It was the 1st time I went to see a big fight live, and I snapped some good pics I thought I'd share...

This is the ring being constructed the Thursday before the fight.
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/RingSetup.JPG>
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/RingSetup2.JPG>

This is when I was asking Buddy McGirt about how Gatti was going
to beat Mayweather. (He told me it was G14 Classified)
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/Buddy.JPG>

Freddy Roach telling me that he's sure JT is going to rid us all of Ruiz
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/Roach.JPG>

The weigh in:

(Look at Morales looking at Manny in the background)
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/Weighin5.JPG>
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/Weighin6.JPG>

(Some of the pics are fuzzy beacause it's captured from Live Video)

Wow these are some awesome pictures. Are you a journalist or something how did you get backstage :D I will go see Toney vs Ruiz, hopefully it will live up to the hype. Once again, awesome pictures.

Meeting Roy Jones in the Lobby of the MGM Grand
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/RJJ.JPG>


Miguel Cotto and his family
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/Cotto.JPG>

Winky
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/Winky.JPG>


Sugar Shay (Couldn't tell me anything about the Contender)
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/Ishe%20Smith.JPG>

Wow these are some awesome pictures. Are you a journalist or something how did you get backstage :D I will go see Toney vs Ruiz, hopefully it will live up to the hype. Once again, awesome pictures.


No, just a fan.

My advice to any fan is to go to the venue the night before and just walk in and check things out. No one stopped me, so I just walked in to Grand Garden Arena on the Thrursday night and just checked things out.


I got to the weigh in (I emailed Greg Leon and asked him when and where) and just showed up early and got a ton of autographs and photos. Everyone I met was very approchable and made time. I met so many fighters and boxing people.

damn thats fukin awsome
hope one day i can see a fight live and meet the fighters like u did

Meeting Roy Jones in the Lobby of the MGM Grand
<img src=http://www.michaelhinson.com/vegaspics/RJJ.JPG>



so what did roy have to say??

It wasn't even as expensive as you'd think.

It was more about just deciding I was going to do it.

I stayed at a cheap motel literally right across the street from the MGM Grand. It was realy cost effective to say the least.

Airfair to Vegas is often cheap if you look around for chartered flights etc.

Aside from that it was a ticket to the fight. I bought all that in December, and just saved up a bit of spending cash. When I was in Vegas I ate at some cheap places and drank as much free liquer as I could.

I spent most of my time in and around the fight, thus keeping the gambling to a minimum.

It was a great card with one of Shelly Finkle's young fighters on the off TV bout, then the Arce and Hussein fight, and of course Manny and Morales. Because it was such a good fight, I promised myself I'd go back for a rematch. ;)

Bozo,

Seems like you had fun :)

Nice pics!

so what did roy have to say??


Aw man that was crazy. I have mad respect for Roy, but never thought I'd run into him. It was Friday night at the MGM grand and I had a few drinks in me. I was walking in the lobby in the MGM Grand and turn around to see Roy walking right in my direction. He was glowing under the 1000s of lights and wearing a sparkling diamong thing around his neck.

Standing in front of him, he looked much taller than I'd thought. I'm 5'10, and he seemed a bit taller, so I was suprized.

He stopped and I walked right towards him and stuck my hand out. He shook my hand, and all that came out was "Wow Roy, its such a thrill to meet you". He smiled and said "Thanks I apreciate that.

I pulled out my program and sharpie and he signed it. By that time, the fact I was getting him to sign something tipped people off, and a crowd gathered. I snapped the photo, he signed a few more autograph and literally had to run off.

It was great. I then ran into him the next day before the fight when he was in his Tux ready to go on HBO. Again, he took a minute to talk. He's a great guy.

Yeah you can often get into places by just acting like you belong too. You'd be surprised at how well that works. Others don't know, they're too worried about upsetting the status quo, so they'll often let you in without bothering you. Most people want to avoid confrontation as much as possible, I've found.

And if you want to try looking official, you can make a fake press pass pretty easily. I've an uncle who made one years ago and got all these super up close pictures of Queen Elizabeth somewhere (hell if I know why he was anywhere that Queen Elizabeth would be, but that wasn't the point).

When I was filming my student film, often while someone would be asking if we could film, I'd be getting some of the shots I needed anyhow without asking. This one restaurant, they came trying to kick us out eventually, but it'd been like 15 minutes and I got every shot I wanted anyhow. Ended up cutting it from the movie though. Didn't get the other footage I wanted that would've been complimentary to it. Wouldn't have made as much sense.

Congratulations, you're now as intelligent as a dolphin.

Anyway, about the whole McGirt thing. The truth is, he doesn't even know how Gatti is going to do it.

Those are great pictures,I want to go to a big fight in Vegas some day.

