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RIO DE JANEIRO -- His focus seemingly unflappable, Shakur Stevenson was briefly distracted when he heard a familiar voice as he walked out for his Olympic bout.Augie! Augie!Floyd Mayweather Jr. was in the house and shouting at U.S. boxing assistant coach Augie Sanchez.Stevenson had been bummed out when he was told Mayweather had left the Rio de Janeiro Games. Turned out, the rumor was false and one of Stevensons biggest fans had the best seat in the arena to watch the top U.S. prospect continue his medal run.I got a little more nervous again, Stevenson said.Stevenson, who is from Newark, New Jersey, calmed his nerves and made a lasting impression on Mayweather with a convincing win over Mongolian fighter Tsendbaatar Erdenebat. The retired, undefeated Mayweather went wild for the 19-year-old Stevenson in a unanimous decision victory that guaranteed him a medal.And why not? Mayweather saw Stevenson fight with a style in the ring that reminded him of another great fighter.I see the next Floyd Mayweather, Mayweather said. If anybody can break my records, this young kid right here can do it. I truly believe in him.Mayweather believed in Stevenson (24-0 in international competition) so much that he expected more than gold for Stevenson -- Money May wanted the prized prospect on his blossoming Mayweather Promotions roster. Of course, hell have to compete with other promoters to grab the best U.S. amateur.When I saw him at my gym, I said, `Who is this guy? I want to sign him instantly, Mayweather said. I thought he was a professional. They said he was an amateur but hes got a professional style. Hes the No. 1 guy, of course, that Im interested in.All eyes were on Mayweather more than any fighter in the ring.Mayweather is still the undisputed top attraction at the boxing tournament in what was at least his third visit to the venue. The U.S. bronze medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Games smiled when he was shown and introduced on the big screen to a roaring ovation. Dozens of fans hurried his way for selfies. He never removed the earbuds attached to his mobile phone when he posed for a few fans.They were quickly shooed away and blocked off by members of Mayweathers friends known as TMT: The Money Team.Mayweather invited Popo Freitas, a former Brazilian boxing world champion, down to his seat for a quick chat.Mayweather enjoyed the fights, first from the front row of the corner of the bleacher seats, then he moved to dead center for the two American bouts.The 39-year-old Mayweather retired last year after a 49-0 career. The International Boxing Association (AIBA) changed its rules this year to allow professionals to fight at the Olympics, but Mayweather had no interest.He also ruled out a comeback.Im an old man, he said, laughing. Im treating my body good, being smart. I was still able to compete at the top level for 20 years. Ive done a lot in boxing. I just want to give back to young champions right here.Stevenson (wearing a Team Shakur shirt) and some friends and family joined Mayweather in the stands and posed for even more pictures.But Mayweathers A-list pull might not be enough to convince Stevenson to join the team. Stevenson is widely expected to sign a professional contract in the fall with Top Rank Boxing.Stevensons grandfather, Wali Moses, began teaching him how to box when he was 5, and he has barely lost since he won his first fight at 8. Stevensons mother, Malikah, named him after Tupac Shakur, the rapper and social activist who died nine months before her first son was born. Stevenson mostly avoided trouble on Newarks tough streets, and his grandfathers steady influence kept him devoted to his sport.Stevenson remains the brightest candidate to win the first mens gold medal in 12 years from once-proud USA Boxing.Andre Ward was the last American man to claim the top prize with at the 2004 Athens Games, and the London mens team failed to win any medals.Kansas fighter Nico Hernandez snapped the medal drought last week with a bronze.Stevenson has Russian fighter Vladimir Nikitin up next and the winner goes for gold.He was all smiles Tuesday when he had Mayweather by his side as they fought through a mob to escape the arena. Its even better for Mayweather to have his back.Its everything, Stevenson said. Thats the greatest of all time.Vans Shoes Sale .Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. Vans Shoes Sale Cheap . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. http://www.vansoutletsale.com/ . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. Vans Shoes Outlet Sale . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. Vans Outlet Online .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again.Over a two-week span, were answering the following question for college basketballs 10 best conferences: Which venue in each conference is the toughest place to play? A number of factors, not just capacity and attendance, could affect a venues place in the order. Where does your school fall??The Pit at New Mexico has always been considered one of the top venues in all of college basketball, but coach Steve Fisher has created quite an environment at San Diego State.Which one ranks at the top of the Mountain West? And where does the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV sit in the leagues rankings?11. San José State Spartans: The Event Center, opened in 1989 The toughest thing about playing at The Event Center is the lack of fans in the building. Its a small venue, with a capacity of 5,000, but the Spartans averaged only 1,647 last season.Fun fact: This isnt exactly a fun fact, but its a fact nonetheless: The Spartans are just 154-206 in the building since it opened in 