This past weekend Las Vegas was host the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 showcase. Loyal fans from all parts of the globe made their visits to be a part of the festivities, which included a packed weigh in, a ten-bout line up of fights featuring some credible champions and contenders, and a guest visit from Manny Pacquiao.
For those watching and in attendance Pinoy Power 3 may have been a nice change of pace but for photographer Chris Farina it seemed to be business as usual. Working for Top Rank Promotions, the world’s leading boxing entity, Farina’s life consists of heavy traveling, much interaction with some of the sport’s biggest names, and the understanding that he must be willing to adapt to any and all situations.
Working over twenty years in the industry, Farina has seen just about any event you can imagine and could be forgiven for losing track of some occurrences. Still, when reflecting back this past weekend the Las Vegas resident is quick to point out that it was another solid event. The card was headlined by interim WBA Super Flyweight champion Nonito Donaire and Farina speaks fondly of the Bohol native.
“It was a good week,” Farina states. “We had a lot fans come out for the events. They really followed Nonito. He’s starting to build up quite a following. I’ve been around Nonito since we signed him. He’s just easy to work with. He’s a fun guy but then he is serious on the other hand. He understands that he is part showman. He does understand that and it’s about selling yourself. Whatever he is out there doing with the fans and the media I think he truly enjoys it.”
The first thing Farina must do as a photographer is to make sure that all of his equipment is working but after that it can be somewhat of a crap shoot, as the world of boxing has been known for the unexpected. One of the biggest surprises this past weekend was the massive turnout for the event’s weigh-in, which was far bigger than many imagined.
“Usually I’m the first one there,” Farina says of his duties the day before the fights. “When I got there this time, about two hours before, there was a crowd already sitting down. That was kind of a surprise. It just shows you that people were following Nonito. By the time the weigh-in ended the theatre we were in was completely packed. I just set up the best angle for myself and I worked around it. You always get excited about the next day. The weigh-in leads the excitement over to the next day.”
When Pinoy Power and Latin Fury finally hit everyone was treated to a stacked line up of fights featuring seasoned veterans, multi-talented champions, undefeated contenders, and rising prospects. Outside of any noticeable mega-fights the card had just about everything you could want from an event but for Farina it was just another day at the office.
“There were just a lot of fights,” Farina recalls. “I thought they were all pretty good. For me it was just a lot of rounds of boxing. Almost 80 rounds. I was just concentrating on getting my shots, getting pictures transmitted on deadline and I will probably have to go back and watch the fights again to be honest. I have to dodge the sweat and the blood, that’s what I notice. I’m used to that and it’s no big deal.”
Farina’s job may be like habit by now but that doesn’t change the fact that he is always pressed for time in some form when going about his work. After almost every fight Farina finds himself up against a race with time as he hurries to submit his best material for the world to see.
“Right after the last bell has sounded I am underneath the ring with my computer editing the first shot I can get out,” Farina claims. “I try to transmit it as soon as possible, within the next five minutes. I need to get out a photo to beat out a deadline and I try to get one out, whether it is a victory shot or an action shot. When we go to TV they cram one fight after another and it’s real hard to meet those deadlines as far as after each fight. I do the best I can.”
Meeting those specific deadlines isn’t always easy and while Farina often has help he claims he typically likes to do everything himself. Whether covering a club show or a sold out showdown at the MGM Grand, Farina always tends to make his ringside space all of his own and his rituals rarely change.
“Sometimes I have an assistant but sometimes I like to do it by myself,” he notes. “I’m all set up and I have my own little office down there. I call it ‘the bunker’. I’m in my own little bunker and I have my little set up which includes my desk, my computer, and my equipment. I’m just ready to go and rock and roll.”
Anyone looking to have success in the sport of boxing is going to find themselves working tirelessly and always on the go. Farina’s job typifies this fact but he still has time to slow down and recognize how fortunate of a position he is in.
“I’ve been living a dream for twenty years now. I have the best job in boxing and I can’t believe I get to this everyday, day in and day out.”
For the past twenty years Top Rank photographer Chris Farina has been capturing the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Erik Morales, Mike Tyson, Miguel Cotto, Kelly Pavlik, and several other boxing luminaries. To see his exclusive photos throughout the years please check out the slideshow below…
