ARLINGTON -- Jerry Jones is obviously hoping for a beautiful experience tonight when Manny Pacquiao defends his WBO world welterweight championship in a bout with Joshua Clottey.
The official weigh-in was conducted Friday on the East Plaza of Cowboys Stadium, and both fighters made their weight -- Pacquiao at 1453/4 and Clottey at the welterweight limit of 147.
For Jones, it was the last step before the main event -- the first boxing card at the new stadium. And while Jones is bubbly optimistic, he did say that he has a few butterflies.
"It's like a beautiful woman," the Dallas Cowboys owner said. "You can have a great chin or great-looking eyes, but it's got to all come together, and what does it look like then?"
All signs suggest the final product will be impressive. Jones said the 10-bout card is nearing a sellout of 45,000 and is close enough that end-zone party passes -- giving fans access to the plazas outside and the six party decks -- are being sold and a big walk-up crowd is expected.
The standing room-only passes will be $35 and Jones said as many as 30,000 could be sold, "although I don't anticipate that at all."
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, by visiting online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-755-3000. Standing-room viewing along the party deck rails is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Jones is stoked.
"We've got the huge digital screen, we've got the crowd, we've got two fighters and the first time we've had two people competing [in a stadium event]," Jones said. "So what is that going to be? I hope it's going to be a unique way to watch the fight."
Watch the board
When the fans load up the stadium tonight, there will be plenty of Filipino flags, Manny Pacquiao's many fans, entourage and family, maybe some Cowboys cheerleaders and likely a pyrotechnic or two.
Amid all the sensory overload, what is it that Pacquiao thinks he'll see first?
"I think I'll see my face," Pacquiao said with a laugh.
He was referring, of course, to the giant video board, which will highlight and perhaps distract fans from the action in the ring.
Pacquiao said shows like this and Top Rank's June show at Yankee Stadium represent a significant opportunity to take boxing back to the people.
"This is very important for boxing's growth," Pacquiao said. "It's going to be worldwide. It's a good example to other places that we can promote boxing, boxing like this."
After tonight's fight, Pacquiao will return to begin his campaign for a congressional seat in the Philippines.
When asked if a victory would help, Pacquiao replied simply, "I don't know."
However, promoter Bob Arum provided the most insightful line of the week when it came to politics potentially taking away from Pacquiao's boxing career.
"If the Filipino congressmen are anything like the U.S. congressmen, they sit around and do nothing most of the year, so why wouldn't he be able to fight?" Arum said.
Playmaker's prediction
Michael Irvin was one of a few area celebrities on hand for the festivities this week. Irvin struck his best boxing pose for the cameras and even had a prediction on the outcome of the main event.
"Hopefully, Pacquiao will let him hang around long enough that we can get a real good show. I don't see how you can beat a guy that is as gifted and as talented as Pacquiao is and works the way he works," said Irvin, who will join Jerry Jones in the owner's suite at Cowboys Stadium.
Pay-per-view rebate
Fight sponsor Tecate is offering a $20 rebate to fans who buy the pay-per-view broadcast with the purchase of a 12-pack of Tecate cerveza.
Staff writer Matthew Reagan contributed to this report.
tlopez@star-telegram.com
jhubbard@star-telegram.com
Source: star-telegram.com
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