GELO PUT MORE HYPE TO ALREADY COLORFUL EVENT
By Rod Mijares
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 06 Dec 2008
As if not enough has been done already to promote ?The Dream Match? between boxing icons Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao, Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank promotions left no stone unturned by inviting American and Latino famous TV and on stage comedian George Lopez to assist Michael Buffer in the official weigh-in event of the fight at MGM Grand Arena on Friday, December 05, 2008.
The MGM Grand Arena was filled to capacity of various nationalities but mostly Latinos and Filipinos during the official weigh-in which is an indication of a successful event come Saturday night on December 6, 2008. George Lopez provided more noise and laughter from the crowd as he animated them to make the Arena like a ground zero with more noise and more noise which the attendance responded.
Gelo was eliciting laughter with his one liners and jokes mostly about the Latinos and the Filipinos. At one point he told one of the boxers, ?don?t be wearing overalls in the ring tomorrow.? He was challenging Bob Arum, ?Bob, let?s see what you?ve got.? ?Last Monday, a statue of Oscar De La Hoya was unveiled in East Los Angeles. Today at 5:00 p.m. in Las Vegas, another statue will be unveiled in front of El Pollo Loco, a chicken upside down.? ?It?s amazing how the Filipinos have the same height.? George said in contagious laughter.
?Today we have a new president. If Obama is here in this time of recession, if he will ask you if you will watch the fight at MGM, tell him Yes, you can. If you are going to watch the fight at HBO pay-per-view, tell him Yes, you can,? ?Don?t buy gifts but buy tickets or HBO pay-per-view.? George imbued the crowd as he from time to time from almost beginning to end, asking the crowd to watch the fight either live at MGM Grand Arena, HBO pay-per-view or closed circuit telecast available at most of the casinos.
Michael Buffer and George Lopez alternately introduced legendary trainer, Angelo Dundee and boxing icons Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins who were there to support Oscar De La Hoya and each one gave encouraging speech. Hopkins said when introduced, ?first I would like to say Oscar will win this fight.? This remark was greeted with boos and the Philippine flag banners rising up from the Filipino fans drowning whatever Hopkins was trying to say more.
When the noise died down he continued, ?seriously, I want everybody to enjoy the greatest fight and I predicted that Oscar De La Hoya will knock out Manny Pacquiao. If you have a problem with that, see me outside.? George Lopez as if getting the cue with his quick wits, pointed at the man in the green jacket among the crowd to see Hopkins outside, to the enjoyment of the fans.
George Lopez introduced Manny Pacquiao as the best pound for pound fighter in the world. Then, he asked Oscar?s camp how many world titles Oscar De La Hoya has and was informed that Oscar has 10 world titles in 6 weight classes. George said, ?Mexican called it ?repeat offenders.?
Filipino actor Richard Guttierez, alongwith his brother Raymond, parents Eddie Guttierez and Annabelle Rama were also there to witness the event. When this reporter asked what is his prediction, ?Manny will be raining bombs on Oscar De La Hoya.? Mexican Oscar Larios when I approached told me that its Oscar De La Hoya with apology that he can not speak English.
Victor Ortiz (22-1, 17 KO) of Oxnard, California who will be defending his WBO NABO junior welterweight title in one of the undercards weighed 140 pounds and so with his opponent, Jeffrey Resto (22-2, 13 KO) of Bronx, New York.
Puerto Rican Juan Manuel Lopez (23-0, 21 KO) comes in at 122 pounds to defend his WBO junior featherweight title against Sergio Medina (33-1, 18 KO) of Argentina who weighed the same.
Philippine Richie Mepranum of Sarangani came in at 113 pounds against his opponent Cesar Lopez of El Paso, Texas who weighed 114 pounds in a junior bantamweight swing bout in either 6 or 8 rounds.
Manny ?Pac Man? Pacquaio weighs 142 pounds while Oscar weigh-in at 145 pounds. Way too light for the 147 pounds as agreed upon by both parties. The two are ready to ramble.
?The Dream Match? is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Inc., presented by Tequila Cazadores and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate DeWalt Tools, Full Throttle Energy Drink and Southwest Airlines. The fight will be produced and distributed live by HBO pay-per-view beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Top photo: Comedian George Lopez (L) mimics the stick routine on Pacquiao's stomach as Promoter Bob Arum (R) and trainer Buboy Fernandez look on during Friday's weighin ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Photo by Dr Ed de la Vega.
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