Boxing's Top Trainers

I have had the opportunity to meet the best trainers in Boxing:

Robert Garcia, Virgil Hunter, Freddie Roach and Nacho Beristain

Mares Vs Gonzales Weigh-In

Here is a late recap of the Abner Mares- Jhonny Gonzales weigh in at the Biltmore Hotel in Downtown LA. Goldenboy always puts on a good event. They blow Top Rank out of the water in terms of bringing their fighters closer to the fans. I wont go into too much detail because I'm a big Abner Mares fan, so those of you who saw the fight know why I'm upset. Overall I had pretty good success. I got Abner to sign the first of the collectors series of Corona Bottles. I got to meet the great Nacho Beristain. Even though as a Pacquiao fan I hate JMM, but I still respect his trainer. To top it off I got to meet the voice of Showtime Boxing and the son of the wrestling legend Jimmy Lennon, Jimmy Lennon Jr. It was also nice to meet his son, which could end up being the third generation of great announcers. I had a few misses, Leo Santa Cruz , Jhonny Gonzales and JoJo Diaz. I was able to meet a future heavy weight top prospect Dominic Breazeale and get a signed glove. 

Me and "The Classy Jr" Jimmy Lennon Jr.

HOF Trainer Nacho Beristain

Abner Mares signed Corona Bottle

Phillip Rivers

Today I decided to make a trip out to San Diego to attend an open practice at Chargers Park. I used to go to Charger practices every year when they were held at the Home Depot Center. Since they moved to Chargers Park I haven't been as often, plus the fact I was not a fan of the Norv Turner era Chargers. As a Miami Dolphins fan and living in Los Angeles this is as close as I get to the NFL. I wasn't planning on going this year but a local standout Tony Burnett from USC and Mayfair High School, made the team. I have met Burnett a few times in the past through mutual friends, hes a really cool guy. So I made the trip to show some support I arrived at the practice shortly after 3pm. The practice was scheduled from 3-5pm. Since I made the trip I decided to take advantage and get a couple autographs. My goal was to get Ronnie Brown(former Dolphin), Dwight Freeny, Eric Weddle and rookie Manti Te'o. But unfortunately not one of them stopped to sign autographs after practice. I couldn't even get Burnett's attention. Most of the players headed straight for the locker rooms. I wasn't all that bummed because the practice was pretty interesting to watch. It was sad to see receiver Malcolm Floyd go down with a Knee injury. I could tell it was serious as soon as it happened. He was doing 1 on 1 receiving drills and he landed wrong. After the practice I waited around for a bit . There was fans sticking around getting autographs from some backup players that were nice enough to sign. There was nobody I was interested getting. As I was walking to leave I spotted Phillip Rivers. He avoided the crowd by going off to the side where the players families watch the practice. I have had terrible luck with trying to get his autograph in the past. He usually ignores the fans. But I thought I'd give it a shot. I was in perfect position, nobody else was around. To my surprise I was actually able  to get his attention and he came over and signed. I was able to get a pretty clean signature on a autograph panel football. Overall it was a pretty good day. Best of luck to the Chargers this year.

The Hangover 3 Premiere

Yesterday I made a trip out to Westwood for The Hangover Part III world premiere. The premiere was scheduled to start at 7:30 and the celebrities were scheduled to arrive at 6:30. Me and my little brothers got to the theatre a little early. The streets were already lined with hundreds of people. Some waiting to go into the theatre and some were just there to catch a glimpse of the celebrities walking the red carpet. Its been a while since I have been to a movie premiere I was a bit rusty on finding the perfect location to meet the most celebrities. As we were scouting the lay of the land I noticed someone across the street. He was much taller then everybody else.

It turned out to be Metta World Peace of the Los Angeles Lakers. I have met Metta before so I know what an incredibly nice guy he is. So I asked he would take a picture with my little brother. He was very down to earth as usual. He was there with his son(who is very tall). After meeting Metta we went back across the street to watch the celebrities arrive. Zach Galifianakis was the first to arrive(exactly at 6:30). He rushed in and spend to much time with the fans at first, but after he walked the red carpet he stopped and signed some autographs for some fans on the other side of the street. Ed Helms and Bradley Cooper arrived next and were awesome about meeting with the fans. They walked around the entire street meeting as many fans as they could. I got Ed Helms to sign my Hollywood Star Photo. I missed out on Bradley there were way to many screaming girls. Heather Gram was next to arrive, she also spent time to meet as many fans as she could. I was also able to get her to sign my photo.

