Las Vegas Weekly

August 23, 2010 · 11:57 AM

Strip Scribbles exclusive: Floyd Mayweather Jr. sets next fight venue

By Robin Leach

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Robin Leach.

Photo: Shannon Frits

Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is getting ready to fight again, and he says it will all be official soon. Floyd even told me where he’d be fighting, but it won’t be in Las Vegas. Our hometown hero turned up at the Del Mar Racetrack just north of San Diego in Del Mar over the weekend, where I was on the first of my two annual summer visits, and officials put us alongside each other as the horses were walked around the greens before going onto the track

Then Floyd joined me in the winner’s circle, where I presented the champagne and he presented the trophy, but it was a dead heat, so we had to do it twice with the same prizes to two sets of owners and jockeys.

For the record, Floyd and I “lost” our bets, and, no, he wasn’t going overboard. We both admitted that we hadn’t a clue about which horse, trainer or jockey to bet on and were simply picking “nice-sounding names” for a modest $20 flutter. Floyd, who was wearing a blue denim and white trimmed True Religion outfit, did win his bet on that horse of the same name -- True Religion!

Both of us were amazed at the large number of Las Vegas race fans who’d made the trek to the track and came over to say hello from Sin City. Floyd was gracious with everybody: He signed autographs galore, posed for photographs and even got in the center of a group shot of Marines home from combat.

He told me that he was getting ready to fight again and that the bout would be in Dubai. “We’ll announce it all very soon,” he told me. “But this time it won’t be in Vegas. It will be in another desert kingdom: Dubai.”

WICKED WHISPERS & RACY RUMORS

Is it true that one hotel group put its Las Vegas property up for sale over the weekend with plans to close the deal by Christmas? … Which hotel is closing its showroom to give it a whole new look this fall and winds up axing one of its headliner shows to put in a larger, more expensive spectacular? … How long before one of our themed dinner shows makes it official that ticket buyers will be able to get married with the cast of characters the moment the curtain comes down? … Is another hotel in talks to change its entire nightlife operation this winter? … Which theater will be renamed to satisfy the group currently playing there to ensure that they stay on for a much longer-term contract?

*Congratulations to our longtime pal and regular Las Vegas visitor Joan Collins on her Best Actress Award win at the New York City International Film Festival. Joan plays an aging sex symbol in the weird and dark comedy Fetish, and at the screening, there was an unheard-of standing ovation for her. The movie is about modern-day fame contrasted with loneliness, obsession and desperation. Film festival President Roberto Rizzo said the judges were blown away by Joan’s performance. The actress, away in Europe, videotaped a message of thanks for the ceremony. Fetish also received raves at its L.A. Shorts Festival screening, which now makes it an Academy Award qualifier.

*Following on the heels of his concert at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace, music legend Bob Dylan is to unveil a set of 40 acrylic paintings and eight sketches at the National Gallery in Denmark on Sept. 4. The Tambourine Man says he chose Brazil as a subject for his artwork because he’s traveled there many times. The Danish museum officials invited Bob to create the series, and he said it took him 18 months to complete. Brazil Seres will remain on display in Copenhagen through Jan. 30.

*On her very first trip to Las Vegas, gorgeous Johanna Sambucini decided to enter the first preliminary contest here for the International Bikini Team’s nationwide model search at Silverton Casino Lodge. I was a judge in that early summer contest and picked her instantly. I predicted that she’d win the finals if she continued the competitions. Well, I was right! This past weekend, Johanna, from Santa Fe, N.M., won the U.S. Finals in Nassau, Bahamas. She thought about staying in Las Vegas for a modeling career but instead gambled on New York, where she’s now making her own success story with the winning modeling contract, cash and crown.

*Master magician Lance Burton hosted a benefit with his Strip entertainer friends at his theater in Monte Carlo yesterday to raise funds for Zelzah Shrine Temple’s transportation fund ferrying needy Las Vegas children to Shriners Hospital in L.A. Comedy magician Fielding West accepted an award, and guests also included Rory Johnston, Mac King and Scintas, and Lance performed. Ticket prices for locals will be 2-for-1 through Saturday, and Lance's final show at the Monte Carlo is Sept. 4.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Actor John Travolta and seven other gents all wearing tuxedos dined at Alize atop the Palms last night after watching the Norah Jones and Corinne Bailey Raye concert at The Pearl in the Palms. … Former Playboy Playmates Holly Madison and Jayde Nicole enjoyed a late afternoon lunch together at Society Cafe in Steve Wynn’s Encore. Hip-hop artist Tech 9 partied at Vanity in the Hard Rock Hotel after a long week performing at MAGIC and filming a video. Also at Vanity, Jon “The Unit” Manfe, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino’s trainer and partner in their new fitness video, and actress Shaelen Burroughs celebrated a friend’s birthday until 4 a.m. in a nearby VIP booth, while Detroit Pistons’ Tayshaun Prince and Tyronn Lue, basketball development director, called it a much earlier night.

UFC President Dana White dined at Nove Italiano in the Palms with a friend and two Playboy Bunnies, who all posed for photographs with other diners. Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell from Pawn Stars dined separately at N9NE Steakhouse, as did Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney with his family. Jack Osbourne partied at The Playboy Club with six friends and enjoyed Fiji Water. Singer Bobby Brackins relaxed for an afternoon at Palms Pool & Bungalows before entertaining the crowd with his hit “143,” and then later hit Moon and got the crowd dancing to performances from his new album. Plain White T’s partied at Rain with friends late into the night to the sounds of DJ Z-Trip.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

While the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant beauties dance the night away at their after-party at LAX in the Luxor, America’s Best Dance Crew winners SuperCr3w are hosting at Jet in The Mirage. … Comedian Andrew Dice Clay is at the Las Vegas Hilton through Sunday. … The Miss Exotic U.S. Pageant finals with Miss Nude World and Miss Nude International contestants is set with XXX adult stars and adult entertainment dancers at DejaVu Showgirls Gentlemen’s Club, with performances by Elektra, Sondra Saxton, Robyn Foxx, Tali Delmar and Madison Q.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

Our full coverage of all the Miss Universe festivities, including our interview with the new winner and the after-party at LAX. Plus, plus Recycled Percussion turns up the heat to open Minus5 Ice Lounge at Monte Carlo ahead of their appearance on America’s Got Talent on Wednesday.

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.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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