The Legend is True, It Could Happen to U!

MESSIAH 666 & The HOLY GRAIL

According to Christian mythology, the Holy Grail was the dish, plate, or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, said to possess miraculous powers. In the romances the conception of the Grail varies considerably; its nature is often but vaguely indicated, and, in the case of Chretien de Troyes’ Percival poem, it is left wholly unexplained.

Some of the Grail legend is interwoven with legends of the Holy Chalice. While others combine Christian lore with a Celtic myth of a cauldron endowed with special powers.

The Grail plays a different role everywhere it appears, but in most versions of the legend the hero must prove himself worthy to be in its presence. In the early tales, Percival's immaturity prevents him from fulfilling his destiny when he first encounters the Grail, and he must grow spiritually and mentally before he can locate it again. In later tellings the Grail is a symbol of God's grace, available to all but only fully realized by those who prepare themselves spiritually, like the saintly Galahad.

The word graal, as it is earliest spelled, appears to be an Old French adaptation of the Latin gradalis, meaning a dish brought to the table in different stages of a meal. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, after the cycle of Grail romances was well established, late medieval writers came up with a false etymology for sangréal, an alternative name for "Holy Grail." In Old French, san graal or san gréal means "Holy Grail" and sang réal means "royal blood". Since then, "Sangreal" is sometimes employed to lend a medievalizing air in referring to the Holy Grail.

The man in black must have something to do with the confusion. Scholars and fools alike don’t come near enough to what the Sangreal really meant, and what it does to one destined to possess it. But with all the knowledge he has of the Sangreal, the man who calls himself Father Noah knows it’s useless if he doesn’t get his hands on it.

Countless lives have been wasted and countless more would be sacrificed, but as sure as night follows day he will get his hands on the Holy Grail. He had waited for what seemed to be forever; he could wait awhile longer.

“He’s blood runs through me now, I won’t be denied this time.” Father Noah thus spoke seeming so certain. “No Son of God or Man will stand in my way, especially not you Andrew.”

The Incredible Pacquiao

Published @ boxingnews24

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/01/mayweather-vs-the-incredible-pacquiao’s-urinalysis-and-more/

Saving it here for posterity.

Mayweather vs. The Incredible Pacquiao’s Urinalysis and More

January 5th, 2010

By Rasheed Catapang: The Pacman’s run of havoc left a lot of fallen elite fighters in its wake. He’s gunning for another fight which is turning out to be the final battle of good versus evil. But before that, we need to clear some bad blood.

The Golden Boy must still have nightmares of the bloody eight rounds of being in the Pacmonster’s opposite corner. It’s frustrating to him not being able to hit back both in the dream and in real life – especially now that he’s retired. I reckon an opportunity presented itself in Mayweather-Pacquiao to somehow rectify that but the solution was found wanting.

It doesn’t help either that the Mayweather hands he got at the moment is a bit hesitant to pull the trigger. It’s not just that the Pacmonster surely will hit back, but it’s because the Pacmonster will hit much harder. Now there’s the rub.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. may give the air of nonchalance but he does care. He cares about his perfect record no matter how much he insists that “legacy doesn’t pay bills.” Therefore – it’s me just thinking out loud now – it’s better to run away and fight another day.

Throwing mud hoping some would stick is still fair game – if it’s claimed as a ploy or subterfuge. The same old rule applies: “All is fair in love and war.” And that’s currently where we’re at.

If perception is reality, the truth therefore is compromised. It’s never more so than in the Mayweather-Pacquiao’s boxing superbowl. Oscar dela Hoya won’t tell us the truth about his last bloody 8 rounds but quite frankly who would when all of us are just as proud. Factor in that he’s also a promoter and things will surely be not what they seem. That said, Oscar Dela Hoya is compromised. “He’ll tell you what he wants to hear and disregards the rest… Hu-Hu-Hmmm.”

And what did Dela Hoya tell us? “He never hits hard. He never felt Pacquiao’s punches.”

Again, what did Dela Hoya tell us? “Those Mosley punches, those Vargas punches, and those Pacquiao punches all felt the same.”

“Lie-la-Lie….”

Dela Hoya then wisely would deny such nonsense. And Brutus is an honorable man.