 

The next to arrive was Justin Bartha who I also signed my photo. Ken Jeong in similar fashion to Galifianakis walked straight to the red carpet then signed for the fans on the opposite side of the street. Then to my surprise my favorite artist showed up...Kid Cudi! But unfortunately I missed out on meeting him. Not many people recognized him and he rushed past the red carpet. After the movie was over I was able to get Jamie Chung(beautiful) and Sasha Barrese to sign my photo. Also in attendance but I was unable to meet were: Matt Barnes, Deandre Jordan, Big Sean, Mike Epps, Michael Bay, Todd Phillips, and Kevin Nealon.

Hollywood Star Photo signed by (movie Characters): Doug, Stu, Lauren,Tracy, Jade
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Victor Ortiz

Viscous Victor Ortiz was at the Huntington Park Curacao today to promote his "VO" cologne. This was a very intimate event, Victor spent time to talk and take pictures with every fan that showed up. Ortiz is a true class act. He is very down to earth and very humble. I arrived a few minutes before the signing was scheduled to begin. There was only a few people in line when I got there. This might of been to the fact that every Curacao employee was clueless to the fact there was an autograph signing was scheduled there today, despite of the giant banner hanging from the entrance of the building. It took me like 5 minutes to find where the actual event was taking place in the store. To meet Victor they said you had to buy a bottle of his cologne ($55), but Victor was nice enough to sign for everybody. They were giving away free VO merchandise: posters and lip balms. I got to spend about 10 minutes talking boxing with him. We talked about how I hope he picks Freddie Roach to be his new trainer. He said he still has to visit other camps, but he loves working with Freddie. We also talked about my favorite boxer Amir King Khan. I said to please don't fight him I wouldn't be able to watch, since I'm a fan of both of them. He said he would "end Khan's career". I said I believe you but Knock out Floyd instead (lol).  It was overall a great event. I was able to get a signed glove and poster.

Me and Ortiz

 

 

Check out Victor on March 17 for the premiere of the new season of Dancing With The Stars





 

 



Upcoming Cologne Signing

Vicious Victor Ortiz

 

 

 

 

Sunday

March 10

2pm-4pm

Curacao

5980 Pacific Blvd

Huntington Park, Ca

 

 



Upcoming Meet and Greet

Metta World Peace

 

 

8910 Santa Monica Blvd,

West Hollywood, Ca

Saturday Mar 16th

6 pm

 

Upcoming Appearance

Ziggy Marley

Thursday March 7

The Grove

189 The Grove Dr.

Los Angeles, Ca

11am- 2pm

Live Acoustic Performance and Book Signing

Ziggy Marley gives a live acoustic performance and reading of his book “I Love You Too” at Kids Club at The Grove at 11am, followed by a book signing of limited edition hard bound copies of “I Love You Too” at Barnes & Noble at 1pm.

Upcoming Book Signing

Al Gore

 

 

Sunday

2/10/13

1:30 PM

Vroman's Books

695 E Colorado Blvd

 Pasadena

CA 91101
(626) 449-5320

Who's Your Caddy Movie Premiere

Back in the summer of 2007, I had the opportunity to attend the movie premiere of Who's Your Caddy. This event was held in at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood. The movie was no blockbuster, but it was very funny. The film featured plenty of big names in comedy and the hip hop community. Tons of celebrities came out to theatre on Sunset for the Los Angeles Premiere: Big Boi(Outkast), Faizon Love, Lil Wayne, Magic Johnson, Tony Cox, Terry Crews, Garrett Morris, Cedrick The Entertainer, Finesse Mitchell, Taraji P. Henson, Andy Milonakis, among others. The theatre had tables lined up, where employees passed out free popcorn and soda as we walked in. The movie was actually really good. After the movie everybody gathered in front of the theatre and was mingling. It was actually "rubbing elbows with celebrities". I got to meet Terry Crews(White Chicks), Tony Cox(Friday), Cedrick The Entertainer and got to shake Big Boi's hand. I didn't come prepared for autographs, but at least I got to meet some really cool people.

