About & P.A.Q.

FTF Mission Statement

Fist Things First, or FTF, is an online collection of hyperlinks and writings providing visitors with a perspective of boxing and the non-boxing world of current events and global issues.  We at Fist Things First are not servants to corporate overseers, parent companies, overbearing advertisers, sanctioning bodies, or promoters; we are fight fans and concerned citizens of the global community.  FTF is the brainchild of Alex Pierpaoli and the property of Webhead Entertainment, LLC

FTF PAQ

Isn't Webhead Entertainment, this site's owner, a production company?  Aren't you likely to promote their stuff?  How is that without a promotional or marketing agenda?

True, Webhead Entertainment is a producer/publisher and will use the site to promote itself or properties.  If and when you find that particularly startling or objectionable please feel free to comment.

What does boxing have to do with politics?

A lot.  Boxing has always been a prism through which issues of race and racial tensions are played out and examined, as is the case in any highly competitive sport.  But boxing is even more susceptible to these issues because it exists in a netherworld of social-acceptance; both high-impact strategy and legalized assault, sport and spectacle. 

Because of boxing's brutal nature it is often peopled by the poor who use the sport as a promise, or a path toward society's upper ranks; the rags-to-riches dream of the reform school boy who punches his way to limos and mansions. 

Boxing is also an international sport and it is a universal truth that fighters have always fought for God, family or country.  Add ego and money to those three and you've just about covered professional prize-fighting...and maybe politics too.

Are you one of those Blame-America-First Secular-Humanists?

Yes, but labels are so limiting aren't they?  Stick around and check things out, you probably won't disagree with everything.

Why do you feel the need to antagonize people?

My goal is to be provocative not to be antagonistic but I also want to write passionately about a lot of varied and controversial subjects.  Sometimes, especially when expressing strong opinions, the result can be antagonistic even if that wasn’t the original intent.  Deal with it.  Or even better, you are welcome to send me an email.

Will you post my comments/email if I send you responses or reactions to stories & links? 

It's possible, yes.  Send questions or comments to: Alex@kofantasyboxing.com

What about MMA and similar or associated combat sports?  Your site is called Fist Things First, does that mean any sort of fist-related sport?

Not at this time it doesn't no.  We're just boxing.  We at FTF do not dislike MMA & other combat sports, we are just not at all interested in them at this time.  We are intrigued at how popular they’ve become so quickly but do not see that as a sign of boxing’s demise.  FTF does not believe they appeal to the same fans.  We also don't feel one needs to usurp or eclipse the other; they can coexist. 

Why do you link to the sites you do?

We link to articles we feel are worth reading.

Do you get paid for linking to or promoting someone’s story or video from another website?

No, not at this time.

What is your affiliation with U2?  Why do you have that quote from Adam Clayton on your homepage? 

We have no connection to U2 or Adam Clayton whatsoever.  We really like that quote but that’s it.  You'll notice that several of the FTF pages have a quotation at the top.  We have no affiliation or relationship to the authors of these, as with the Adam Clayton one, we simply dig the quotes and see them as related thematically and in terms of perspective to what we are trying to offer with this site.

Photo by Richard Esposito

pictured above: Alex Pierpaoli (left) poses with WBA lightweight champ, Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz in Canastota, NY, Summer 2005

Alex Pierpaoli has been a wanton follower of all things Fistiana since December of 1985.  Boxing is the only sport Pierpaoli follows, in part, because it is more than sport.  Alex Pierpaoli is also interested in politics, science, non-human animal rights, movies, comics, and global issues and events.  Alex Pierpaoli welcomes your rants and ranks at: Alex@kofantasyboxing.com

 Alex Pierpaoli's Profile

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"We have to multiply our own civic energies with our neighbors, our relatives, our co-workers, our friends. When that happens, when word of mouth takes over as the prime communications system in this country, nothing can stop it. We have to replace big talk with small talk. And we have to make it apparent to millions of people that striving for justice is one of life’s greatest gratifications. In fact, outside of the family, it is the greatest gratification. Without justice, there’s no such thing as liberty and freedom, there’s no such thing as fulfilling life’s possibilities." -Ralph Nader, from an interview with Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!