Vegas Fight Week Atmosphere, A Boxing Fan’s Dream
Walking in a Vegas Winter Wonderland…
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Even if you won’t be at the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight live next week, if you are in Vegas, you’ll be in for a treat.
I was there in 2011 a few weeks before the Mayweather vs Ortiz fight and although it wasn’t fight week, the buzz around the place was amazing.
I spoke to many people over the years who were there the week Ricky Hatton fought Floyd Mayweather, Vegas locals still to this day can’t get the ringing sound of the drums and Hatton music bands out of their ears.
Fans from Britain and Ireland drunk the place dry that week.
I remember when we were there, we got to visit the Mayweather gym and meet and speak to lots of people including Floyd’s uncle and head trainer at the time Roger.
What an experience.
He gave me the typical boxing quiz that he’s known to do, of which I got the first two questions wrong, only to redeem myself by getting the last two right. What a chat and what a genuine dude.
The best compliment I’ve ever got, still to this day, came the next day when my friend went back to the gym without me (as I was feeling the worst for wear after a night out in Vegas) and Roger told him, “That boy knew his boxing”.
Out of all the career stuff I’ve been lucky enough to do and the fun things I’ve been blessed to have been involved with over the years, nothing will likely top that for me, as a boxing fan and now writer.
At the time, a friend of mine made enquiries before hand for us to get into the gym on the day and even then, we had to wait a while before we were allowed in.
We watched Floyd train for a good two hours and at one point he came literally three feet away from me while skipping in the same spot, staring me down. An odd experience but one I like to tell. He must of been thinking, “Who the hell is this Irish guy in my gym?”.
Nowadays, anyone can go to the gym and it has become a bit of a commercial experience, with packages been offered to tourists to visit Floyd’s gym and other well known combat sports gyms in the area.
Of course you’ll have the gambling, partying, pure oxygen been pumped out of the casinos, all you can eat buffets and plenty more to do in Vegas, but if your a boxing fan it’s probably the capital of our sport in the world. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little jealous of those who will be sampling that electrifying fight week atmosphere next week!
For Mayweather vs Pacquiao, it will likely be an atmosphere that the city has never seen. For boxing fans looking to experience the sport at it’s best and meet fellow fight fans, boxers and be around the ultimate boxing experience next, it is hard to see how you can get any better than next week.
There’ll be big name fighters walking around the casinos, excitement in the air, palpable anticipation, debate between fans, big bets being laid down, an almost Disney land type place for adults if you will, accentuated by an unforgettable experience for boxing fans.
Yeah, next week will be fairly special. If you are making the trip to Las Vegas next week enjoy it – you won’t be disappointed.
This boxing writer for one hopes to get back over there soon, a truly magical place.
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