 

Best Picture of the night

Magic Johnson and Tony Cox

 

Younger me and Tony Cox 

 

Cedrick The Entertainer(unable to find the pic of me and him)

 

Me and Terry Crews

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Appearance

Carly Rae Jepsen

 Magazine Signing

Friday

Feb. 8, 2013

5:00 pm

The Grove at Farmers Market

                                                        189 The Grove Drive Suite K 30
                                                              Los Angeles, CA 90036
                                                                        323-525-0270

Upcoming Signing

Michael Bolton

 

Book Signing

Monday

Feb. 11, 2013

6:30 pm

Barnes & Nobles

The Grove at Farmers Market

                                                        189 The Grove Drive Suite K 30
                                                             Los Angeles, CA 90036
                                                                      323-525-0270

Upcoming Appearance

Future

 

 

 

Feb. 9 Saturday

1pm-5pm

Pink Dolphin

420 N. Fairfax Ave.

Los Angeles

Upcoming Signing

Tom Morello

 

 

 

2/2/2013

Saturday

5:00 pm

Beach Ball Comics

3024 W Ball Rd.

Suite G 92804

Anaheim, Ca

 

 

Venus Williams

 



Today I made a trip out to West LA to meet Tennis great Venus Williams. I wasn't sure what I was going to have her sign. I think an autograph on a tennis ball looks terrible and a tennis racquet has almost no surface for a signature. I heard about the signing late so it was to hard to find a nice poster size picture of her. I also never have 8x10s or cards signed, it just seems like a waste of a signature. I was debating on whether to have her sign a Miami Dolphins Helmet. If you don't know by now I am a huge Dolphin's fan and the Williams sisters are part owners of the team. But in the end I decided to go with a nice racquet I picked up at the Sports Chalet. The signature came out as I expected due to the small surface of the grip on the racquet. I am happy with the piece overall. I got a nice frame to display it. The event itself went pretty smooth. I arrived super late, I got there right when the signing started. There was over 100 people there when I showed up. I wasn't to sure if I would be able get through the line. A worker later informed us that Venus was gracious enough to stay an extra hour to make sure everyone got an autograph. The only downside to the signing was no posed photos with Venus, but overall was a great event. Thanks to Sports Chalet and Venus Williams.

 

 

NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2

Today I headed out to the Home Depot Center to check out the 2nd annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. I made the trip last year and had a blast. So I bought my tickets early for this years game. I was hoping players like Matt Barkley and Montee Ball would accept the invite to play, but sadly in didn't turn out that way. The game last year and especially this year didn't have that super star talent. This caused for very low turnouts for back to back years. This was good for me because this allowed for more one on one with the players and coaches. The game was covered by ESPN 2 with commentators Todd Mcshay and Bill Pollian. The game itself was a bit rough to watch from our seats(perfect for autographs bad for actually watching the game). Although there was not much to watch, the game was a blowout. The National team shutout the American team. My targets for autograph were players: Jordan Campbell, Herman Lathers, Mike James, Greg Jenkins and Jordan Rodgers(Aaron's Little brother) coaches: Herm Edwards, Dick Vermeil, and Priest Holmes. This was another great day of football and autographs.

Misses: These are the targets I was unsuccessful in getting.
Desean Jackson a surprise guest was about to sign for me when a mob of kids bum rushed him.
Jordan Campbell was my main target but was in bad positioning to try to meet him.
Mike James/ Priest Holmes were talking to each other while walking off the field and didn't hear us.
Lorenzo Neil I didn't recognize him till he walked up the tunnel
Herm Edwards slithered on and off the field quickly like a snake (lol)

Hits: These are the targets I was able to get autographs or game used equipment from.
Herman Lathers gave me his orange Adidas gloves
Greg Jenkins QB turned WR gave me one of his NFL Gloves.
Antonio Cromartie a surprise guest (I think he is related to one of the players) signed this years program
Dick Vermeil signed last years programs
Jordan Rogers signed a copy of this years program
Keith Rivers one of my favorite linebackers signed this years program
Mike Purcell gave me his gray Nike gloves

Also in attendance but I did not see:
Todd Mcshay
Eric Decker
Andre Reed
Charlie Batch


Recap:

Trophies

Keith Rivers

Coach Vermeil

Coach Herm

Goodyear Blimp

Mike James gets ready

Jordan Campbell leads the way

Desean Jackson walking by