Most Playboy centerfolds don't list getting the shit kicked out of them as one of their hobbies. But most Playboy centerfolds aren't Mia St. John. The total knockout is getting ready to lay a TKO on Avalon nightclub tonight as part of an all-women boxing card. She's scrapping with Melissa Yanas, a newbie fighter from Texas. While the 37-year-old St. John's got 32 wins under her belt -- 22 in a row -- 36-year-old Yanas has been in only four fights. St. John is working her way through the ranks again, proving herself for a rematch with world phenom and number-one-ranked fighter Christy Martin. The two went ten rounds in December 2002 before St. John finally went down; it was her second of only four losses.
But while her record is impressive, it's her fire and beauty in the ring that draw fans -- not to mention her silky pink short shorts covered with silver glitter. She's no Lalia Ali or even Michelle Rodriguez in Girlfight; she's a girly-girl's fighter. (Her Calabasas, California, home is filled with dolls.)
That reputation has cost her with boxing insiders, however, who see her as a celebrity who fights rather than a fighter with notoriety. The fact that many of her early opponents had losing records -- implying easy wins -- doesn't help.
But as Avalon knows, a beauty in the bar (or ring) means cash in the register. In fact, the club will host Hef and his bunnies for Playboy's 50th Anniversary Club Tour later this week. But stop by Avalon, 9535 Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree, at 7 p.m. tonight to find out if St. John, the knockout, is worthy of all of her knockouts. Call 303-790-0024. -- Amy Haimerl
Race Coors
Home Run lets racers be gamers
SUN, 5/23
Pretend you're Todd Helton rounding the bases at today's Colorado Rockies Home Run, a 5K run/walk and kids' fun run. A benefit for the Colorado Rockies Charity Fund, the event kicks off today at 8:15 a.m. with a 5K race that weaves through downtown and finishes with a lap around the Coors Field warning track -- the strip of dark-red dirt that surrounds the outfield grass. The fun continues with a 1K fun run for those ages ten and under. A free post-race party will be held on the field's main concourse and will feature batting cages, ballpark food, entertainment, and face time with Dinger, the Rockies mascot.
"Most people don't ever get to be down at field level, where you can really see things from the players' point of view," says Rockies spokeswoman Liz Coates. "The kids absolutely love it."
To register in advance, log on to www.active.com. Fees are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and kids age seventeen and under; prices increase by $5 the day of the event.
For more info, go to www.coloradorockies.com. -- Julie Dunn
