Thanks for doing that Soundtraveler. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of the countryside just as much as the boxing portion of the trip. Please do this again next time.

Thank you very much, I believe I will continue this kind of "reporting" for all of the folks here at Boxingscene.com - as I really enjoy this website.... :D :D :cool:

Very cool soundtraveler. I also love the blues. Robert Johnson is a legend.

I love some of the old blues, and some of the new stuff too, BIG Eva Cassidy fan, of course Louisiana's own Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy, all favs of mine, throw in some Bonnie Raitt, and a bit of Lyle Lovett and his big band - just the live stuff, which isn't country as much as it is a jazz/blues mix.

I think that new artist Joss Stone is wonderful, after seeing her perform at Jazz Fest here in New Orleans this year, I am hooked, although she is kind of going pop, she has a kind of old school sound, sort of an old Motown sound. I do like Robert Johnson - and so many more, Muddy Waters, BB King, Clapton, hell I love em' all! :cool:

I just thought I would put my thread back up here to move one of Asian Storms' threads down! :D

You've got tha greatest job!! i'm looking forward to your next trip, please continue to post these new adventures!

I just thought I would put my thread back up here to move one of Asian Storms' threads down! :D


haha. very funny

I am so pleased to see that some of you are enjoying the trip! Thank You for coming along for the ride! I was hoping I wasn't wasting my time by taking the long route in order to show you folks some things y'all may not see everyday, wherever it is that you live...


This just in....Soundtravler kicks ass. So does Jim Lampley.

Good stuff man.

Wow...I just read this whole thing and I am pleasantly surprised. This is very good for the site and it is interesting to read your adventures Soundtravler. Keep it up man.

wow I saw the clip of her KO on Vanda Ward that was an amazing shot.

Soundtraveler this is a great thread, and a very good read. Great job man!

Sorry y'all, I had accidently removed the urls for some of the pics, but I have fixed them all now!

Excellent thread Soundtraveler. Keep up the good work.

I added a couple more pics to the thread this morning....

Dude, that was awesome. What an awesome job you have too. You mentioned that Lady Ali was there.... Did she refuse a picture with you? What did you think of Wolfe on a personal level? Do you ever get the chance to talk/have lunch or something with theses people? BTW, all the pics that lead up to it are very good to see. Keeping it real. Can't wait for your next card.

Dude, that was awesome. What an awesome job you have too. You mentioned that Lady Ali was there.... Did she refuse a picture with you? What did you think of Wolfe on a personal level? Do you ever get the chance to talk/have lunch or something with theses people? BTW, all the pics that lead up to it are very good to see. Keeping it real. Can't wait for your next card.

Layla wasn't there for this fight, as far as Layla goes - she is O.K., sort of, but her husband - well he is another story, O.K. I'll say it the guy is an ass. I say this for a couple of reasons, as Christy Martin would tell you, he ripped down the banner of PrizeFight Boxing who was Co-Promoting the Ali vs Christy Martin fight during a press conf. because he didn't want anyone to know they had to have help puting on the show! The truth is he doesn't know beans about the biz himself, and is merely tagging on Layla's coat tails.

Second, I was set to be the Ring Announcer for the fight, as Brian Young and Les Bonano used my services all the time, and I have worked with Christy's camp before, AND it was a LOCAL show for me, so they wouldn't have to pay for my travel. But just days before the event I get a call saying Layla's husband doesn't want me to do the duties - I am white and he wants to fly in his friend from D.C. who is black to work the show.

Now, I didn't have too much of a problem with that, but I did have a problem with the fact that the guy had never even done any ring announcing before, that bothered me, THAT was INSULTING to me....

Gotta admit this one thread here is good
for Boxingscene. Thanks Soundtraveler...keep it coming ;)

Layla wasn't there for this fight, as far as Layla goes - she is O.K., sort of, but her husband - well he is another story, O.K. I'll say it the guy is an ass. I say this for a couple of reasons, as Christy Martin would tell you, he ripped down the banner of PrizeFight Boxing who was Co-Promoting the Ali vs Christy Martin fight during a press conf. because he didn't want anyone to know they had to have help puting on the show! The truth is he doesn't know beans about the biz himself, and is merely tagging on Layla's coat tails.

Second, I was set to be the Ring Announcer for the fight, as Brian Young and Les Bonano used my services all the time, and I have worked with Christy's camp before, AND it was a LOCAL show for me, so they wouldn't have to pay for my travel. But just days before the event I get a call saying Layla's husband doesn't want me to do the duties - I am white and he wants to fly in his friend from D.C. who is black to work the show.

