scar De La Hoya never forgot the excitement that came with being the first boxer to compete in a new arena.
It was 2000 and the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles was already open. De La Hoya faced Shane Mosley and though he lost that fight, De La Hoya, who grew up in East LA, always remembered how special it was.
?It was a new building and being home is something I never forgot,? De La Hoya said.
Both Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan will get to have a similar experience when the two veteran fighters square off May 7 in what will be the first boxing event at T-Mobile Arena. Alvarez and Khan have fought in Las Vegas numerous times during their careers. But to open the new home to showcase boxing in Las Vegas gives both a little added motivation.
?It?s an honor, quite frankly,? said Khan. ?I have heard a lot about it an I?m anxious to see it for myself.?
Alvarez said: ?I?m very happy to be involved in the first fight. It?s a huge honor and big responsibility and I will do everything I can to make an exciting fight for the fans.?
T-Mobile Arena will seat 20,000 for boxing and with its suites and private and public club space, the vibe figures to be different than at the MGM Grand Garden or Mandalay Bay Events Center.
?I think it?s going to feel like a big party is going on,? De La Hoya said. ?I?ve toured it and it?s like no other arena. It?s going to be a great place for boxing and we?re honored t0 have been given the opportunity to be the first boxing event.?
Initially, it was believed the honor of participating in the first fight at the new venue would belong to Floyd Mayweather Jr. But Mayweather has opted to remain retired after beating Andre Berto last September. Whether he remains retired from actively competing remains to be seen. But perhaps he decides to fight again which could see him debut in T-Mobile in the fall.
Manny Pacquiao could have been first but Pacquiao is running for a seat in the senate in the Philippines and he couldn?t wait until May to fight. And with the arena set for an April 6 opening with The Killers hosting a concert, Top Rank, which promotes Pacquiao, opted to have him fight Timothy Bradley Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden on April 9.
Moreno turns pro
Local lightweight boxer Randy Moreno has turned pro and has signed a multi-year deal with Roy Jones Jr. Boxing.
Moreno, 19, a Liberty High School graduate who was 48-6 as an amateur, is the first pro signing from the amateur ranks for Jones? company.
Moreno, who will fight at 135 pounds, has spent the last five years training at Las Vegas Elite working with Gil Martinez. He is expected to make his pro debut later this month.
Hall of fame
The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame will announce its class of 2016 on Tuesday at Caesars Palace.
The hall, which was created in 2013 to honor those from the state, has 58 current members.
