Notre Dame Victory March

Undercard press conference

I'm sitting in the press room of the Cotto vs. Mayorga fight in the Studio Ballroom at the MGM Grand. Right now some members of the press are doing one-on-one interviews with some of the undercard fighters. Couple of photographers are here snapping pics. Lots of PR & promotion staff milling about. It's Thursday so a quiet press room is pretty typical. 

Manny & Kieran, is a 1-on-1
interview or are they playing poker?

Manny Steward is with one of his fighters. He's got a warm smile: he smiles with his eyes. My pal Kieran who writes & blogs for ESPN.com is here too. One of his passions is the environment, another the polar bear. Funny, I never would have guessed. He's written several books. I think that's amazing. Sometimes writing this meaningless blog seems daunting. Can't imagine writing a book - that people would buy! I learned other good stuff about him today that I didn't know before too. Kieran, if you ever read this, good luck at the Wheel of Fortune slot machine at McCarran! 

Media grabbing some grub

My friend Nobu and I are reminiscing about old days we shared in boxing too. He and Akemi took me under their wing. They're incredibly generous people. I got to tag along to some amazing restaurants. Akemi even treated me to my first Prada wallet. She's a doll and not just beecause she bought me that, but because she's always looking out for me, interested in how I'm doing, looking out for my growth and still taking me to fantastic restaurants.

Bob Arum holding court

The undercard presser for Cotto vs. Mayorga is about to start. There are about 200 or so milling about, grabbing food, talking state of boxing & gossiping. Ugh, someone around me has a ridiculous amount of cologne on. The only saving grace is that it's lemon scented. Kinda smells like Pledge. 

Bob Arum is at the podium speaking about his undercard fights. For nearly 80 he's in great shape and still sharp as a tack. He's brash, insulting, unassuming and smart as a whip. He's got those great rosy, flushed cheeks that I love so much too. His voice carries and holds a room's attention like no one's can. I tried to friend him on FB but he didn't respond. I guess I'm too beneath him. It's ok. He wouldn't get my posts anyhow. I don't see Bob as a Chris Botti fan. I see more Springsteen or McCartney loaded on his iPod.

Baltimore Raven Tommy Zbikowski

This fight is a Showtime fight. There have been lots of jabs at HBO by Bob Arum for losing the Pacquiao vs. Mosley fight. He blames them for the decline of boxing. I made my start in boxing with Showtime back around 1998. Hardly anyone I worked with is still there now, just couple of high level production guys. It was nice that they remembered me after all these years. That was a nice boost to my ego. It's a whole new ballgame. But I do miss my HBO family.

Bryant & Tommy Z

Who the hell is that on the dais? Holy crap Tommy Zbikowski is so cute. He's the Notre Dame alum / Baltimore Raven safety on the card. He's only fought once but won by knockout. Hey, how can you not cheer for a current NFL player who moonlights as a boxer who wears a tie and argyle! He might be the only fighter I've ever seen that I'm actually attracted to - and he went to Notre Dame so he can't be a moron! (He's much cuter in person!) This fight just got a whole lot more exciting. 

Presser is almost over. It's 12.30p. I'm hungry. Time to go grab a banana & a granola bar for lunch back to my office to do things I really don't want to do. 

Winter Wonderland

Pacquiao vs. Hatton 2009

Tomorrow begins fight week @ the Grand Garden for Cotto vs. Mayorga. Typically it all starts on Tuesday with the fighter arrivals. In truth they're just a stunt staged for the press. The fighters are already on site and get driven around the corner to the front of the hotel. Lots of pomp and silly circumstance. If it's a Pay-Per-View fight Wednesday is the press conference (usually Thursday if it's not a PPV). Normally it's a non-event. A bunch of journalists sitting around listening to people who aren't quotable waiting for the real media-worthy individuals: promoters, trainers & fighters. Friday is the weigh in, always open to the public. Usually a tame event. Sometimes they try and jazz it up with a dj, fight video & scantily-clad girls - like putting lipstick on a pig. 

6,000+ singing Hatton Wonderland

Once in while though something extraordinary happens. Some of the most amazing things I've ever been a part of were the Ricky Hatton fights. The 2 memorable ones were Mayweather vs. Hatton in 2007 and Pacquiao vs. Hatton in 2009. There was an electricity, an energy that was palpable. It started on Monday of fight week where scores of British men took up residence in the bars. There were rumors that by Thursday they had drunk the casino dry. Of course that didn't happen but I wouldn't doubt they drank several bars clear out of ale. People said that when they came down for breakfast they saw the same guys in the same bar from the night before. Repeat scenario daily. :| 

Ricky Hatton Band

Hatton mania peaked at the weigh in on Friday where 6,000+ fans gathered to cheer on their boy. (The Grand Garden actually seats close to 16,000 but for weigh ins we have to scale down because production is still setting up behind the curtain.) One of my fondest memories was the Hatton Band. Yes, Ricky had his own 5 piece band. The first fight we did together I had to play the mom, telling them what they could and couldn't do. 'Can't run 'round the casino banging on your snare drum, belting out Hatton Wonderland on the horns, boys.' By the second fight we were BFFs. These guys won my heart and respect. Lovely chaps. As my friend Mick taught me to say, "They're the dog's bullocks."

Poking fun at their boy FATTON!

The energy continued thru to fight night on Saturday. Despite drinking 5+ days straight the Brits were raring to go and didn't miss a beat! I've never had more fun at work than during all of the Hatton fights. Before I came to the Grand Garden I used to handle credentials and operations for boxing so I've seen the best this decade had to offer. Worked most all of the big dogs: Tyson, Holyfield, Lenox, too many De La Hoya's to count, Pacquiao before he was an icon, so many but not many stand out except for the Hatton fights. The funny thing is, I don't think he actually won any of them! 

The Brits made quite an impression on me. They had a chant for Ricky. It was sung to the tune of 'Winter Wonderland'. "There's only one Ricky Hatton. One Ricky Hatton. Walking along, singing his song. Walking in a Hatton Wonderland." It was deliciously catchy. Truly a sight to behold. I doubt I'll ever experience something like that again. I'm just grateful I was able to witness it 3 times over! Thanks for the memories Ricky! Cheers.