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Nobody cares? Apparently, that's not the case.
Top Rank says that 16,000-plus tickets have been sold for tomorrow night's Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, a complete sell-out which accounts for a live gate of over $10.5 million.
Bob Arum, as you would imagine, is pretty happy. He's probably also not surprised.
"Manny and Juan Manuel may have unfinished business in the ring, but as far as the live box office, it’s business as usual – another sellout," the 81-year-old promoter said.
Some fans have wondered if there would be brisk business for this bout. There's no telling what the pay-per-view will sell, but at least one million buys are expected, and there is talk it will equal the 1.3 million the two sold in November 2011 for their third fight, which was seen as a mismatch going in. This one is not -- it's been recently made very clear once again that Marquez is still Pacquiao's equal, no matter the weight class, and nobody is talking about an old Marquez not being able to handle the weight jump for the fight, as they were last year.
This is seen as a pick'em fight, and one that will both renew and end boxing's best rivalry in recent memory, and one of the best ever. Expect strong PPV numbers to match the live gate.
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Episode One
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Pacquiao vs Marquez I (2004)
Pacquiao vs Marquez II (2008)
Pacquiao vs Marquez III (2011)