September 10, Fightweek Canelo vs. Crawford, Diary #2: The media day is all about the undercard. There’s also boxing at the “Fontainebleau”!
After a short night, the day begins at the Bones Adams Gym with a training session alongside Roy Jones Junior’s fighter Kevin Newman II – a particularly valuable experience for my protégé Mehmet Avci. Afterwards, I’m off to the Fontainebleau Hotel, where the media day for the Canelo vs Crawford undercard is taking place. There are also some fights there today, which serve as an ideal warm-up. Every event in Fightweek is strictly limited, places are rare – but these days are real highlights, as you meet numerous boxers, trainers and promoters.
Turki, Froch & Co. are also there
I take the opportunity to talk to what I consider to be the best coach at the moment, Robert Garcia, whose academy regularly produces champions. In sporting terms, it’s straight down to business in the ring: Mikie Tallon sends Christian Robles to the floor in round three and deservedly wins on points after six rounds. Coach Joe Gallagher offers his congratulations, and boxing icon Carl Froch is also present as an analyst. Even Turki Al-Sheikh stays until the last fight.
This is followed by public training at the hotel entrance. Christian Mbili is particularly noteworthy. The French knockout machine has a knockout ratio of 82 percent and will face the unbeaten Lester Martinez (Guatemala; knockout ratio 84 percent) on the undercard of Canelo vs. Crawford – a guarantee for action. The co-main event between Ireland’s Callum Walsh and local hero Fernando Vargas Jr. also promises plenty of excitement. Vargas cheers on the crowd with his whole family, while Walsh appears confident but reserved with trainer legend Freddie Roach.
Hunter wants Kabayel
Another personal highlight for me will be the meeting with Reito Tsutsumi, who already set standards with his tactical class at the U19 World Championships. The young new pro from Japan was also part of the training program for coaches in Bavaria – to show them how to be successful tactically and strategically in the ring. When heavyweight Michael Hunter crosses my path, I have to ask him about a duel with Agit Kabayel . He replies immediately: “Yes, a good fight for me.” Hunter respectfully adds that he would even travel to Germany for this fight.
