It’s now Dallas’ humungous Cowboys Stadium against Las Vegas’ elegant MGM Grand Garden Arena to house the much-anticipated megafight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones offered Bob Arum $25-million guarantee to host the fight. This is a huge amount of money and unprecedented in boxing history. But according to The Los Angeles Times, Las Vegas’ MGM Grand could generate $28 million in live-gate sales, offer 40,000 closed-circuit seats through MGM/Mirage properties, and charge $100 a head for a possible $4 million surplus -- a total worth of around $32 million. This figure seems adequate to outbid Jones’ offer and bring the fight to the gambling and entertainment capital of the world where big fights are traditionally held.
But where should a fight of this magnitude really belong? I asked some of the reputable scribes in the business where they think should the showdown be held, Dallas or Vegas. Here’s what they had to say.
“Vegas, because MGM Grand has earned the right of first refusal by holding so many major fights there over the last few years. It's Arum's comfort zone, Pacquiao's, Mayweather's. There is a big-fight routine there, and it will cost a ton more to take it elsewhere and reinvent the wheel in a place like Dallas. This fight has a shot to get 3 million pay per views...that makes the site of the fight much less important.” – BILL DWYRE – Los Angeles Times
“Anywhere but Vegas, please.
“Other writers have summed up the argument best: Put a big event in a big venue. If you do it in Vegas, you get the same problem you always get -- most of the tickets are going to go to high rollers and ticket brokers, freezing the true boxing fans out of a truly big fight. You're going to have the usual empty arena for the undercard, with people not taking their seats until the main event.
“Boxing used to go here, there and everywhere. It still does -- in other countries. Look at the atmosphere for these big fights in Montreal and overseas. It can take an important fight and make it seem even more special.” - DAVID GREISMAN – BoxingScene
“Dallas, what better way to reintroduce Boxing back into mainstream than such a large scale event that would be a significant blow to the doubters who've claimed for years the sport was dying. However, I have no doubt that the fight will happen in Vegas due the amount of money that would be lost if it takes place in Dallas” – PATRICK JOSEPH CASSIDY – 411mania
“Dallas - or any place that can hold 100,000 fans. Boxing needs new life and needs to expand beyond the strip, where all you'll get is a MUCH smaller crowd, insanely priced tickets and closed circuit, major price gouging to the point where real fans won't be able to afford to go and a far less lively atmosphere.
“Enough with the "we'll aim for that next time" BS. The sport has become confined to maximizing PPV buys; time to bring the boxing fan back to the event, not continue to limit their view to the one from the living room couch.” – JAKE DONOVAN – BoxingScene
“Dallas is the best venue because boxing needs this to be more than just a superfight. This needs to be THE superfight that really proves MMA is never going to kill off boxing. Sell out Cowboys Stadium and do huge numbers on PPV, and this becomes a real statement fight that boxing promoters will be able to use for years to sell the sport.” – RICH BERGERON – Unlimited Fightnews
“I think a really, really special fight like this could use a different type of venue to make it that much more special. I'd love to see over 70 thousand people in attendance at a stadium, and watch the extra long walks from the dressing rooms and crazy crowd chants. Maybe a major rock band could do the anthem. Kings of Leon please! We've seen so many fights at the MGM Grand, I'd love to see an added wrinkle to make this fight more special. THAT BEING SAID (i love Curb..), with this fight being just right around the corner, I prefer that we stick with what we know. I don't want to see any last minute logistical problems screwing things up for this major fight. The MGM Grand is the old standby, and they know what they're doing. So although, I'd PREFER to see this event in a major stadium, I don't want to risk the fight, so the MGM Grand works best on this short notice.” – ALI SHAKOOR - 411mania
“Vegas – just because it’s home (or has been for every mega-fight of this era).” – GEOFF POUNDES – Ringside Report
“I’d love to see the fight in Dallas. It would be a fresh change of venue from the usual Las Vegas.
“However, I feel that the fight will end up in Vegas. They do big fights the best and have a solid boxing commission.” – JOHN DISANTO – Philly Boxing History
“Dallas! Boxing in the United States needs to prove it can put 70,000 people in a stadium for a fight.” – MATTHEW GOLDSTEIN – BoxingTalk
“I'd prefer Dallas. For selfish reasons, it's an easier trip for someone who lives in the southeast. But I also think it's a good idea to give this fight a signature hook. Vegas is Mecca and all the big fights are there. We know that. But this fight is bigger. This fight deserves a venue that will draw attention and create a buzz. What better place than the newest and most cutting-edge facility in the country. It's a guaranteed smash.” – LYLE FITZSIMMONS – BoxingScene
“Dallas would be amazing in the sense that many of this generation have never experienced the euphoria behind a stadium-presented epic showdown in the sport of boxing like decades of the past. Although it would symbolize the rebirth of the sport on the mainstream level, my issue is how do you substitute the casinos, nightlife, and vibe of Vegas? The energy throughout the city is unparalleled. Dallas would be swell, but Vegas is the obvious choice. To me… – VIVEK WALLACE – Eastside Boxing
“I'm torn on this one. I want it in Vegas because it's more cost effective for me. But I think it should go to Dallas because it will get more hardcore deserving fans who have made this fight possible the chance to see it. I say Dallas or L.A. My guess is Vegas will outbid Jerry Jones' $25 million offer. We'll see how much Jones wants this fight if Vegas goes 30 mil.” – GABRIEL MONTOYA – MaxBoxing
“I would imagine it will go to the highest bidder. Probably a Vegas venue because of the gambling revenue they can generate, so they will bid higher than Dallas.” – ADAM POLLACK – Cyber Boxing
“Dallas...as much as I'd like Vegas for the sole reason that it's closer to me and cheaper to travel, I really like the idea of a mega fight like this to be seen by as many people as possible...limiting the amount of fans that can attend live would be a sin (in Sin City). I'm confident that Jerry Jones could help build this up like we've never seen before.” – RAMON ARANDA – 411mania
“Dallas. This fight can help push boxing back into the mainstream. What better way to do that than to go outside of Vegas and into a mainstream venue? And what better way to promote the sport than holding the biggest fight in decades in front of 100,000 screaming fans? They'd be insane not to do it in Dallas.” – DON STEWART – Reading Eagle
“Vegas. It's a fight town rich with tradition and the best venue for boxing fans around the world.” – JASON PETOCK – Doghouse Boxing
“I believe the fight will land in Las Vegas.
“I don't believe the Vegas powerbrokers would be too pleased with Top Rank or Golden Boy Promotions if they took the biggest fight in history anywhere else.
“Both companies still have to do business with Vegas for their other fighters throughout the year and I don’t believe they’ll jeopardize that relationship.
“It sounds like the MGM Grand will probably be the place. Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League might be able to persuade both parties and anything is possible but if I had to make a pick I would say “Vegas”. – PAUL BURBRIDGE – Eastside Boxing
I'd rather see the fight in Dallas. A big venue in a big city would give this event the stage it deserves. But I'd be shocked if it doesn't end up in Vegas. - RONAN KEENAN - The Sweet Science
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