The Fighting Yogis

The Fighting Yogis is an article I wrote about the use of Bikram Yoga by boxers when training for a fight. A slightly edited version of the article was published on Boxing Scene on 09/06/13 and can be found here... http://www.boxingscene.com/-fighting-yogis-vassell-smiths-crolla--66419

71 Parkside Road.

Hello. I apologise, valued reader, for the lack of activity this blog has seen over the festive period. Fear not though, your protagonists enthusiasm for the project has not waned, I was simply snowed under with essays for stupid university. However, essays vanquished, I return with another letter. This time, the lucky addressee is the house I spent my childhood living in. My hope is that the current residents will be moved to reply, or at the very least that they will be provided with a few chuckles. Click below to read my latest offering!

John K. Samson.

John K. Samson is the common denominator between my two all time favourite bands, Propagandhi and The Weakerthans. Bass player for the first two Propagandhi records, Samson traded up angry punk-rock for introspective indie-folk when forming The Weakerthans. In possession of a way with words that would likely turn Shakespeare's head, Samson's real forte is as a lyricist. Sad, funny, poetic, life-affirming. To me, his lyrics just beautifully express what it is to be human. For some of my personal favourite examples of Samson's work click here, here, here and here, then click below to read my letter to the man whose words are permanently inked onto my body.

Jeremy Paxman.

Jeremy Paxman is a bit of a legend. I hesitate to use such a cliched description, but how else do you describe a man so hard-headedly self-assured? Pompous? Maybe. Arrogant? Probably. But you cannot fail to be awed by a man who tears politician after politician to shreds with a cool indifference that suggests all the while he is simply thinking of how best to facially express his utter disdain at being forced to converse with a mere mortal such as this. If 'The Moral High Ground' were an actual place, Paxman would be its Emperor. Click here for perhaps his most famous interview, then read my letter to Jeremy by clicking below...

David Haye.

David Haye is the current WBA Heavyweight Champion of the World and a former unified Cruiserweight Champion. A big-punching, trash-talking, pantomime villain of a boxer, Haye is very much the marmite man of pugilism. The shot in the arm the heavyweight division needed, or an arrogant loudmouth who ducks the biggest fights, either way, in the 12 months since he won his heavyweight strap, Haye has got people talking. Given his appearance in this blog, it doesn't take a genius to figure out which camp I fall into. Click below to read my letter to the man they call 'The Hayemaker'.