Report: Vegas picked for Pacquiao-Mayweather

Promoters representing boxing superstars Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. have reportedly chosen a venue for the widely-awaited March 13 megabout already and it would likely be at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Boxing site FightHype.com. reported on Sunday that the people behind Pacquiao-Mayweather decided to stick it out with the long-time Sin City venue for big-moneyed fights, choosing it over the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, whose owner Jerry Jones reportedly offered up to $25-million for the hosting rights. “It’s the MGM Grand. It’s definite," a source told FightHype.Com. MGM Grand reportedly eyes to generate $32-million for what’s expected to be the biggest fight of the decade, giving it the leverage in the selection process. Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, confirmed in a separate interview with site Examiner.com that a venue has been picked, although he declined to say which got their nod. “They (Top Rank president Todd duBoef and Mayweather’s rep Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions) have selected a site. But I can’t say a word other than that," Arum told Examiner.Com’s Michael Marley Saturday prior to the Kelly Pavlik-Miguel Espino fight in Youngstown, Ohio. Arum said the site will likely be announced at some point in the coming week, during which time he expects the lawyers to flesh out the details of the fight contract.
At this point, the veteran promoter sees no major issues that could derail the superfight. Apparently, the two fighters have agreed in important details like the the purse split, weight, and the glove size as well as the Olympic-style drug testing. A New York City press conference will be held Jan. 6 followed by one more in Los Angeles on Jan.8 and after this, Arum said the fighters can get to work at their training camps. Arum also reported that a US training site is being eyed for the entirety of Pacquiao’s camp, contrary to earlier plans to hold the initial stages in Baguio City as with the build-up for last month’s Miguel Cotto card. - GMANews.TV