Tom Zbikowski's first professional bout

[maison bleu]

Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski will fight his first professional bout June 10 at Madison Square Garden.

No opponent has yet been named.

Zbikowski father said the fight won't jeopardize his son's NCAA football eligibility.

Story at USAtoday.com
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/independent1a/2006-03-28-notre-dame-boxer_x.htm

Wonder what CW thinks about this.

 

[Domer95]

He's already on the record stating that he thinks it's great.

He advised Zibby to get $1MM insurance policy from Lloyds first, then do it. He won't start training for it until after Spring football practice has ended on 4/22.

 

[irishnd31]

I think it's great, just as long as all of the Is are dotted and the Ts crossed to ensure that he is in no way shape or form violating NCAA rules.

That video of him on this site knocking the snot out of that dude with the LEFT HOOK is great.

 

[nayers]

cant wait to order the pay-per-view...will certainly be tivo'ed

 

[Fighting_Irish9]

I think its a good idea and can only help with recruiting. Lets kids know they will have the opportunity to chase their dreams outside of football too (Hiben thing did hurt a lil, no fault of Weis)

Odds of Zibkowski getting hurt is slim and will only bring positive press to ND.....

 

[maison bleu]

Long-ish article on this topic on ESPN.com this morning, link below.

My reservation comes from his missing some spring ball to pursue this. Doesn't seem "team first" to me, especially for a safety on a NC contender whose weak link is its secondary.
"So on Wednesday, when his teammates were continuing with spring workouts, Zbikowski was in New York City, sitting in the Madison Square Garden Theater ... helping to promote the June 10 Pay-Per-View event."
In the end, probably not that big a deal though.

The story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2389370&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab5pos2

 

[jiggafini19]

My reservation comes from his missing some spring ball to pursue this. Doesn't seem "team first" to me, especially for a safety on a NC contender whose weak link is its secondary.
In the end, probably not that big a deal though.

I agree with you on both counts. Everyone seems to be on board, at least publically, so I don't think it is going to cause any boat rocking.

Samardzija and Sharpley both play baseball. This, while different than that, runs along the same lines.

This kid has some throwback in him...and isn't playing with a full deck. He's nuts.

 

[Domer95]

This kid has some throwback in him...and isn't playing with a full deck. He's nuts.

.....

which is perfect and what we need. Now, can he play basketball too???

 

[Guest]

Weis said Tommy is making alot of money for the fight, anyone know how much?

 

[nayers]

my favorite quote was this: “ Anything Notre Dame or the NCAA asked of us, we agreed to. Trust me -- I don't want to be the guy to jeopardize Notre Dame winning the national championship." ”
— Bob Arum

 

[irishnd31]

Weis said Tommy is making alot of money for the fight, anyone know how much?

I thought it was a violation to make money as a professional while competing in collegiate athletics? I'm probably wrong or misinformed, but can someone shed some light?

 

[Guest]

from what i've heard you're allowed as long as you don't accept any endorsements like Jeremy Bloom did.

Drew Henson made some money from baseball and playing QB at Michigan at the same time I believe. He got A signing bonus right out of high school..

I thought it was a violation at first also, but apparently its not because Weis made the direct quote that he'll be getting a nice chunk of change for the fight.

 

[irishnd31]

from what i've heard you're allowed as long as you don't accept any endorsements like Jeremy Bloom did.
Drew Henson made some money from baseball and playing QB at Michigan at the same time I believe. He got A signing bonus right out of high school..
I thought it was a violation at first also, but apparently its not because Weis made the direct quote that he'll be getting a nice chunk of change for the fight.

Appreciate it Queens. That makes sense. As always I was WRONG!!

 

[jiggafini19]

The latest issue of The Sporting News has also reported that Zbikowski will be attending Cris Carter's FAST Program this summer.

Carter runs a speed camp for professional athletes. His summer conditioning regime is that of legend in the NFL. Carter would work out with Culpepper, Moss and others. They trained extremely hard.

I like that Zbikowski is going the extra mile to improve not only his game but his speed.