What to do for a Great Fight Night like Castillo vs. Corrales.

This Saturday, May 7, 2005, it will be the clash of the two top lightweights in the world as Diego “Chico” Corrales puts his WBO trinket against WBC and Ring Magazine’s lightweight Kingpin Jose Luis “El Temible” Castillo in a fight that is sure to be one of the best of 2005. This combat, televised on Showtime is part of their “Saturday Fight Night”

Click for larger image © Tom Casino/Showtime

series. If you do not subscribe to Showtime, you can order the fight itself on Showtime pay-per-view without committing to the channel. You might be contemplating what to do for such a big fight? Should you go to someone’s house, have people over to yours, go to your local sports bar, or fly solo on this one? Well, as a long-time fight fan that has done all of the above several times, allow me to give you some advice and pointers.

If you are going to have friends and/or family members over at your home to watch the big fight, just remember:

This can be a great event as you get to spend time with friends and loved ones, and enjoy what is sure to be great fight. Also, if you have to get the pay-per-view show, this is awesome since all attending can split the cost. Just remember that if you invite people over, you should not expect anyone to cover any cost, unless you specifically tell your guest of any “donations” that will be required at the door. That is not a good idea, but I just thought I would mention it.

Don’t miss SaddoBoxing’s definitive guide to enjoying the big fight experience, however you choose to tune in.

Such nights usually include a lot of food and drink. Make it even more fun by doing a “pot luck” style dinner, having all of the people attending bring their best dish, as everyone has their niche, and this will make the evening’s meal that much more amazing. Now, what you must remember is that you will probably be surrounded by many people that are there to see you, and not necessarily the fight. Come the big fight, you may still have to entertain people, especially family members, and expected to hold conversations while the punches are flying. Also, the conversations around you may be so loud, that you will have to settle for seeing the fight with no sound, since it would be very rude to, either ask people to be quiet, or turn the volume up to drown the talking around you. You can invest in some headphones, but this may not look very nice to your guests.

Little extra tips: if you are cooking yourself, make sure to get your dishes done before the guests arrive (rule of thumb on meat or chicken is about a half-pound of uncooked meat or chicken per person, so if you are purchasing this stuff, keep that in mind). This will free you up to converse, have fun, and watch the fight without having to be running around making sure the meat or nachos are ready. The disposable aluminum trays work best to keep food warm over hot coals, or in the oven. Just make sure to wrap the food in foil (add some beer in there to keep if moist), and cover the dish with foil as well.

Also, you can make the fights a little more exciting using the following game: you take twelve small pieces of paper, and write one number on each (from one to twelve). Fold the pieces up and throw them in a cap. You can price each piece as you wish (it can be for anything or for nothing). Everyone draws a piece and, whatever number you have, is the round that you can win (say if you get number five and the fight ends during round five or before the bell rings for the next, you win). It is simple, fun and draws the “casual” fan to pay attention to the fight.

If you are going to someone’s house to watch the big fight, just remember:

The expectation to split some cost, and as a responsible fight fan that is trying to get our sport to grow, you should volunteer to help with the cost in order to ensure that people in the future continue to hold such events, which guarantees more fans will be born with every great fight. Also, you are not in the comfort of your own home, and are not the “King” of the castle, so if someone that has a higher status in the home decides to watch something else instead of the under-card, well, you will just have to pretend that everything is cool and wait it out, hoping that the channel will soon be changed back to the fights. Also, if the house you are at is rooting for the “other” fighter, you need to remember to keep your comments to yourself, as that it is only proper boxing etiquette. Like I mentioned earlier, it is not your house so show some respect.

Little extra tips: Do not take chips or Doritos as everyone usually shows up with the biggest bags. If you really want to contribute, take bags of ice as that always seems to lack and some pretzels as they go great with beer, and no one ever seems to remember to get some. Also, take your own beverages. This includes soft drinks. Never walk into a home empty handed. You can also play the “round” game that I explained earlier. Remember not to wear out your welcome. A good rule of thumb is not to stay more than twenty minutes after the fight is over. Also, help with the clean up before you go.

If you are going to the local sport’s bar, just remember:

The local sports bar is sure to have many fight fans that are there to watch a great fight. You will usually find fans that have knowledge about, and real passion for boxing. You can talk about boxing all you want without having to worry about people getting bored. The problem is that if you want a good seat that guarantees the perfect view of the combat, then you have to be there very early. Also, there is always that one guy that has had too much to drink and just will not stop talking about how Rocky Marciano is the greatest, or how De La Hoya was robbed against Trinidad. Also, how all the fights are fixed and it is all just a scam. To endure that guy does take some patience so be ready. Also, at the average cost of beer is about $2.50 plus tip, so the night may get expensive fast. Throw in the fact that you should not drive if you have been drinking, and the local bar loses its luster.

Little extra tip: If you do decide to drink, please do not drive. Just have someone drop you off and then pick you up. It is in everyone’s best interest to have fun, but also to be safe and responsible.

If you are going to be “flying solo” for the fight, just remember:

Hey, I don’t know about you guys, but a six-pack of beer, some pizza, and being able to stretch my legs out on my living room table wearing nothing but some shorts, a torn up shirt, and socks, sounds like the perfect setting for me to watch a big fight. There is no noise. You can relax and really analyze what you are watching. You don’t have to be paying attention to anyone or hearing someone else’s opinion on what’s going on. You can keep a scorecard and completely focus on the most important thing that night: the fight. But, sometimes you want to hear other’s opinions and be able to share the ooooooooooooo and aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh to get the “live” feel. Also, a little arguing amongst friends is ok, as long as it does not get out of hand. For this method, you won’t have the picking sides and cheering for “your guy” type deal and will not be able to high five your buddy incase of a knockdown, or great punch landed.

Little extra tip: Make sure you unhook your phone and get a babysitter for the kids, as the main reason to see the fight on your own is to really analyze and focus. Order the pizza with more thanenough time and buy a small cooler and some ice so that you don’t have to be getting up to the fridge.

Well fight fans, I hope that helps a little in deciding with who, and where to watch the fight this Saturday. Remember that the main goal is to have fun, and really enjoy what should be a fight for the ages. Thank you and have a great time.

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com