Do we have a prodigy in our midst?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
We’ve all heard of kids who are raised from birth to be sports stars. Tiger Woods is the No. 1 example everyone loves to throw around right now.
Golf and basketball are pretty popular sports for this type of thing to happen in. There’s not much contact, so there’s no real risk of injury.
But what about MMA or boxing? Would a parent ever steer their kid into that arena? That’s not a hypothetical. The Boneman is asking for your help. Do you have or know a kid who we could consider a “fight prodigy?” Off the top of my head, I think Oscar de La Hoya is the last born to fight fighter. His father, Joel, didn’t let him do anything else.
I read a story somewhere while on vacation about this 11-year-old who was already learning everything there is about UFC. He’s learning the submissions and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the ground and pound, etc. I’m just wondering if there are any people here in Oklahoma who qualify in that same respect?
So if you do know someone, drop me a line. It makes for a great story.
Blatant plug alert: Saturday is UFC 87. I know I’ve hyped Brock Lesnar’s return to the UFC, but the real main event is Georges St. Pierre against Jon Fitch (welterweights). Also on the card will be Roger Huerta vs. Kenny Florian (lightweights). Short and to the point, I like Brock, Georges and Roger. Have to continue my streak after Joshua Clottey did beat Zab Judah by unanimous decision. Anyway, UFC 87 can be watched at the Warren Theatre in Moore. Yep, that new ginormous theatre will let you watch your MMA there. I’m looking forward to it.
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The best example of a current prodigy I can think of is in soccer. The player is Lionel Messi. Signed professional contract when he was 12, by the best soccer team in the world, Barcelona.