Post Card From Atlantic City - Day of the Fight
29-Apr-08 07:22
I arrived at Boardwalk Hall at 4:30pm to pick up my Cotto-Gomez press credentials. The ladies behind the desk instructed us to form two lines: A-M and N-Z. It was kind of tough to act cool and collected when I could hear my own heart beating. I then recognized Marc Abrams, who I first met a month earlier at Philadelphia’s Legendary Blue Horizon. Marc handles the press releases for fight cards at the Blue, as well as for IBF Cruiserweight Champ Steve "USS" Cunningham. Seeing a friendly face helped me to feel at ease, and when I was told I could expect a nice food spread when we got inside I felt at home.
A few minutes later, Marc was on his way inside, while I seemed to be standing in the exact same spot. And I thought my mutant ability to always be in the slowest moving line only applied to grocery stores and banks. I now started to notice a gathering of people to my left. These were the guys that didn’t find their passes waiting for them, and were asked to step aside until the master list came down. I immediately opened my personal odds that I would be joining them at 3-1.
"Your name Sir?", I was asked. "Jason Pribila...secondsout.com" I replied, with a high pitched, almost feminine voice that I usually only reserve for waitresses. N thru Z once, N thru Z twice... "Would you like me to stand over there?" I offered. "No. Wait a minute... there you are!" There I AM!!
My hands were shaking as I was emptying my pockets in order to get through the metal detectors. I almost hugged the attendant until I realized that he was patting me down. At this moment I felt like Willy Mays-Hayes when he realized he made the Indians roster in the movie "Major League" (only without the smooth footwork).
I gathered my things and charged through the door into an.... empty hallway. I tried to make calls but couldn’t get any cell phone reception. I noticed a sign that said, "Press Room"....and it was locked. I didn’t care. I had a Ringside Press Pass for a championship fight.
I circled around the lower level a few times and came to another room labeled "Press", but I only saw two guys on their PC’s. No signs of Chafing Dishes, cold cuts, or even chocolate fondue. When I found my way back to the metal detector I figured it was probably a good time to slowly move toward the exit.
It was now time to find my friends, check into our room at the Tropicana, and of course, make some phone calls!
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