Mayweather and Alvarez face off during a news conference in New York June 24th. Photo: AP

Undefeated fighters Floyd Mayweather and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez stopped here in Washington Tuesday to promote their September 14th super welterweight world title bout, one of boxing’s most anticipated match-ups in recent years.

The fistic hoopla took place at the Howard Theatre in Washington, the second stop on an 11-city media tour.

The promotional bandwagon will also go to Mexico, where the 22-year-old Alvarez is a national hero.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez knows Floyd Mayweather is looming behind him and looming ahead of him on September 14th. Photo: AP

“In the sport of boxing, it’s everybody’s time, and this is my time,” Alvarez said through a translator as fans chanted “Mex-i-co!” “I’m going to win.”

The red-haired Alvarez has won 42 times, with one draw, and has power with 30 knockouts.

Floyd Mayweather is pointing towards his September 14th fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Photo: AP

The 36-year-old Mayweather has won all 44 of his prizefights, with 26 knockouts.

This will be the second in his six-bout, 30-month contract with Showtime Sports cable television that could pay him more than $200 million.

Mayweather is already one of the world’s richest athletes, and the fight with Alvarez could be the biggest payday yet for the boxer nicknamed “Money.”

“In every sport, there are certain rare occasions when you have the best fighting the best,” says Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports. “The Super Bowl, Final Four, the college football national championship. Sept. 14th will be one of those occasions — the two biggest stars in the sport, the two biggest fan bases.”

Uncle Ted & Sonny

A Retirement Celebration was held June 8, 2013, for my friend, mentor and former Voice of America colleague “Uncle” Ted Roberts, who recently stepped down after 42 years of teaching at Howard University here in Washington, D.C. The following is my tribute speech at the ceremony:

“Is everything okay? Is everything alright? I hope so!” This was one of the signature on-air phrases of my friend and longtime Voice of America colleague, “Uncle” Ted Roberts.  Two short questions, followed by a short, three word sentence:  “I hope so!” The key word for me is that middle one: “hope.”

Uncle Ted’s “Radio Cake” at his Retirement Celebration

Whether he was working with young students at Howard, or working with young VOA interns in our office, Uncle Ted was, and is, very much about hope.

One of my favorite movies, The Shawshank Redemption, came out almost 20 years ago.  And one of my favorite scenes comes near the end of the film.

The character Red reads a letter from his friend and former prison buddy Andy, who writes, “Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things – and no good thing ever dies.”

Uncle Ted inspired hope not just in his students and in his colleagues, but also in the millions of VOA listeners who tuned in to his popular Nightline Africa radio broadcast on the weekend.  This show, with Uncle Ted behind the microphone, was very much about hope, and it was very much a communal experience.

Ted founded his Nightline Family, a Nightline Africa fan club with thousands of registered members and chapters all over Africa and the Caribbean.

There was an entertainment aspect to the program – Uncle Ted would give riddles and play oldies music: “a blast from my past … music among my souvenirs” is how he described it.

But there was also a hopeful, compassionate, humanitarian element to the show.  When I look back on Uncle Ted’s broadcasting career at the Voice of America, I think one of his greatest legacies was creating an award-winning program called Missing Link.  Ted was the Main Link in Missing Link– the conduit who brought together African families separated by war, political upheaval or natural disaster.  Ted read letters and recorded messages from refugees, who asked for help in locating their loved ones, and he’s credited with reuniting hundreds of families.

Uncle Ted, Liberian soccer great George Weah and Sonny in VOA studio in 2004.

Ted’s empathy and generosity was seen on an international scale through programs like this, but also on a smaller scale in our office.  I remember Uncle Ted always bringing in food for his colleagues, like doughnuts, chicken and Chinese food.  Uncle Ted also kept a big candy jar at his desk – he caught my hand in it a few times!

And just as I took candy from Ted’s jar, I also took sweet nuggets of his style, delivery and programs for use on my own show.  Remember, sports fans, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

One of Ted’s many Nightline Africa radio friends, Ateka, wrote the following after hearing of his retirement from VOA in 2009:  “Just like other members of the Nightline Family, I love Uncle Ted so much.  It was his baritone voice, his professionalism, his warm sense of humor and passion for his work that kept me and other members of his Nightline Family hooked to the radio whenever he was on the air.  Then, whenever he signed off, Ted always had a quote that inspired us.”

When you sign off by inspiring someone, you leave them with hope.  And so, Uncle Ted, thank you for the inspiration, and thank you for the hope.

Robbie and Sonny
Photo: Roblyn Hymes/VOA

Ghana-born Robbie Russell says he greatly enjoyed his recent visit to our Voice of America headquarters.

The 33-year-old Russell, who announced his retirement from pro soccer last month, brought with him several of the club jerseys he wore proudly all over the world.

Russell played as a defender for clubs in Iceland, Norway and Denmark, as well as in the United States, where he suited up for Real Salt Lake and D.C. United in Major League Soccer.

“I am so happy for what I was given,” says Russell, looking back on his 12-year professional career, “and so happy for what I

Robbie Russell celebrates his winning kick in the 2009 MLS championship match in Seattle, Washington.
Photo: AP

accomplished.”

One of his biggest accomplishments was lifting the MLS Cup trophy in 2009, when he scored the game-winning penalty kick for Real Salt Lake against David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Robbie celebrates a win over the Columbus Crew after a MLS match.
Photo: AP

“I still have goose bumps on my arms,” says Russell, reflecting on the kick that gave Real Salt Lake its first and only MLS championship.

Robbie now has his sights set on professional accomplishments off the pitch.

He began classes this week in Georgetown University’s Post-baccalaureate Pre-Medical Certificate Program.

Russell talked with me about the 18-month program, which leads to medical school, in this video interview.

In the interview, Robbie Russell says there’s a lot of hope surrounding Major League Soccer, which was founded in 1993 as part of the USA’s successful bid to host the 1994 World Cup.

Russell adds he hasn’t ruled out returning to MLS as a doctor. “If there was any way I could come back and rejoin the game, I think that would be amazing,” says Robbie. “But there’s a long time between now and then (becoming a M.D.). And so I’m going to take it one step at a time. But anything I could ever give back to this game would be fantastic.”