The weekend's other big event

"Hey, I gave it my best shot, but Joey is a great eater," Simmons said. "He got booed when he came in here today, but Joey is a really good guy. I think the difference I may have made with Wing Bowl is that we put it on the map. To be the best in the world, you have to face the world's best. Chestnut and Bertoletti are the world's best. I'm done, I've had enough. No more Wing Bowls for me. What I am doing next? I'm not going to Disney World, I'll tell you that."

There was some talk that 610 WIP would discontinue Wing Bowl after this year, with its two biggest attractions saying that they're done. But that probably won't happen, considering the event sold out the 20,000-seat Wachovia Center in 45 minutes, and tickets were selling between $24 to $101 on ticket Web sites (tickets go for $5 each, with WIP giving the proceeds to charity).

Three hours after Wing Bowl 16, a group of men were sitting eating lunch at Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies play across the street from the Wachovia Center, doing what Philadelphians tend to do this time of year: Talking about Chestnut eating 241 wings, about the eater's entourages, about the scantily clad women that filled the place ... talking about Wing Bowl and not a Philadelphia championship.

Joseph Santoliquito is the Managing Editor of Ring Magazine and is a frequent contributor to SI.com. He can be reached at JSantoliquito@yahoo.com.