http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/kevin_kelley/74870 Recent articles about Kevin Kelley en-us Tyson Fury, the Manchester traveller who represents Ireland as a boxer, delivered such a ham-handed performance on his American debut that it felt almost exploitative. It was an indecorous display that left those deemed associates through living in the same geographical area blushing on his behalf. It felt like packing your children off to relatives for the weekend only to learn that they’d neglected their table manners and broken an heirloom. Of course not everything converts from pounds into dollars. British institutions such as soccer, tea, Oasis, Robbie Williams -- Tesco even, have all failed in their quest to “crack” America. The U.S. remains a capitalist playground that can flip provincial hits into global brands. An appealing boxer, though, generally crosses over. If you can fight then you’re all right. British ex-pats generally represent HM and the Crown without incident: Lennox Lewis, Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan and Carl Froch -- while not quite James Bond in ... Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:41:21 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/tyson_fury_makes_a_princely_mess_of_american_debut/13477240 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/tyson_fury_makes_a_princely_mess_of_american_debut/13477240 Tyson Fury Makes A Princely Mess Of American Debut http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/tyson_fury_makes_a_princely_mess_of_american_debut/13477240 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/c/1c97301f3a5990ae873fefa046107b6cd8b8d3c8/mini/Prince_Naseem_Hamed_7cf8.jpg By now, every sports fan knows about the amazing accomplishment by Jack Taylor of Grinnell College. By scoring 138 pts. Taylor has earned little praise and a firestorm of disrespect, hate, and even a little racism. The talk against Taylor’s great evening quickly turned to calls of selfishness even disgrace by big names in the sports opinion business. Let’s first look at the stats because we have to first realize where this disdain is coming from. Taylor was 52-108 from the field, including 27-71 from three point range. He shot 79% (108-136) of his team shots and scored 77% (138-179) of his team’s points. Also his team won by 75 points, 179-104. The hate ranged from Taylor taking 108 shots to the coach even having him in the game at that point. Coach David Arseneault is in his 23rd year at DIII Grinnell College and has a game plan that Chip Kelley at Oregon and Mike D’Antoni of the Suns days would be proud of. He first came to prominence in the mid-2000′s when the national sports media brought hi Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:42:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/jack_taylor_celebrate_dont_hate/12274510 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/jack_taylor_celebrate_dont_hate/12274510 Jack Taylor: Celebrate, Don’t Hate http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/jack_taylor_celebrate_dont_hate/12274510 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Forgotten Recent Champions: Modern Titleholders Who Nobody Talks About Anymore We live in an era of so many champions that it is understandable if some end up being forgotten. But usually when a guy puts together a nice title reign with some good wins--he gets a boost to his popularity. You’ll remember him, even if he fell short of clear-cut greatness. Other champions, however, seemed mired in obscurity. Maybe it was their style, their lack of good promotion, or lack of marquee fights that relegates them to the mental scrap heap of boxing fans. Either way, there are some fighters you almost feel sorry for because it’s almost like they never existed. Here are some now-retired forgotten champions who deserve at least a bit more reverence. Stevie Johnston, 42-6-1 (16 KOs), WBC Lightweight Champion (1997-98, 1999-2000) Why He’s Forgotten: While he managed to carve out a little niche of hardcore fans who appreciated his immense craftiness, Johnston never really made that big of a splash... Sat, 29 Sep 2012 00:34:18 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/the_5_best_forgotten_champions_in_recent_boxing_history/11838022 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/the_5_best_forgotten_champions_in_recent_boxing_history/11838022 The 5 best forgotten champions in recent boxing history http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/the_5_best_forgotten_champions_in_recent_boxing_history/11838022 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Best of British Boxing Part Two:  Best Fights Within the second part of Best of British boxing series, I will take a look at the best British fights within the following categories; best debut by a British boxer on the world stage, the biggest upset by a Brit and best all British fight. The British contribution to the sport of boxing has been filled with tense domestic dust-ups as well as the mixed results of Brits trying to “break America”.  Here, I have considered the British fights which have been the most impactful in terms of being etched in our minds along with the history books. I have also left out in-ring tragedies (such as Watson and Mclellan) so that we can firmly focus on this being a celebratory look at British boxing.  