Postcard From Atlantic City - The Tropicana
21-Apr-08 18:54
I’d never try to downplay the honor of covering a professional fight, but I couldn’t help but feel like I was going to a rehearsal dinner for a wedding. Not everyone was in town yet, but the intimate setting could provide as many fond memories.
Very soon I realized that this "rehearsal" would be one to remember. Top Rank’s Lee Samuels directed me to my spot at Ringside. I got to sit right in front of HBO’s Howard Lederman, and Bob Arum, himself. Now if I only knew anyone with Telefutura, I could find out if the camera really adds 10 lbs.
The opening bout featured Henry Bruseles against Ben Tackie. To me this was an easy fight to score. Tackie continued to stalk Bruseles, only to walk into right jabs, and left crosses. I was surprised by the split decision scorecard, and even more surprised by Bruseles admitting that the fight was much tougher than it appeared.
Some of the conversations at Ringside recalled the snowstorm that hit the East Coast the last time that Bruseles lost (2005) to one Floyd Mayweather Jr. I remember that fight because "Pretty Boy" overheard a Jim Lampley discussion and predicted the Pats would beat my Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.... in the middle of a round!
The main event between, Jesus Soto-Karass and Chris "The Mechanic" Smith was a great fight. I just wish that one could capture the moment when two fighters realize that they can’t win or lose with a single shot, so they instead choose to win by simply out-working their opponent. That confidence and determination should be available in pill form!
As entertaining as the bout was, it was nothing compared to the joy of sitting in front of Lederman during the fight. I met Mr. Lederman after the Gatti-Baldomir fight, and told him he needed to copyright the "OK, Jim" phrase, and he could retire on the T-shirt sales. I would even stand in line for the hard to find, "OK, Fran" Tee.
Despite many great exchanges taking place in front of me, the best one took place behind me between Howard and ring announcer Lupe Contreras. While discussing how laid back the crowd was, they recalled fight cards that used to take place in El Paso, where the ring was surrounded with barbed wire. I can’t imagine that too many combatants let their fates lie in the hands of judges. Great stuff!
After the televised portion of the show concluded, I stuck around to see Jason Cintron improve to 8-0 (2 KOs) by scoring a 3rd round stoppage of Gustavo Meija. Cintron was impressive, but for the amount of shots he landed on Meija’s chin, its clear that he doesn’t have the same pop that big brother Kermit possesses.
I was now off to find "Fun" Bob, who earlier sent me a text message from the dance floor at the Hilton. Hopefully I won’t miss his patented back spin!
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