02.11.06 – by James Slater: The “Pretty Risky” Mayweather vs Baldomir press conference began as any other big fight media gathering. The main dignitories all got up and had their few minutes at the microphone, introduced by the fight’s promoter Dan Goosen, a number of sponsors said a few words. As did Marc Ratner’s replacement as head of the Nevada State Athletic commission. Then it was the fighter’s turns to speak – the real reason we were all assembled, of course.
First up, it was the soft-spoken, yet hard punching, welterweight sensation Paul “The Punisher” Williams. Saying only a handful of words the reserved Williams said only that he was focused and prepared to do his job yet again. He fights an eight rounder on the undercard, and should he do as expected and emerge victorious he will remain the number one contender to WBO champ Antonio Margarito – a guy Williams seems desperate to fight.
Next up, Robert Guerro, the IBF featherweight champ and his challenger, Orlando Salido (through his interpretor) spoke. Both sounded confident, yet again had comparatively little to say. Then the two big guys held the mike.
Carlos Baldomir, again through an interpretor, spoke of how much stronger he would be and how he would show who had “the bigger balls”, he or Floyd. He also wished to express how he had been misquoted by Dan earlier, when it was said he’d made the remark that both of Mayweather’s eyes would be closed by round 4. Despite his good intentions , however, Carlos was met with some boos, and more derision. It was clear, as expected, that Floyd had the far greater number of admirers in attendance. Then the fireworks started..
With Floyd’s trainer, Leonard Ellerbe predicting a virtual no-contest for his man, a bottle of water was hurled at his face by Baldomir’s coach. It was a direct hit and Ellerbe was soaked! Without a second’s thought, Floyd retaliated with another bottle. Security was then called for and a near scuffle broke out. The fun was short and sweet , however, as Floyd, showing
character, graciously shook Carlos’ hand in the middle of his short and confident speech. Nevertheless, there does appear to be some bad blood between the two camps, if not between the two boxers, then certainly between their trainers.
Dan Goosen then had the last word, an apt one, when he said we should all be looking forward to a great fight on November 4th. “Pretty Risky,” he said, “Pretty Damn Risky! and wet!”
The fight is a near sell-out by the way, with over 10,000 tickets currently sold.