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January-28-2010
David Haye captured the WBA Heavyweight Title… Now what?
In beating WBA titlest Nikolai Valuev, David Haye breathed some much-needed life back into the heavyweight division and became the darling of the British sports pages. With so much attention focused on the London native, the natural question is “what next?”
Haye’s boasting to the contrary, he will not be squaring off with either of the Klitschko brothers in the near future. On the same night that Haye out-boxed Valuev, former WBA titlest John “The Quiet Man” Ruiz knocked out journeyman Adnan Serin. Ruiz is the #1 contender and mandatory challenger for the WBA strap, and according to the terms of his agreement to step aside and allow Haye vs. Valuev to go forward, he was guaranteed a shot at the title by May 2010. BBC is reporting that Haye wants to hold his next fight at a major London venue, so Haye vs. Ruiz could happen before a roaring hometown crowd as early as February 2010.
Although he weighed in for his fight with Serin at a trim 227 lbs., John Ruiz is now 37 years old. He was never much of a world-beater in the first place, and his career has been built around the left-right-clutch-hold style of heavyweight boxing. While it is true that this boring style ages very well, it still doesn’t look promising for a match-up with Haye. Haye is much faster, and his hitting power will score better against a small heavyweight like Ruiz than it did against the Russian behemoth. Ruiz could make that a very ugly night if he comes to survive rather than to win, but either way it is hard to see Haye losing.
After Ruiz, surely Haye will challenge one of the Klitschko’s? Don’t bet on it. A Haye vs. Klitschko fight would be a big moneymaker, but no one should forget that Haye backed out of fights with first Wladimir and then Vitali earlier this year. Both Klitschko’s are furious with Haye’s business tactics and his trash talking. That will only strengthen their resolve to get the lion’s share of the purse for any fight with Haye, and it is unlikely that Haye will settle for anything less than 50-50. Furthermore, Haye knows that beating a Klitschko is a much bigger challenge than the plodding Valuev. He may seek to bide his time and hope that one of the brothers will start showing their age before moving in on them. Odds are very good that either the Ukrainians or the Hayemaker will cause negotiations to break down, in which case David Haye will be looking for a dance partner for late summer or early autumn 2010
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January-27-2010
Britain’s David Haye put on a magnificent performance to claim the WBA heavyweight crown from Russian Nikolay Valuev in Nuremberg.
Haye, 29, won by majority decision, winning the fight on two judges’ scorecards, with the other judge scoring it even.
The Londoner, giving away seven stone to his 7ft opponent, fought the perfect fight, staying on the move and making the lumbering Valuev look every one of his 36 years with his speed.
With his win, the Londoner becomes the first Briton to hold a world heavyweight crown since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.
In addition, Haye is also only the second former cruiserweight champion to win a portion of the heavyweight crown, after four-time champion Evander Holyfield.
“It means everything to me,” said Haye. “From when I was a baby, I said I would be the heavyweight world champion.
“It’s a dream come true. I’ve fought the biggest heavyweight champion and caught him with big shots.
“I made him look like an amateur. People doubted my skills, but I did enough to win.
“Here I am, heavyweight champion of the world and I’m loving it. I’m going to clean up the division.”
Approximately 10,000 fans were in attendance at the Nuremberg Arena, including a sizable and vociferous British contingent, to see David do what many thought was impossible and slay Goliath.
Even more remarkable, Haye managed to do it with a suspected broken right hand, which trainer Adam Booth said gave way in the third round.
Pre book your David Haye Tickets online or call us at +44 (0) 844 477 9950.
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January-26-2010
 
The Black Eyed Peas were the victims of a blunder at France’s top music awards, where they were mistakenly named best international group.
The stars were originally declared winners at the NRJ Awards in Cannes, but there were boos when it was later revealed that an error had been made.
German band Tokio Hotel were the real victors, it was announced.
Rihanna accepted the award for best international female after slipping off the stage following her performance.
Robbie Williams was there to pick up best international male as well as an honorary award, and performed his song Morning Sun.
The winners were voted for by listeners to radio station NRJ and TV station TF1
Jay-Z, Mika, Michael Buble, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland also performed, while Beyonce was there to accept an honorary award.
The Black Eyed Peas did win best international song for I Gotta Feeling, with which they opened the ceremony.
But when US singer Kesha and French choreographer Kamel Ouali announced that they had also won best international group, the pair were embarrassed when nobody arrived to pick up the trophy.
Ouali later returned to apologise and explain that he had been confused because the card containing the winner also listed the other nominees and he had read the wrong name.
It follows a similar mistake last year, where Katy Perry accepted the trophy for best international song, which should have gone to Rihanna.
That did not stop Rihanna from appearing this year, when she performed her single Russian Roulette.
At the end of the song, she fell a short distance off a platform at the back of the stage but quickly got up and walked off.
The main home-grown winners were the cast of the musical Mozart l’Opera Rock, who won best French group, song and breakthrough for for Florent Mothe.
2006 French Pop Idol winner Christophe Willem won best French male and album.
The ceremony also saw a performance by Laura Smet, daughter of rock legend Johnny Hallyday, and her half-brother David Hallyday.
Smet was treated in hospital at the start of the month with reports suggesting she had attempted suicide.
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January-26-2010
Deadmau5 has announced details of three new UK shows for May.
