[Seahawk]

I boxed a great deal growing up. My father boxed at West Point and taught me how to fight early. This was in the 60's when Brazillian Jiu Jitsu might as well have been an appetizer along with the Poo Poo Platter at the O'Club on Friday nights.

I never fought in a sanctioned match and I never fought without headgear. I did fight in a few smokers but always with headgear.

My best friend growing up was an amazing athlete, all California Interscholastic Federation 4A football player of the year his junior and senior year. His older brother was smaller than Mark and did not play football, he wrestled. He was an above average wrestler but not great. Mark had two other brothers and they were very, very good athletes.

My freshman year in HS we are all dicking around in the backyard with Mark and Paul, the older brother and the two youngsters. Boxing gloves come out. Predictably, I pretty much have my way with the whole family right up until we decided to wrestle.

F me running. I had been in a few fights in school but if you can fight word gets out. I had never been on the ground in any fight, never got that far.

Not anymore. The ground is a different planet and I was the nameless young LT in Star Trek wearing the red tunic beaming down to Planet Kick My Ass with Kirk...I was dead before Spock said, "indubitably" or whatever the F he was known for. Paul was all over me like a shroud.

Anyway, unless CM gets a rush that is legal and connects, it could be a long, long night. Boxers box.