If people are willing to pay an arm and a leg to attend and/or watch the fight, let?s sharpen the hacksaws and get down to business?
It?s a curious time for the sport of sports. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao may be past their primes, but their May 2 fight is historic. It may not be the fight of the century (the century is still young). It may not even be the fight of the year (the year is still young as well). But The Fight is a phenomenon, so much so that even those who dislike boxing have been forced to pay attention.
Not that avoiding the hoopla is even remotely possible. The downside is that the reporting on the fight, an iffy proposition in the best of times, is even worse than usual, as everyone feels compelled to have their say, whether they have anything to say or not. Be it a May/Pac countdown or May/Pac week in review, writers are tripping over their own verbiage in an attempt to be heard.
Perhaps that?s to be expected. But at the exact same time that Al Haymon is making boxing available for free on broadcast TV, those behind Mayweather-Pacquiao are making this an event exclusive to the hoity-toity. Just because it?s boxing doesn?t mean that the laws of supply and demand don?t apply. Raw capitalism and boxing are natural bedfellows. And if people are willing to pay an arm and a leg to attend and/or watch the fight, let?s sharpen the hacksaws and get down to business.
The rooms at the MGM Grand were last reported to be going for $1600 a night, and will likely rise as the fight grows near. No doubt other hotels are following suit. And tickets for the fight, which have yet to go on sale, are being scalped at outrageous prices.
According to TMZ, who has spoken with Oren Partner, head of Precision Concierge New York, the cost of tickets, ringside and otherwise, are through the roof.
Partner allegedly has 39 tickets for sale, the most expensive of which is carries an $87,500 price tag for 6th row ringside.
The always inquisitive TMZ asked how he was able to get tickets when they?ve not yet gone on sale. Partner says ?he knows some very powerful people connected to the fight,? but didn?t name names.
Representatives for the MGM Grand, Top Rank, and The Money Team told TMZ ?it?s possible the tickets are legit,? but denied that they had anything to do with it.
Speaking of legit, PCNY isn?t just any old new kid on the block. They?ve been in business a long time, going all the way back to 2011, and again according to TMZ, ?we?ve spoken with several entertainment industry people who vouched for ?em.?
For those for whom money is no object, and for whom spectacle trumps boxing, the prices of the tickets being offered for sale are as follows:
(2) Lower 13 Row G @ $42,500 each (center ring) (2) Lower 13 Row M @ $36,500 each (center ring) (2-4) Lower 15 Row M @ $23,500 each (just off center ring) (2-5) Lower 15 Row T @ $16,000 each (just off center ring) (2-4) Lower 14 Row W @ $14,650 each (just off row R @ $12,500 each (corner) (2-4) Lower 19 Row X @ $10,100 each (corner ring) (2-4) Upper 209 Row L @ $7,850 each (corner to ringside) (2-4) Lower 5 Row R @ $12,500 each (corner) (2-4) Lower 19 Row X @ $10,100 each (corner ring) (2-4) Upper 209 Row L @ $7,850 each (corner to ringside)
I?m not sure if one should read that and weep or read that and salivate. But whatever your response, a confidential source told me that bibs and hankies with the fighters? likenesses will also be on sale, so you can be high and dry while enjoying the fight.
