SAN DIEGO, Calif– It wasn’t a sunny San Diego sunset, but that didn’t matter on Monday after boarding the Hornblower mega yacht, where boxing prospects Jonny Mansour (6-0, 2 KOs) and Julius Ballo (2-0) hosted a media workout to promote their April 18 show titled “SD Fight Night: Family Business” at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside. Hundreds of family, friends, and media members filled the Hornblower for this special event.
As usual, I arrived about 15 minutes before check-in time, and there was a small crowd waiting by the gate. After going to the restroom and coming back out, suddenly, there was a mob of people at the gate. After checking in, I made my way onto the huge yacht, and the DJ on board started playing music. That’s when close to 500 people (mentioned by the organizers) boarded the ship for the media workout.
The boat followed its usual route to the Coronado Bridge and back, a trip that lasted a little over 60 minutes. That had to be the quickest 60 minutes ever, as it felt like 5 minutes. Maybe because, on the top deck, the undercard fighters were busy throwing combinations to the social media influencers, family, and friends on hand with their cameras and phones.
Then the two headliners, Mansour and Ballo, joined the action as they unleashed sharp combinations for everyone in attendance to be amazed by. San Diego’s local news station, KUSI, was on board the yacht and interviewed both Ballo and Mansour live for the 6 o’clock news, which was a big moment for them. The crowd appeared to be genuinely enjoying themselves, as the vibe was just right given the atmosphere and the fighters’ energy.
Once we got back and the event was over, I spoke with Ballo, who seemed happy with the turnout. “I don’t think any other boxer has done a media workout on a yacht with 500 people on it,” Ballo told FightsATW. “I feel blessed to have all of this support.”
This fight card on April 18 will be promoted by Ballo and his cousin Mansour, which is why it’s titled “Family Business.” Ballo has enjoyed the experience of putting together a show, as it’s not an opportunity many get, especially when they are just starting out.
“This fight is definitely different because I’m involved on the backend. I’m signed with Top Rank, but I also have my own promotion. Having my promotion as part of this show is definitely different because now I see what happens on the backend of the show. It’s definitely good because as a fighter, you rarely get to see what goes on in the backend.
“Not many can do it. I’m fortunate enough to come from a background where my family has money. I don’t have to box. I do it because I love it.”
It’s still too early to determine how far both fighters will go in their careers, but one thing is clear: in San Diego, these two fighters are building a large fanbase, and as long as they keep winning impressively, they will maintain all the leverage when negotiating fights.
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