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My wife and I flew into Vegas last night for a 4 day stay at the Flamingo and as usual we take a cab to our hotel.

Entertainment can be found almost everywhere in Vegas…including your cab ride from the airport. Our driver for this ride to the Flamingo was one happy cabbie and could not wait to tell us his story. Juan, a Guatemalan, arrived in US in the 80’s as a young boxer. He told us he worked as a professional sparing partner for boxers from Colorado to California.

He spoke rapid fire English with a slight accent and lots of hand gestures. It was a bit disconcerting that he was waving his hands about while driving, but he got us to the hotel safe and sound.

Juan was quite the enthusiastic story teller and ready to promote his return to boxing. Not sure what the status of boxing is these days, but if Juan were a golfer he would definitely be on playing the Senior Tour. Do the have have a senior boxing tour?

He said he was working on very little sleep as he drives a cab all night and trains as a boxer all day. Juan said he fights under the name Super Juan and went on about how the young guys don’t have the dedication or the drive these days. All they young guys want Super Juan exclaimed “are to be superstars without the work!” He boxed the air…yes, while driving, and shouted “I can take um all.” He didn’t even miss a lane change, a signal or and exit.

On the 20 minute ride we talked about all the old boxers like Frasier, Ali and Forman. And, we laughed about how Crazy Oscar de LeHoya is… caught up in some kinda of cross dressing scandal. Though his racing conversation and hand gestures he also called his 23 year old girl friend to find out what magazine is publishing an article on him next month. American Memorabilia was the name of the magazine. Not exactly Sports Illustrated, but a step above the Thrifty Nickle.

Every time you get in a Vegas cab or a bus you are a captive audience to a whole bunch of wannabe entertainers from comedians to lounge singers. This was my first experience with a self promoting, geriatric boxer who can drive a cab with no hands. There is always a show in Vegas.