Canelo-Charlo: Behind the scenes on Wednesday in Las Vegas
A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content — and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven’t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.
LAS VEGAS — There have been some really big fights at T-Mobile Arena in 2023. I was here in April to cover Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia, which was a massive event. I returned in July to cover the Errol Spence Jr.-Terence Crawford undisputed welterweight title fight in one of the most significant fights in years. And I am happy to be back this week to cover undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez’s defense against undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo on Saturday (Showtime PPV and PPV.com, 8 p.m. ET, $84.99).
Since I began covering boxing full-time in 2000 I have made close to 130 trips to Las Vegas. That’s a lot of airline miles, a lot of cab lines, a lot of press conferences and weigh-ins and, of course, a lot of water pressure reports.
The hotel I have stayed at the most, by far — either because the fight was in its arena or because it was the host for events at T-Mobile Arena — is the MGM Grand, which is essentially my home away from home. Add up all my trips here and I have spent well over one year of my life at the MGM Grand.
As usual for a big fight, I arrived on Wednesday morning, a little earlier than usual due to an earlier flight time for the one I always take here. So, I was up at 5 a.m. ET, slept most of the fight and hit town ready to go. These fight weeks have a certain rhythm and routine, but I have never taken for granted all the years I have done this that as a media member I get to see many things and go places fans cannot.
So, I thought I would show you where I went and what I saw on Wednesday with a series of several photos and an explanation of it all!
I am in Las Vegas covering Canelo-Charlo. Upgrade to a paid subscription and make sure you don’t miss any posts. You’ll also have full access to the archive, comments and you will help support independent journalism