Mayweather-Marquez LA Press Conference Rundown

Covered the Mayweather-Marquez LA presser in Downtown today. Had a great time so here's the rundown on what went down.

11:38 - Leave my house and head to Target first to pick up some fresh minidv tapes.

11:43 - I'm listening to ESPN radio as they are talking about the Nuggets-Lakers series. Some guy predicts the Lakers win in 5 which even to me seems a little far fetched. In Six sounds more like it!

12:16 - I'm circling the LA Downtown Library where the presser is taking place and I'm trying to find a cheap place to park. The Library parking structure charges a ridiculous rate so after 3 go arounds, I decided to park at this parking lot 2 blocks down for $12.

12:36 - I park and make my way to the restaurant for the media lunch in. On my way I see a bunch of high school kids and they for some reason begin rolling one of their friends down the hill on the sidewalk. LOL

12:42 - My good friend Brian Hardy who does video for Maxboxing arrives and we talk while we wait for them to start letting the media in. I find out Brian is from Kansas and has lived in more cities than I have apartments.

1:04 - They begin letting us in. The set up for the conference is awesome. Its out in the courtyard of the restaurant and a big tv screen is next to the stage playing video promos for the fight. Being surrounded by the tall downtown high rises makes for a beautiful backdrop but its hard to ignore the blistering sun.

1:10 - I find a seat and put down my backpack and the foam finger we received at the door. Its a Tecate foam finger for Marquez which they were also handing out yesterday at the Fan Rally for him. I wanted one yesterday and now I had one. The heat is unbearable so I find refuge by going inside to get some grub.

1:17 - Brian and I get our food and boy does it look good. Its buffet style and I got some fish and steak which turned out to be extremely delicious. Gabe Montoya arrives just as I slice into my steak.

1:25 - Gabe rejoins us with a plate of food and by this time, another aquaintance named Ron has also joined us. We enjoy our lunch and discuss the fight at length among other boxing talk. We are sitting in the courtyard covered by a canopy. I'm dreading having to be in the hot sun once the conference starts at 2.

1:52 - I decide to leave the cool confines of the shade and get my camera ready. The crowd doesn't seem extremely large (still a good turn out) and I'm assuming most fans decided to go to the fan rally yesterday since they didn't want to miss work. I'm already sweating and this thing hasn't even started.

2:08 - The press conference begins and a promo vid of Marquez is shown first. The crowd is pro Marquez as they break into "Marquez! Marquez!" chants and cheer when the narration of the video says Marquez should've got a W for both Pacquiao fights. Marquez is introduced and the crowd receives him with an ovation as he walks out.

Now a promo vid is shown for Money and its actually pretty damn good. He's then introduced and while he got some boos, he also got some cheers. He looks calm and collected as he makes his way to the stage and all partipants take their seats.

2:15-2:50ish - After sponsor Tecate and HBO speak, Roger is introduced and entertains the crowd. When introduced, we are reminded Roger once held the moniker "The Mexican Assassin" and the crowd quicky fires back with chants of "Chavez! Chavez" which is hilarious. He goes back and forth with them in a playful manner and it makes for some good fun. He insists all boxing greats come from the midwest and that is the reason Mayweather will win among other things.

Marquez is then introduced by Oscar (in spanish none the less) and Marquez addresses the crowd in English. I think he's trying to appeal to the english audience and he does a fairly good job. Marquez reminds everyone he does his talking in the ring and is working very hard to make sure he moves up in weight correctly.

Next its time for Mayweather who is much more low key than he was for the presser in Vegas. He makes sure to say he loves and appreciates all the Mexican fans and promises to put on a great show and deliver a victory. When someone in the crowd yells "Pacquiao" Mayweather responds with "yeah, he's a good fighter too".

2:51 - After the face off the fighters are ready to address the media. The faceoff is mild compared to the one in Vegas but it draws cheers from the crowd. Since I was able to interview Marquez yesterday, I can concentrate on Floyd only today. I'm the first in line for an interview but as always, network tv is given priority. 2 big body guards guard the stairs. These guys are insanely huge and I would not want to get them upset.

