Cowboys Stadium could host Mayweather-Pacquiao in March
by SC on Nov 5, 2009 3:15 PM EST
in News Analysis
34 comments
Don't get too excited, because it's all preliminary and we all know the roadblocks (Mayweather's ego/fear of challenge, Bob Arum's unwillingness to work with Mayweather, etc.), but Top Rank Promotions has had preliminary talks to stage a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight in March at the gigantic, brand-new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Dallas Morning News reports:
Bruce Trampler, vice president for Top Rank, said the company is trying to organize an evening of boxing at the new Arlington stadium that would include championship fights. "Bob Arum (Top Rank president) has spoken directly to Jerry Jones. This would be an impressive site to hold a historical boxing event," Trampler said in a phone interview. ... "Pacquiao is very interested in fighting there (in Cowboys Stadium)," Trampler said. "We would definitely try to schedule a fight with Mayweather in March, which is something fans have been waiting to see for some time." Texas loves its boxing, at least on a local level where Juan Diaz has drawn great houses in Houston, including a Texas-record-breaking gate against Juan Manuel Marquez in February. Mayweather-Pacquiao would draw fans not just in Texas, but from all over the country and indeed the world. Cowboys Stadium itself is a unique venue, plus most people will still have never actually been there. It's nice that they're looking past Vegas -- I'd love to hear an actual crowd of boxing fans behind the rows of celebrities, comped high rollers and hookers cheering this fight on. Cowboys Stadium seats 80,000 for football, but can be expanded with floor seating to go all the way up to 111,000. Now chances are no matter how affordable they make the majority of the tickets, this isn't the fight that's going to do 111,000 in a stadium -- no fight is that fight. If this fight does defy the odds and happen, expect Vegas first. Always expect Vegas first. But here's hoping they'll go outside the box, really try to do this in Arlington or somewhere with a similarly appealing venue. This is the fight boxing needs to go all-out for, and by boxing I mean these particular two fighters and Bob Arum.
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I think this is a negotiating ploy
As the situation currently stands, the casinos will just be bidding against each other to hold the event, and there are only three locations big enough in Vegas to hold a megafight – MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace and the Thomas & Mack Center. T&M isn’t even a casino, and a casino isn’t going to put up a ridiculous fee to have the fight hosted off-site, so that really means there are only two bidders. And frankly, Caesar’s hasn’t been a major player in this regard in years. MGM isn’t going to pay a ton of money to host the fight if they know they’re the only legitimate option anyway.
Saying he’ll put the fight in a football stadium helps create leverage, because that’s the only way he could get enough of a live gate to overcome the fact that he’s not getting a site fee. But the real goal here is just to get a bigger site fee. Adding a phantom third party makes it more likely that the two casino’s will not only bid against each other, but against themselves.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Nov 5, 2009 3:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You might well be right, and it’s probably the most logical idea, but don’t underestimate Jerry Jones’ willingness to bid really high to draw attention to himself and his mall stadium.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 5, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
right, jerry’s a crazy mofo.
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
by lcollins1 on Nov 5, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He needs money… I mean Cowboys only play 8 regular season games and I don’t have faith in them to get a home playoff game and go deep.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Nov 5, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think he’s hurting at all – the best TV deal in the NFL and one of the highest valued franchises plus he’s independently wealthy. Jerry’s unique. He’s uniquely cocky, but he also gets shit done.
Also, I believe Jerry’s predecessor in ownership (Tex Schram I think) of America’s Team promoted fights, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jerry wants that similarity to exist between them.
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
by lcollins1 on Nov 5, 2009 10:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If you're right
then Bob arum is a smart man. Also I am still getting over the shock that this fight is even being mentioned in any respect. I had honestly accepted that it just wouldn’t happen. Very excited at even the slight prospect of such this match-up!
by Drunken cutman on Nov 5, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Correct on the negotiating ploy, incorrect about the intended target. Manny Pacquiao traditionally does very well in drawing people to the gate, and in the upcoming fight the only tickets left are in the $1000 range. On the other hand, Mayweather brings in people through PPV and not through the gate. However, the arena at the MGM only seats around 20,000. So even with a sellout, at an average of $250 a ticket, this only makes $5 mil. Compared to the 1 million PPV views that Mayweather is bringing in ($50-60 mil) the fact that Pacquiao brings in a large gate is an order of magnitude less than Floyd’s PPV revenue. Now if you increase the capacity to 100,000 and increase the average ticket price to $300 and thats now $30 mil in gate. So if you do a decent PPV (greater than 500K) and can get some serious money from Jerryworld, then you are in position to, as Floyd would say, “ride his dick.” And if Bob Arum loves doing anything, its pissing off Mayweather.
by waldo47 on Nov 5, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
$5M seems to be on the low end
Pac-Hatton did a live gate of $8.8M. Mayweather-Hatton did a live gate of $10.4M. Then again, it doesn’t look like the Mayweather-Marquez gate cracked $5M.
http://boxing.nv.gov/New_Gates.htm
Also, something interesting – there have been 34 boxing live gates that had higher gates than the #1 MMA live gate in Nevada.
http://boxing.nv.gov/New_MMAGates.htm
In Dallas Texas though, there’s just no way they could average a ticket price of $250 for a 100,000 person stadium. MAYBE they can sell 10,000 tickets at the high prices (and even that seems unlikely to me), but for most general admission, they probably couldn’t charge more than the tickets would cost for a football game. It’s not like either of their fans travel well, and Dallas doesn’t have much of a Pinoy population. Dallas just happens to have the largest population with a domed stadium.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Nov 5, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Also, something interesting – there have been 34 boxing live gates that had higher gates than the #1 MMA live gate in Nevada.
