Media Hype... Thursday, July 15

Today we attended a press conference. We had arrived early and watched in amazement as the place filled up. Prior to the press conference however, they had each boxer come individually and have a quick photo shoot behind the stage.

I had anticipated filling in as a kind of translator on this trip but little did I know that they’d be pulling me on stage during the much publicized press conference and announcing it – talk about pressure.

Big Yoo, the other boxer from Korea is actually Japanese so translating the reporter’s questions meant translating form English to Korean and then having his Korean coach translate from Korean to Japanese. I thought the whole thing would be rather tedious but then the unexpected happened…

I saw a full-grown Korean man spaz out and have a hissy fit for all to see. Yup, it was none other than Big Yoo’s coach. I had just translated the reporter’s question and still had the mic in hand when he blurted out, in English, “I no question” to which I shook my head and mumbled, “You got to be kidding me, right?!” He refused to answer any question which for a press conference pretty much defeats the purpose of hosting one in the first place.

Big Yoo sensed the crowd’s frustrations and using pretty much the only English he knew, he grabbed the mic and yelled out “I love you Philippine!” It was hilarious and I was overly thankful that he was being a good sport about it all, unlike his coach who left as all wanting to kick in the head.

The press conference was held at their big shopping mall, so it was packed with shoppers, store workers, and buzzing with newspaper reporters. I made sure to introduce Snickers to many of the reporters and willingly answered any questions they may have had regarding him. What I wasn’t expecting however was to be called up on stage by the announcer as we tried to leave the press conference. I had met the announcer earlier on that day and was particularly interested in me when the Filipino dropped word that I was a professional Polish/Canadian boxer. He was loving the fact that I was Polish and stirred my interest by dropping some Polish names. He feasted on my status as a pro boxer too and made it his business to announce it to all at the press conference by calling me on stage and telling him that I’ll be returning to the Philippines to fight – totally new news to me!

Honestly, I’d absolutely love to fight in the Philippines, heck I’d move there in a second if I could. The weather is a killer for training but the wickedly awesome energy of the Filipino people and their huge passion and interest in boxing makes the Philippines a boxer’s paradise!!!

Spent a pretty good chunk of the afternoon pool side where I was reporter-free for a couple of hours. Many of the news reporters had booked into our hotel, so the front lobby was buzzing with them 24/7 as they typed away on their laptops and jotted down notes.

Later in the evening Big Yoo’s coach insisted again on going out in search of Korean food. I had lost all interest in helping translate for him so I opted out. I thought it best to keep my distance not only for his safety but for my sanity. So with them all out cruising the town for Korean food, I thought I’d go on a little adventure by myself.

Well, my adventure wasn’t really a solo one.

While waiting for one of their tricycle taxis to drive by, one of the hotel workers (Amil) scooted up to me on his scooter so we got talking. Next thing I knew it I was agreeing to buy him gas so that he could tote me around the city. For 50 pesos ($1.15 CDN), Amil took me to see the ocean side, a street festival, the stadium where Snickers will be fighting, the downtown core, and the plus some. He even took me to the country side to see some of the more elaborate houses. Yesterday I got to see one of Manny Pacquiao’s houses (famous Filipino boxer) so we dropped by again tonight to see if anyone was home.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
Who'll be the next Pacquiao?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
I love you Philippine.
-- Big Yoo