BEHIND THE BENCH – VOL 5. ISSUE 1

Ultimate Black Mamba: Kobe Bryant Delivers A New Sophisticated Timepiece

The creative team at Nubeo is not fond of following pre-established rules. They prefer to create their own. With the arrival of the Black Mamba collection, Nubeo’s creative team has had the opportunity to invent a new concept – the jewel timepiece – exclusively masculine and sporty.

Both the Ultimate and the MVP versions master the setting of sapphires to express the combination of sport, masculinity and sophistication, terms which describe Kobe Bryant himself so well. The three choices of color express the three-fold personality of the Black Mamba: black is masculine, orange is sporty and whisky colored sapphires represent sophistication. This is a whole new take in the world of men’s watches.

To create the right image of the jewel timepiece, a number of features were included to strengthen the masculine identity of the Black Mamba. The luxury that precious stones bring to women’s timepieces, becomes a note of discretion in the Black Mamba. Sapphires are moved to the inner part of the dial, located around the outer ring. At first glance they almost go unnoticed since they merge with the black finish. But they show all their splendor given their exceptional ability to reflect light. The natural quality of sapphires is further enhanced by the trapezoid shape and baguette cut of the 48 gems in the ring. An accuracy of 0.02 millimetres was achieved to guarantee perfect finish of the pieces.

THE GEMS OF KINGS It is currently quite common to equate precious stones with creations designed for women. But this link has not always been so. Since the dawn of Humanity precious stones have been the object of male desire, when the heroes and warriors of Antiquity considered them to be sources of energy and power.

Sapphires are high on the list of precious stones most revered by mankind. They have traditionally been known as the jewels of Kings and Popes. Nubeo chose black sapphires instead of black diamonds because they are more suitable for a watch like the Black Mamba. The color of sapphires is more intense and their strength – 9 grades, similar to that of rubies – guarantees adequate setting in the inner ring. The unparalleled purity of the black sapphires used by Nubeo suggests that the market value of these stones is probably three times higher than that of black diamonds.

Jaime Edmondson Former Miami Dolphins Cheerleader moves to Playboy Magazine as Miss January 2010

Appearing in MOVES’ fall issue 2006, Jaime Edmondson hit the ground running. Formerly one of Boca Raton’s finest…police officer that is and Miami Dolphins Cheerleader, Ms. Edmondson gained national notoriety as ‘The Amazing Race’ 14th season runner-up this past May. Now taking her new found stardom to higher levels, this fiery red head is currently gracing the pages of Playboy Magazine as Miss January 2010. While Edmondson wasn’t a crowd favorite on the CBS reality show, demonstrating a beyond aggressive personality, she definitely exposed her assets and has converted male fans by the masses.

No Surrender

Oscar “Oz” Sanchez attributes his learnt attitude and dealings to his tragic twist of fate life to the motto, “No Surrender” instilled in him by his former employees, the USMC and Navy Seals. Having served six years in the toughest divisions of our armed forces under the harshest conditions and hotbeds around the world, Oz was dealt a cruel fate of life change resulting from a devastating motorcycle accident that caused irreversible spinal cord damage. Despite his devastating physical injuries and mental anguish, quitting was not an option for Oscar. He overcame numerous post operation bouts of depression and relentless grueling months of physical rehabilitation to earn the title, “worlds fastest man on a hand cycle”, thus grabbing gold and bronze medals in the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.

Oz continues to do it all as a beacon for everyone to never surrender in achieving your dreams despite what life throws at you. He went on to receive a degree in business administration and minor in communications from SDSU back in 2006 and plans on returning to earn a masters degree. Aside from his current career in the Navy’s Department of Defense Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, Oz is the official spokesperson for both the U.S. Paralympics committee and the Challenged Athlete Foundation’s “Operation Rebound” program which provides post – rehab services to veterans who have suffered permanent injuries. His next goal is a whirl wind tour competing in triathlons and motivational speaking.

Oz’s life story has been brought to the silver screen in the movie, “UNBEATEN” by film maker Steven C. Barber and narrated by Dan Akroyd. For more info, check out www.unbeatenthemovie.com

Mark Wahlberg portray`s Irish Micky Ward in “The Fighter”

What started out as a lowbudget documentary project five years ago has now escalated into a major motion picture from Paramount Studios. “The Fighter” directed by David O. Russell, will portray the life and boxing career of famous former boxing champion Micky Ward, who will be played by Mark Wahlberg.

“This film has been in the works for over five years,” said Ward. “It started as a little documentary about me and my brother getting out of jail and training me. Then going over to London and winning the WBU Light Welterweight title (by TKO 8 over Shea Neary in 2000). I know the WBU is not recognized as one of the top three titles but what are you gonna do? It’s still a world title. With that and the three Arturo Gatti fights and all that went on, the film got going. And this is what it tuned into.”

Wahlberg, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting role in “Departed,” trained at Freddie Roach’s Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles to prepare for the acting job he’s long sought. “I’ve been dying to do a boxing movie my whole career,” Wahlberg said in a previous interview. “I’ve been close to doing two and they kinda fell apart. But this is something I’m very excited about.” Brad Pitt and then Matt Damon were originally projected to play the part of Ward’s older half-brother and trainer Dickie Eklund, but Christian Bale eventually landed the role. Eminem, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo also star in “The Fighter.” Filming took place in Lowell, MA last summer and has been completed, except for final editing.

The Micky Ward story is another classic ‘underdog conquers the world’ saga, but with a different twist. Ward’s older half-brother was troubled but talented Dickie Eklund, who once boxed the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard when he was just 21. When the prospects of his ring career began to take a turn for the worse, Eklund got involved in a life of crime and drug use. But he eventually turns it around and helps teach younger brother Micky how to become a world champion.

Ward says he actually didn’t play much of a part of the film-making process. “I really had nothing to do with it. The writer asked me some questions, that’s about it” says the 44-year-old Ward. “I had to be there for most of the boxing scenes. The acting was all up to them, you know?”

Ward, who was known for his devastating left hook to the body, has seen some of the film’s footage and isn’t complaining. “I looked good, I looked really good,” he chuckles. “Mark’s a great guy. I knew him before this. He’s a good kid.”

David O. Russell, the director of the film, also directed George Clooney in “Three Kings”, “Spanking The Monkey”, Flirting With Disaster”, “Hairway To The Stars”, and “I Love Huckabees.”

To have his life story chronicled onto the silver screen is the ultimate honor for a professional athlete and Ward says he’s not concerned with how the film performs with audiences at the box office. “It doesn’t really matter to me. Hopefully, they like it,” says the 42-year-old who boxed professionally from 1985 to 2003 and shared a ring with such champions as Zab Judah, Frankie Warren, Jesse Leija, Charles Murray, Vince Phillips and Gatti. “I have no expectations. I hope it brings good things. I just go with the flow, just like when I was a fighter. Roll with the punches. I just hope everybody likes it.”