Michael J. Fox, ‘Sir’ Charles hit the scene at Canelo-GGG
September 16, 2017 - 11:26 pm
The Kats! Bureau is setting an all-time altitude record (nonairline division) tonight at T-Mobile Arena. We are upstairs, folks, just next to Hyde Nightclub while Canelo Alvarez and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin swat it out, looking like a pair of performing fleas as they fought to a draw.
Great video screen, though, which shows every mouse and abrasion.
Celebs aplenty at T-Mobile tonight: Jamie Foxx, Dave Chappelle, Magic Johnson, Michael Strahan, “Sir” Charles Barkley, Tracy Morgan, Michael J. Fox, George Lopez, Miguel Cotto, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Though announced from the ring by Michael Buffer, and drawing a massive response, Tyson was not in attendance. He was actually at home after a long memorabilia signing appearance earlier in the day.
More from around the ring, and beyond:
Filled to a T
The event was a clean sellout, 22,358, the largest arena fight ever in Nevada. The largest outdoor attendance — as far as we can find — in the state was the 24,790 for Muhammad Ali-Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace’s outdoor pavilion on June 17, 1980. The Sugar Ray Leonard-Thomas Hearns fight at the same facility in 1981 drew 23,618.
Canelo and GGG are both huge draws of course, but many of the late buys from broker websites were for tickets below face value. This was particularly evident for the higher-priced tickets. Many in the $5,000 range were snapped up for $2,000 and lower. Those in the $1,500 were caught for around $1,100.
Hublot invests
Hublot watch company has become a major player in the boxing game. The company was able to pay Floyd Mayweather enough to doff his ever-present TMT cap after his victory over Conor McGregor on Aug. 26.
“They had to pay me a lot to wear this hat,” was Mayweather’s post-fight comment. Saturday, “GGG” wore “Hublot” logos on the front and back of his trunks.
Forum Shops Floyd
Floyd Mayweather was not spotted Saturday at T-Mobile, spending much of the night posting video updates on Instagram for his Girl Collection adult club (or, someone on his behalf was posting).
Friday night, Mayweather touched off a fan frenzy at the Forum Shops at Caesars. He spend considerable time at the Versace store, where the gold patent-leather shoes are killer. They retail for $750. Yes, we shop, too.
Byrd flies solo
Adalaide Byrd scored the fight 118-110, a far more lopsided verdict than registered by fellow judges Dave Moretti (who had it 115-113 for GGG) and Don Trella (who scored it 114-114, a draw). Buffer announced Byrd’s score first, and the crowd howled back.
Byrd is the wife of World Boxing Hall of Fame referee and judge Robert Byrd, who just refereed the Mayweather-McGregor bout on Aug. 26.
Adalaide Byrd has reportedly said she never gives a 10-10 round, feeling it is the judges’ responsibility to arrive at a winner in each round.
In 2012, Byrd’s scoring also ran counter to her colleagues in the Brandon Rios-Richard Abril WBA World Lightweight title bout. She had Abril winning 117-111; Jerry Roth scored it 116-112, and Glenn Trowbridge had it 115-113, both for Rios, who won a split decision.
Golovkin’s first comment at the post-fight news conference in the ring: “It’s unfortunate that one of the judges seemed to have her card filled out before the fight.” The post-fight presser was dominated by questions to Nevada Athletic Commission Executive Director Bob Bennett, who said, “Adalaide had a bad night. Everyone here has probably had a bad night at their jobs.” And from Golden Boy Promotions founder Oscar De La Hoya, telling the assembled media, “I’m as shocked as you guys are.”
Don’t be surprised to see an inquiry into Byrd’s scoring. Not the way to close what was otherwise a great night, and a great fight.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.