A Trip With The Soundtraveler

[Soundtraveler]

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 -
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Hot Air Ballooning!

More of the trip coming up!

[Soundtraveler]

Now, the Delta is famous for a couple of things - the first one is Cotton -
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Lots of Cotton
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[Soundtraveler]

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![IMG][/IMG]

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

[Soundtraveler]

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!
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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
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[Soundtraveler]

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 ![IMG][/IMG]

[Soundtraveler]

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.
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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.
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[Soundtraveler]

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!
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[Soundtraveler]

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!
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[Soundtraveler]

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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.

[Soundtraveler]

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!
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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...
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