There are times when press conferences have attention taken away from the actual participants in fighters. Promoters, trainers, or members of entourages seem to garnish attention with antics, statements, or interesting attire.
Don King, Steve “Crocodile” Fitch, and Floyd Mayweather’s brash and growing entourage have certainly given the media lots to write or comment on over the years.
However, Monday’s press conference featuring David Diaz and Mann Pacquiao at the end of the Santa Monica Pier had people scratching their heads. There was no trash-talking. No fighting. No crazy antics.
Instead, a goat wearing a Cubs hat stood on a table, garnishing all the attention from media and curious onlookers and fight fans who were quick to snap photos with camera phones.
Diaz, the WBC Lightweight champion who will defend his title against Pacquiao on Saturday night in Las Vegas, is proud to represent his hometown of Chicago and all that relates to the city. One of his favorite teams, the Cubs, are currently leading the National League with the best overall record and hoping to reach the World Series.
However, it is no secret that the Cubs have not been to a World Series in over 60 years and have not won it all since 1908. Many superstitious Cubs fans trace part of the reason of not winning a World Series because of the Curse of Billy the Goat.
At the press conference, Top Rank publicist Bill Caplan read the history behind the curse, as a goat and its owner were ejected from Game 4 of the 1945 World Series in Chicago’s Wrigley Field because of the smell coming from the goat. Angry over the ejection, the owner placed a curse over the Cubs to never play in a World Series.
As Caplan read the history of the Curse and made references to Diaz, the goat stood in front of Diaz on a table. Inadvertently, Diaz stood up from the dais and walked inside the Mariasol Mexican restaurant, located at the Santa Monica pier, probably because of the impact the curse may have had on him.
However, Diaz knows that it will be on him and Pacquiao inside the ring at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Diaz knows and respects the accomplishments of Pacquiao and is up to the challenge.
“This is going to be a great fight between myself and Manny,” said Diaz, who is coming off a 10 round non-title victory over Ramon Montano in March. “We trained really hard for this fight. I thank God for the opportunity in defending my title.”
Never one to speak in length, Pacquiao was brief with his comments.
“This is going to be a good fight between me and David Diaz. I will do my best to win he fight. I will let everyone know who the best is.”
For Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, a lot will be riding for both fighters. Arum stated that both fighters have a lot at stake inside and outside of the ring.
“What is at stake is more than just boxing. Manny will attempt to win a fourth world title in a different weight class. David will attempt to defend his title for his beloved Chicago and the Cubs.”
“It is not going to be an easy fight,” continued the Hall of Fame promoter. “This is going to be a great fight.”
—————————
The “Lethal Combination” card will be televised on HBO Pay Per View and will begin airing at 9PM ET/ 6PM PT. The card will be promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions.
The card will also showcase Steven Luevano defending his WBO Featherweight title against Mario Santiago and Humberto Soto and Francisco Lorenzo vying for the interim WBC Super Featherweight championship. Heavyweight Tye Fields will take on Monte Barrett in a 10 round bout.
