Bring The Heat

Lebron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. Three superstars who cunningly executed one of the most controversial pieces of business in NBA franchise history.

"We already won, and there ain't no need to play no games" Those are the new lyrics from US musician Flo-Rida who might have to consider his outburst considering the faltering start from the boys from South Beach.

The Heat are currently third in the South-Eastern Conference alongside mediocre opposition which include the likes of Charlotte, Atlanta and Orlando.

With global sport franchises steadily following the trend of hiring wealthy business men to run their clubs, the Heat themselves should keep a close eye on the developments across the pond and learn that money doesn't always bring you happiness.

It's been four years since Miami recorded their first ever Championship winning season which was spurned by the prominence of Dwayne Wade and resurgence of all time great Shaquille O'Neal.

The anomaly to this new found dynasty is that they haven't moulded in the same way as Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce did in 2007 for the Boston Celtics.

With a disappointing pre-season and a current record of four wins and two losses , I can't see the the Heat storming through the rest of the campaign with an unblemished record but I don't doubt for for one second that they will go far into the play-offs.

It's been headlined as one of the biggest fights in boxing history; Floyd Mayweather Jnr will go head to head with his toughest opponent to date in Sugar Shane Mosley tonight at the famous MGM Grand Arena.

As usual the trash talking pretty boy has flashed the clash, mentally got inside his opponent and last but not least, used his eccentric father, Floyd Snr, to spit a few rhymes reminiscent of the great Muhhamad Ali.

But while Mayweather was flaunting his mini proteges to HBO's 24/7 with Uncle Roger conducting the famous Mayweather pad drill; Nazim Richardson was studying every move of Mayweather in the quaint team camp of Big Bear. Richardson explained: "We'll watch Mayweather fights in the evening but as the team heads to bed I won't sleep because you never know what to expect with Floyd. It's in many ways a calm before the storm when Shane eventually arrives to train"

If Mayweather wins this bout it will silence his critics because he's competing against one of the best fighters to come out of the sport. His unblemished record only includes two top fighters in Ricky Hatton and Oscar De Le Hoya; Mosley on the other hand has fought Cotto, Margarito, De Le Hoya, Winky Wright, Mayorga, Diaz, Verron Forrest and finally Fernando Vargas.

Both men have extrodinary hand speed with Mayweather edging this attribute but the physical dominance stands with Mosley. In 2009 Shane Mosley went toe to toe with Antonio Magarito who at the time was the number one Welterweight in the world and boy did he not dissapoint.......... I don't have to explain just watch the clip and you'll understand.

Mayweather has the advantage of fighting off the back foot against an opponent whose fitness has yet to be tested this year but there is no doubt that Mosley will turn this into a dog fight where Mayweather will have to come out and play if he plans to win over the judges hearts.

My head says Mayweather but my heart says Mosley. I expect this fight to be a great spectacle for the sport of boxing and whoever brings the jab to it's full fuition will previal the winner.

My Prediction- Mosley KO Round 8

Floyd Mayweather Interview (HBO)

Shane Mosley Pre-Fight Interview

Chelsea vs Stoke 7-0. Had To Be Done

Platini's Craving Becomes A Reality

From the uknown town of Joeuf a frenchman was born. Michel Plantini was widely regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders to play the game. His 21 year career produced 504 appearances and an impressive tally of 265 goals. He played for the likes of Nancy, St.Etienne and the old lady herself, Juventus.

On the 26th January Platini defeated his opponent Lennart Johansson in the UEFA Presidential election giving the narrow minded frenchman any say in european football.

“I would love to give the Champions League to Juventus. I was in Turin when Del Piero stunned Iker Casillas of Real Madrid.”

Just a bit bias Michel? Plantini just days before Juventus hosted Chelsea in the Champions League Quarter Final



Good Boy: Platini (pictured left) looks thrilled that Barcelona and Messi (pictured right) prevented back to back Champions League titles for Manchester United.

“I want to create a situation where every team has a chance of winning and there is a more level playing field. But in England teams win either with morality or without it. We want transparency and financial fair play, but sometimes you do not have that in England”

This years competition is the first time that an English team hasn't managed to reach the Semi-Finals since 2002 when Manchester Unite were knocked out by Real Madrid.

