Press release: Signing to fight the biggest fight of his career brought other obligations for the modern-day “Cinderella Man,” World Boxing Council and lineal welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir. 
 
After a whirlwind press tour that brought his wife and four children to New York and Los Angeles, Baldomir, who’s promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions, is ready to get down to training.
 
The tour began at Tavern on the Green in New York City Sept. 5, with the initial press conference to announce Baldomir’s mega fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Nov. 4 at the Mandalay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and live on HBO Pay-Per-View.  One day later, on Sept. 6, Baldomir and company were at Arnie Morton’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills, Calif., to make the west coast announcement. 
 
“I always like being in New York; it brings back good memories,” said Baldomir, who defeated Zab Judah Jan. 7, 2006, at Madison Square Garden in New York with a 12-round decision to become the World Boxing Council and lineal welterweight champion.  “The Judah fight put me on the map.  It was fitting that we announced this next fight here where it all began since this is the win that will let everybody know who I am.” 
 
A prohibitive underdog in Las Vegas, Baldomir is up to the task.
 
“I understand that this is the most important fight of my life,” Baldomir said.  “But here’s the thing: it won’t be the most difficult.  Mayweather is skilled and very fast, but he won’t stand and trade with me.  He’ll run.  My confidence going into this fight comes from the fact that he is coming up in weight and I’ve been here.  He won’t hurt me in there.”
 
Scott Woodworth, Vice President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, joined Baldomir in New York and Los Angeles and reflected upon the journey so far of boxing’s “Cinderella Man.”
 
“In Chicago in 2005, when Carlos beat Miguel Rodriguez, he started asking about Mayweather,” Woodworth said.  “When you know how far Carlos has come--from selling dusters on the street in his hometown of Santa Fe, Argentina, to fighting the recognized pound-for-pound champion on HBO Pay-Per-View--you realize that he truly is a ‘Cinderella Man.’ ”
 
After the New York press conference, both fight camps and most people associated with the bout hopped a flight to Los Angeles to do it again.
 
“I’m getting anxious for this fight to happen,” Baldomir said.  “We’re all flying around announcing this thing and I just can’t wait to get in the ring and start trading punches.  Mayweather is the pound-for-pound champ, but I’m the top of our weight class and that won’t change Nov. 4.  Not only do I think I’ll win this one, don’t be surprised if I knock him out.  Nobody has hit him as hard as I’m going to.  He better be ready.”

The President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, Glenn Quiroga, joined team Baldomir in Los Angeles and talked of Atlantic City, N.J., where Baldomir scored a ninth-round stoppage of Arturo Gatti July 22, 2006. 

“Going into the Gatti fight, everybody said that the Judah fight was a fluke, that Zab overlooked our guy,” Quiroga said.  “Ask Arturo Gatti how much a fluke it was.  And after that fight, people said we won because Gatti was getting old.  So now, what will be the excuse after the Mayweather fight?  These nay-sayers might want to start brainstorming their excuses now, because our guy is coming.” 

After finishing the news conference in Los Angeles, Baldomir was able to relax and enjoy a little time with his family, who came from Argentina to be with the champion during the tour. 

“This is what it’s all about,” Baldomir said.  “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be here in Los Angeles at such a nice place, feeding my children steaks.  But my life has definitely taken a nice path.  I’m so thankful for everything we have.  Anytime I need motivation to keep me going, I just think of supporting my family.”

Baldomir is the frontrunner for “Fighter of the Year” for 2006.  A victory over Mayweather may just seal the honor.