All eyes -- and all of ESPN's cameras -- will be on Hollywood this Friday, when seven big, bad boxers beat the bejesus out of seven other big, bad boxers during Hard Knocks at the Hard Rock. In a battle for the world championship of the flyweight division, undefeated Colombian Irene "Mambaco" Pacheco (30-0), 33, goes up against 28-year-old Vic Darchinyan (also undefeated, with a 21-0 record). Pacheco's skill is unrivaled among flyweights, but his challenger, an Armenian, has been training in Australia. And you know what that means: He's been around those boxing kangaroos. Darchinyan's handlers are saying the D-man is going to mop the floor with Pacheco and then hop away with the loser in his joey pocket. The co-main event features Daniel Judah versus Luis Alberto Gimenez. The undercard has Colombian Angel Priolo going ten rounds against Juan Keb-Baas. Then there are the locals: Hollywood's own Ed Paredes and Johnny Pawlowski are scheduled to get in the ring at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (1 Seminole Way, Hollywood). Tickets cost $30 to $100; get them by calling 954-523-3309 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. The first bout starts at 7 p.m. For more information, see www.warriorsboxing.com. -- Deirdra Funcheon
Railslide Radio
Catch some airwaves
FRI 9/3
What is it that drives athletes in competition? The sport? The fame? The steroids? It's certainly not the trophy itself -- what use is that? Especially when you could just as easily win CDs, DVDs, X-Box games, or tickets to Ozzfest or a Florida Marlins game. How? Just by outskating 94.9 ZETA DJ Branzig at Friday's ZETA Rocks Broadcast at Brian Piccolo Park (9501 Sheridan St., Cooper City). Not up for that? Then grab your board or blades and challenge your buddies to a skate-off; you could possibly win a Harley-Davidson gas tank autographed by the band Godsmack. You'll be in the air and on the air, and you could walk home with some choice prizes. Of course, we recommend the inline contest. Unless, that is, you're into huffing fumes. Members skate for $3; nonmembers pay $7. The event starts at 6 p.m. Call 954-437-2600. -- Jason Budjinski
Seeking the Wild Card
Marlins meet Cubs
FRI 9/3
Professional baseball players have it rough. Sure, they spend a lot of time on the bench scratching and spitting. But they have to do it nearly every day. The Florida Marlins had only four days off in August and will have only two off in September (do you think on their days off, professional baseball players sit around on the couch and watch videos of people working in office cubicles?). Last year, the Marlins won the World Series. This year, every game counts in the team's wild-card bid. Catch the first of two weekends of match-ups between the Marlins and the Chicago Cubs. Games take place at 7:35 p.m. Friday, at 6:05 p.m. Saturday, and at 3:05 p.m. Sunday at Pro Player Stadium (2269 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami) Call 877-627-5467, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. -- Dave Amber
Two People, One Bike
SAT 9/4
That's the essence of the Off-road Leapfrog Duathlon. You start out on the bike while your buddy runs. You abandon the bike at the first of seven drop stations along the nine-mile route and continue on foot while your buddy catches up and retrieves the bike. And so on... leapfrog, get it? But, the team must finish together. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., with races at 8, at Quiet Waters Park (401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach). Cost: $30 per team. Call 954-360-1315. -- Dave Amber