More expensive tickets, I reckon.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 5, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i don’t know for sure but I do think there is a significant Pinoy pop in DFW.
But no, it’s not going to sell 100K tickets, probably for almost any price. Is there a place in the U.S. that would sell 100K tics for THIS fight?
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
by lcollins1 on Nov 5, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the only place might be in NYC…
i just looked up and Mayweather has never fought in MSG… how the fuck can you call yourself the best and never sold out MSG much less fight there?
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Nov 5, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Neither has Pacquiao. Mosley’s fought there all of once in his career. MSG is not what it used to be.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 5, 2009 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
MSG to me will always be the Mecca of boxing and basketball, no matter how many fights are in Vegas or LA or how badly the Knicks suck
by JohnUtah on Nov 6, 2009 5:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It should be considered the mecca — I agree with that. But it’s just not what it once was, which is a shame. I wish there were more fights on the east coast in general. The fans are awesome (and before anyone accuses me of EAST COAST BIAS, I’m from the midwest).
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 6, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Man this would be awesome. I’d be at this fight if it were held at Jerry’s playhouse.
And, significant population of Phillipinos in DFW.
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
by lcollins1 on Nov 5, 2009 3:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
all this pacman-mayweather fight you’d think cotto is gonna take a dive
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Nov 5, 2009 3:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
right?
Cotto said something the other day like, “Manny can fight Mayweather all he wants after I beat him.” I found it kind of funny.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 5, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
(Mayweather’s ego/fear of challenge, Bob Arum’s unwillingness to work with Mayweather, etc.)
etc. = Cotto?
Keep firing Assholes!
I am the King of Rome, and am above grammar. -Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
by Ubernoober on Nov 5, 2009 4:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I kind of figure everyone’s smart enough to understand that Cotto beating Pacquiao would eliminate Mayweather-Pacquiao (or would it?).
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 5, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not really
That fight would still happen. Because it’s just one of those fights that must happen. The thing is hopefully Pacman sticks around for a little longer in the sport. Remember he talks about becoming a politician, so who knows. But I do want to see them fight.
Big fights "Should " start to happen in 2010.
by Haans Bishop on Nov 6, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Does this mean Lawrence Cole would be the Mayweather-Pacquiao referee?
by taco pal on Nov 5, 2009 6:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I fear he’d pick Mayweather up off the ground, and then look into the camera and flex like Hulk Hogan.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 5, 2009 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If he were to do something crazy, it might be the single biggest disaster in the history of the sport in America. Can you imagine? For something to go wrong in a fight of this magnitude, in an era when boxing is trying its hardest to stay away from bad publicity? /shudder/
by taco pal on Nov 5, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, they would really have to stck that card. Very cool idea though. Let’s see if Cotto lets them fight though. ;)
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Nov 5, 2009 6:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
*stack
I’m tired, lol.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Nov 5, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
they could -
get some multi-racial Texas fighters on there, throw in an Angulo (I don’t know if that’s feasible promotionally), might have something there.
DFW is a significant corporate hub, I think the top-end ticks could really sell…
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
by lcollins1 on Nov 5, 2009 10:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Juan Diaz wins in December there’s no reason Golden Boy couldn’t stick him on the show against somebody.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 5, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hatton showdown? Marquez rematch? Yeah, it would sell a shitload. I’d make the short drive down if its a Marq/Diaz rematch fo sho!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Nov 6, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think there’s enough money for those two fights on one card, even this big of a card.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 6, 2009 12:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would so be there for that fight… fuck make the 9 hour drive and the overpriced parking…
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on Nov 5, 2009 7:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
A good venue
That place could host a lot of fights and easily get some of that Las Vegas money. A Hatton / Marquez would be great in that stadium. Mayweather / Pacman would be a MEGA Event.
by Haans Bishop on Nov 6, 2009 12:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hatton / Marquez would be great in that stadium
With some really cheap tickets you might be able to get 25,000 people for that fight in the States. It would be a big, empty stadium.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 6, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In Texas, I think it would do good numbers
But the huge stadium show I’ve always though made more sense was having a big Mexican star fight in Azteca Stadium. But with as much money as is tied into everything now, nobody wants to risk putting an event in a straight outdoors venue. I guess Klitschko-Haye was originally scheduled for one, but that’s the main reason you don’t see fights in stadiums anymore.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Nov 7, 2009 10:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
this would be awesome! I would be there in a heartbeat!
by TXJason on Nov 6, 2009 6:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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