Cubs and gloves Phew, its been a long week. Every day in the office, it's all a bit of a drag really.

I did have an extended lunch today mind and had a couple of pints watching the season's first cross city baseball game in a bar. We would call Chicago Cubs v Chicago White Sox a local derby but the locals prefer the southside v northside showdown. In fact one of today's papers describes it as "the World Series for a city that can't win a real one." (more) The World series that only involves American teams is bad enough but one that only involves teams from Chicago? Come on.

The Sox Southsiders easily beat the Northside Cubs this afternoon 5-1 and despite what the papers say the White Sox are the current best team in the country, sorry world. The Cubs, who I have chosen for reasons other than the fact that they are winners obviously, I'm a Charlton fan after all, are hopeless hopefuls and this is with 130 odd games left of the season.

I plan a quiet weekend. I have woken up with too many really bad hangovers recently and I'm thinking I just can't do it anymore.

Tomorrow morning I will take my place at Gingers Ale House for breakfast and some strong coffee to watch the FA Cup Final. I have backed Arsenal (and AC Milan in the Champions League, both picked at the semi-final stage) but to be honest I'm just hoping for a good game because we have seen some dire finals in recent years. There is no love lost and both teams are unusually trophy-less so you never know.

Then sandwiched in between some painting (walls not canvas) I have been invited to the WBO Heavyweight Championship fight at the United Center on Saturday night. I don't know an awful lot about boxing and amateur boxing dinners is the extent of my experience, so this will be my first professional bout.

The current champion Lamon Brewster takes on Andrew Golota (both pictured above with promoter Don King) in what is the first world title fight in Chicago for 24 years and it has caught the locals imagination even though the names are not as famous as Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey who have all fought heavyweight world titles here.

Brewster is from the adjoining state of Indiana and Polish born Golota lives in Chicago adding extra spice. It will be Golota's 4th challenge for the title, he was beaten by Mike Tyson in 2000.

"Both men don't move much and both can be hit. We know about Brewster's incredible resolve. Although he's fighting on Golota's turf, he'll be well-represented by his fans from nearby Indiana and should be motivated. Golota's at home, he's the favorite and Brewster's got a chin of granite. A recipe for disaster for Golota in what HAS to be his last shot at the title? Don't think so, Golota by split decision in a brawl." (more) Sounds like a nice evening, better not wear my best jacket, don't want to get blood on it!

Umm, I've just re-read this and it doesn't seem that quiet of a weekend does it? Better get home then, have some dinner and go to bed.

Before I go though, a couple of new things on the left hand side there. Casino Avenue led me to savekyliesboobs.co.uk a great idea for a great charity and a great gal. And a new photo, the towering 100-story John Hancock building on Michigan Avenue to replace my previous one taken out of my old apartment window.

I have also linked to the hapless but loveable Chicago Cubs as it is well and truly hot-dog and drinking season at Wrigley.  ¶ 20:48