I can tick off a bucket-list item now I’ve covered a live boxing show in Mexico.
I’ve not worked out how many countries I’ve watched boxing in, but it’s a few, that’s for sure. And while we’re at it, I can cross off another continent.
Tonight, at the GPN Arena near Acapulco, Guerrero, there was a WBC strawweight fight, won by decent Camila Ecinas, who decisioned Brenda Martinez over 10 rounds.
Ecinas was better throughout, landing a good variety of shots on Martinez as she ploughed forward with far more courage than skill.
That had followed a two-round stoppage win for the controversial Luis Nery, who was too good for Francisco Rubio, who was getting pieced up.
I actually arrived unwittingly at the venue with Team Nery and, while it was kind of charming, it was a far cry from when I’d last seen Nery, at the Tokyo Dome in his Fight of the Year contender with Naoya Inoue.
Actually, the last time I’d seen Nery, he was in the lobby of the Tokyo Dome Hotel signing autographs and taking pictures with throngs of Japanese fans. He then excused himself to go to his room to get his fight kit, before signing it all and giving it away.
That fight was said to be in front of around 50,000.
Here in Mexico, I’d be surprised if there were 2,000. Though, for what seemed like an impromptu arena set-up in a car park, it felt busier than the Copper Box for a Zuffa event.
To set the scene, there were palm trees glowing red from the ring lights as night fell. It was hot, with only an occasional breeze providing any respite, and there was a strong smell of popcorn as vendors distributed what seemed to be free cups of it.
Former light-heavyweight champion Jean Pascal, looking well, was sat in front of me with his family, and the venue had been set up alongside the 11,000-or-so-seat arena where they stage ATP tennis tournaments, wrestling events and concerts.
A few remaining fighters from the WBC Convention were on hand, including Pitbull Cruz, Cristian Mijares, Jose Luis Castillo, Sandor Martin, Michael Carbajal, Humberto Gonzalez, Daniel Zaragoza, Erik Morales, Juan Laporte, Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr and Chavez Snr.
I honestly feel like I saw Chavez Jnr pose for in excess of 100 selfies. Every time he sat down, he was tapped on the shoulder and up again to take more pictures. He and his father received the loudest ovations when their names were read out by the announcer as the champions gathered in the ring to receive their applause.
I admit, it’s been a long week and I was flagging during the main event. The heat didn’t help. I yawned a couple of times.
There was a standout KO on the undercard when a vicious left hook from Jonathan Fierro blitzed Sergio Sosa in 19 seconds. There were worrying moments in the ring afterwards, but fortunately Sosa left the ring under his own steam.
And the show was charming, really, aside from fans trying to record Sosa on their phones while he was clearly in distress.
The organisers used two blasts on a whistle for clackers (with 10 seconds left in the round) and a they banged a tinny, cowbell-sounding instrument – which I believe was an upturned metal dog bowl – to signal the end of a session.
Liverpool referee Mark Lyson was out here for the convention and they asked him to handle the Nery fight. We spoke yesterday and he said he was doing it for free and was happy to tick Mexico off his list, too.
And so that brings an end to days three and four of the Convention. There is a notebook for subscribers below with news, whispers and rumours, but I hope you’ve enjoyed the coverage from here in Mexico. I don’t fly back until later tomorrow, so who knows if there’s time to add to the haul of interviews before I leave?
