[kenyan_cheena]

Ray was ecstatic (and not shy about letting everyone know it), hugging his trainer, exchanging high-fives with his entourage, kissing his lovely ladies on the cheek. The ring was a chaotic swarm of HBF officials and media, resulting in a delay when Chuck Hall tried to announce the official fight result. Baer was in his corner being examined by the ring doctor, and then Elmer Ray's camp broke into an impromptu victory chant.

Soon after, ESPN's Nick Warren was able to speak to Elmer Ray.

"Congratulations," Warren said, shaking Elmer's hand.

Elmer smiled. "Well, thank you, thanks a lot," he replied, wiping the sweat from his face. He was still on a high, excited and racing, like he was ready to explode. His words came quickly.

"Elmer, I think it would be an understatement if I said that you've really shaken things up a bit."

Ray laughed. "Well, you know I think I'm just giving the people what they want, see? The HBF has said they want excitement and colour, that's what I'm givin', you know?"

The crowd roared in approval.

"I'm sure that people would like to know how you came up with the idea for your entrance tonight," Warren said. "Could you tell us a little bit about it?"

Ray showed a matter-of-fact expression. "I'm just a showman at heart, see, and I've been raised on hip-hop. It's in my blood, man. Again, just givin' the crowd somethin' outta left field, man."

"Some have criticised you for your behaviour leading up to the fight. What do you have to say about that?"

Ray laughed again, shaking his head. "It's just show business, man. If none a y'all can see that stuff ain't supposed to be taken serious, you just gotta lighten up, ya hear?"

"So do you think that Buddy Baer knew not to take it seriously?"

Elmer sighed, exasperated. "Well, I'll say this: If he tells you he didn't, he's lyin'!"

Ray's entourage burst out into song once more and for a few moments, Elmer completely ignored Warren, joining in the song, leaving the commentator with an amused smile on his face.

"Now, let's talk about the fight for a moment," Warren said.

"I won it," Ray quickly replied. "I said I'd destroy the dude and I did, sho 'nuff."

"He gave you a pretty tough time though, wouldn't you say?" said Warren. "I mean, with two rounds left, it still looked like a pretty close fight."

Ray nodded. "He mighta touched me up a yard in the 4th, but that was jus' because I challenged him to do it. You know, he's 55 pounds heavier than me and four inches taller. Do the math, man, he shoulda had me for breakfast."

"It looked to me and others I've spoken to that Buddy Baer came out too fast, didn't pace himself."

Ray nodded, shrugged. "Well, they can roll out the excuses for the dude if they want. Ain't gonna change the fact that I was just too good for him."

"You do realise that you might be on the back and front covers of a number of international newspapers tomorrow?" asked Warren.

Ray nodded. "That's cool, man. I can handle that, man. That's what President Vincennes wants, ain't it? He wants our organisation to be known worldwide. I'm just helpin' out, know?"

"Well, once again, congratulations on your victory, Elmer."

"Thanks, man. I just wanna say a few things, see. Firstly, I wanna give a shout out to the home town, y'all? The black, red and white, we representin' Hastings, Florida, baby! Keisha, Tionne, Lisa, I love you, baby! Black-red-white, baby!" Ray pointed to his robe of the colours black, red and white.

At this, Ray's entourage went nuts, breaking into a chant of "Black-red-white! Black-red-white!" A perturbed expression came to Nick Warren's face. The crowd did not quite know what to make of the scene. Some of them loved it and applauded, others simply sat bemused, frowning.

The entourage calmed down, and Ray spoke again. He motioned to the largest member of his entourage to step forward. He was a huge, broad-shouldered man, standing perhaps six-six, weighing at least 260. "Nicky, I just wanna introduce to the public my big cousin, Terone Haynes. Y'all gonna be hearing a lot about him in the near future, see. He's been trainin', and he's gonna turn pro real soon. Keep your eyes open, y'all."

With that, Ray's entourage left the ring, once again launching into their victory chant as they headed back up the tunnel. The crowd watched: fascinated, excited, bemused, stunned...