Eight-Time, Five-Division World
Champion boxer Floyd 'Money' Mayweather stopped through Washington DC yesterday
to promote his September 14th SHOWTIME Pay Per View fight against
Mexico’s Canelo Alverez.
Mayweather has always had the support of DC fight fans, and
yesterday was no exception.
Said Floyd, "D.C. is a fight
town. It's been so kind to me in my career. The fans have supported
me here since I turned pro and today's turnout was nothing different.”
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| Mayweather and Canelo square off during presser at Howard Theatre. Photos/CD Brown. |
But, just like his opponents in the ring, Mayweather faced some
competition from the fans of Super Welterweight World
Champion Canelo Alverez during yesterday’s presser at the historic Lincoln Theatre.
Resounding shouts of Canelo!, Canelo!, Canelo permeated the
newly restored theatre as fight fans became restless waiting for nearly two
hours after the 1 pm scheduled appearance of the two fighters.
Videos of both fighters blared on wide screen monitors
asking ‘Who Is The One’?
The last time Mayweather did a promo tour in DC was in 2010 at the
historic Lincoln Theater on U Street when his opponent was ‘Sugar’ Shane Moseley and the catch
phrase was ‘Who R U Picking’?
Mayweather went on to win over Mosley in a contest that saw
little excitement, leaving fans glad for the Mayweather win, but disappointed
that there were no significant knock downs or a knockout punch.
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| Canelo Alverez addresses fans during Tuesday fight promo tour in DC. Photos/CD Brown. |
Yesterday’s presser was significantly hyped by a Latino DJ who served as the event’s ‘hype man’ and 'master of ceremony' of sorts, who went around the room selecting more Latino audience members to ask who they were proclaiming who would be the victor of the September 14th match up than he did African American audience members, in a city where boxing has seen its ups and downs as it continues to struggle to be billed as a destination fight town.
Still, Mayweather supporters came out in droves and chanted TMT! (Mayweather's acronym for ‘The Money Team’), and Hard Work! Dedication!, a mantra that has sealed the fighter as the most winning boxer in his weight class, pound-for-pound, and the highest paid athlete of all time, in any sport, ever.
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| Mayweather signs autograph for fan. Photo/CD Brown. |
Even after the presser had ended Mayweather stayed for over
an hour inside the theatre making sure he signed autographs for each fan who
wanted one.
“I want Canelo to
win, but I know Floyd will win the fight” said ‘Melissa’, a Latino attendee, who
waited outside of the Howard Theatre for a closer glimpse of both Canelo and Mayweather
and a chance for an autograph.
Canelo, too, wants the win.
Saying during the presser (in Spanish) about the excitement surrounding the match, "Everything
is different...big name, clever fighter. It's the best fighter, the best
venue, the best network. Austin
Trout was a good fighter, but this is different. You can see with
everyone here with the fans and the media. It's not just a fight, but a
big event.”
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| Fans and media surround Mayweather outside the Howard Theatre. Photo CD Brown. |
Canelo, who stopped briefly outside the theater to pose for
fight fans and sign autographs, before jetting off in a black SUV, also signed
fan autographs inside the venue.
Canelo is known for his hard punching, knock out brand of
boxing; Mayweather for his quickness and precision style punches.
Fans will get a chance to see if Mayweather can withstand
Canelo’s punches and if Mayweather will continue his reign as the top billing
for fighters in his weight class.
The promo tour continues through several US cities,
including Grand Rapids and Miami, leading up to the highly anticipated 12-round fight for Canelo's WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine
Super Welterweight World Championship and Mayweather's WBA Super Welterweight
Super World Championship at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Who is the one you are choosing?
*[Side bar: DC is still waiting for the multi-millionaire to show support for the city who has supported him. How many educational, community and social programs could the Money Man help support? I’m just saying. After all, the dude did just wager $5m on the NBA playoffs in favor of the Miami Heat].
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Seen at the presser were Seth 'Mayhem' Mitchell and recently turned pro fighter, Dusty Hernandez-Harrison, both DC area fighters coming off impressive wins recently.
Said Hernandez, "I can't wait to have a day like this for me."
Update*** Fight officially SOLD OUT (in less than 24 hours).
*[Side bar: DC is still waiting for the multi-millionaire to show support for the city who has supported him. How many educational, community and social programs could the Money Man help support? I’m just saying. After all, the dude did just wager $5m on the NBA playoffs in favor of the Miami Heat].
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