3:05 - I'm finally let on the stage to interview Floyd but I talk to Leonard Ellerbe first regarding the possibility of seeing Floyd train in Vegas. I get his contact info and then I'm told to get my questions in to Floyd so I excuse myself from him.

As many of you know I'm a HUGE Mayweather fan so this is something I've been waiting for. Mayweather is a great interview and he smiles when I tell him 24/7 is his baby but it soon dissapears when he tells me he's not a villian though he clearly is.

3:15 - I exit the stage and the crowd is going crazy trying to get Floyd's attention. They chant "Money! Money!" as Floyd at times has no choice but to acknowledge them in between interviews as he smiles and nods in approval. I'm still stoked being able to talk to Floyd and then I see my The Ring buddies and they inform me they are waiting on Oscar which is who I'm looking for to get an interview.

3:21 - Oscar comes down and has agreed to give them an interview since, well, he is an owner of the The Ring. I ask if he would grant me an interview to which he nods but I'm still not sold. Luckily once he finishes, other people try to get his attention but he says "Hold on, I promised him an interview so I'm going to do it". I'm pleased and get my interview. I'm killing it today. Oscar reassures me he's fully retired and being able to promote is a good alternative. He also tells me the key to victory for JMM is the jab and JMM knows that and will be giving him plenty of tips. I'm pleased and thank Oscar again for hooking a brotha up.

3:31 - After my interview with Oscar I go back outside and see my boy LBJ (Lil Big Johnny). He's trying to get his stuff signed by Floyd who is now surrounded by print media so I go over and get more coverage. Some good info and Floyd is challenged and asked why a fight with Shane isn't/didn't happen. Floyd states Shane has never been an A side but refuses to say anything negative about Shane aside from that.

The media is told to wrap it up as Floyd is now being bombarded with gloves, posters, magazines and even the prementioned foam fingers to sign. The crowd once again begins a "Money" chant and Floyd gets up and quickly makes his way to the eager fans who have been waiting for him. He signs and signs and tries to get everyone while the other side of the courtyard is still filled with fans waiting for him to make his way to their side. For all the shit people give Floyd, he is truly grateful for his fans and goes out of his way to accomodate them.

I help my boy LBJ's lil sis get a mag and glove signed and I tell Floyd he's still the #1 P4P to which he smiles and says he appreciates that.

3:44 - Floyd now begins making his way across the courtyard to get to the other fans. His PR people call Leonard Ellerbe over and let him know they need to go to ESPN and are already late but Floyd continues to sign stuff for fans. Leonard says just a little more and they'll leave.

3:58 - I see Roger Mayweather talking to some of the crowd and being interviewed. Now Roger is just hands down a fantastic interview. He's crude, blunt and intentionally and unintenitonally funny. When he answer a questions with "I don't give a fuck", you know he's given some great material.

He's annoyed by an interviewer and then I begin asking him questions. Its fun and at times I'm giggling so much the camera jolts. He reassures me there is no love lost between him and his nephew or Floyd Sr. When asked who the best trainer is, he says he is. When reminded his brother has claimed that title he says "I don't give a fuck what he says" LOL

4:15 - Floyd is wrapping it up and I ask Leonard where I can get one of those sick Mayweather Promotions hoodies which Ernie liked. Tells me they will be on sale on the Mayweather website. I remind him I'll be calling him soon and I wait by the exit to get one last view of Floyd who is finishing signing stuff.

4:19 - As the path is clear for Floyd's exit, I make my move and say "Floyd, I'm a huge fan its a great pleasure to finally meet you" and Floyd gives me a handshake and a hug with a pat behind the head. I'm exctatic. Perfect ending to my day.

4:25 - I walk my friend LBJ and his sisters to their car and on my way back I pass the courtyard and Roger is still there giving fans autographs and talking to them. I think he's the last one there as Floyd and company are long gone. I'm wondering if they forgot him or if he has his own ride back.

4:30 - I reach my car and I'm happy with my coverage and experience as I get on the 101 freeway and listen to Jay-z's "I Did It My Way".