Final Stop of Historic Media Tour
They came. They saw. They conquered. And the fans won.
Yes, 10,000 fans got what they wanted last night at the final stop of the multi-city media tour for “THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO,” taking place on Saturday, September 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
This was the very last press conference in the scheduled 11-city tour touting Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez in their championship bout promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions–and the people turned up in droves. What was it like at this outdoor bash?
I gotta say, last night’s presser was historic and electric. It was momentous and a bit contentious.
While the Phoenix press conference was canceled due to the tragic Arizona fires and loss of 19 firefighters, the Los Angeles event at Nokia Plaza’s L.A. LIVE went on as planned. And the fans–10,000 strong–were ready and waiting to see their boxing heroes. This mega clash (airing on Showtime PPV) has certainly injected energy and excitement into the sport as I witnessed thousands of fans line the streets of downtown L.A.
Call in sick to work? Leave the kids with the babysitter? Arrive hours in advance to snag a prime spot near the stage? Yep, that’s what many of the enthusiastic fans told me they did. No one wanted to miss out on catching the action happening across from the famed Staples Center. Nobody wanted to miss out on seeing “The One,” which is promising to break many records in the fight game.
And Tuesday night was an epic one capping off the multi-city tour that spanned two countries. With red carpet arrivals, confetti blasting through the sky, speeches and statements from both camps, it gave the audience what they wanted and then some. Film clips were shown of both fighters with red foam fingers being waved in support. Fighters Abner Mares, Joseph Diaz Jr. and Daniel Ponce De Leon also greeted the masses.
Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya, Richard Schaefer, Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza, Mayweather Promotions’ Leonard Ellerbe, Team Canelo’s Chepo Reynoso and Eddie Reynoso all took turns at the podium before the two superstars spoke.
Golden Boy CEO Schaefer announced that the final stop in L.A. had the biggest turnout with 10,000 lining the streets for the largest press tour ever.
Indeed, the City of Angels was well represented. With shouts and chants of “Hard work! Dedication” (for Mayweather supporters) and “CA-NE-LO! CA-NE-LO!” (for the pro-Alvarez crowd), the evening proceeded to ignite the crowd.
Beginning with the June 24 kickoff in New York City’s Times Square, the throngs of people have never wavered. With tickets immediately snatched up, this sell-out fight is on point to break long-standing records such as the highest-grossing PPV record currently held by Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather’s 2007 collision. For Mayweather vs. Canelo, the promoters announced that closed-circuit viewing tickets are still available.
Both prizefighters were presented RING belts by Chuck Giampa; both champs posed side by side.
Two champs, two superstars in the ring. But there can only be “The One.” Fighting at 152 pounds, September 14 will prove who’s the one.
Richard Schaefer introduced Canelo as the “Mexican James Dean,” and the one Mexico has been waiting for. He spoke of the surging “Canelo Mania” and added the redhead is also “the best looking one.” At this point, Mayweather got up, strode to the microphone and interjected: “But he ain’t the highest paid!”
Oscar De La Hoya told the Canelo-driven crowd that he is convinced their hero will be victorious in the September showdown. So convinced, he said it twice–in English and in Spanish.
Floyd is the quintessential showman. Savvy in the ring, even savvier outside the ropes. First, he introduced his three children and mother sitting on stage saying it was the first time ever that his mom was present on the podium. He knows how to work a crowd like no other. Floyd also presented gifts to various individuals before finally saying what was on his mind. Not fazed by the huge vocal support for his freckled-faced nemesis, Mayweather managed to get some digs in of his own.
Acknowledging that the undefeated Canelo is a young and strong champ, Floyd (an eight-time, five-division world champion) pointed out that the 22-year-old (turning 23 on July 18) has yet to face the same level of opposition that Mayweather has during his own unbeaten career. “Mayweather loves Mexico,” Floyd stated. He then went on to say if anyone could point out 10 champs Alvarez has faced–or beat? Floyd then upped the ante by saying it’s Alvarez’s very first PPV other than fighting on the undercards of Mayweather fights.
“I’ve been sitting on top of the throne for 17 years,” Floyd reminded us. He concluded at the mic saying: “I’m young, I’m fly, I’m flashy, I’m rich. Damn, LIFE IS GOOD! See you September 14!”
And with that, the streamers rained down, the flashbulbs went off, the noisemakers echoed in the crowd.
All that was left was the official stare down. The face off between Mayweather and Canelo lingered. They both stopped to gesture to the roaring crowd before assuming the face-to-face once again. The pair had to finally be separated as their intense gaze punctuated the competitiveness between the two.
While the multi-city media tour is winding down, the boxing world will now gear up as their September feud nears. The hype and hyperbole will continue, only building to the worldwide buzz leading to this championship battle.
At the end of the fight, there will be only one winner. Which one?
The Money Team says it will be boxing’s biggest superstar Floyd. Canelo Nation says it will be the young red-haired idol.
“THE ONE” explodes on September 14. See who will be right!
PHOTOS BY MARLENE MARQUEZ
