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They have chased crab on the Bering Sea and Big Foot on the Prince of Wales muskegs, so it is only fitting that Discovery Channel is about to chase the critters and characters that have made Roughhouse Friday’s at Marlintini’s such a ‘hit.’
“It is very exciting,” long-time Roughhouse ring announcer Bob Haag said. “This has been a dream of mine for some time. To get those Hollywood types out here and see what real small town ring life is like.”
At last month’s Roughhouse Friday the Marlintini’s Lounge crew were filming a teaser video for a potential reality show idea and sent it to Tinsel Town. The land of stars and starletts answered right back.
“Things move fast in Hollywood,” Marlintini’s owner Ethan Billings said. “We are all pretty excited right now.”
Edward Barbini, Executive Producer from Discovery Studios in Los Angeles, Calif. and a Discovery Studios film crew will be in Juneau to film Roughhouse Friday Boxing at Marlintini’s Lounge tomorrow night for a potential reality show.
Mr. Barbini is the Executive Producer of such television shows as the Discovery Channel’s ‘Dirty Jobs.’
After the initial teaser video went to Los Angeles a representative from Discovery Studios called the bar and talked to Billings and Haag. Evidentially they liked what they heard because the real life of Roughhouse Fridays is going to be swarming with the corporate set.
“Someone might get discovered,” Haag said. “Either in the ring or in the audience.”
Haag said he has toyed with the idea of a reality boxing show because of what he believes are the staged reality shows on television now.
“Why a reality show?” Haag said. “Because life doesn’t get any more real than boxing. It is two opponents going toe-to-toe. And there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes and a lot that goes on for someone to get into the ring. Every one has a different reason to fight.”
Like boxer Wayne Fu trying to get the money to get his knives out of the pawn shop; and Casey Yakovich working the crab line at a cannery; like current MMA pro Richie “Hell Boy” Whitson remembering where he got his start; and former pro Al “Mean Machine” Valentine looking for the next comeback; and all the chefs and plumbers and national guardsmen and every day Joes (and Jills) that have a story behind them.
It doesn’t get more real than Friday’s Hoonah versus Anchorage women’s bout.
Hoonah’s Jamiann “High Beam” Hasselquist was Roughhouse Friday Boxing’s Southeast Showdown Ladies champion at one time. Hasselquist called Haag last month and said she is coming out of retirement and wants to fight on the Roughhouse Friday Boxing March 23rd boxing card at Marlintini’s as she will be in town for the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament.
Hasselquist has not had a fight for 6 years. She has been training with her husband Rooney and her son Tyler. Hasselquist will be the main event against Anchorage’s Lai “Heavy Hands” Hanson.
The semi main event is a rematch from last month’s bout between Chandler “The Henchman” Horne, a chef, and plumber Chris Pleasants. Horne took a close split decision.
The assorted cast of characters, combatants not Hollywood actors, will include Tyler Allen against William Milton; the Roberts Brothers from Klawock - James “The Beast” Roberts against Charlie Gallant and Steven “The Little Beast” Roberts battling Ray Greenburg. Also scheduled are Al “Mean Machine” Valentine, Crown Royal Hudson, Casey Yakovich, Wayne Fu, Showstoppa Brown, Ivy Haube, Chuck McCracken, Rudy Vonda, and pretty much who ever has the drive to get into the ring. The fight card will include two ladies matches, two Mixed Martial Arts matches, and at least four boxing bouts.
“The reality shows on television are all made up,” Haag said. “I told them if they wanted to see real characters than to come to Friday’s bouts and watch our fighters dance around the canvas.”
Roughhouse Friday’s fights begin at 9 p.m.
Comments (14)
Add commentCool! I probably won't be
Cool! I probably won't be able to make the live event. However, I plan to watch it on TV.
It's cool that Wayne Fu and Al will get a chance to go Hollywood. In their day, they ruled South Franklin Street.
For what it's worth, in 1973
For what it's worth, in 1973 I saw Wayne Fu break an inch thick piece of plywood with a knife hand strike. If you think that's not such a big deal, I suggest you go and give it a try. I'd love to see him get some national attention.
ROFLMAO
LOL, It's just a chance for them to make fools out of themselves on national TV, the show won't last past the pilot.
IS this a joke..
wheres tank when you need him..
"Hollywood"
I'll be there to support talent. Glitter and shine all you want, just keep that camera out of my face!
Life Long Alaskan....
I'd like to see you get in there and see how you do...
Cigarette butts
I hope Marlintini's cleans up the thousands of cigarette butts they allow to pile up outside of their doors before Hollywood comes. It's disgusting. I hate going to Donna's to eat and seeing thousands of butts outside their doors.
The butts might be from
The butts might be from Donna's customers. Donna's has been a pro-smoking establishment for years.
someone change jo's diaper
they wouldn't be outside if girls like you cant handle a little smoke inside
really?
I find it very hard to believe that the Discovery Channel would see anything worth making a show out of these fights. They never start on time and are not worth the money they charge for tickets. On occasion they will have 1, maybe 2 good fights and even that is rare.
Wow, this will probably be embarrassing......
Those fights are never very good, I mean they are plenty entertaining, just not enough to make a TV show out of.
Are you serious juneau.1034? Smoking sucks.
badmrfrosty
not as much as you
The guys on Gold Rush weren't
The guys on Gold Rush weren't very good at finding gold, either. It's not about whether or not the fights are any good or not. It's about showing the culture of barroom fights in a small town in Alaska. If anybody wants to watch high quality fights, they can go to ESPN. People like Wayne Fu and Al Valentine are just the kind of characters the Discovey Channel is looking for.
For the record, back in the 80s Al was allegedly the sparring partner for David Bey. Bey was training to fight Tyrell Biggs--the winner would then fight Mike Tyson for the heavyweight title. As the story goes, Bey started getting a little too rough with Al for Al's taste. The next thing Bey knew he was spread eagle on the canvas cold-cocked. Don King promptly fired Al. That's the story that was told around the campfire anyway.
Go DAD!!
That's MY DAD!!! WAYNE -Fu wish i could see him live too!! LOVE YA Dad!! Show em how its Done! so far i seen videos n pictures and he calls to tell me about his fights.