Platini must also be licking his lips at the possibility of a French side being present in the final stage of such a prestigous tournament since Monaco came runners-up to Porto in 2004.



Coincidence? An all French quarter-final between powerhouses Lyon and Bordeaux was right up Platini's street.

Many top sport's journalist's have suggested that Platini despises the English game and I for one support that accusation. The man is frustrated that English football has blossomed into the greatest league in the world by having investors who in his words are 'corrupting' the game. If St.Ettiene were bought by a oil tycoon from Siberia and stated that £300 million would be spent in the next transfer window what would you think of that Michel??

The 3rd of April Just Got A Bit More Interesting

It's been the most unpredictable premiership season for some time and along with it provides the nation with the closest title race for over 10 years.

Slight Advantage? Carlo Ancelotti (pictured right) has an imperious record against Sir Alex Ferguson (pictured left).

This weekend see's two of the greatest clubs in world football go head to head in what could be a title decider. Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti are no strangers to pressure; both men have incredible experience and knowledge of the game and on April 3rd two great footballing minds will go head to head.

Chelsea have the confidence going into this game knowing that they haven't lost this season against the so called 'Big Four'. The fact that Chelsea have scored 12 goals in their last two games against Portsmouth and Aston Villa will be a major boost.

Match Winner: Florent Malouda (pictured) has been one of Chelsea's best players this season and his form will be crucial this weekend

Manchester United on the other have domestically been solid with 9 wins out of their last 10 games; However with a dismal second half performance against Bayern Munich last night Sir Alex Ferguson should be worried, not to mention the fact that Wayne Rooney who has carried Manchester United this season with an incredible scoring record of 34 goals in all competitions could be out for a possible 2-4 weeks with a sprained ankle.

Unfortunate: Wayne Rooney (pictured) has been pivotal in Manchester United's title campaign.

The reason I have titled this abstract as 'interesting' is due to the fact that Chelsea have bounced back from what could only be described as a number of shocking displays. Prior to Portsmouth and Aston Villa, Chelsea in their last 10 games had won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4. Carlo Ancelotti looked lost tactically and emotionally on the Chelsea touchline, not to mention the severe embarrassment with back to back defeats against his old nemesis Jose Mourinho. But with an extremely impressive 7-1 victory over Aston Villa this tie now seems to be in the Blues favour, and without Rooney title odds have changed dramatically.

The last tie between these two came on remembrance Sunday where Chelsea were victorious courtesy of a John Terry header. In all honesty Manchester United were the better side for many reasons but most notably was the fact that the Chelsea players weren't suited to the diamond formation at the time, and the fact that Sir Alex packed the midfield made it difficult for the likes of Deco, Lampard and Essien to spread the ball around.

Last Time Around: John Terry celebrates Chelsea's winner against Manchester United back in November

Will Sir Alex Ferguson use the same tactic this time around or will he go with the two strikers? If Rooney was fit he would of partnered Berbatov but due to the injury I believe the same formation will be used.

KEY BATTLES TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS SATURDAY

Antionio Valencia vs Yuri Zhirkov - Not one of the battles fans would expect but Valencia has been instrumental in assisting the likes of Rooney and Berbatov. Yuri Zhirkov has had to cover for the injured Ashely Cole and at times the Russian has looked susceptible to the counter attack. As versatile as Zhirkov is theres no doubt that he will have his work cut out for him by the Ecudorian.

Frank Lampard vs Darren Fletcher - The England midfielder has been in fine form of late and Darren Fletcher will have his hands full. Lampard has already notched his fine record of scoring more than 20 goals a season and with such confidence the Chelsea midfielder will be looking to add to that tally.

Nemanja Vidic vs Didier Drogba - These two share no love for each other and I wouldn't be suprised if something took place on Saturday. However unpleasentries aside Didier Drogba has been clinical this season with 24 goals and will cause the United backline all sorts of problems. The positive side for Vidic is that Drogba has only scored once against the Reds and that was back in 2007.