It wasn't even as expensive as you'd think.

It was more about just deciding I was going to do it.

I stayed at a cheap motel literally right across the street from the MGM Grand. It was realy cost effective to say the least.

Airfair to Vegas is often cheap if you look around for chartered flights etc.

Aside from that it was a ticket to the fight. I bought all that in December, and just saved up a bit of spending cash. When I was in Vegas I ate at some cheap places and drank as much free liquer as I could.

I spent most of my time in and around the fight, thus keeping the gambling to a minimum.

It was a great card with one of Shelly Finkle's young fighters on the off TV bout, then the Arce and Hussein fight, and of course Manny and Morales. Because it was such a good fight, I promised myself I'd go back for a rematch. ;)


Hey man, IMO goin to the fights at Vegas are the BEST experience
We drove there cuz we live in Sacramento, we didnt stay at a cheap hotel because it was a vacation and we didnt just come for the fight, my dad his gf, my bro n his gf all said they wanted to go to vegas and they asked me "when should we go" I said lets go around thanksgiving so we can watch the Barrera-Morales 3!!
Cuz it was only about 3 weeks away and perfect timing to go, we stayed at Treasure Islands, and I always wanted to go to the MGM grand cuz i was so excited, I always kept a sharpie on me in case if i see someone, damn, I miss vegas ever since seein the fights last night at caesars palace...

The first day i got there it was thanksgiving and I didnt know Merchant and them all had dinner at the mgm, but i checked out the casino the first night i got there(2 days b4 the fight) and i sneeaked into the grand garden arena and I went stood where the ring waas supposed to be made, when I went in there at first I was like wtf this aint what it looks like on tv and this is ****ING SMALL(good and bad thing lol) The day of the fight I realised it was bigger than it actually looks hahahaha

I went back to the mgm the day of the weigh in just i dunno cuz i wanted to go back to the grand arena and mgm in case if i see anyone, then some guy tells me the weigh in starts at 3 so i went at 2, I see all the fighters come out to get weighed, I see Oscar De La Hoya comin out, the crowd gets VERY rowdy and all cheerin for their fighter, unfortunately I was sittin with the Morales fans but im a barrera fan

AFter everyone gets weighed u see Barrera come to the front and flexing his biceps and triceps and starts pointin to the people that yell "Barrera!" then DLH walks in with his $100000000000000 suit lol, then people yell at him and he just points...

Barrera left from the back obviously cuz it was the day b4 the fight, but u see Morales walkin through the front to go through the casino HAHAHAHAHAHA

During the weigh in Ivan Calderon and Nedal Hussein were walkin around givin autographs, and i talked to Calderon for like 20 seconds haha.....

I was like damn where all the fighters at, then I see Floyd Mayweather Sr. come from the front and he starts signnin my barrera poster like he's never gave a autograph b4 hahah took him like 5 minutes to sign something(just exxagerating)

Then DLH left from the back!!!!!****in *****!!!!!

The day of fight time didnt see anyone till the fight was finished and i went to the front n i saw mosley and yelled MOSLEY and he prolly didnt hear me cuz winky whooped his ass pretty good lol
I see Corrales then i yell CORRALES and he says be right back man

but then the ****in stupid ass MGM grand guards kick us all out mother****in *******s!lol

Then u see JC chavez jr signin say i just say julio then he acts like he's a big shot n dont listen to me after i say his name a few times and I know he heard me...that's why i'm gonna knock his mother****in ass out when i'm pro! I swear to god after that I was like I cant wait to go pro and knock him out!"

My dad was in a rush, then when he was gettin his camera from the place, I saw Jim Lampley and got his autograph...

**** I should've just stayed there without my dad! lol

at least I met Lampley lol

but goin to the fights are the best

Bozo, that would of been an awesome experience! i envy you! hahhaah
Meeting RJJ would of been insane, i reckon he would of worn thick shoes or something, cos celebrities are not only self-conscious but height conscious, they wanna look tall as possible.

Bozo, that would of been an awesome experience! i envy you! hahhaah
Meeting RJJ would of been insane, i reckon he would of worn thick shoes or something, cos celebrities are not only self-conscious but height conscious, they wanna look tall as possible.


Yea, he was wearing some crazy Basketball shoes.

:)

Yea, he was wearing some crazy Basketball shoes.

:)

I am just curious how did you pick the name Bozo no no?

Bozo no no......what city are u from man?

I'm from Calgary in Canada, and I picked the name *Bozo no no* because it was something funny I heard Jay Nadey say once. I believe he said it to Vernon Forrest in the 2dn Mayorga fight. I don't remember what Forrest did, but Nady stuck the big finger in his face and said "No no no no..... That's a BIG Bozo no no".

