Amir Khan v Lamont Peterson ~ Capital Showdown Press Conference

For boxing fans out there in the DC area, I have some good news for you.  Yesterday's press conference between Amir Kahn (26-1) and Lamont Peterson (29-1-1) was a sight to see (i.e. standing room only for fans and late arrivers) in the DC area.  Representatives from Golden Boy, HBO Boxing, Events DC, and both players' camps spoke at the event. 

Especially since this was a local event for both of us, I should've expected to see ESPN's Dan Rafael, but was still surprised to see him again.  He and I had met and talked on the plane back from Dallas, after the Antonio Margarito v Manny Pacquiao fight.  He told me that I'd be hooked after the fight, and he was right!  Since Margarito v Pacquiao I've seen Sergio Martinez knock out Paul Williams, and Pacquiao defeat Shane Mosley.  But I digress...

Seeing as that Peterson is from DC, he definitely had hometown advantage...  Further, since the fight is being held in DC against Khan, who is currently the unified WBA Super and IBF Light Welterweight Champion, a joke was made that it was "gangster" of Khan to come to DC to fight Peterson in his own house.

It was a packed house at the W Hotel, as media and fans came out to watch the press conference. The Capital Showdown will occur at the DC Convention Center on December 10, 2011. It's the first time in 18 years that HBO has come to DC showcase boxing.

I will admit right now that I'll take Khan in this fight.  He's trained by Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza.  Both Freddie and Alex are in the Philippines (i.e. or on their way back from the Philippines), where they were training Manny Pacquiao, so they weren't in attendance for yesterday's event.

Fans of Khan and Peterson should follow them on Twitter since both more or less invited their fans to come on out and support them at the presser. 

Below are their Twitter details:

Khan: @amirkingkhan

Peterson: @kingpete26

Approximately 12,000 tickets will be sold for the Capital Showdown.  In consideration to the fans, it's expected that the the lowest price point is expected to be $25 for the event. 

For you heavyweight fans out there Seth Mitchell (23-0-1), from Maryland will also fight on the undercard.

People say that boxing is dead, but judging from the buzz around yesterday's events ~ boxing isn't dead in DC... 

THE WIRK

Margarito and accusations of cheating ~ Ephedra and Hydroxycut talk

I went out tonight to catch up with a bunch of friends and get their reactions to the Antonio Margarito v Manny Pacquiao fight.  A few of them started talking about Ephedra and Hydroxycut.  That reminded me of the Tweet that I saw before the fight about Margarito (i.e something about not being able to last through 3 anthems and a Nelly concert, even with Ephedra and a pill).  Huh?!!?  Since I was at the fight, this was all news to me.

From what I can piece together, evidently someone in Pacquiao's camp saw something and/or was alerted of something that looked suspicious.  I have no idea what happened pre-fight, with regard to the accusations, but I do know that Freddie Roach watched as Margarito's hands were wrapped.  I know because they showed it on the screen...

Is it just me, or does it seem like controversy follows the Margarito (i.e. or should I say, Margacheato) camp?  Maybe, it was "Just a Dream" (i.e. insert Nelly reference)...

Here's a pic of Nelly from the screen from the night of the fight.  He was on the opposite side of the floor.  Whoever the genius was, that decided not to raise the small stage, made a mistake.

Back to boxing...  Whatever the case may be, Margarito lost by unanimous decision and has a broken orbital bone...  Ouch!

THE WIRK

In Dallas, I met Freddie Roach ~ Before the Margarito v Pacquiao fight

I am in Dallas for the Margarito v Pacquiao fight tonight.  After getting swooped at the airport by family, I mentioned to my cousin that the Gaylord Texan was hosting both the Margarito and the Pacquiao camps.  Therefore, for breakfast/lunch, my cousin and his family took me to the Gaylord.  

As soon as we entered the Gaylord, you could see all the Filipino fans taking pictures in front of the Manny Pacqiuao bus.  ****  Only when I left did I notice that there was a Margarito bus parked right next to it.  It's days like this that I wish I spoke or at least understood Tagalog.  I also wish I had some Pacquiao gear, but I think I can rectify that situation tonight.

While waiting for a table at the Riverwalk Cantina, I noticed Freddie Roach walking down the steps towards the restaurant.  Yep, that's my life...  Right place at the right time.

After signing a poster and a glove for a fan, Freddie stopped and I was able to get a picture with him.  

Freddie Roach and I

Later on, during lunch Alex Ariza (i.e. Manny Pacquiao's Strength and Conditioning Coach) came down to the restaurant.

To be honest, the Gaylord Texan seemed to be a place for all the Pacquiao fans to get together.  It was a quiet scene, and even though I saw one Mexican flag, you could tell there were more Pacman supporters "in the house".
It's going to be a good one tonight!

**** Right before the fight, my mom sent me a text. She told me that the flag I posted was a Philippine flag and not a Mexican one. I KNOW THAT. That was my point. But just to clarify, there were more Philippine flags... I only saw one Mexican flag.


THE WIRK

Video: Margarito's camp mocking Freddie Roach's Parkinson's is terrible...

****  I looked and the video I posted originally is no longer available due to a copywright claim by ESNews...  OK, here's a link to the video that I found in an article from Lem Satterfield on Boxing Fanhouse:  http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/11/10/freddie-roach-angered-by-video-mocking-his-parkinsons-disease/  As of now, this link is active.

I saw this video on my Twitter feed and had to create a quick post.  Have you seen this video of Antonio Margarito and his camp making fun of Freddie Roach's Parkinson's disease?  The camp also makes light of Margarito's hand wrap scandal.

One word: TERRIBLE.

I hope Manny Pacquiao destroys Margarito in the ring on Saturday at the new Cowboys Stadium.  I'll be watching....


THE WIRK