Boxing is one of those sports that seem to get nationalistic tendencies all riled up. In the Southeast Asian nation of the Philippines, in particular, people do get together to support their “hero” Manny Pacquiao. On May 2, Saturday, Manny Pacquiao is set to meet Ricky Hatton of the United Kingdom in the ring.

The People’s Champion, as Manny is fondly called by his fans and admirers, says that it is going to be war. The odds are in Pacquiao’s favor at the moment. Odds makers have named him as the favorite at a 2 is to 1 ratio.

On his part, Ricky Hatton says that he “has been here before. People say (I’m) over-hyped, overprotected, a fat, beer-drinking Englishman. Well, I’m going to shock the world again.” He also agrees that the match will definitely be a war.

As for their promoters, Pacquiao still has Bob Arun of Top Rank on his side while Hatton has Oscar dela Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions. Boxing fans will note that the Golden Boy tried to rekindle his career recently by going against Pacquiao, only to have his face “rearranged,” as many commentators put it. Could this huge fight be his way of getting back at Manny Pacquiao? Perhaps.

In any case, the match is going to be over Hatton’s current title, the IBO junior-welterweight title. In spite of the odds, we can only be assured of one thing: that it is going to be a good fight and that the whole world (or a large part of it) will be watching.

Basketball fans all over the world have probably noticed a rather unique fashion accessory that one of the biggest basketball stars in the NBA. Dwayne Wade. Prior to the All-Star Weekend, Wade – who is the league’s leading scorer, by the way – cut his left cheek. Naturally, it needed medical attention, however slight his injury might have been, so he placed a Band-Aid on his cheek.

This band-aid is somehow different from the usual stuff that we can buy at the corner drugstore. Well, actually, it is the same stuff but Wade pretty soon added his own twist to the Band-Aids. For starters, he put his nickname “Flash.” Then he put the American flag on it as well – all this despite the fact that his wound had healed.

Of course, this delighted his fans, as it was somewhat of a different fashion statement. In such a short span of time, Wade was able to create his own stamp. It is going to be short-lived, however, as the NBA is going the route that the NFL has taken before.

The league is banning the superstar from using the Band-Aid in future games. Tim Frank, the NBA spokesman says that they already talked to the management of The Heat, reiterating the rule that Band-Aids can only be worn for medical purposes. The league aims for uniformity with regard to the players’ dress code when in the arena.

I suppose this means one thing for Dwayne Wade fans – no more “Flashy” Band-Aids. Am sure that would not get in the way of his skills on the court, though.

Newspapers all over the world – both online and offline – exploded with all sorts of stories when a picture of Michael Phelps holding a bong was released. The picture was supposedly taken in November at a college party in South Carolina. The photo released to the world was of Michael holding the bong. Although nothing concrete could be seen from the picture, the swimming superstar admitted to smoking from it.

The results were obviously devastating to this person whom everyone held in high regard. He already has had several endorsement deals cancelled because of the incident. On the legal end, however, Michael Phelps has nothing to worry about now. According to the sheriff’s department of Richland County, South Carolina, where the photo was taken, there is no physical evidence that any law has been broken.

While the Olympic medalist admitted to “inappropriate behavior,” there was no mention of marijuana or any other illegal substance use. As such, no charges can be filed – and none will be filed. Phelps’s statement prior to this announcement was:

I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public — it will not happen again.

He has not gotten off totally free though. He has been suspended by USA Swimming from competition for 3 months starting February 6. Kellogg Co. will not renew its deal with Phelps.

Still, it seems that the swimmer continues to be a hero for many. In Sheriff Leon Lott’s words, “Michael Phelps is truly an American hero. But even with his star status, he is obligated to obey the laws of our state.”

It has been routine to find the morning paper at the doorsteps and bring it in to the house while breakfast meals are being prepared. First thing that people would check out is of course the front page, usually focusing on current events locally and the world. It is important for people to know what is going on in the world today mainly because it affects everyone today. The impact that published news provide is really something that will surely gather various reactions and opinions for current events and issues.

The relevance of such issues does have quite an impact today. News is not something that people can simply shed away and not be aware off. Regardless if they are students, businessmen or house people, the impact is sure to affect each person in their daily manner of living. All matters ranging from politics to economy have a bearing in today�s way of living.

So the fuss today is that scoring splurge that National Basketball Association players have been doing as the playoffs are nearing. Practically all players have beendishing out exemplaryperformances to make the last 8 who will make the playoffs.

But if there is one thing to be remembered, basketball is a team game of 5 players. Sure Kobe Bryant has been turning in 50 point performances to help the Los Angeles Lakers win. Question is, until when? Allowance for possible injuries is a given, something that most teams are suffering from.

But the fact remains, teams win championships and not one player. Kobe can score even 100 points if he wants to. But without a championship to boast of, the last of which he tasted when Shaquille O’Neal was around, will only be for personal glory. Perhaps the Los Angeles Lakers should start evaluating, are they after a championship or just content on placing a controversial player like Kobe Bryant in the record books.

People will always put their focus on the front page which would usually contain the headlines of latest news and current events going on locally and the world. But technically, the editorial section is similar to that of a blog where a person would make entries about certain aspects to which they expound on. Ideally these issues would be in line with the ongoing events since they provide supporting insights on such issues.

Editorial from people will provide the opinions and ideas stemming from references on actual events and facts. They are not placed for the sake of argument of one person only. They cover the negative and positive aspects of such issues and provide further analysis so that people may easily understand the whole essence of the headlines and events.

Also, these editorials are technically chains from past issues and events since they refresh the memory of people who may have forgotten about connections to the current topic at hand. These are the things that have already occurred but have been forgotten. It is through editorials that they can be recalled.

This week marks the weekend for the NBA fans all over the world. A lot of attention will be put on the annual all-star game to be held at Nevada, Las Vegas where the likes of Miami’s Dwayne Wade, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Phoenix’ Steve Nash and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony will take center stage to delight their fans with moves and fantasy match-ups and teams.

Sidelights include that of the all-rookie challenge which was already won by the sophomores starring David Lee of the New York Knicks who was adjudged this years Most Valuable Player (MVP) for scoring 30 points on a perfect 14 of 14 field goal shooting.

Yet to come is that of the much awaited Slam Dunk competition where Lee’s teammate Nate Robinson will defend his crown against 4 other players headed by Gerald Green of the Boston Celtics. The 3-point shootout also features Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki who will defend his title against tough opposition as Washington’s Gilbert Arenas and teammate Jason Terry.

But it will surely be the All-star game that will be closely awaited as the entire world will watch their NBA idols grace the hardwood and put on a show for their millions of fans.

In today?s world of ?big money? sports, where it seems to be all about commercialism and ego, it was refreshing to see one of the world?s biggest football clubs give back for a change ? and to orphaned AIDS children, no less.

Barcelona FC recently signed a 5-year-deal with the United Nations that they will be donating $1.9 million (1.5 million euros) a year to UNICEF to help children affected by AIDS all over the world.

The funds to be donated will be used to care for children already orphaned due to parents who succumbed to AIDS, as well as programmes to stop the disease from spreading from mother-to-child.

The first installation of the money will be going to Swaziland in Africa, where a shocking 40% of adults are infected with the HIV virus.

Part of the arrangement will be the ?UNICEF? logo on the Spanish club?s blue and scarlet jersey ? which is the first time ever a football club of this magnitude has done such a thing.

Go Barcelona!! Its about time all that money was put to good use.

Blogging on the interesting bits of today’s news.