A little report... 2nd hand info from a very good friend of mine who's on the scene and who knows Earl fairly well as a friend. This is somewhat filtered, out of respect for Earl, whom I know a little as well. He's a very private man. I think he'd be ok with the following.
1st, he apparently wants to play Sigel bad, and they would meet next in event they both win their next match. I don't know what their prior history may be, but the two of 'em were talking yesterday and apparently some friendly jabbing was going on in front of Mike's son, whom Mike did not introduce Earl to. Sigel may have been mocking Earl for his claim that he runs 5 miles a day and does a gazillion sit ups and push ups, etc. Earl's conditioning is truly amazing and his desire and dedication to win is strong this year. Imagine that, Mike poking the lion, lol. (BTW AZ's NathanM is doing a video for (maybe) youtube on Earl and others. With Earl's approval. It in part has video of Earl running and working out - also trick shots and whatnot. He was apparently riding in a car video-ing Earl run yesterday morning, lol. Should be a fun vid!).
2nd, in Earl's match against Fillipino Jundel Mazon, as the match was about to start, Earl finds Jundel has a good # of his countrymen in attendence, including a # of the playing Pinoy big boys. Apparently, and let's put it this way, Earl may have preferred it otherwise and may have made a comment or two. Who knows, but Earl may have felt it was kinda like him against all of the Phillipines... It was a tight match, knotted at 6 when Jundel reportedly dogged the 8. Earl gets out and B&R's the next 2, took control, and brought home the W. This surely was a good test for Earl's mental strength.
Anyone who saw last year's Open match with Earl against Lee Van in winners F16 saw that Lee had a VERY vocal contingency with him - it was over the top and an intentional crowd shark IMO. Poor form! Well, Earl didn't take to it nor perform well, Jay H reffed from a ringside position, and Lee Van jumped out to a near insurmountable lead. Lee won handily after a late rally by Earl fell short.
So here comes Jesse vs Earl. Jesse is a big underdog IMO.
Maye I'm biased, because I get to the Open tomorrow morning, and I REALLY want to see Sigel and Earl play tomorrow! Can you imagine the comments that could come out of this match? Who's more vocal than these two?!!
I see Earl going fairly deep this year. What a coup it would be for him to get a ring for the other hand! GO EARL!