It wasn’t a single egg that wound up on my face as to my consistent prediction that the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao Super Bout would become a reality for Nov. 13, no siree, Bob Arum. I am unscrambling myself and wearing a whole omelette on my kisser.
So I’m probably not the “boxing expert” who should be presenting himself as the pugilistic pundit par excellence right about now.
But, you know, I like to swim against the prevailing tide so I’m taking another plunge now.
It says here that Arum will get the two other Nevada commission votes he needs to acquire a boxing license for Antonio Margarito on Aug. 9.
NSAC Chairperson Pat Lundvall wanted the matter voted on last time, not tabled as it was, and she remains in the Margarito/Arum corner.
No, that is NOT Egg Fu Young on Michael Marley’s face after foolish forecast for Floyd-Manny bout Nov. 13, it is rightfully referrred to as Egg Fool Old
Lundvall and the four other commissioners are chosen by the governor in a state where the governor is annointed by the Nevada Resort Association which represents the major casinos.
High powered Las Vegas attorney Pat Lundvall, first female chair of Nevada boxing board, is in favor of letting Margarito fight in the state (LV Business Press Photo)
It would be impossible for there to be three negative votes against the disgraced Mexican handwrap cheater.
Gaming is to Nevada what famous potatoes are to Idaho, spud.
Kevin Iole, Yahoo scribe, spoke to commissioner Skip Avansino about the Margarito matter and Iole suggested economics would dictate the fighter getting licensed so he can fight Pacman in Las Vegas on Nov. 13 rather than Arum’s second choice venue, Monterey, Mexico.
Avansino sniffed at that, remarking that “integrity” is paramount.
Noble words but the fact of the matter is the likely site, MGM Grand, and all its other Nevada properies are hurting for certain and could use the short term but real financial jolt a Pacman-Margo bout would infuse them with.
This vote will be more influenced by the casinos than by Arum although the promoter reaps the benefits when all is said and done.
In today’s Las Vegas SUN (my alma mater), reporter Brett Okamoto quotes both Lundvall and commission member Bill Brady.
I’d say they vote to license Margarito will be 4-1 or 5-0 come Aug. 9.
The romantic in me, especially after two recent visits to Paris (the city, not the hotel-casino on The Strip), would love to see Mexicutioner Manny fight in Mexico.
It could be pitched as a Pacquiao “muchas gracias” for the way the vast majority of Mexicanos have embraced him after he beat their real ring icons, Barrera and Morales, and their very popular Juan Manuel Marquez.
Margo is nobody’s icon and nobody’s hero but he could be viewed as being the final Mexican with a chance to topple Megamanny.
It would be a nice touch as Pacman’s ring career moves into its final chapters.
But the pragmatist in me, and my experience having matriculated in Reno and lived in Las Vegas three years during my impressionable youth, says this fight goes to Lost Wages, Nevada.
Adios, Monterey.
I’m sure Pacman, his vast entourage and his legions from the Pacquiao Worldwide Army (PWA), would have enjoyed that city’s cabrito driven menus and great cervezas.
On the other hand, one can enjoy the same pleasures in Vegas.
Now, if you will excuse, I’m done with croissants. It’s time to step out for some homemade tortillas.
And, btw, what happened to those secretive Middle Eastern offers for a Manny bout?
Maybe they came from a guy named Sheik Yabooty, I don’t know. But he seems to have folded up his boxing tent.
They might have been mirages and I don’t mean The Mirage in Las Vegas.
