"mr.sumo snr." wrote:

> "Eric Takabayashi" <etakajp@yahoo.co.jp> wrote in message >
>
> > Akebono put on a great show. He can take a hit, and he's not afraid of
> attacks to his legs. He
> > falls down, he gets up, which is rather surprising in itself. Before the
> match, I thought it would
> > be over for the person who got hit in the knees, but it was a punching
> match. We knew he's not
> > fast on his feet and tires in a few minutes.
> >
> > What was too bad was seeing his family watching. I get the impression his
> new career is not
> > exactly something his wife likes.
>
> I got the distinct impression that the presence of Akebono's wife and kids
> was more or less part of 'the deal'.  We'll pay you X-million so long as
> it's not just you getting a beating but the viewing public also get to see
> the missus shed a few tears - I was somewhat reminded of the end of 'Rocky'.
>
> This of course sets up a great tv-special profiling Akebono's attempts to
> recover from this humiliation.

I doubt it would last as long as the Tatsuyoshi Jo stories.

> He gets back into serious training -
> including shedding at least 30-40 kgs - and all the time the camera will cut
> away to showed pained expressions on his wife's face etc.
>
> Frankly I say good luck to guy.

Yes, but his career in K-1 against people who can move will not be a good one
if it lasts, and he doesn't seem to have the appeal Bob Sapp has to carry him
even if he doesn't win. If he had been able to slim down, move faster and avoid
injury, he could have stayed in sumo. Or basketball.

> Make a bundle of money and retire to Hawaii
> where he can open up a string of restaurants with Musashimaru.
>
> Did anyone else notice that some form of extreme fighting was broadcast on
> three of the networks at the same time last night.

Yep.

> Will this become the 'new' thing to do on New Year's Eve?

I hope not, because Royce Gracie and Bob Sapp were all I was looking forward to
all last night. Don Frye was a nice surprise. Such shows would be even more
tedious than waiting for something good to appear on the Kohaku.

> Guess it makes for an interesting
> alternative to the Red/White song contest - though I'm sure Brett might
> disagree - who was your favorite act last night - and did she perform before
> 9.00PM or afterwards?

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