Joe “Pride of Wales” Calzaghe VS Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler
This Saturday, November 3rd, Joe “Pride of Wales” Calzaghe (40-0, 31 KO’s) of Newbridge, Wales will face off against Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler (39-0, 29 KO’s) Copenhagen, Denmark in a battle of the unbeatens for the undisputed super middleweight championship.
Most Americans have seen neither of these guys in action. For good reason, neither of them have fought before on American soil. But I think it would be a mistake to dismiss these guys, both of them can scrap, and this fight shapes up to be a good tear up. Calzaghe is the longest reigning champ active today, and Kessler has showed impressive skills in recent outings.
The knock against Calzaghe is that he hasn’t faced much in the way of opposition in his career. I guess you could argue that, but he dominated Jeff Lacy and torched Peter Manfredo of Contender fame in his last outing. He is also a southpaw, durable, and has very quick hands. He doesn’t have one-shot knockout power, but really not that many people do. Calzaghe does however, have a mean straight left and solid uppercuts. He also knows how to close the show.
Many people think Kessler’s youth with prevail (he is 28 to Calzaghe’s 35). But Kessler, although he has shown power in both hands, his competition has been weaker than Calzaghe’s. He has fought his entire career in Denmark, save one fight in Australia.
Kessler is rangier than Calzaghe and would be well advised to keep him at bay. If he can do that he could come away with a victory. Calzaghe should be able to make his way inside and I think Kessler could be open to Calzaghe’s uppercut. That should be a deciding factor. Calzaghe’s heart and will to win is also a major element of this match up.
I think the biggest factor will be the 60,000 or so screaming Welshmen on hand for the fight. The crowd could really rattle Kessler. I also have a hard time seeing a close decision going Kessler’s way. It would probably cause a riot. Remember the fight between Jorge Paez and Calvin Grove in Plaza de Toros Calafia, Mexicali? (Interestingly, the last 15 round fight ever fought) Paez was trailing big on all cards and then knocked down Grove three times in the 15th round. Mathematically, he couldn’t win the fight. But the judges gave Paez the decision. Who could really blame them? It was either give Paez the decision or have a riot with 50,000 Mexican fans in a frenzy. Expect the same for this one in a close one.
Khun Sa, The Golden Triangle Opium King has died at 73 in Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Burma), anonymous sources say. For decades, Khun Sa was The G of the Heroin trade in the Golden Triangle; which ecompasses the northern part of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. Mynanmar has been closed to outside journalists since the ruling junta cracked down due to recent anti-government protests.
Today, the Golden Triangle only produces about 5 percent of the world’s opium, down from 70 percent thirty years ago. Afghanistan now is the top dog poppy seed producer.
At the peak of Khun Sa’s reign, he controlled over 70 percent of the countries heroin biz. He ruled the “manor” with an army of tens of thousands and crazy heroin labs. He even had his own fiefdom, the Shan empire, in the northern reaches of Burma and fought for his people’s freedom. He is known by his people as someone who always fought for their survival, a true Man of The People. He even refered to himself as The King of the Golden Triangle.
Banksy, the dope Graffiti artist, might have been caught in a picture for the first time while painting. He was caught on a camera phone extending double yellow lines from a road on to a wall of a house to form a big yellow flower (I can’t stand camera phones).
An East London council has declared a zero tolerance policy to graffiti and street art but word on the street is the wall is private property.
This news comes after 10 of Banksy’s pieces sold for more that $900,000, well above the prediction of $600,000, like I predicted: Banksy: Art and Thieves go hand in hand.
The best part about Banksy is that he has become so embraced by the establishment that he is against. Now that’s G.
Recently, in Paris, some G’s made off with $28.4 million in gems, one of the largest jewelry thefts ever. Four men in balaclavas (ski masks for those unfamiliar with the UK crime scene) entered the Harry Winston boutique near the Champs-Elysees at 10am. The heist men then overwhelmed the six employees arriving for work and had them open the safe (smart move). It was true to “the art” as no one was harmed. Very professional with plenty of dash and style.
Interpol is now claiming that jewelry store robberies are up 20% from 2005 (coincidentally, the year The G Manifesto went online). The hot talk is now is about a “new era” of criminality in the luxury sphere. Every time I hear this, it makes me laugh.
To clue everyone in, there are a few key elements going down in The Underworld.
1) Internationally, the penalties for small heists are very similar as big ones. Anyone with any kind of pedigree is making a move on the big stuff. Being involved in a car stereo thieving cartel doesn’t hold the glamour as it did when we were 13 years old.
2) The Underworld isn’t the same place as it was for our fathers. Drugs changed everything. Too many a snitches and informers. The sons of true old-school G’s are trying to exit stage left out of “The Life” as quickly as possible. Now, what is the easiest way to do that? Exactly, Big Heists.
