Joe Calzaghe kept his perfect record in a split-decision win over Bernard Hopkins on Saturday night in the Thomas & Mack Center.

Calzaghe (45-0) rebounded from a first-round knockdown at the hands of “The Executioner” to seemingly win easy, however one judge did give the 43-year-old Hopkins the fight by a score of 114-113. The other two judges scored in favor of the 36-year-old from Newbridge, though, 116-111 and 115-112.

Hopkins (48-5-1) floored the favored Calzaghe in the first round, but was dominated for much of the fight, and suffered his first loss since dropping consecutive decisions to Jermain Taylor in July and December 2005.

Known as one of the greatest middleweight champions of all-time, Hopkins stepped up to light-heavyweight to dethrone Antonio Tarver in June 2006 and then beat Ronald “Winky” Wright on July 21 of last year. He ran into an unstoppable force in the form of Calzaghe, however, who was making his first fight in the U.S.

Calzaghe looked in trouble early, as a right to the chin from Hopkins sent him to the mat. The Welsh southpaw quickly made up for the knockdown, though, and took control in the third round, landing a series of hard left hands late in the round to Hopkins’ head. The fighters traded combos to the bodies before the bell sounded.

Calzaghe landed a series of hard jabs at the end of round eight, and began showboating as the bell sounded, making faces at Hopkins before hopping back to his corner.

The fight stopped for a bit early in the 10th round after Hopkins claimed he took a low blow. Replays showed a borderline punch by Calzaghe to the waistline, which sent Hopkins reeling. The showman Calzaghe shook his hips at “The Executioner” as Hopkins was doubled over, and Hopkins ultimately fell to the mat. No point was deducted from Calzaghe for a low blow, but the referee allowed Hopkins to take a minute or so to recover before the fight resumed with 2:21 left in the round.

Hopkins claimed another low blow with 28 seconds left in the 11th, but was given no time to recover this time. He threw two hard rights after the brief stoppage, but Calzaghe came right back and landed two of his own before the bell sounded.

Both fighters were aggressive in the 12th round, but Hopkins couldn’t land enough shots to make up the difference.

Once upon a time in history, dinosaurs roamed the earth, people manned buggies instead of cars, families watched black and white televisions, and businesses used newspapers, magazines and snail mail to advertise. Enter now the 21^st century, and you’ll notice we humans have come a long way.
Many professionals now realize that there is a new and better way to advertise their business, service, product, or listing. It’s a little thing called “ClassifiedFlyerAds.com” that uses a little media called “the internet” to get mass exposure to advertisements. This service is like a classified ad site on steroids - it is much more beefy and strong. Users at ClassifiedFlyerAds.com create ads from templates (or can choose to custom design one of their own) in a few simple steps. This ad (or flyer, as some call it) is automatically syndicated to over 30 top online posting directories, putting it in front of thousands of potential buyers. Sure beats the local tribune for advertisement exposure.

In less than 2 years time, ClassifiedFlyerAds.com has gone from a simple business idea, to a thousands-of-members-strong advertising platform. This home-grown business continues to add more features and services as technology advances, and remains among the most competitive in the business with their prices. There’s no question that ClassifiedFlyerAds.com will fit right in with the advertising methods and flying cars of tomorrow.

Toni Braxton is on the mend and in “good condition” following a health scare.

The 40-year-old “Un-Break My Heart” singer was admitted to Las Vegas’ St. Rose Dominican Hospital for chest pains Monday night.

The six-time Grammy winner, in Vegas headlining a five-nights-a-week show at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, is currently listed in good condition and is expected to be released later Tuesday.

But according to a Flamingo rep, Braxton won’t be able to go on with her Revealed show right away.

“We wish Toni a quick recovery and would like her to take the time she needs to regain optimal health,” said Don Marrandino, the resort’s president . “We are looking forward to her return at the end of the week.”

The singer’s agent at ICM, Mark Seigel, would not comment on Braxton’s hospitalization.

Though several reports have erroneously claimed that Braxton was taken to the hospital immediately after a performance, there was no Revealed scheduled for Monday. (The show is dark on Sundays and Mondays.) Hotel officials also clarified that Braxton was not at the casino at the time.

While there hasn’t been any further details released on her present ailment, Braxton has previously admitted suffering from a condition called pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining of the heart, which she was diagnosed with four years ago.

In a January interview with Newsweek, Braxton said she periodically suffers from heart flutters and high blood pressure.

Since her disclosure, Braxton has since been named a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.

Today’s typical teenager has more than boyfriends, proms, and driving lessons on their minds. They want big name clothes, cell phones, and sunglasses. This new style-savvy teen can rattle off designers like Juicy Couture, Gucci, and Vera Wang faster than the days left in the semester. And, retailers are taking note. Established sites like charmedgirlonline.com are making the latest fragrances, technology, and other lifestyle must haves accessible and affordable for fashionable teens and young women.

“We’re a one-stop-shop for young women who are looking for luxury accessories like designer fragrances, the latest cell phones, i-pods, and even jewelry. The difference with Charmed Girl is not only do we have the types of products that you want on one site, we make sure that products are priced affordably,” says Charmed Girl’s founder Felicia Johnson.

More retailers are catching on and are making sure they have what these young shoppers want. They are letting these consumers drive the products they stock and are changing their image and services to cater to this group. The luxury market is getting younger and younger and businesses providing luxury products and services need to adapt.

The reigning Ms. New York United States 2008, Graziella Baratta is a triple- threat performing artist and…. (4)choreographer/ (5)instructor, as well as an (6)image development specialist.  What’s that?  Well, along with her sister Liana, the Baratta sisters offer personal and business- oriented image consulting through their company brand B.YOUneek.  B.Youneek’s services include consulting in fashion, beauty, etiquette, interview techniques, personal training, and graphic/ web design to create the “whole package.”

As a performer, Graziella has been seen on stage for regional and off- Broadway productions such as FAME! The Musical, on MTV, Billboard LIVE, at Madison Square Garden and much more.  See Graziella’s performing artist website at www.graziella.us. Currently, Graziella is working on productions with her dance company G-Volution, such as their original musical, which debuted off- Broadway in September 2007.  How is it that she finds time for all this?  Graziella is a hard- working, passionate person who loves life and loves sharing her talents.

Add some good organizational and time-management skills, and you’ve got the Sextuple Threat!  See what she’s up to next, and track her progress to win the title of Ms. United States 2008 in July at the official Ms. New York US site.
Friend up the friendly Ms. New York on Twitter: Ms. New York on Twitter

Graziella Baratta

www.GraziellaBaratta.com
www.G-volutionDance.com
www.Byouneek.com