GGG vs Szeremeta Fight Week - Photos by Melina Pizano/Matchroom - 12/18/20

Due to COVID travel restrictions our lead photographer, Ed Mulholland, had to stay in Texas to cover Canelo-Smith fight week. I was given the option to be the 2nd photographer (like normal) on Canelo-Smith or to be the lead photographer in Florida to cover GGG-Szeremeta. It was honestly a tough decision because covering Canelo is huge for me; of course so would the opportunity to be a lead photographer for a week for the first time for one of the biggest boxing promoters, not to mention covering GGG. In short, after talking to my mom she made me realize I needed to take the lead. I can't thank Ed enough for his mentorship along the way that made my first fight week run so smoothly and also for suggesting this opportunity to Matchroom. I’m also grateful to my photo team, Mikey Owens, and Meg Oliphant who both brought their A-game that week. Below are a few selects of my first fight week coverage as a lead photographer for Matchroom Boxing; covering boxer portraits, the final press conference, and weigh-in. Fight night photos are in the next post.

Portrait lighting: I ordered two new Godox SK400IIs right before this fight week, but the package was missing a reflector, 2 modeling lights didn't work, as well as one light that would turn on, but I was unable to use any of its functions. When I tried to reach their customer service I got an error message. I returned everything. After a colleague's recommendation I switched it up to Westcott FJ400s. The lights are smaller, the lights and octobanks are very user friendly, and I love the lighting. I'm actually glad I had an issue with the Godox lights to upgrade to these Westcott lights. They were about twice as much, but totally worth the investment.
 

All photos taken at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Portraits taken on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

Canon 1DXMKIII, f/2.8 70-200 lens, & 1-2 Westcott FJ400s with octobank(s)

Jalen Walker

Reshat Mati

Kamil Szeremeta

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Media DayDecember 15, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Kamil Szeremeta poses for portraits during media day. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Gennadiy Golovkin

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Media DayDecember 15, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Gennadiy Golovkin poses for portraits during media day. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Final press conference photos taken on Wednesday, December 16, 2020.

Hyun Mi Choi shares a laugh with Eddie Hearn.

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Final Press ConferenceDecember 16, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Hyun Mi Choi speaks at the final press conference for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Ali Akhmedov and Carlos Gongora pose after the final press conference.

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Final Press ConferenceDecember 16, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Ali Akhmedov and Carlos Gongora pose at the final press conference for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Gennadiy Golovkin and Eddie Hearn share a smile at the final press conference.

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Final Press ConferenceDecember 16, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Gennadiy Golovkin speaks at the final press conference for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta face off at the final press conference.

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Final Press ConferenceDecember 16, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta pose at the final press conference for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Weigh-in photos taken on Thursday, December 17, 2020.

Reshat Mati

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Weigh-InDecember 17, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Reshat Mati steps on the scale to weigh-in for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

John Ryder

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Weigh-InDecember 17, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; John Ryder steps on the scale to weigh-in for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Ali Akhmedov after his weigh-in. Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Weigh-InDecember 17, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Ali Akhmedov steps on the scale to weigh-in for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Ali Akhmedov and Carlos Gongora pose after their weigh-in.

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Weigh-InDecember 17, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Ali Akhmedov and Carlos Gongora pose after weighing in for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Hyun Mi Choi and Calista Silgado pose after their weigh-in.

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Weigh-InDecember 17, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Hyun Mi Choi and Calista Silgado pose after weighing in for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Kamil Szeremeta

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Weigh-InDecember 17, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Kamil Szeremeta steps on the scale to weigh-in for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Gennadiy Golovkin

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Weigh-InDecember 17, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Gennadiy Golovkin steps on the scale to weigh-in for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta pose after their weigh-in.

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Weigh-InDecember 17, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta pose after weighing in for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom. Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Weigh-InDecember 17, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta pose after weighing in for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.

Todd Grisham interviews Gennadiy Golovkin after Golovkin's weigh-in.

Boxing: Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta Weigh-InDecember 17, 2020; Hollywood, Florida; Gennadiy Golovkin speaks with Todd Grisham after GolovkinÕs weigh-in for the December 18, 2020 Matchroom fight card in Hollywood, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.