Las Vegas Weekly

February 24, 2009 · 7:26 AM

Strip Scribbles: Take part in May 2 bout between Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton

By Robin Leach

Manny Pacquiao and Bob Arum.

Photo: Erik Kabik/ RETNA/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Two of the world’s best boxers, Manny Pacquiao and Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, are set to meet May 2 at the MGM Grand in the eagerly awaited 12-round battle, and you could call the weigh-in with announcer Michael Buffer. The “Get Ready to Rumble” event is a prize donated by Top Rank’s head honcho Bob Arum at this Saturday’s “Keep Memory Alive” benefit featuring Siegfried & Roy’s final performance at the Bellagio. We’ll auction off the package, which includes entering the ring to announce a preliminary fight and sitting ringside for the super-middleweight bout between the champions. The day before, you’ll also be in front of TV cameras with Michael and Bob to announce the weights at the weigh-in.

Robin Williams, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have teamed up for another unique package at the auction. They, along with star chef Emeril Lagasse, are offering a weekend of fun and fabulous food at the Shakespeare Ranch on Lake Tahoe. Robin will provide a private show after Emeril’s dinner, and Andre and Steffi have thrown in tennis lessons and a match! Financier Mike Milken, who has a home there, also will invite you over for a barbecue beach party!

Tomorrow, we’ll reveal another amazing gift, this one from illusionist David Copperfield. A limited number of tickets are still available for Saturday’s gala chefs dinner and the Siegfried & Roy performance. For more details, go to www.keepmemoryalive.org.

*It’s an unusual opening-week gimmick for a new Vegas hotel, but I’m reliably told that if you check into the new M Resort set to open Sunday, you’ll get $75 of slot machine play just for booking the reduced room rate of $75! “It’s a sign of the tough economic times,” one casino veteran told me. “You could actually come out ahead of the deal in a big way if you win big.”

*Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Monte Carlo magician headliner Lance Burton hail from Louisville, Ky., so it was natural that when the boxer’s daughter Rasheda Ali came to Vegas to film her TV series In My Corner, she’d pay a visit to Lance. Rasheda took her two children, Nico, 8, and Biaggio, 10, to see Lance’s show and met up with him afterwards backstage. “My father is from Louisville, too. That’s why you’re so nice,” she told Lance, who says he’s Ali’s No. 1 fan. Actress-author Rasheda has written a book on Parkinson’s Disease, which her 67-year-old father suffers. Titled I’ll’ Hold Your Hand So You Don’t Fall, it’s a child’s guide to the disease.

*2009 Miss America Katie Stam has been busy since winning the pageant at Planet Hollywood last month. Her latest stop was in Palm Beach, Fla., where she met up with actor Tommy Lee Jones and America’s Most Wanted host John Walsh and sang the national anthem at the International Polo Club festivities with its president, John Goodman, and Congressman Tom Rooney.

Star surveillance

Now that Vegas will be the subject of the next Real Housewives show on Bravo, it’s little surprise that the other housewives are here to check us out! Jill Zarin from the New York Housewives dined at Tao in The Venetian. … The cast of Jersey Boys at the Palazzo attended Barry Manilow’s Hilton show on their day off, while next door at The Venetian, Cedric the Entertainer went onstage to join Wayne Brady in the James Brown finale. … Playboy’s March Playmate of the Month centerfold Jennifer Pershing was at the Palms Playboy Club toasting with Ketel One vodka and tonic, while nearby was MLB free agent Frank Thomas drinking white wine while playing blackjack with three friends. … Fans went wild for Keri Hilson when she performed “Tear’n Me Up” with Lil Wayne at Poetry in Caesars Palace, so she treated 100 of them to Patron tequila shots! … Feasting at Strip House in Planet Hollywood was hip-hop mogul and rapper Jermaine Dupri, while The Closer actor Raymond Cruz stayed in the lounge for his drinks and appetizers!

*It’s Fat Tuesday, which means Carnivale, and the Palazzo is presenting two events: high-energy samba dancers and entertainers from Brazil will celebrate at Sushi Samba, and downstairs at Lavo, there’s a one-hour Cachaca open bar until midnight as more dancers in those outrageous feather headdresses throw out beads and strut their stuff! … Star chef Wolfgang Puck throws a six-course dinner with six beers from around the world at Spago in Caesars Palace, and Steve Martorano returns to his Rio café to launch his new menu with a Fat Tuesday-through-Sunday-styled Italian series of dinners.

Tonight’s tip

Thirty years ago, Blondie bounced onto the scene with Parallel Lines, and tonight singer Debbie Harry is back with the band in a one-night-only concert at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm. The rock legend is still shouting strong! … Jersey Boys pianist and composer Philip Fortenberry welcomes Rebecca Spencer as his guest artist for the Liberace Cabaret series at 1 p.m. today and tomorrow and again on Saturday in the Liberace Museum. … It’s the Sinners Show at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel. … Comedian Willie Barcena starts a week’s run with supporting acts Larry Omaha and Jonathan Bell at the Improv Comedy Club in Harrah’s. … And starting today, the #47 racecar driven by Marcos Ambrose and Michael McDowell in NASCAR for JTG Daugherty Racing goes on display at the Monte Carlo. On Friday, you’ll be able to meet both drivers there.

Tomorrow’s tease

A candid conversation with The Masked Magician as we rip off the disguise of the Vegas entertainer who spills the secrets of sorcery on his new TV series. Plus the first American dancer to join the lineup of beauties at the topless cabaret Crazy Horse Paris is a hometown heroine! And is a new Entertainment and Sports Hall of Fame set for Vegas and a network TV special?

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