Bali ~ Friends, Margarito v Cotto fight, UC Silver, and Bali Zoo

In early December I ran out to Bali again.  My friend was in town from the US, and there was another group of friends from Singapore that were out celebrating another friend's birthday.  What better place to celebrate your birthday, than Bali. 

I'm generally a good planner, but I didn't book accommodations early for this trip.  I ended up choosing a 1 bedroom villa at Danoya, because it had its own private pool and was two levels (i.e. had stairs).  I have always liked stairs.  Further, even though the property didn't have a restaurant on-site, the villa had a kitchen and it was nice to have a couple of people come over and make breakfast.  I enjoyed the mee goreng (i.e. noodles) one morning and the nasi goreng (i.e. rice) another morning.

****  My friends stayed at Villa Massilia and it appeared that the party of about 20 people had the complex to themself. 

On Friday night, I went out to Ku De Ta for drinks and a quick bite.  There I met Sanaz and her husband.  We share mutual friends and they had been traveling throughout SE Asia, so it was a treat to meet and chat.  Another thing that was cute was that Sanaz and I carried the same Chanel handbag!

Saturday, was spent lounging by the pool and with friends. 

Sunday, before running around and showing my friend, Taiwanna, the sites I had to watch the Margarito v Cotto boxing match.  As the fight was starting, there was a knock on the door and the hotel staff asked us if we needed help with our luggage.  OK, most people may consider this rude ~ but I knew I was already overstaying my welcome and there was a driver waiting for us so we could see the sites.

After checking out, I asked the driver to please take us to a bar so we could watch the fight.  Within 10 minutes we were at a bar and taking in all the action from the ring!  Talk about a good driver, and lucky man since he was able to watch the fight as well.  Miguel Cotto won the fight, and Margarito lost AGAIN.  Honestly though...  What's it going to take for Antonio Margarito to stop risking his vision?!!?

Anyway, another great trip with some sports (i.e. even if it was only on TV)... 

After the fight we went to UC Silver (i.e. took a tour and stopped in the shop). I was determined to check out the store since I'd seen so many ads.  Admittedly, I'm not a silver person, but I was taken in by the design and the dragonfly. 

We were greeted by a gentleman who gave us a tour.  It was a public holiday so there weren't many people working. 

After our tour we went to the store and I discovered that they also sell gold.  However, the name of the company IS UC Siler (i.e. and not UC Gold) so I decided to stay true to the name.

Afterwards we visited the Bali Zoo to ride the elephants.  Yes, I've done it before...  BUT you can never ride too many elephants...  Ha!!!

THE WIRK

Boxing enthusiast's wish list ~ 5 Fights I'd like to see in 2011

**** It's no secret that I've recently gotten into boxing. I've always paid attention to the heavy weight fighters, but I recently broadened my scope due to Manny Pacquiao. I even went to Dallas to watch Margarito vs Pacquiao this year. Anyway, I've got a buddy, John, who keeps me in the know on who and what to watch in the ring. I've supplied the pictures for the post, and he's been kind enough to send me his fight wish list for 2011. Enjoy!

THE WIRK

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5 Fights I would like to see in 2011

Ignoring the obvious Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather fight that may or may not ever happen, here is what I would like to see in 2011.

5. Miguel Cotto vs Andre Berto - This is the signature win that Berto needs to become a credible and deserving challenger to pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao. The faster and more athletic Berto should be able to outpoint Cotto over 12 rounds, this would be a great fight to hold in South Florida.

4. Sergio Martinez vs Andre Ward - Ward should conclude the super middleweight tourney towards the end of this year. Martinez was the breakout fighter of 2010, defeating both Kelly Pavlik and scoring a stunning one punch KO of Paul Williams. The bigger Ward would likely be a slight favorite to win by decision. This is the only really intriguing matchup for Martinez, outside of a fight with Pacquiao.

3. Amir Khan vs winner of Timothy Bradley/Devon Alexander - The winner of this fight (Bradley and Alexander fight in January on HBO) becomes the undisputed champion at 140 lbs, easily the strongest division in the sport. If Khan can overcome either fighter, his star will continue to get brighter. I would look for Khan to outpoint or possibly stop either of these fighters, and go on to fight 2-3 more times this year.

2. Vladimir Klitscho vs David Haye - The only real heavyweight boxing match that would get any attention at all in the United States, outside of the dream matchup between the Klitscho brothers that will never happen. Haye has been loudly harassing both brothers for well over a year now, constantly taunting them in the media. Up to now he has turned down offers for the fight saying the purse has been too small. Fast and athletic with one punch knockout power makes Haye one of the only legitimate challengers. The sport of boxing desperately needs an exciting heavyweight matchup, and right now this all Euro fight is the only thing that qualifies.

1. Manny Pacquiao vs Andre Berto - This presupposes that Pacquiao gets by Shane Mosely, and that Berto notches a signature win this year. I think there will be a clamor to match up Berto and Cotto, and a win there should turn Berto into a very viable challenger for the pound for pound king. With his speed and power Andre Berto is one of the only men capable of giving Pacquiao a legitimate challenge. If this fight could take place in the fall, then it could be a great set-up for Pacquiao's final fight in '12 (either Mayweather or possibly Martinez).