When I was on this trip to vegas, I saw Nadey after the fight, so I went up to him, he looked at me and I said "That's a big Bozo no no". He started laughing and said "You like that one huh"
I told him it was a good line, and that he needs to use it more often.

I'm from Calgary in Canada, and I picked the name *Bozo no no* because it was something funny I heard Jay Nadey say once. I believe he said it to Vernon Forrest in the 2dn Mayorga fight. I don't remember what Forrest did, but Nady stuck the big finger in his face and said "No no no no..... That's a BIG Bozo no no".

When I was on this trip to vegas, I saw Nadey after the fight, so I went up to him, he looked at me and I said "That's a big Bozo no no". He started laughing and said "You like that one huh"
I told him it was a good line, and that he needs to use it more often.


U from Calgary? that's cool man
I used to live in Vancouver...I'm guessing ur a hockey fan(a flames fan)
I remember watchin those guys on tv every damn day last year on the news and it sorta got annoying

U from Calgary? that's cool man
I used to live in Vancouver...I'm guessing ur a hockey fan(a flames fan)
I remember watchin those guys on tv every damn day last year on the news and it sorta got annoying

Annoying because they beat the Wings? ;)

You lucky bastard, at least you have the chance to go to a big fight in Las Vegas. For me it's unlikely unless I have to save a lot of cash without interfering of the RIS. So, you have any plans to watch fights this year?

Now that I've gone, I'm hooked.

Its such a great experience because the few days leading up to the fight everyone in and around the venue wants to talk about the fights. I met a ton of Mexican and Pinoy fans who were so friendly and eagre to talk about boxing. Plus all the fighters and boxing people hanging around.

I have so many stories about meeting different boxing people. I'll try and drop a new story every now and then.

I will try and get back to see a fight sometime in Nov - Feb later this year / early next year. Just need to pick a fight I really want to see.

Annoying because they beat the Wings? ;)
lol no
#1. I don't live in Detroit
#2. I have never been a Redwings fan
#3. I'm not a hockey fan
#4. I never thought I would be movin to Detroit in the future(next year)
#5. I hated hockey and it was VERY overrated in Vancouver
#6. It was annoying cuz every channel I turned on it was annoyin as ****

lol

Hey bozo I was there also. The pic on my avatar with Lacey was right after the fight. I also saw Jones in front of the cameras,Paulie Ayala, and Ishe. It was crazy man,I was the only person that had a Morales t-shirt on with viva la raza in the backgrund.I came out on the big screen also cause I was waving the Mexican flag.

Hey bozo I was there also. The pic on my avatar with Lacey was right after the fight. I also saw Jones in front of the cameras,Paulie Ayala, and Ishe. It was crazy man,I was the only person that had a Morales t-shirt on with viva la raza in the backgrund.I came out on the big screen also cause I was waving the Mexican flag.


I was wondering about that when I saw your photo with Lacey. After the fight I was down by the ring and met Jeff and got his autograph. He was about 8 rows away from the ring at the time. I bet I was right by you at some point!

Hey bozo I was there also. The pic on my avatar with Lacey was right after the fight. I also saw Jones in front of the cameras,Paulie Ayala, and Ishe. It was crazy man,I was the only person that had a Morales t-shirt on with viva la raza in the backgrund.I came out on the big screen also cause I was waving the Mexican flag.



Hey Brown Bomber, did you see Floyd Mayweather? He was closer to the ring than where you're standing with Lacey. I got Lacey's atograph, but couldn't get anywhere near Floyd. He was getting mobbed.

So where did you stay at Bozo? Nady also told Ruiz it was a big bozo no no when he was wrestling Roy in their fight.

I remember when I met Roy at KFC in Pensacola. That was kewl as hell. I was shakin'. Next time I'll be more cool about it like when I met Daunte.

So where did you stay at Bozo?

I stayed at a little motel called America's best Value Inn and suites.

It was literally right across the steet from the MGM Grand.

That's kewl. Smart. I might do something like that for the Tarver-Johnson fight. You going to that? It's in Memphis.

That's kewl. Smart. I might do something like that for the Tarver-Johnson fight. You going to that? It's in Memphis.


No, I want to head back to Vegas for a big fight in November.

Tight-ass pics. Must have been fun as hell. I'm gonna try to go to Vegas and see a big fight soon if I can save some money.

wot did ishe smith have to say for himself? was he as arrogant as he appears in the contender?

That's insane, sounds like alot of fun. I wish I would have taken your advice when I went to the Garden to see Golota-Ruiz. My dad made the scale for the weigh in so he got to meet all the fighters and got an autograph from Don King, and 4 free tickets to the fight. We saw Don King before the Mccall fight too, not really up close, but nobody was there but a few people, and DK was there talking to people, it was pretty cool.

wot did ishe smith have to say for himself? was he as arrogant as he appears in the contender?