1989.10. Fresno State Bulldogs: Save Mart Center, opened in 2003 Other than Thomas & Mack, its the largest venue (15,596) in the league, an NBA-style arena. Its nice, but the fans are far away from the action, and the Bulldogs averaged just 6,296 in attendance last season, a year in which the team was good and wound up going to the NCAA tournament.Fun fact: The first concert in the building was held by opera tenor Andrea Bocelli.9. Nevada Wolf Pack: Lawlor Events Center, opened in 1983 Its one of the easiest places to play in the league these days, but that could change if second-year coach Eric Musselman starts to get his team going on the court again. The Wolf Pack averaged 6,554 fans (capacity is 11,784) this past season, and even when they had it rolling under Trent Johnson and Mark Fox, they were averaging about 8,000 fans per game.Fun fact: The building was named after Glenn Jake Lawlor, who coached the football, mens basketball and baseball teams at one time or another. He was also the schools athletic director from 1951 to 1969.8. Air Force Falcons: Clune Arena, opened in 1968 Its an old building, and back when coach Joe Scott had things rolling in the mid-2000s, the cadet section was rocking. Clune, which holds 5,858, was sold out just about every game with 1,300 to 1,400 cadets jammed into 700 seats. Its not like that these days -- with an average of 1,476 fans last season -- but Clune has a low, flat ceiling, meaning it can get extremely loud. And the fans are right on top of the players.Fun fact: The building is named after Col. John Clune, Air Forces athletic director from 1975-91. Clune is actually a Naval Academy graduate.7. Colorado State Rams: Moby Arena, opened in 1966Its small (holds 8,745) and older, but it gets extremely loud at times, even though the Rams have averaged just under half-capacity over the past couple years. The students are right on top of the players, and coach Larry Eustachys team has a different mindset and style at home. One coach described the Rams as tough, physical and nasty in their building. Eustachy is also wild on the sidelines, which gets the crowd going.Fun fact: The arena was the setting for the 1976 movie One on One, starring Robbie Benson, in which he played a basketball standout from Colorado named Henry Steele.6. Boise State Broncos:?Taco Bell Arena, opened in 1982 Coach Leon Rice has done a terrific job the past few years with the program, butt it still hasnt resulted in sellout crowds.dddddddddddd In 2015, the Broncs averaged 5,775 fans. Last season saw a slight increase to 6,270. The place holds more than 12,000. Its middle-of-the-road in terms of the toughest venues in the conference.Fun fact: The most memorable play in the arena came when UCLA point guard Tyus Edney went the length of the court to beat Missouri in the 1995 NCAA tournament. The Bruins went on to win the national title.5. UNLV Rebels: Thomas & Mack Center, opened in 1983 It obviously hasnt been what it was back in the 90s when Jerry Tarkanian made it the hottest ticket in a city full of them. The place holds more than 18,000 and is currently undergoing a $72.5 million modernization project, which includes a 2,500-square foot observation deck that overlooks the Las Vegas Strip. When Tark had it rolling, this place was as high-powered as just about any in the country.Fun fact: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar swished a skyhook against the Utah Jazz and passed Wilt Chamberlain as the NBAs all-time leading scorer in the building in 1984.4. Utah State Aggies: Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, opened in 1970 When the Aggies are winning, the student section is as good as just about any in the league. The 10,270 in Logan are cramped, clad in navy blue, and loud. The Aggies have won nearly 81 percent of their games in this building since it opened, and even though Utah State struggled last season, fans still came -- nearly 9,000 per home contest.Fun fact: The arena was named for Dee Glen Smith, the founder of Smiths Food & Drug.3. Wyoming Cowboys: Arena-Auditorium, opened in 1982 The elevation makes it extremely difficult to play in the Dome of Doom in Laramie. The place holds 11,612, and the winter weather doesnt help matters for opposing teams making the trip. The Cowboys have won 74 percent of their home games since the building opened. The arena is currently undergoing a $30 million renovation that will feature expansive courtside seating.Fun fact: Its the highest Division I court in the country with an elevation of 7,220 feet.2. New Mexico Lobos: WisePies Arena aka The Pit, opened in 1966 The Pit, which crams in nearly 15,000, is regarded as one of the top venues in the nation and ranked in the top five in attendance 16 times in the first 20 years of its existence. It gets mind-numbingly loud, the altitude (more than 5,300 feet) is extremely difficult for opponents, and the building is 37 feet below street level (hence the name). The Lobos are 708-162 in the building, an 81 percent clip.Fun fact: The St. Petersburg Times conducted a study of decibel levels at collegiate basketball arenas during the 1988-89 season, and the Lobos game against Arizona registered the loudest at 118 decibels.1. San Diego State Aztecs: Viejas Arena, opened in 1997 The venue is built into a canyon hillside and holds more than 12,000. Coach Steve Fisher has created a home environment that rocks. The Show is one of the top student sections in the country, and this is one of my favorite places to catch a game. The Aztecs sold out all 20 home games last season and ranked 29th in the nation in attendance.Fun fact: Viejas Arena sits in the schools old football stadium, the Aztec Bowl. There are concrete bleachers on either side of one parking lot. ' ' '