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MANILA, Philippines – There is no better venue for the Fight of the Century than Las Vegas, the so-called “fighting capital of the world.”
On Saturday, May 2, (Sunday, May 3 in the Philippines) two of today’s best fighters – Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr – will be pitted against each other. MGM Grand Garden Arena located in Las Vegas, Nevada will host the historic event. (READ: Mayweather vs Pacquiao: What you need to know)
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is part of MGM Grand, a hotel and casino consisting of four 30-story towers opened on December 18, 1993. With more than 5,000 guest rooms, it is among the largest hotels in the world.
Meanwhile, the arena, which can house 16,800 people, has hosted different events from concerts, award nights, tournaments, and big boxing fights.
As part of the hotel’s opening, Barbra Streisand held a concert in the hotel in December 1993. Elton John, Billy Joel, Britney Spears, and Cher were just among those who have performed in the arena in the past.
Witness to 11 of Pacquiao’s fights
Out of more than 60 of Pacquiao’s fights, 11 were held in the MGM Grand. His fight with Mayweather will be the 12th in this arena.
In 2001, MGM Grand Garden Arena was witness to his first fight in the US with South African Lehlo Ledwaba. Pacquiao took home the IBF Super Bantamweight title after that fight.
It was also the venue for some of his biggest fights against:
- Juan Manuel Marquez in 2004, 2011 and 2012
- Erik Morales in 2005
- Oscar De La Hoya in 2008
- Ricky Hatton in 2009
- Miguel Cotto in 2009
- Shane Mosley in 2011
- Timothy Bradley Jr in 2012 and 2014
Mayweather’s home turf
Out of more than 40 of Mayweather’s fights, 13 were held at the MGM Grand. His fight with Pacquiao will be the 14th at the venue.
In 2004, MGM Grand Garden Arena witnessed then 17-year-old amateur Mayweather’s loss against Mexican Martin Castillo.
Other fights included Gregorio Vargas in 2000, Diego Corrales in 2001, and Jose Luis Castillo in 2002. From 2007, MGM Grand Garden Arena hosted all of his fights up to the present.
Mayweather has set 4 of the top 5 live gate records at the MGM Grand in Nevada history, with his 2013 fight against Saul Alvarez grossing $20,003,150, according to the Nevada Athletic Commission.
His 2008 fight against Oscar de la Hoya is second at $18,419,200, while his two fights with Marcos Maidana in 2014 are fourth and fifth at $15,024,400 and $14,899,150, respectively. (READ: MGM Grand is Mayweather’s home turf)
Mayweather and Pacquiao’s fight is expected to bring astounding revenues not only to the hotel, but to the city as well. – Rappler.com
Sources: www.boxrec.com, Official website of MGM Grand, various news websites
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