(Photo credit: Esther Lin/Showtime) DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS (July 1, 2013) – Fans remained the biggest winners as “THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO” press tour continued Monday with two stops in Texas.
In Houston, a couple hundred fans began lining up at 3:00 a.m. for a press conference that started at 1:00 p.m. By the time the press conference officially commenced at Union Station At Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, an overflow crowd of over 1,000 fans had filled the stadium’s grand lobby to beyond capacity.
The nine-day, 10-city tour continued Monday night at The Alamo in San Antonio. The press conference didn’t start until 6:00 p.m., but fans were in line by 7:00 a.m. Due to a flight delay, Mayweather was an hour and forty-five minutes late and by the time he arrived, Canelo had come and gone.
However, Mayweather provided a little glimpse into his future, saying he may fight more than the five more times after which he has previously said he would retire.
“After my five more fights, guess what? I think after 49-0 we may stay in this sport a little longer,” he said. “This September 14, it’s just another walk in the park.”
As he has throughout the tour, Mayweather thanked the fans. “There is no city like San Antonio,” he told the approximately 5,000 in attendance. “You fans have been brilliant over the years. Without San Antonio, Floyd Mayweather wouldn’t be where he’s at today. If you don’t know, Mayweather loves Mexico. Mexican and Latino fans, you know boxing.
“I’m going to sign a lot of autographs and take a lot of pictures because I’m late. That’s the least I can do for you guys.”
Canelo was his usual classy self at the podium, but he took a couple jabs at Mayweather for being tardy.
“Thank you everybody for being here. It’s a great honor for me to be here for a second time. Last time I was treated like I was at home and that’s what I feel like again – like I’m at home.”
“I know many of you have been here since seven in the morning. At six o’clock the press conference was supposed to start, and that’s why I’m here at six o’clock – because I respect you, because you guys respect boxing. There are Mayweather fans here who also have been here since very early. I’m here for them too.”
“He (Mayweather) thinks all the boxers have to respect him and he intimidates everybody, but he doesn’t intimidate me. I look forward to the fight.’’