Las Vegas Weekly

November 22, 2008 · 3:19 PM

What gives? Soccer star David Beckham heads to the Palms

By Robin Leach

David Beckham, shown with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Photo: Associated Press

Moments ago, soccer superstar David Beckham arrived in Las Vegas -- and promptly checked into the Palms solo. His Posh Spice wife, Victoria, must have stayed home in Los Angeles with the kids!

It's unknown, for now, how long he's staying and exactly why he's in town.

But a good guess is that he'll turn up ringside tonight for the Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton fight against Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Ricky enters the ring with 31 knockouts in his record of 44 winning fights and only one loss -- to Oscar de la Hoya -- earlier this year here on the Strip. (Oscar’s Golden Boy Promotions is producing this fight, by the way!) Paulie is a killer, too, with a 25-win and only one-loss record! On the line is The Hitman’s junior IBA welterweight world title and Paulie’s junior IBF welterweight world championship belt.

As a fellow Brit, you can bet the house Becks will be backing Hatton -- and if seated close enough to Sly Stallone and fellow Brit Jason Statham, you can expect them to hug each other English-style. Come to think of it, you may have a little difficulty telling those two apart with their shaved noggins -- there are definitely certain He-Man similarities.

No doubt, there'll be that special eccentric English excitement when ring announcer Michael Buffer screams out their names! Jason told me last night he can even sing along to the Hatton song chant!

Our contributing celebrity photographer Erik Kabik has ringside clearance and a pass to Hatton's win-or-lose after-party at Studio 54, so check back here in the morning for our first photos of tonight’s fight fun.

Share This