IT WAS difficult at times yesterday to know whether this was a comic performance for a press conference for a world title fight. What could be divined without difficulty was that the challenger from Mexico, Manuel Medina was the straight man and the champion, "Prince" Naseem Hamed was the joker in the pack.
It was not lost on many of us chat not very long ago a similar are fight "head-to-head" between two boxers had ended with charges of racism, petulant behaviour and an insult to Dublin itself and its then Lord Mayor.
Yesterday was a jolly, laid-back affair with both fighters offering compliments to each other while, at the same time, claiming that each would win Saturday's clash at The Point.
It came as no surprise to anyone that Naseem crackled with mirth and mischief but it did amaze many that Medina, twice champion of the world at this weight, let him dominate the proceedings.
The hijack at Stansted Airport had delayed the arrival of the promoter of this unique boxing bill in Dublin, Frank Warren, and Hamed started his performance in the bar of Jury's Hotel by swaggering into the company of some boxing reporters who had sought refuge there.
When the real business started following the arrival of Frank Warren, Naseem immediately dismissed the suggestion that because he was rated below Medina in the boxing media, that this means that he accepted such ratings.
"I am glad that the critics feel that way," he said, staring some of them in the eye. "They will be writing something very different on Sunday morning.
Later, when Medina's manager, Ignacio Huizar handed Naseem a present consisting of a baby's soother and rattle, Naseem made the most of the implied insult. "I like that. That's a good gimmick for the press. I will use that gimmick myself. I see he has been sucking the soother himself," he, said with a chortle.
He rejected a suggestion from a member of Medina's camp suggesting that he had been "rattled" by the present and the whole thing was taken in a fine spirit.
When Medina, through an interpreter, said that he had no fears about the outcome of the fight having fought "better boxers than Naseem" and beaten them, Naseem inquired: "How do you know? You haven't fought me. You don't know what I have in store for you. I have a present for you too," he said, clenching his right fist.
Both boxers seemed reluctant to make a forecast about the duration of the fight. When Naseem was asked about the fact that he had experienced only one 12-round bout in his 22 fight career he dismissed the idea that he could not last the distance.
I can fight for two hours if I like. There is no point in going the distance if you can end it quickly. Why should I bother with 12 rounds when I can end it in two?" he said.
Medina was equally unforthcoming on this matter. "I will fight my way. You never know until you get into the ring. Every fight is different. The best man will win on the night. Naseem talks a lot. I will do my talking in the ring.
"One punch can change everything. I have the strength and the experience, he has youth. I know I can win. He thinks he can win. We will have to wait," he said.
These remarks were greeted positively by Naseem. "He has some very good answers. He is right. I will still win but I like his attitude.
"I have respect for him. I won't take any chances but I still believe that I am the best in the world. The winners on Saturday night will be the Irish boxing fans. They will see a great fight but it won't last long."
Naseem's trainer and mentor since he was six is Brendan Ingle from Ringsend. He too spoke highly of Medina. "The truth is that he has been world champion twice. He has class, experience, ability, he can box and he can fight He was a great champion but I don't think there is anyone who can beat Naz at the moment," Ingle said.
Asked if he had any special plans for a spectacular entry to the ring on Saturday night, Naseem spoke about the possibility of a "magic carpet" which, would be consistent with his Middle Eastern background.