The Coup - Fat Cats and Bigga Fish
3) The chasm between poor and rich in this world is only growing wider. Believe it or not, most “professional” Heistmen (I am talking the crème de la crème here) have deep concern for the poor, the future of the planet and mankind in general. I personally have never had a problem redistributing some of the world’s wealth. I hate seeing malnourished kids with bloated bellys. Rich beware, there are more poor out there than you. You can thank me and “my kind” from your gated communities, suburban enclaves and lame country clubs that “The Revolution” hasn’t already come.
4) The dollar is so weak now. Every International Playboy/Heistman/G is not going to break his back in the US only to get gouged on exchange rates in Europe. Trust me, the exchange rate can really sting when you are buying some handmade suits on Savile Row, London. Hence, more International high dollar heists.
5) Most importantly, the “tech” crims are making all the long coin these days. Hacking into a banks computer and moving $15,000,000 into a numbered Swiss account is a lot easier than actually going into a bank, Prada suited down with heaters and ski masks. My peers (G’s with ties to the old-school) are feeling like we are getting evolved out. And, truthfully, we are. We are feeling the heat, and we are running for the exit doors of “The Life” as quickly as possible. Of course, the “exit doors” means living the life of a Gentleman of Leisure on some tropical beach with a couple of Latina girlfriends. So, don’t shed a tear for us, Argentinian girl. Either way, that is the main reason for the increase in high dollar heists.
N.W.A. - Appetite For Destruction (listen for Eazy E’s verse)
Right now you are seeing the last generation of true heist men out there. We are about to become extinct not because of police pressure but by technology. This is our last great chance. (Our fathers and grandfathers had it so easy.)
And why not? Most of us are living much better than fine, young, brash, and handsome like Ali in his prime. Sure, we could maybe be “tech” crims or put tech crim crews together (say that ten times fast), but there is nothing quite like being an International Playboy/ Heistman. When was the last time you saw some “hacker guy” with a model on his arm? There will never be another quite like me. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Michel Richard of Citronelle in Los Angeles once again?
I got an email today with a link to the article from Eater LA (click to read) about the rumors that Michel Richard might return to Los Angeles once again. The word on the street is he might team up with Jeffery Chodorow and take over at Social Hollywood. Very interesting news, to say the least. I know Citronelle in DC very well (hell, I was the top young up and coming prototype G in there, back in the day), so I made some calls and I can confirm that there is definitely some truth to the rumors.
AZ - Once Again
Michel Richard first opened a patisserie in LA in 1977. His restaurant Citrus opened on Melrose in 1987. I have heard from many old school G’s that Citrus was the dopest spot in LA when it was in full effect. Celebs and excellent cuisine, as opposed to many “dope” spots in LA today where the food often misfires like a Glock you have dropped one too many times. Richard then opened a Citronelle in Santa Barbara, which I heard from inside sources that they could never really get good staff. Stoned surfers are not always the best restaurant staff.
I became an advocate of Michel Richard when he made his flagship the Citronelle in Georgetown at Latham Hotel in Washington, D.C. I used to roll in that spot multiple times a week and peel girls like money rolls. Mark Slater on the vino hook up tip. I made Citronelle the “hub” of my hub and spoke strategy in those days. The spokes being a “secret spot” on M street and then detonating 18th street. I was the Prince of 18th street in those days. Swooping two to three girls per night on the real. So I have always had mad love for Citronelle. Although, I was angered beyond belief when they aced the “Mood Wall”. Did some solid Bean deals in the spot as well. In my opinion, Richard has helped DC become one of the top seven restaurant cities in America.
Chodorow has always had his detractors, but I have had more than my share of good memories in his spots. I used to “hold court” at China Grill in South Beach years ago. I had to stop going for a while because I made a clean sweep on the whole waitress staff (easier said than done). Mix Las Vegas has always treated me like a young prince of thieves. Social Miami at Sagamore Hotel was one of my “go to’s” last winter in South Beach. And I went to Social Hollywood once when it first opened and I swooped an actress girl, that had some horror movie to her credit, out the spot. So I do owe thanks to Chodorow.
Eazy E- Radio
Richard and Chodorow working together was the second best piece of news I heard all day (the best piece of news I have to keep on the down low, you can appreciate that, right?) . Could be like AZ and Cormega on a track. Magic. We will see. Let’s hope Michel Richard and Jeffery Chodorow impose some sort of dress code. I don’t know if I will be able to enjoy my free-range halibut paired with rhubarb coulis, corn and truffles if there are a bunch of jerkoffs in Affliction shirts, queer designer jeans, fake ice and trucker hats in the lobby.
The Rest is Up to You……..
Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA Your Favorite International Playboy’s Favorite International Playboy
AKA Your Favorite G’s Favorite G
AKA The Playboy you Love to Hate
The Guide to Getting More Out of Travel http://www.thegmanifesto.com
Ten Original works of art by Banksy are going up for auction on Wednesday. The pieces are expected to generate $600,000. I expect they will generate more.
This is a great opportunity as Banksy’s work is rarely up for sale. Back in April four were auctioned at Bonhams.
I have always have had much respect for Banksy in particular and street art in general. He deserves mad props for his artwork as much as he does for his anonymity. Especially in this world of weesh Celebrities.
“First of all I wanna thank my connect
the most important person with all due respect
thanks to the duffle bag the brown paper bag
the nike shoe box for holding all this cash”
“Thanks to the pastor rapping at your eulogy
to little kim and them you know the women friend who
carry the work cross state for a gentleman
yeah, thanks to all the hustlers, and most important to you, the customer”
“Let your hair down baby, I just hit a score
Pick any place on the planet, pick a shore”
“Pink rosay, think O.J. I get away with murder when I sling yay
Heron got less steps than britney that means it aint stepped on digg me”
Here is the new Jay-Z track Blue Magic. Pharrell Williams on the Beat. Chorus is an interpolation of En Vogue’s “Hold On”. Blue Magic was the blue packets of Heroin that Frank Lucas’ crew used to push.
Frank Lucas ruled supreme on One-sixteenth Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue where he made more than a million dollars a day. There were many “brands” of Heroin in those days. Most were at about 5% purity. Blue Magic Heroin was at 10% purity and the dopest.
I have been getting tons of emails lately such as, “What is the Best Halloween Costume for a G to wear?” or something to the tune of “I am going to a sick Halloween gig this year, what is the best costume?” Decent questions, all in all. I am going to go out on a limb and assume that when people say “Best” they mean the “Best Halloween Costume to Pick up Girls in”. Fair enough?
Now, keep in mind, I don’t really go out on Halloween anymore and I have mentioned this before in: Halloween Parties and Vampire Naps. To be quite honest, I don’t really go out on Holidays at all. Too many cops, guys, snitches, informers, protective boyfriends, grasses and corporate fools. (In fact, I am having trouble even going out on weekends nowadays. Weekends are for working stiffs. Tues, Wed, and Thurs you can get your most solid work done. And when I say “solid work” I mean swooping the flyest girls. Mondays are bad, because of Thurs seafood deliveries. Unless, of course, you go to Le Bernardin in NYC).
First off, here are some definite “Don’ts” for Halloween Costumes:
No face paint. (The stuff will get in your eyes and end up running down your face at some point in the night. Plus, you should want to take advantage of your good looks. You are in your prime, right?)
No “shirt off” costumes. (unless your gay)
No spandex. (If I need to explain this, your problems don’t end there.)
Now, keep in mind, I haven’t “battle tested” many of these costumes. But, I have picked the brains of many trusted sources and G’s active on The International Playboy Circuit, to come up with this data sheet on The Best Halloween Costumes for Guys:
The Classics:
The Mummy: Bad Idea, dressing up in toilet paper isn’t going to get you any girls.
Spiderman: No. Spandex. This also goes for Superman, Batman or any of those other clowns. Aquaman? Do me a favor. This is real life, not HBO’s Entourage. For the record, I out-Gamed Marky Mark heads up back in the day for a fly girl in Hollywood. And she was from Boston! Come on Marky? Skip along and go find your Funky Bunch. Dancing around in your underwear? That guy is so weesh. But I digress. Back to The Best Halloween Costume…
Pirate: Good move, especially if you spin it like a Pirates of the Caribbean-Johnny Depp style costume. Fly girls buy into that Hollywood-Johnny Depp crap, if you haven’t noticed.
Dracula: Best choice of the classics by far. Real good for submissive girls. You get to slick back your hair, and dress in black. Can be pretty sinister. Pretty haunting like Hope Sandoval’s voice. It’s no secret that Fly Girls like Vampires.
Time Period Costumes:
50’s Greaser: I wouldn’t recommend it. But, could be good for swooping white trash girls.
60’s Hippy: Not bad if you spin it into some drugged out Jim Morrison type cat. Also, girls that like weed and pills will probably step to you. Which is never a bad thing.
70’s Disco Cat: Best bet. You can wear fly clothes and if you are carrying drugs, you can play it off as some kind of “prop”.
The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On
“Funny” Costumes:
Not really a fan of “funny” costumes. The guy dressed as a “Condom” never gets any girls. Keep in mind, however, that wearing Condoms with any girl you meet on Halloween dressed in some scandalous outfit is advisable.