Now, I didn't have too much of a problem with that, but I did have a problem with the fact that the guy had never even done any ring announcing before, that bothered me, THAT was INSULTING to me....

thanks for letting me know about this thread! Awesome stuff ;)
You know, I've heard many similar tales about Laila's husband and "manager" (one and the same, right?) and alot of people believe he doesnt know what he's doing. It was wrong to pull you from announcing the fights just cause youre white! :eek: Must have been doing a buddy a favor, huh? :rolleyes:
when is your next assignment? Keep us informed, ok

ST - this is execllent, excellent stuff. Keep it up, plus the insider insights - it's fantastic having someone so close to the game here on the BB!!

awesome thread. cant wait 4 your next show

I thought I would bring this thread back, and if anyone remembers the trip, and would like to go on another one with me - I am going to do the same thing for the return of Zab Judah, since yours truly, the "Soundtraveler" A.K.A "JD Lyons" is going to be on the mic for the event! Stay tuned for a complete behind the scenes look at the event, from the arrival at the airport, to the weigh ins, and of course the behind the scene chats with the fighters themselves - the old Soundtraveler will give you an "ALL ACCESS PASS" to the big event. It's going to be boxing like you have never seen it before, the good the bad and the ugly from start to finish and ONLY on Boxingscene.com!!!

It's gonna be a great trip - come along!!
JD

I thought I would bring this thread back, and if anyone remembers the trip, and would like to go on another one with me - I am going to do the same thing for the return of Zab Judah, since yours truly, the "Soundtraveler" A.K.A "JD Lyons" is going to be on the mic for the event! Stay tuned for a complete behind the scenes look at the event, from the arrival at the airport, to the weigh ins, and of course the behind the scene chats with the fighters themselves - the old Soundtraveler will give you an "ALL ACCESS PASS" to the big event. It's going to be boxing like you have never seen it before, the good the bad and the ugly from start to finish and ONLY on Boxingscene.com!!!

It's gonna be a great trip - come along!!
JD

may the beer flow like wine and may the women flock to you like the salmon of capistrano.

may the beer flow like wine and may the women flock to you like the salmon of capistrano.


And may ALL your firstborn children be males!

O.K. it's time for some feedback, was this something y'all would care for me to do after all my fights?
I loved it, Man! You described the pics like some of the veteran writers. Good stuff!

JD Lyons in the house. Top ring announcer material here folks.

I thought I would bring this thread back, and if anyone remembers the trip, and would like to go on another one with me - I am going to do the same thing for the return of Zab Judah, since yours truly, the "Soundtraveler" A.K.A "JD Lyons" is going to be on the mic for the event! Stay tuned for a complete behind the scenes look at the event, from the arrival at the airport, to the weigh ins, and of course the behind the scene chats with the fighters themselves - the old Soundtraveler will give you an "ALL ACCESS PASS" to the big event. It's going to be boxing like you have never seen it before, the good the bad and the ugly from start to finish and ONLY on Boxingscene.com!!!

It's gonna be a great trip - come along!!
JD

Count me in!

I'll be along every step of the way.

JD Lyons in the house. Top ring announcer material here folks.

Thanks my friend! Nice compliment...

I loved it, Man! You described the pics like some of the veteran writers. Good stuff!

Glad you like the narration, I try....

Count me in!

I'll be along every step of the way.


Welcome aboard !

BTW love the pic of the critters playing!

Anything specific that you fight fans would like me to ask Zab?

Any particular photos you would like me to get for the thread?

Obviously, I won't bother a fighter on the day of the show, but will be chatting in the 2 days before the show. Also, keep all questions brief please!


I will try to get as many of the "good" questions answered, but I will be letting Zab read your questions online here at Boxingscene, he can pick the questions out for himself....


I will post a new thread for your questions to Zab!!

Anything specific that you fight fans would like me to ask Zab?

Any particular photos you would like me to get for the thread?

Obviously, I won't bother a fighter on the day of the show, but will be chatting in the 2 days before the show. Also, keep all questions brief please!


I will try to get as many of the "good" questions answered, but I will be letting Zab read your questions online here at Boxingscene, he can pick the questions out for himself....

Can you ask Zab what he thinks of the current slew of top fighters at WelterWeight?

Does he think he should fight Baldomir again?

Show of hands - how many of you guys recognized 'Traveler as the ring announcer on Shobox tonight?

That's some good stuff you got there SoundTraveler. It's great to see someone use thier creativity and post some thing worthy of reading. Man, you must have like the coolest job doing what you do! I Ain't gonna get into your personal biz, but I know you have got to be pulling in chicks from all over the place! Guess that's the icing on the cake, huh? But yeah, thanks for the scoop on all the inside stuff. BTW way, how old is that fighter (female), 18-2, that Ali's kid is afraid of?? And also, let us know when's her next showing.