With over two months left before fight night, Filipinos based in the United States are already scrambling for those hot and spicy tickets for Manny Pacquiao’s million-dollar bout against former world champion Eric Morales of Mexico.
According to an internet report, some if not many Pacquiao fans in the US will pay as much as $400 plus taxes or at least P22,000 just to watch the fight live at the dazzling MGM Grand in Las Vegas – the gambling capital of the world.
Pacquiao is already in the US training for the March 19 fight where the Filipino boxing sensation stands to receive $1.75 million or close to a hundred million pesos. No Filipino athlete in history has ever received such a purse.
The cheapest seats, probably a binocular away from the ring, will go for $75 or at P4,200 almost equivalent to a half-month salary of a minimum-wage employee here in the Philippines. Other ticket prices are $300, $200 and $125.
Those planning to view the fight on TV in the US will have to cough it up just the same. The fight, you see, is for pay-per-view telecast which translates into a suggested retain price of $44.95 for every interested household.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, together with international promoter Murad Muhammad, promised boxing fans that they would see an all-action fight from bell to bell. This, according to them, is what professional boxing is all about.
Pacquiao’s American trainer, Freddie Roach, has reportedly decided to close the doors of his gym when the flamboyant Filipino southpaw works out because of the huge crowds that are expected to disrupt his training.