Best Debut by a British Boxer on the World Stage: Prince Naseem Hamed vs. Kevin Kelley In the build-up to this fight between 2 big punchers and the 2 best featherweights at the time, Kevin Kelley had warned Prince Naseem Hamed “He got missiles but I ... Sun, 23 Sep 2012 09:09:56 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/3_of_the_best_fights_in_british_boxing_history/11787484 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/3_of_the_best_fights_in_british_boxing_history/11787484 3 of the best fights in British boxing history http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/3_of_the_best_fights_in_british_boxing_history/11787484 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png We first introduced you to Pulaski Academy Bruins Head Coach Kevin Kelley in 2008 as his high school football team was on their way to their second state championship. It wasn’t his success that peeked our interest; however, it was his insistence to go for it on fourth down…all of them. Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, AR) reappeared into the national spotlight after Louisiana-Monroe upset Arkansas after going for it on fourth down numerous times. Early last season they made national headlines after they led a team 29-0 just three-and-a-half minutes into the game. But that wasn’t why it was on the front page of Yahoo. The real story was that Arkansas’ third largest school, Cabot, had not run an offensive play. Cabot had deferred to receive the ball in the second half and unsuccessfully onside kicked to start the game. The Bruins scored, recovered an onside kick, scored, recovered an onside kick, scored, recovered an onside kick, and then scored again before Cabot finally recovered a kick. Going for it on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:05:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_quirky_philosophies_of_pulaski_academy_head_coach_kevin_kelley/11682817 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_quirky_philosophies_of_pulaski_academy_head_coach_kevin_kelley/11682817 The quirky philosophies of Pulaski Academy head coach Kevin Kelley http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/the_quirky_philosophies_of_pulaski_academy_head_coach_kevin_kelley/11682817 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png ((ht: kabc.com)) You may have heard us mention Pulaski H.S in Arkansas before. They have a football team there with an attention getting M.O, and no, they probably don't have a special teams coach. The reason: No punting and no kickoff's. Pulaski's coach, Kevin Kelley, well, he says, his team doesn't need to do those things. He will sit there and quote you statistics that say, "Why bother?" It must work for him. At least in Arkansas. Because his defending state champions have a rather large trophy to back that up. And tonight (Friday), they step into the land of "Big Boy" football. They...or at least part of the team, is way out west. In Los Angeles to be exact, where they'll be playing Chaminade High School. KABC-TV in L.A sent a reporter out to find out the secret to their success, it was kind of interesting: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:38:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/punting_and_kicking_in_football_hs_team_says_overrated/11598010 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/punting_and_kicking_in_football_hs_team_says_overrated/11598010 Punting and Kicking in football: HS team says "Overrated" http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/punting_and_kicking_in_football_hs_team_says_overrated/11598010 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Every few months someone gets stuffed on a crucial 4th down and we hear people come out of the woodwork to tell us why, mathematically, nobody should ever kick field goals or punt. When the Patriots blew a 4th and 2 conversion against the Colts in 2009 it was all anybody in the media talked about until Suri Cruise changed her outfit, and when the Falcons failed against the Saints last year we heard it all again. "He was right!" "You should always go for that!" "Look at this equation!!!" Inevitably, the conversation turns to Arkansas high school coach Kevin Kelley, whose teams famously stopped punting in 2007 and have been the darling of statheads everywhere since. The latest convert? San Diego State coach Rocky Long, who read about Kelley's strategy this offseason and is considering implementing a new rule for 2012: no field goals or punts once the Aztecs cross the 50-yard line. Long might be drinking the Kool-Aid, but I'm siding not. ... Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:04:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/derrrrr_sdsu_isnt_punting_this_year_derrrrrrrr/11482645 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/derrrrr_sdsu_isnt_punting_this_year_derrrrrrrr/11482645 Derrrrr SDSU Isn't Punting This Year Derrrrrrrr http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/derrrrr_sdsu_isnt_punting_this_year_derrrrrrrr/11482645 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Former Three-Time World Champion Humberto "Zorrita" Soto will seek to join rare company among active fighters with 60 wins as he pursues his 60th professional victory when he faces the always-dangerous and hard-hitting Lucas Matthysse in a battle of world-ranked super lightweights in the co-featured fight on Showtime on Saturday, June 23 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Soto (59-7-2, 34 KO's), of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, will battle Matthysse for the vacant WBC Continental Americas super lightweight title and look to extend his current 15-fight winning streak. He'll also look to push himself higher in the world ratings where he is already rated number two by the World Boxing Council (WBC), number three by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and number seven by the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Matthysse (30-2, 28 KO's), whose concussive power led him to scored nine knockdowns in a fight against former World Champion DeMarcus Corley, has... Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:07:25 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/soto_matthysse_ready_for_war_this_weekend_soto_looking_for_60th_win/11048687 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/soto_matthysse_ready_for_war_this_weekend_soto_looking_for_60th_win/11048687 Soto & Matthysse ready for war this weekend; Soto looking for 60th win http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/soto_matthysse_ready_for_war_this_weekend_soto_looking_for_60th_win/11048687 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png After making his hometown debut in March with a blistering first round knockout win over Lonnie Smith, top junior lightweight contender Vicente Escobedo will look to keep that momentum going in the same venue on Saturday, May 12 as he takes on Santa Clarita's Juan Ruiz in the 10 round "Sólo Boxeo Tecate" main event at the Woodland Community Center in Woodland, California. 2004 United States Olympian Vicente Escobedo (25-3, 15 KO's) has been in with some of boxing's toughest fighters including former World Champions Robert Guerrero, Michael Katsidis, Kevin Kelley and Carlos Hernandez, . Currently ranked number one in the world by the WBO, the 30-year-old Escobedo knows that he needs to beat Ruiz and extend his current winning streak to four to keep his title hopes and a discussed summer clash against WBO Junior Lightweight World Champion Adrien "The Problem" Broner alive. Upset-minded Juan Ruiz (23-9, 7 KO's) is at his best when he&... Wed, 09 May 2012 16:38:16 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/vicente_escobedo_returns_this_weekend/10756160 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/vicente_escobedo_returns_this_weekend/10756160 Vicente Escobedo returns this weekend http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/vicente_escobedo_returns_this_weekend/10756160 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/8/b8cf1d1019f8498b923fad2b86aff7e966a92010/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f51196467.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193B07CCDF00DC06F5722A92A823F43C996329DF394FE942516.jpg Saturday from the Woodland Community Senior Center in Woodland, CA, super featherweight contender Vicente Escobedo takes on Juan Ruiz in a 10-round bout. Escobedo, who will be fighting in his hometown, has been a contender at super featherweight and lightweight for some time and recently has been mentioned to be in the running to get a crack at Adrien Broner's super featherweight title later this year. Escobedo (25-3, 15 KOs) turned pro with high expectations, but has not been able to live up to those expectations thus far. He has been a strong contender, but has lost his biggest fights to date. He started with nine wins as a pro but then lost to Daniel Jimenez by split decision in 2008. Escobedo won 12 straight, including a win over Cristian Favela and long faded Kevin Kelley, but then lost to Michael Katsidis in a bid for the vacant WBO title. Escobedo also suffered a wide unanimous-decision loss to Robert Guerrero in late 2010. Since that time, Escobedo has won three straight over Walter Estrada, Ro Wed, 09 May 2012 03:05:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/vicente_escobedo_takes_on_juan_ruiz/10750940 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/vicente_escobedo_takes_on_juan_ruiz/10750940 Vicente Escobedo takes on Juan Ruiz http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/vicente_escobedo_takes_on_juan_ruiz/10750940 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/8/b8cf1d1019f8498b923fad2b86aff7e966a92010/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f51196467.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193B07CCDF00DC06F5722A92A823F43C996329DF394FE942516.jpg Battle-tested veteran boxer Frankie Archuleta figures to be a significant test for undefeated Irish super featherweight prospect Patrick "The Punisher" Hyland, headlining the "Irish Invasion" card, May 12 at Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. While Archuleta has been in there with a who's who in and around the division, he's lost four of his last six fights, and all of those losses were by stoppage. Hyland (25-0, 11 KOs) and Archuleta (27-9-1, 14 KOs) square-off in the eight-round main event. The 28-year-old Hyland, a Dubliner now living in nearby Marlboro (NY), is rated No. 12 by the North American Boxing Association ("NABA"). Trained by two-division world champion Tracy Harris Patterson, Patrick is the reigning World Boxing Federation ("WBF") super featherweight champion. Upset-minded Archuleta has a history in terms of pulling off surprises in the ring. The highlight of his career is a split-decision win over five-t... Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:37:35 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/frankie_archuleta_named_as_patrick_hylands_opponent_on_may_12_irish_invasion_card/10535807 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/frankie_archuleta_named_as_patrick_hylands_opponent_on_may_12_irish_invasion_card/10535807 Frankie Archuleta named as Patrick Hyland’s opponent on May 12 Irish Invasion card http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/frankie_archuleta_named_as_patrick_hylands_opponent_on_may_12_irish_invasion_card/10535807 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png It's advice that sounds like heresy on the gridiron: Go for it on fourth down. Try more onside kicks. Running backs don't matter much. But to stats geeks, this is the gospel from the spreadsheets. The number-savvy economists, statisticians and refugees from Wall Street who revolutionized much of baseball in a way celebrated in the book and movie ''Moneyball'' are aiming their calculators at football. But so far they aren't making much headway. The complex team-oriented game is difficult to break down into interchangeable numbers, and the men who run the sport are even tougher to change. If baseball is in the 10th year of adopting ''Moneyball'' concepts, football is barely in year one, several sports number gurus say. There is one NFL team that seems to best epitomize an increased amount of number-based decision-making, top sports statisticians agree. And that team, the New England Patriots, will be playing on Super Bowl Sunday for the fifth time in 11 years. &# Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:07:21 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/unlike_patriots_nfl_slow_to_embrace_moneyball/9743488 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/unlike_patriots_nfl_slow_to_embrace_moneyball/9743488 Unlike Patriots, NFL slow to embrace 'Moneyball' http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/unlike_patriots_nfl_slow_to_embrace_moneyball/9743488 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Vicente Escobedo has fought all over the world, represented his country in the Olympics and fought some of the best fighters in the sport throughout his career, but the one thing the top junior lightweight contender has never done is compete in his hometown as a professional. That changes on Saturday, March 3 as Escobedo steps into the ring at the Woodland Community Center in Woodland, Calif. against Lonnie Smith in a 10 round fight for the vacant NABO Junior Lightweight Title which will be televised on TeleFutura's "Sólo Boxeo Tecate." Joining Escobedo on this exciting homecoming card will be Fairfield's unbeaten featherweight star on the rise, Manuel "Tino" Avila, who faces an opponent to be named in the six round co-main event. A 2004 United States Olympian who got his start in the sport at the Woodland Boxing Club, Vicente "Chente" Escobedo (24-3, 14 KO's) has come a long way since those early days, and at 30 years old, he ... Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:50:08 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/vicente_escobedo_fights_in_hometown_of_woodland_ca_on_march_3rd_solo_boxeo/9588392 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/vicente_escobedo_fights_in_hometown_of_woodland_ca_on_march_3rd_solo_boxeo/9588392 Vicente Escobedo Fights in Hometown of Woodland, CA on March 3rd Solo Boxeo http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/vicente_escobedo_fights_in_hometown_of_woodland_ca_on_march_3rd_solo_boxeo/9588392 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/8/b8cf1d1019f8498b923fad2b86aff7e966a92010/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f51196467.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193B07CCDF00DC06F5722A92A823F43C996329DF394FE942516.jpg Pulaski Academy was a little bit more on edge this week heading into their quarterfinal matchup with Pottsville. The Bruins weren’t worried as much about their offense as they were about the big play ability of the Pottsville Apache offense that was averaging over 44 points per game. The Bruins elected to receive the ball to start the game, and after recovering Pottsville’s onside kick attempt, they marched 48 yards in 7 plays, capped with a 15 yard pass from Fredi Knighten to L.J. Wallace on a 4th down and 1. PA would successfully go for two to go up 8-0 with 10:37 left in the first. “We felt like Pottsville was going to go for two on each of their touchdowns, and they had been fairly successful in making them out of the swinging gate formation on the films we had,” Pulaski Academy head coach Kevin Kelley said. “and obviously, we didn’t know we would be able to stop them like we did.” The ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful, but PA would stymie the Apache offense on a 4-and-out, holding Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:18:23 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/pulaski_academy_wins_big_advances_to_semifinals/8373601 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/pulaski_academy_wins_big_advances_to_semifinals/8373601 Pulaski Academy Wins Big, Advances to Semifinals http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/pulaski_academy_wins_big_advances_to_semifinals/8373601 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png