Being a huge Martin Scorsese fan, I was rooting for him to win the oscar. The Departed wasn’t the best movie Scorsese directed. Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ, to name just a few, rank above it for me. However, no one can grudge the great man his Oscar. I took time out to revisit Raging Bull, one of my favourite Scorsese films.

Raging Bull is the story of boxer Jake La Motta. The movie explores the problems of La Motta. It shows how genius and talent are not all what are necessary to reach the top. More importantly, as it is with most great movies, each viewer can relate to the movie and asks strong questions to himself or herself. Are we our worst enemies? Where do real problems end and the mind’s illusions begin?

In the movie, Joe Pesci, playing Jake’s brother Joe, tells Jake to do himself a favour and to leave Vicky (Jack’s wife) before she ruins his life. Basically, Jake was required to evaluate priorities and take a firm stand regarding what’s important - his career or things which distract him from it. Scenes which show Jake thinking regarding Vicky’s supposed unfaithulness even while he is boxing show early signs that it is having an impact on his career. It is evident never more than when he beats the face of a boxer to pulp just because Vicky said that the boxer had a beautiful face.

A general viewer may not have similar problems as Jake has but he will have various problems at his own level which will deter and stop him from achieving goals - some of which he cannot rectify - like Jake could not rectify the obsessive streak he had regarding his wife. Every one is Jake because of this in his own personal plane.

Pete Sampras used to be called the tennis guy while he was in college. He used to go to the college, attend required classes and apart from that, he used to play tennis all day. He often said that he made a lot of sacrifices to reach where he had reached. Bradman once stated that he saw many much more talented cricketers than himself. However, he made the most use of his talent.

I am reminded of some thing Robert De Niro said in another movie, A Bronx Tale - there is nothing as sad as wasted talented.

Male tradition or not, the headbutt comes out second best worst.

Sports magnifies every thing. Every moment inside the sporting arena is looked at and talked about with far greater importance than necessary. The magnifying process also means that terms are used far more charitably than they should. Great is one such over used term. Even the most miserly will agree that Hicham El Guerrouj was a great. I use was because he has announced his retirement. I will not go over the records and accomplishments as they can be found easily on the internet.

From BBC:

“For 16 years, I’ve done sports. Now I want to start a new life. I will return to another world whose horizons I do not know.”

The human aspect of El Guerrouj struck you more than his athletic accomplishments. This is why it was poignant that he cried when he announced his retirement. All sports men and women face this predicament at some point of their careers. For all their lives, they have strived hard to increase effectiveness that extra bit to ride over the rest of the competition. Once sponsors come to back you, the only worry is how I am going to improve performances to leave a mark over contemporaries and in the process, even leave an imprint on history.

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Former heavyweight champ Floyd Patterson is dead. Obituaries and tributes have started pouring over the internet. Here are some:

• Boston.com.
• Robert Lashley.
• Washington Post.
• Bill Gallo at Mercury News.
• Tim Dahlbeg at Seattle Times.

Three boxers who won medals at the Commonwealth games were invited for a felicitation. Empty envelopes replaced cash prizes. Read about it here.

So who will pay? No one knows.

Wladimir Klitschko has won the IBF Heavywright title. Read an excellent review from blogger JE Grant here.

Also, if you are bored/put off by boxing, check out of when the Klitschko brothers battled Kasporov in a chess match. [Link via the Getting into Chess blog]

Think chess is boring as well? Agh.

Klitschko challenges Byrd for the IBF Title on Saturday. The preview by Lee Bellfield here. Also, an interesting way of looking at things by Amy Green here.

Can Klitschko become the next Lennox Lewis? Boxing has seen an almost near death of the heavy weight division. Klitschko can definitely provide some much needed boost.

I am cheering for a Klitschko win.

Justin Langer took on World Flyweight Champion Vic Darchinyan in a two round exhibition bout. Langer is a a black belt in martial art Zen Du Kai and said:

Inside the boxing ring, it’s the same as when you’re playing Test cricket: nowhere to hide. You’ve got to face a lot of your own fears. If you punch someone properly, it’s like hitting the ball in the middle of the cricket bat – it’s a really nice feeling.

Darchinyan was impressed by Langer but declined an invitation to face Brett Lee in the nets. Hmm.

Langer missed a few tests versus South Africa due to a heart problem. He wanted to play despite the problem and was forced by doctors to take a rest. When you see Langer play, you notice one thing more than any thing else. He is not afraid to take on the bowlers. This despite his short structure. From a grafter he has developed into a batsman who will attack deliveries whenever he gets a chance to do the same. There is definitely lots of attitute and courage in Langer, some thing which makes him such a good test player.