Las Vegas Weekly

September 18, 2009 · 11:59 AM

Photo Galleries: Mayweather does charity work ahead of star arrivals, bout

By Robin Leach

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is so ready and relaxed for tomorrow night’s ring war against Juan Manuel Marquez that he even took time out yesterday from his workouts and sparring sessions. Floyd decided to continue with his under the radar donations to the homeless and unemployed here, so he brushed off the 84-degree heat and personally handed out sack lunches with cold water in the community.

One group of children approached him for food, so Floyd asked where their mother was in the area. They pointed her out and he handed her money “to get some food for the family.” When several people returned for seconds, Floyd and his team stayed until every person who wanted food was helped. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was right there for this collection of compelling photos.

Meantime, a slew of celebrity fight fans and former boxing champions are arriving today and include P.Diddy, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and former screen heavyweight and now California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. We’ll have photo coverage tomorrow after they meet up with the sports legends, including Evander Holyfield tonight at a private Planet Hollywood party hosted by owner Robert Earl.

Diddy will host a daylong pre-fight party tomorrow at Wet Republic in MGM Grand and celebrate his new album Last Train to Paris, which drops Nov. 24. In three days of nonstop parties at fight headquarters, the sexy and beautiful ladies of Hawaiian Tropic will turn out in force for the fight party tonight at Tabu, then all day tomorrow and Sunday at Wet Republic with another Tabu party after the fight.

I’ve already confirmed that win or lose, and Juan remains the underdog, Floyd will host his own official after-fight party at Studio 54 at midnight tomorrow.

When Floyd, the undefeated champion returning from retirement, and Mexican champ Juan met at this week’s press conference in the Hollywood Theater at MGM, Oscar de la Hoya was snapping photos, too! Oscar, who is convinced Juan will win, said he was there with a camera to capture the “dethroning of the king.”

For much of the press conference, Floyd, nicknamed “Moneyman,” flexed his handgrips. HBO Sports executive Mark Taffet said the fight had become a landmark event. He also noted to Team Marquez, “We are intrigued by your training regimen,” which brought laughter from the media over references to Juan’s confirmation that twice daily, he drinks his own urine during training to replace lost vitamins and other nutrients! I’m sticking with my champagne regimen to achieve the same!

Juan’s trainer Ignacio Berenstain had kind words for Team Mayweather when his fighter and Floyd shook hands and posed for the traditional stare down shot. You can see Oscar in the background snapping away!

Floyd retired in December 2007 after knocking out British fighter Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton. Now the 32-year-old Las Vegas resident resumes his welterweight role with a record of 39-0, with 25 KOs. Juan is 36 and will fight at the heaviest of his career. His record as former lightweight champion is 50-4, with 37 KOs.

Vegas DeLuxe will post our ring action photo galleries as early as possible on Sunday, but we’ll tweet the fight result from ringside on Saturday night seconds after one boxer is KO’d or as the judges hand in the scorecards!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

Share This