Superstar Lineup Onstage at CityWalk
Tourists trolling the CityWalk entertainment complex last night at Universal Studios Hollywood didn’t have to look very far to catch a star sighting. In fact, the lucky passersby were able to see a whole galaxy of boxing superstars on stage at the “STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz” event. Held just days before the mega match explodes on September 17 at the dual sites of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the Staples Center in Los Angeles, this was the one place where all the main fighters would converge–in one moment in time.
What was it like Monday night? Let’s just say that the CityWalk stage was the place to be–prime real estate in the boxing universe. As film clips played highlights on the large screen overhead, the electric lineup was then introduced.
Who was there? The main event matchups of Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Victor Ortiz, Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfonso Gomez, PPV undercard fighters Erik Morales vs. Pablo Cano, and Josesito Lopez vs. Jessie Vargas all took to the stage. Along with Oscar De La Hoya and various other promoters, managers, cornermen of the camps involved, you had one big boxing bash. Throw in a famous rapper (50 Cent), “Money’s” Uncle Roger (trainer Roger Mayweather) and a popular radio star (Piolín), all sharing the spotlight at CityWalk.
What more could you want? For boxing aficionados, this week will also include grand arrivals in Las Vegas, final press conferences and the official weigh-in as the weekend blast-off nears.
Before the festivities began, I had a chance to chat with the various camps involved in this “STAR POWER” dual-site extravaganza. Alfonso Gomez’s trainers Alfonso Gomez Sr. and Mario Morales are looking forward to the “Contender” star’s battle versus Canelo Alvarez. Training camp was top notch they said, now comes the weekend war.
I also greeted some Team Ortiz members. Victor’s trainer Danny Garcia and sparring partner Karl Dargan were also there. Trainer Garcia is humble and friendly, just like he is portrayed in the HBO “24/7” series. I asked him if all this worldwide attention of this Mayweather–Ortiz match has been any distraction at all to the camp. Garcia smiles, shakes his head and says no, it’s business as usual at the gym.
Victor’s younger brother, Temo was there in his corner too. I noticed the tall former amateur boxer had a special boxing souvenir on–a gleaming gold WBC Championship ring earned from his sibling’s victory against Andre Berto. Temo says the camp was great and he and Victor really love the lifestyle of living and training in the Ventura area.
And his older bro “Vicious” Victor Ortiz was the obvious crowd favorite at the gala. As several radio personalities interviewed the fans and tossed out free giveaways to the large crowd assembled, I would say the overwhelming choice of who the fans wanted to win was Mexican warrior Ortiz.
“ORTIZ! ORTIZ! Let’s go Ortiz!” came the chants from the excited fans pressed up against the barricades.
As the speeches got underway, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, 34, got the audience’s attention when he attempted to taunt the younger Ortiz.
Speaking about Victor’s self-admitted idol, Oscar De La Hoya, Mayweather was asked by Piolín about the $2.5 million bets he offered to the Golden Boy and “Vicious” Victor that Floyd will win. “I don’t bite my tongue, I don’t kiss ass, I tell the truth!” the slick boxer stated. Floyd then reminded everyone he already “kicked Oscar’s ass” and this is the new champion in Ortiz that he will be facing. The pro-Latino and spirited crowd then began chanting, “Culero! Culero!” Please ask your Spanish-speaking friends to translate this for you if you don’t know what this means!
Victor stood steadfast–anchored by his WBC green and gold championship belt that will be up for grabs come Saturday night. While Floyd Jr. didn’t burn any $100 bills or use any stacks of money for a cell phone as seen in “24/7” clips, he said confidently: “Of course Victor’s looking for the knockout. But I’m in tip-top tremendous condition; I’m going for the knockout!” He also shadowboxed as Ortiz tapped proudly on his WBC medallion and took his turn at the mic.
While the champion, Ortiz, is the underdog in this game, the determined 24-year-old believes he can beat the pound-for-pound king–and keep his belt. He said he’s worked his whole life to be a champion, something he doesn’t plan on relinquishing easily. And in regards to his controversial opponent, “Mayweather no more–that ‘O’ has to GO!” Ortiz said as the crowd went wild. “He picked the wrong kid!”
As the night wound down, Victor then made the masses happy as he went out toward the crowd, signing autographs for his excited fans. But as the fans surrounded him, the southpaw made sure to secure a prized possession. He carefully handed his WBC belt over to his cornerman Carlos for safekeeping as Ortiz continued to oblige the crowd.
The WBC championship strap is safe for now. But come Saturday in Vegas, Mayweather’s gonna come after that belt, the same title “Money” had previously won in years past.
On stage, the floor was bursting with the brightest superstars in the boxing world, including Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz. With the huge lit-up neon guitar at the nearby Hard Rock Cafe hovering above the outdoor setup, this power-punching lineup of prizefighters even managed to outshine those glittery neon lights.
Stars will explode (and maybe implode?) this weekend.
“STAR POWER,” presented by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions, will be exploding in the squared circle very soon. With all these world title holders vying for various championships including the WBC Welterweight Championship, the WBC Super Welterweight and WBC Super Lightweight, I think fans are in for a treat. Airing live on HBO PPV, all eyes will be lasered into Vegas and L.A.
As the boxers boarded their private jets to Vegas, the hours leading up to these marquee matches count down.
The superstars WILL collide this Saturday night.
See you at the fights!
Tickets: www.mgmgrand.com and www.ticketmaster.com