“The Return of Gerome (GQ) Quigley” Weigh In & Press Conference

Gerome “GQ” Quigley Jr. is a Professional Boxer 16-0 (15) KO’s and a 2X Champion (Virginia State Welterweight Champion & IBA International World Champion.) He’s  from Washington, DC and resides in Gaithersburg, MD with his family.

 

On March 24, 2017, I was in attendance with Charles Shelton of Goldmind Entertainment & Media, LLC for a boxing weigh in and press conference held at the Cities Restaurant & Lounge, 1909 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 for “The Return of Gerome “GQ” Quigley” event held that next evening.

When we arrived at the venue, we knew exactly where to go. We saw a long conference table with the officials of the boxing event. I assumed they were getting organized for the weigh in. I sought out Courtney who was the Media POC whom informed me of the do’s and don’ts regarding the media in attendance. We were only approved to take photographs on the scene, but no interviews. That was a great situation because this was my first boxing experience. We had our Photographer, Donald E. Cooper, Jr. aka DJ of My Own Creative Outlook, LLC on deck. I had my pink notebook that fits right in my purse for note taking and used my cell phone to take my own photographs on behalf of Celestial Caring Enterprise, LLC, a Public Relations Boutique Firm.

We walked up a few steps leading to another floor where all the boxers waited patiently for the weigh in to begin. The way the venue is set up, I would assume the area was the VIP section with rounded table booths. I saw a few media guys present as well. At the top of the steps, Shelton introduced me to Gerome “GQ” Quigley. As our three-company team scoped out the exclusive area, we had to figure out how we were going to proceed. I looked at the different boxers walking around the floor and sitting at the booth tables conversing amongst one another. Then in the middle of the room was a long table where I saw other media outlets looking through some papers. I thought I was supposed to fill out paperwork, for instance due to any liabilities, etc. I immediately went to the table to only see documents that didn’t look like it had anything to do with needing our signatures. I asked Courtney, if we had to sign anything, she said all was covered for media. Great! It’s always best to stay on your P’s and Q’s to ensure you do what’s correct at events when providing media coverage.

While we waited for the weigh in to begin, I walked around the room writing my notes and taking photographs, while at the same time directing Cooper on getting specific angles of boxers. At this point, you would’ve thought I’ve been involved with boxing press conferences in the past.

I noticed the officials were clearing out the middle of the floor. I knew the weigh in was about to start, but I wasn’t sure how it would all take place. The long table was moved between the media and other attendees and the weigh in area. On the other hand, officials were making sure the weight scale was working properly then introduced themselves.

I was in the way back, so I glided through the crowd and made it to the front, literally right at the table that had a clean white cloth covering it. I set myself up to be organized and ready for the weigh in to begin while standing up. I happened to be between a very nice and informative media rep from another company. This cameraman helped me keep track of the names of the boxers as they were going on and off the scale. Being new to this, it was moving fast or I was moving a bit slow. I sometimes couldn’t hear the names or remember the names due to writing down the number order and weight. I thought it was going to be a few boxers, which were listed on the flyer, but to my surprise, it was 22 boxers that weighed in.

The boxers would unclothe themselves, men down to their briefs and the women were either in a bikini or two piece work out attire enough to cover their private areas. Only one woman was fully clothed, not showing her body below her face. The boxers would then stand on the scale one by one, all doing the same poses, front face with arms to the side to be officially weighed and weight announced. Next, held their hands in front of their body before flexing their muscles to show their physique. This is where the seriousness came into effect between the opponents after being weighed, both boxers would stand on the floor to face each other with fists by their face and then they would face the media for photos. When they exited the weigh area, the routine continued with all the boxers.

The boxing participants had more men boxers than females. When the weigh in was over, boxers, media, and the officials either stayed at the end to engage with one another and/or take photos. Our team took photos from the top floor steps to the bottom of the floor. Before leaving, I could get Gerome “GQ” Quigley’s attention away from the boxing officials to take photos with him, thanks to Shelton knowing Quigley very well. I had just met GQ that day.

Courtney informed me that I could interview 3 boxers at the boxing event. I needed to send her the 3 names. I had the choice to do interviews before the boxers were getting in the ring or after their fight. I chose to do interviews after they came out of the ring. My 3 options consisted of Gerome “GQ” Quigley, Justin Bell, and Luther Smith. I had a backup boxer just in case I couldn’t get an interview from one of my selected boxers, the other one was Dravontay “Speed” Rawis.

 

It was a pleasure and great experience to have the opportunity to being a part of the boxing weigh in & press conference. I look forward to providing media coverage for more weigh in and press conferences for GQ Promotions.

 

 

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Charles & I are hanging out with Greg Hackett & Don Hollingsworth.


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