Day 7 - Party Like a Tsar

The endless stream of fighter interviews, shadow-boxing, and location scouting came to an end today, finally. Instead, the fighters and the production team traveled to “The Officers’ House” to shoot the weigh-ins. The Officers’ House is another of St. Petersburg’s amazing historical sites, and you’ll simply have to watch the show in order to properly experience the grandeur of the place.

Suffice it to say, all the fighters met their weight (so we don’t have to cancel the show). Meanwhile, a second production unit was in a nearby room shooting more greenscreen material. The above image shows Jeff Ford, a light heavyweight Muay Thai champion, receiving direction from story producer Gabriella Sosa.

Later, I was whisked off to join a special convoy destined for Katerina’s Castle (pictured above) and to meet our very own Bodog Tsar, Calvin Ayre. He and some of the Girls were personally invited for a tour of the castle.

Cort (a camera op) and I were invited to join and shoot the tour – a very special experience since cameras are normally forbidden inside the castle.

Calvin and his entourage approach the castle.

They were served tea in the royal Russian fashion.

Calvin’s bodyguard is awesome at scaring tourists. And photographers.

When all was said and done, we packed up and drove over (via police escort) to a high-class restaurant where Calvin greeted the fighters and married them to the Bodog Girl of their choice.

Middleweight Joseph Baize cuddles with his new sweetheart, Bodog Girl Julia Kabanova. Lucky dog!