Las Vegas Weekly

May 1, 2009 · 9:44 AM

Photo Gallery: ‘Biggest fight of the decade’ is tomorrow at MGM Grand

By Robin Leach

Ricky Hatton.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

When boxing promoter Bob Arum first discussed with me the slightest possibility of a Manny Pacquiao fight with Ricky Hatton, he said: “It would be the biggest fight of the decade if it happens. The worldwide interest will be phenomenal.” Bob, who is my neighbor here in Las Vegas, has seen his prediction come true after overcoming some unbelievable obstacles. We are now less than 48 hours away from the ring rumble between two of boxing’s biggest stars.

Thousands of British and Filipino fans have invaded Las Vegas for the East vs. West showdown, and it makes sense having the fight halfway between the two countries! Nobody puts on a boxing match like this city with its history of the sport.

Even now, it looks as if both the MGM Grand Garden Arena will set a ticket sales record, and it also could be the year’s biggest pay-per-view event. More than $100 million is at stake in the giant payday.

The stats for Pac-Man and The Hitman are mind-blowing and ominous to each opponent. Manny’s record is 48-3-2, with 36 KOs, and Ricky is 45-1 with 32 KOs. Manny, 30, has won 24 of his past 25 bouts since 2003 in a blitzkrieg against boxing’s best, including his recent KO over Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky’s promoter.

Ricky, also 30, is a two-division world champion who has had victories against seven world champions and just fell short with our hometown hero Floyd Mayweather Jr. His most recent shutout was against Paulie Malignaggi in November, with an 11th round TKO.

Tomorrow night, it will all be decided in a 12-round bout. Says Bob, chairman of Top Rank: “When Manny goes into the ring, he fights for his country, the Philippines, and tens of thousands of Filipinos worldwide. He is a tremendous athlete and unlike any other champion we have ever promoted. When Manny walks to the ring, he carries the weight of his country on his shoulders, and he fights with all of his heart every second of every round.”

Oscar, president of Golden Boy Promotions, commented: “We are very excited that this fight has been made, as it is the fight fans wanted and the one I look forward to seeing myself. This fight has all the makings of a Fight of the Year. I think Hatton will dethrone Pacquiao and become boxing’s pound for pound king.”

Richard Sturm, MGM’s sports and entertainment president, added: “We are thrilled to be hosting what we anticipate will be one of the biggest fights of 2009. It will be a spectacular boxing match between two great champions and continues our tradition of hosting the very top names in sports.”

I don't know if former President Bill Clinton is a fight fan, but he gave a warm greeting to Manny when they crossed paths at Charlie Palmer Steak House in the Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay!

Closed-circuit viewing has been set up via HBO pay-per-view in other MGM hotel casinos on the Strip, including Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, Circus Circus, the Luxor, New York-New York and Phil Ruffin’s Treasure Island.

Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z has arrived in town to host two fight parties. The first is tonight at Lavo in the Palazzo, above where his short-lived 40-40 Club was located, and the post-fight party is at Tao in The Venetian tomorrow night. Jay-Z is an enthusiastic fight fan and will watch the royal battle from ringside, but his wife, Beyonce, won’t be attending the big fight!

Ricky’s after-fight party will be at Studio 54 in MGM, and on Sunday he’ll also host at the casino’s Wet Republic pool party.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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