Occupational Based Costumes:
Fireman: I have heard from some fairly reliable sources that the Fireman does get chicks on Halloween. I could see it working especially well on girls with Blue-Collar backgrounds. Hell, might even work on Sophito Girls too.
Pimp: Pretty standard choice. Works pretty well on girls that have ever thought of a career in “The Life”. Which, these days, as much as we don’t want to face it, most girls have. Just, don’t be a rest haven for girls.
Doctor: Best bet. Later in the night, when everyone is out of their mind, you will seem more “trustworthy”. “Prescription pad” can be used for getting girls digits. “Pill bottle” you can use to hold Beans.
Celebrities (Personally, I hate Celebrities, except for heisting their cribs or their girlfriends, but if you must):
Pro Athletes: Bad move. You will only have guys coming up to you and high-fiving you all night. (Although, wearing a vintage Allen Iverson G-Town Jersey could be dope.)
Hugh Hefner: Best Bet. Unoriginal, but who cares? Best to be a young Hef vs and old Hef. Plus, it’s an easy costume to put together; just grab the custom red velvet smoking jacket and Italian silk purple pajamas from your closet and you are ready to go. Added bonus: The young Hef used to smoke cigarettes, so you can chain-smoke all night. If some girl you are with complains of your constant smoking you can say you just want to stay “In character”. Smooth.
Group Costumes:
Baseball Furies: Face paint, don’t do it. However, you do get to carry a baseball bat though, in case things get dicey.
Run-D.M.C.: Pretty dope. Just make sure you grab the Mic at some point in the night and have some skills:
“I met this little girlie, her hair was kinda curly,
Went to her house and bust her out, I had to leave real early
These girls are really sleazy, all they just say is please me,
Or spend some time and rock a rhyme, I said “It’s not that easy”.
Run-D.M.C. - It’s Tricky (listen for the GO-GO beat at the begining)
Alex and the Droogs (A Clockwork Orange): Not bad, especially from a young G’s perspective. The problem is you will end up in a fight and/or destroying property that night. Just, make sure you are Alex. Dim gets no chicks.
Movie Costumes:
Star Wars: No. I don’t care if your Puke Skysnotter, Barf Vader, Ham Salad or Chewbacon.
Zorro: Not a bad choice. Girls like Zorro. Plus, you get to wear a mask, if you want to do a Heist.
Patrick Bateman (American Psycho): Great choice. You can dress sharp, carry a gun, tons of cash and drugs. Sounds like a regular Tuesday night. Make sure you have a reservation at Dorsia.
Don Juan (Demarco): Real Good choice. You have the Johnny Depp factor in your favor and centuries of playboy lore working for you. If you can’t swoop fly girls dressed as Don Juan, then you really need to do some re-evaluation on your Game.
Tony Montana: Second best Choice of all. You are sharply dressed, full of swagger, smoking fine Cigars and cigarettes, Latin, Tooled up and suited down. You are dressed as men are supposed to dress and you don’t have to sacrifice personal style. Plus, you can have tons of Beeks on you and everyone will just think it is part of your costume. But then again, you should be like this every night, not just Halloween.
Manolo (from Scarface in case you have been living under a rock for the last 20 years): Best Choice of All. You get all the advantages of Tony but you get more girls. (You can skip the double-breasted suit if you like.) Tony was always about “In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women.” Manny was down with that also but he changed the order to Women - Power - Money. I like it in that order also. The G Manifesto Way.
In closing, The G makes the Halloween Costume; the Halloween Costume doesn’t make the G.
I don’t typically endorse products. Actually, scratch that, I do endorse products; ETRO, Ozwald Boateng, Zippo, Dunhill, Dupont, Ruger, Beretta etc. When it comes to clothing, I do not typically endorse T-shirt companies, I usually endorse High-end Italian suitmakers. But I have recently become aware of a dope urban streetwear line called SKEEEM.
I mentioned them in The South Beach War Report Part I: The Basics when I noticed Pitbull was wearing a dope T-shirt with a ski mask logo in the DJ Khaled, Trick Daddy, Pitbull, Rick Ross video “Born N Raised”.
SKEEEM clothing was born by the fact that individual privacy is not easy to maintain in the 21st Century, in fact nowadays almost every urban street corner has camera surveillance.
There is a unique SKEEEMask hidden in every hoodie en vest. Also this mask is delivered separately with the t-shirts. The mask shows that the wearer of SKEEEM rebels against that part of society that is trying to put a label on age groups or ethnic groups. With a SKEEEMask on, people are forced to judge the inside instead of the outside. Big Brother may be watching, but what does he see? Perfect for a heist.
SKEEEM Clothing is not available yet it the United States. So, if you are a dope Retailer in America, and you are looking for something much, much sicker than your average, feel free to contact them here: http://www.skeeem.com/contact.html or info@skeeem.com .
