Anatomy of a Boxing Junket
Ever since the boxing bug bit me in my early childhood I have been magnetically drawn to the characters who permeate the sweet science’s landscape. I avidly absorbed all live telecasts on the big three networks and video of historic fights dating back to Gentleman Jim Corbett in the 1890s. All the while I mused about what it would be like to be present in the eye of the storm at major title fights. Attending the press conferences, the fighters’ meetings with the broadcasters, weigh-ins, the inter-mingling of boxers and media at the hosting hotel/casino and absorbing the electricity in the vibrant arena on fight night. Although I started to attend smaller boxing cards in my late teens, my friendship with a future undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world opened the door to my ‘fly on the wall’ perspective at dozens of World Championship cards. To best paint a picture of the goings-on at a big fight weekend I have listed my travel diary below:
10/12/09 – Fly out of Toronto to Chicago on a windy night with Tony Cruise (chief security attache for Lennox Lewis). Meet the champ at O’Hare for limo to Park Hyatt. Meet in the conference suite for some food and are joined by commentator Max Kellerman. The four of us discuss all things boxing until midnight. Head back to my suite for ESPN/sleep.
11/12/09 – Jump in our car (black stretch) to the fighter’s hotel (Hilton) for the (10 am) fighter’s meetings. Spirited exchanges with Victor Ortiz/Max Kellerman ensue because of Max’s commentary of his last fight. Opponent Antonio Diaz’s chat was less inspired. Main event fighter Juan Diaz was certain he would beat Mallignaggi again. We jump in our car and are dropped off at hotel to do some shopping in the Gold Coast area(think Yorkville). Run into Jeff Garlin from ‘Curb your Enthusiasm’ at the ‘Big and Tall Men’ shop. Get an invite to Second City’s 50th Anniversary show. We head back to the Hilton for one more meeting with Paulie Maglinaggi. He is long-winded,loud and emotional as per usual. His promoter Lou DiBella leaves the room to take a call. It is ESPN and Lou is providing the quotes for the scoop that will be posted in minutes that he was severing ties with former middle weight champ Jermain Taylor. Taylor had just announced that he would continue to fight,ignoring those who worry about his three big knock-out losses. After dinner and refreshments we head to a club next-door to The House of Blues. Mingle, chat-up pretty girls, propositioned by scary girl/pro, P-Diddy shows up. We head back to Hyatt for sleep.
12/12/09 – Sleep in due to slight vodka od. Late breakfast, then Lennox, Tony and I join Harold Lederman, Max k. and Bob Papa to head to arena for 3pm (CT). While the four HBO announcers do the voice-over of the Vitali Klitschko-Kevin Johnson fight, I hang with Tommy “Hit Man” Hearns in the corridor outside of son Ronald’s dressing room. We discuss the Clyde Gray,Pepino Cuevas and Duran fights. Also discuss Hagler,how good Tommy looks at 51 and exchange numbers. We head upstairs to eat with the crew (at 6:00) before visiting the Golden Boy dressing room. Dapper Bernard Hopkins chats Lennox up in the corridor as trainers/former fighters Ronnie Shields and John David Jackson mill about. Curtain call: (8:45) and make-up is looking for Lennox. We head to our seats behind the announcers table, five feet from the ring. The two live televised fights provide more action than expected for the raucus crowd. (11:30 PM) we jump into our car and head back to Hyatt. Long day. Room service arrives just as I was fading on the lounger. There is talk of heading to a Blues room, but we opt to check out the bar in the hotel. Swanky joint, lots of couples but no action. Tony and I decide to hit our rooms as we had to be up at (8:30am) for limo.
13/12/09 – Jump on plane at (1:10CT) and land in Toronto at (3:45 ET). After clearing customs and the baggage search room I jumped into an air-limo and headed to a birthday party that was just under way in the Kingsway. Good call as there was excellent food, open bar and healthy gals. Should go home, but get roped into catching the last set at local ‘Blue Goose’ tavern. (10:00 et) -arrive home. (10:20) – dead asleep.
Bawdy Shots:
I wish I could announce a cure for the lack of Heavyweight talent; but I promise you there are developments that can’t be disclosed yet… Klitschko – Johnson sucked… Victor Ortiz did what was expected in his showcase bout with a worn Antonio Diaz… Paulie Malignaggi was fit, too fast and varied his attack in out-classing Juan Diaz in Chicago. Hope he gets a good title shot, but I think Timothy Bradley would bring too much… Kelly Pavlik finally pulls on some gloves again this weekend against Miguel Espino. Kelly should take out the light-punching Espino by the 6-7th round.
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