But then again, so is P.T. Burnum. And, so is Floyd Mayweather Sr.

It’s clear on his mind what Pacquiao is and ain’t on. He’s got the verses for his reasoning. How can we fault him for his passion when his sincerity –showing through his verses – is beyond reproach? Yes, sincere. All bad poetry is sincere according to Oscar Wilde.

Pacquiao’s run is just not possible. Never mind that Floyd Junior, a 5 division World Champion, has had similar success to Pacquiao. In Floyd Senior’s mind, what Pacquiao is doing is “Incredible Hulk” stuff. “It is what it is,” so the old man says.

Floyd Jr., the self-acclaimed Greatest Ever, says Amen (in the name of the father which is also his own).

Now some would say its gamesmanship but what’s really on Floyd Junior’s mind? Is it as clear and simple as Floyd Jr. knowing this is one fight he could not win? Or is it just Floyd giving Pacquiao a bitter pill to swallow and Arum a dose of his own medicine. The irony is Mayweather could always counter – which is his wont – using the words of the Master.

“Yesterday I was lying but today I’m telling the truth.”

Through it all Armageddon’s still just around the corner. Though Pacquiao sued, the fight might still happen.

Or maybe not.

Just as well, Mayweather Jr. remains undefeated and Pacquiao the P4P King. Dela Hoya’s predicament will linger a while longer. And Floyd Sr. could always say what’s on his mind (and the boxing fans at wits end trying to decipher).

Regardless, boxing lives forever.

Pacquiao-Mayweather: Aftermath of No War

As true today as the day the article was first published (14Jan2010).

Published @ boxingnews24

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/01/pacquiao-mayweather-aftermath-of-no-war/

Pacquiao-Mayweather: Aftermath of No War

January 14th, 2010

By Rasheed Catapang: There’s a school of thought out there that Mayweather would have easily dominated Pacquiao had their fight actually push through and that it’s just as well it won’t happen because it would have altered the current landscape of boxing for the worse.

Don’t entertain nor dwell on such things for there’s just no “happy thoughts” there – not for Peter Pan or for the rest of us (boxing fans).

It’s time to invest in the future or face tougher times, so Obama wisely said. Now that the Boxing Superbowl that is Mayweather-Pacquiao is an aborted child, we have no choice but to make do with the unwanted children: Pacquiao-Clottey and Mayweather-Somebody.

On Pacquiao-Clottey: This fight is actually a good one. Clottey has shown he’s good enough to bang with elite welterweights. Though appearing to be the “perennial bridesmaid,” he’s no pushover with his power and cast iron chin. Clottey posed some real threat to the Pacmonster and it’s not far fetched he could be the “bride” this time.

That said, Clottey is still no Mayweather.

On Mayweather vs. Somebody: Now, that’s literally a run for your money. Mayweather as usual would not just be running away from his opponent but he’ll be running away with your money. Just look at some of the names of possible opponents being floated around: Paulie Malignaggi, Nate Campbell and Paul Williams.

Paulie Malignaggi is a poor man’s version of Mayweather and is just genuflecting in his shrine. He doesn’t even have a puncher’s chance. Who’d pay to see a pillow fight?

Nate Campbell is basically a lightweight. And we know the welterweight Mayweather had already beaten the best lightweight in town in a welterweight fight! Could he just fight somebody bigger or someone his own size?

Enter Paul Williams, and exit at the same time. No further explanation is required when it’s a Mayweather fight we’re talking about.

Mayweather will surely win his fight against a B or C level fighter he’d surely be choosing but he’ll lose big time. By not choosing a formidable opponent, he’ll be able to preserve his perfect record. He’ll become irrelevant as he goes along – just ask Sven Ottke.

Floyd just never learned from his short stint in Dancing with the stars. He had the perfect partner in Pacquiao to make something beautiful and special. And now it’s all gone.

Nevertheless, Mayweather and Pacquiao in their separate ways would still have to face the music. (In this regard, there fate will always be intertwined.) This time, though, the magic is gone and the dance will surely end with fingers pointing at them.

It’s tougher times ahead which the PPV will attest, whether the two superstars hold their separate fight on the same date or not.

And then these Peter Pans will have to worry about grown up things again.