Alvarez-Kovalev 2 Undercard Interviews
On Wednesday, I went down to the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas on part of a media day event where local press, and adoring fans got to witness and mingle with WBO Featherweight Champion Oscar Valdez (24-0 19 KOs), who will be returning to the ring for the fifth defense of his title after being out nearly a year after he suffered a fractured jaw at the hands of an overweight Scott Quigg back in March of 2018. He will be facing fourteenth ranked Italian amateur standout Carmine Tommason (19-0 5 KOs) at the previously mentioned Ford Center on February 3rd. I also had a nice, lengthy conversation with Teofimo Lopez, 2018′s Prospect Of The Year. I equate it to speaking to Manny Pacquiao before Pacquiao was Pacquiao. I really feel like Teofimo is going to be something special in this boxing game. I also think he’s aware of that probability as well. He is without a doubt confident bordering cocky in his abilities, and judging by his last three consecutive knockout wins, it’s hard to argue his potential. He was a very cordial and I enjoyed talking with him very much. The same goes for “Legendary, Hall of Fame” Top Rank Promoter (as I said it) Bob Arum, who has promoted Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Marvin Hagler. Just to name a few. I asked him a wide spectrum of questions (only one of them being about the event) because I am really intrigued by the promotional divorce between Manny Pacquiao and Bob Arum. Having interviewed him, it feels like I am a very, very, insignificant, minuscule part of boxing history.
Special thanks to Evan Korn, Top Rank’s Media Relations Director who hooked me up with one-on-one interviews with the fighters, and Mr. Arum.
