It was only a few years back when it seemed as though the cold war between promotional firms Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions would bring boxing?s most intriguing match-ups to a standstill. Harsh words were exchanged between both companies and it seemed as though they?d never end up doing business with one another.
It was a rivalry in which neither company would budge or take a back step.
Things have definitely changed over the past couple years as the two companies have brought us some extremely intriguing match-ups such as the Pacquiao-Marquez rematch as well as the relatively interesting upcoming bout between Kelly ?The Ghost? Pavlik and Bernard ?The Executioner? Hopkins.
This past Saturday, Oscar De la Hoya & Manny Pacquiao made their press tour appearance in San Francisco, California. Luckily for the attendants as well as the participants, the rain from the prior day had subsided allowing for a relatively blunder free presser.
From the start it was quite evident that former bitter rivals Richard Schaefer (GBP) and Bob Arum (Top Rank) were both in jubilant moods as the dialogue between both camps lacked any maliciousness. Freddie Roach presented a toy rubber band gun stating that there was an issue with the ?trigger?.
It was obviously a ploy in good fun as De la Hoya kept his feathers unruffled from the comment.
Arum would go on to make statements in regards to hosting a bikini contest which would include the best of what Mexico and the Philippines have to offer. Obviously Arum would tout the island ladies as being hands down the best.
Schaefer would retort with similar sentiments touting Mexico as having the finest women on the planet.
There?s only one way to find out my friends? give me the phone numbers of all eight contestants and let me be the judge. Seriously? I?m fair but very firm.
In any case, Pacquiao would make reference to not remembering the story of the Alamo in response to a comment made by Oscar. The East Los Angeles native would then go on to close the show asking Manny not to make any excuses when he loses stating that he? ?Left his heart in San Francisco?.
Now is the time when things get rather strange.
Apparently Pacquiao had eaten too much greasy topsilog and then proceeded to use the nearest portable bathroom.
Did this stop his rabid fans from attempting to snap as many up-close and very personal pictures of their icon?
Not at all.
Whatever happened to the saying? when a man is on the shitter, leave him the hell alone.
Following the presser, Pacquiao quickly disperses leaving Oscar to deal with the crowd and sign autographs and take pictures for virtually all those in attendance.
Let me tell you BC readers something? if there?s a reason as to why ?The Golden Boy? is as popular and as famous as ever, it?s because of the way he treats his fans. I?ve yet to see or hear anyone for that matter that?s had a bad experience in dealing with the former U.S. Olympian. Take notes all aspiring superstars, it?s the fans that make or break you.
(The only issue regarding the press conference was that it was a bit difficult to locate. The originally announced location was Crissy Field. In general, this is considered somewhere between the Yacht Club and Fort Point. The actual event took place next to the Fort Mason Center. I know of numerous individuals that drove around looking for the presser only to show up when it was already over. In any case, the attendance was several hundred but should the Pacman ever comeback to SF for any sort of publicity conference, please contact me so that I may assist in providing a strategic, and most importantly, easy to find location.)