Not a lot, he had his kid with him.

He was pretty easy going and signed my program and chatted a bit. Seemed like an okay guy.

Thanks for sharing your experience Bozo. It sounds cool as hell. From your story I'm def going to make it a point to get to a fight in Vegas soon.

I can't believe you got to say the phrase to Nady too. I would've fell on the floor if I saw that. Props.

I went to Vegas for my 21'st birthday, and BY FAR the highlight of the trip was the Pacquiao/Morales fight, not only was it my first time to Vegas and my first big fight- but it was my first time seeing a fight in person period! I am absolutely hooked now, I can't wait to get back to Sin City again and catch another bout.

Also, for people who can't make the trip all the way out to Nevada- if you are close to upstate New York you should make the trip to Canastota for induction weekend at the hall of fame. Alot of fighters and boxing personalities are there, there are fights at Turning Stone in Verona, and you can pretty much spend money only one board and like thirty bucks for a ticket to the fights. I met Winky, Mesi, Tarver, McGirt, Ken Norton, Mickey Ward and others there last year! It was fun and cheap!

Now that I've gone, I'm hooked.

Its such a great experience because the few days leading up to the fight everyone in and around the venue wants to talk about the fights. I met a ton of Mexican and Pinoy fans who were so friendly and eagre to talk about boxing. Plus all the fighters and boxing people hanging around.

I have so many stories about meeting different boxing people. I'll try and drop a new story every now and then.

I will try and get back to see a fight sometime in Nov - Feb later this year / early next year. Just need to pick a fight I really want to see.

Damn I envy you man. That Pac-Erik fight was for the ages and a rematch may never happen. So all those who were fortunate enough to see them slug it out are sooooo lucky!

Anyway, I heard that inspite of all the trash-talking between the Pinoy & mexicans in the internet forums, they were basically civilized during the fight and were shouting only because they were madly supporting their respective countrymen. Your thoughts ?, being one of those who saw the fight live...

I went to Vegas for my 21'st birthday, and BY FAR the highlight of the trip was the Pacquiao/Morales fight, not only was it my first time to Vegas and my first big fight- but it was my first time seeing a fight in person period! I am absolutely hooked now, I can't wait to get back to Sin City again and catch another bout.

Also, for people who can't make the trip all the way out to Nevada- if you are close to upstate New York you should make the trip to Canastota for induction weekend at the hall of fame. Alot of fighters and boxing personalities are there, there are fights at Turning Stone in Verona, and you can pretty much spend money only one board and like thirty bucks for a ticket to the fights. I met Winky, Mesi, Tarver, McGirt, Ken Norton, Mickey Ward and others there last year! It was fun and cheap!


Another lucky son of a gun :D

Anyway, I heard that inspite of all the trash-talking between the Pinoy & mexicans in the internet forums, they were basically civilized during the fight and were shouting only because they were madly supporting their respective countrymen. Your thoughts ?, being one of those who saw the fight live...



Both sides (fans) were really excited, but it was all in good fun. You get the impression that everyone is so excited to be there that no one's too bitter or hostile.

At the weigh in, both groups had a shouting battle:

MO RALL ISSSS
MO RALL ISSSS

vs

Mahh neeeeeeeeee
Mahh neeeeeeeeee

But it was all in good fun.

My friend and I were big fans of both fighters, so we constantly got laughs when we were chanting "Both Guys! Both Guys!"

;)

Both sides (fans) were really excited, but it was all in good fun. You get the impression that everyone is so excited to be there that no one's too bitter or hostile.

At the weigh in, both groups had a shouting battle:

MO RALL ISSSS
MO RALL ISSSS

vs

Mahh neeeeeeeeee
Mahh neeeeeeeeee

But it was all in good fun.

My friend and I were big fans of both fighters, so we constantly got laughs when we were chanting "Both Guys! Both Guys!"

;)


LOL . good for both of ya. At least you can really say you both got your money's worth :D

Hey bozo i know how it feels like to go to fights....i recently went to the Bernard Hopkins vs. Eastman 20th defense fight and DAMN!!! IT WAS STARSTUDDED! I was never so amazed by the stars that appear at fights. I saw Zab Judah and took a phone pic of him although it came out blurry, i saw Barrera, and Kassim Ouma walked up the stairs right next to me. He seemed pretty chill. Later on Mike Tyson came in with this entourage and EVERYONE started to yell and cheer. IT was crazy. Of course i got to see jack nicholson and xzibit who are residents of l.a. Overall it was more than a fight, it was an amazing experience. That night made me a boxing fan for life!