The DJ, real name Joel Zimmerman, will play the gigs in Glasgow, Hull and Liverpool following his previously-announced shows at the O2 Academy Brixton.
The first two Brixton shows (April 30 and May 1) are restricted to those aged 18 and above. The May 2 gig is open to all ages, with those under 14 required to be accompanied by an adult. The shows outside London are open to those aged 14 and above.
Deadmau5 will play:
London, O2 Academy Brixton (April 30, May 1, 2)
Glasgow, Barrowlands (May 4)
Hull, City Hall (5)
Liverpool, University, Mountford Hall (6)
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January-26-2010
Radiohead are set to cover Peter Gabriel‘s 1982 song ‘Wallflower’.
Part of Gabriel‘s ‘song swap’ project, the songwriter recently covered Radiohead’s ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’ on his new album ‘Scratch My Back’, with Thom Yorke and co now set to return the favour, reports AtEaseWeb.com.
“Thom wanted to do a version of ‘Wallflower’ which I’m very curious to hear,” Gabriel said in a podcast on his website PeterGabriel.com. “I think that was an important track for him when he was 14.”
No release date has been given for the cover, but Gabriel‘s album ‘Scratch My Back’, which also features covers including Elbow‘s ‘Mirrorball’ and Regina Spektor‘s ‘Apres Moi’, was released on January 25.
Meanwhile, Radiohead recently played a one-off show in aid of Haiti’s earthquake survivors, where they raised over $500,000 for the cause.
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January-26-2010
Robbie Williams is set to reunite with Take That to sing on Simon Cowell’s forthcoming Haiti appeal single.
Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, JLS, James Blunt, Cheryl Cole and Joe McElderry will also feature on the track – a cover of REM‘s ‘Everybody Hurts’, reports The Sun.
Although Williams recently reunited with his old bandmates for recording sessions, the single will be the first release by the original line-up of the band since he left in 1995.
Alexandra Burke, Susan Boyle, Michael Buble, James Morrison and Mika are also set to contribute to the single. Release details are yet to be confirmed
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January-26-2010
The shortlists for the Shockwaves NME Awards 2010 were announced tonight (January 25). Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Muse, Oasisand Biffy Clyro are among the nominees.
Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian are leading the nominations field, both being up for six gongs including Best Band, Best Album and Best Live Band. Muse have also fared well, being up for Best Band, Best Album (for ‘The Resistance’) and Best Album Artwork.
A new award, the Giving It Back Fan Award, has been launched this year to note acts who go the extra yard for their fans. Vampire Weekend, Lily Allen, Kasabian and Danger Mouse join Arctic Monkeys on the nominations list.
The nominations for this year’s event, set to take place at the O2 Academy Brixton on February 24, were announced at a launch party at the London Tabernacle venue. The Maccabees played live at the event.
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January-21-2010
Grunge royalty Pearl Jam have been announced as headline act for the opening night of the festival which takes place in London’s Hyde Park.
The Seattle rockers, fresh from their tours of North America, Australia and New Zealand promoting their new release Backspacer, are the first confirmed act of the three day festival which returns to London’s Hyde Park between 25-27 June.
Festival Director Toby Leighton-Pope said “We are very excited to bring the festival back for its fifth year. Pearl Jam is a great addition to the phenomenal acts we’ve have playing at Hard Rock Calling”.
The fact that Hard Rock Calling takes place during the same weekend as Glastonbury has fuelled rumours that Pearl Jam may also make their Worthy Farm debut as part of the festival’s 40th Anniversary celebrations whilst they are in the UK.
Tickets for Hard Rock Calling will go on sale on Friday, December 11 at 9am priced £47.50 per day.
More Hard Rock Calling line up announcements are expected soon so stay tuned to Virtual Festivals.
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January-21-2010
Hard Rock International and Live Nation have announced that Wolfmother have been added to the supporting bill for Pearl Jam at Hard Rock Calling on Friday 25 June with more acts to be confirmed. Taking the stage at London’s Hyde Park the Australian foursome will make their welcome return to the capital supporting Seattle’s finest export Pearl Jam. Tickets for the opening day are on sale now.
After a brief hiatus, Wolfmother are back and set to make 2010 their year. With their critically acclaimed second album Cosmic Egg creating a stir amongst Wolfmother and music fans alike, their performance at Hard Rock Calling will be one to remember. With countless award nominations in the UK, America and Australia Wolfmother’s critically acclaimed debut album stormed the charts in 2005. Five years on and they are stronger than ever, currently on their first European tour of the year – the band will be the perfect addition to the opening day of Hard Rock Calling 2010.
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January-21-2010
John Mayer is up to his old tricks again. The womanizer found himself new prey and he’s going to extremes to impress her.
John was spotted on a romantic date with actress Rashida Jones Friday night at the Chateau Marmont, Hollyscoop can confirm exclusively.
The couple was having dinner in a secluded area when John “took the guitar from someone who was performing and at the Chateau and performed an impromptu performance for Rashida.”
His audience included Paul Rudd and Jason Segel. The crowd “went wild when he performed his new song,” an eyewitness tells Hollyscoop exclusively. Mayer got such a great response from fellow diners, he even performed his hit “Your Body is a Wonderland” for Rashida.
Rashida and John left together in the wee hours…looks like Jennifer Aniston is out of picture!
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