The Bus to the ?Oscar?
Pinoys to invade Vegas
The bad economy is not going to stop Pinoy Jun Regalado from watching the Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya match this Saturday in Las Vegas. “This is the biggest fight ever,” he said. “It?s obvious this is a dream match.”
The US economy may be sluggish but this once in a lifetime match has many Filipinos opening their pocket books. From the $1,500 seats to the flight and hotel rooms, Filipinos are shelling out their hard earned dough to watch Pacquiao go against an icon like De La Hoya. And this may be the best time to do so, said Top Rank President Bob Arum
“Las Vegas has been struggling to bring in people [because of the economic downturn],” he said. “[But hotel] rooms are at an all time low now. There are plenty of rooms all over town. This is an opportunity to come, enjoy the weekend, watch the fight on closed circuit or live inside the arena. This is a good opportunity to come to Vegas.”
According to the Oil Price Information Service, the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Los Angeles County fell to under $2 for the first time in two years. The $2 a gallon price is 21 cents less than a week ago, $1 a month ago and $2.62 less than the record high of $4.626 set on June 21.
The low gas prices means that driving to Las Vegas for the fight may be more cost efficient.
Regalado expects more than “half of the arena” to be filled with Filipino fans.
“I think there?s about 20,000 seats at the MGM arena, I think 12,000 will be Filipino, the majority,” he said.
Arum said that there are still a lot of people who plan on staying home to watch the fight “Whenever times are bad, entertainment does very well,” he said. “On a pay-per-view fight even one with a price tag of $54.95 it is very inexpensive especially if you follow the lead of the Filipino and Hispanic groups who watch the fight in groups, the evening is cheaper than going to a movie.”
Filipino 32-year-old Joseph Sabino said that is exactly what he?s planning to do. He said he would have gone to Las Vegas to watch the Pacquiao fight live or in closed circuit however, he has work.
“There?s going to be like 10 or 15 people at my house,” he said. “This [fight] is going to make it or break it for Pacquiao. It?ll prove that he?s the best fighter, the best Filipino fighter ever.”
Arum said that although people are still apprehensive about spending money especially in these economic dire times, people should try to make it out to Las Vegas anyways.
“There is nothing as exciting as going to Vegas for a big fight,” he said.
Pay-Per-View deals
Fight sponsors Coca-Cola, Tecate beer, and Cazadores tequila are each offering mail in rebate coupons worth $10 to $20 toward the cost of the $54.95 pay-per-view price.
The rebate coupons can be found on six-packs of Coke?s Full Throttle energy drink and 18-packs of Tecate beer. Multiple coupons can be combined, according to Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer.
Closed circuit tickets
For those who plan to head to Las Vegas but don?t have the dinero to watch the fight live inside the arena, several hotels (MGM properties) are hosting closed circuit telecasts of the bout. Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Circus Circus, TI, Monte Carlo, Excalibur, Luxor and New York-New York will all host a closed circuit viewing of the “Dream Match.” Tickets are on sale at each individual property?s box office outlets or by phone with a major credit card at (866) 799-7711. The price to watch the closed circuit at the MGM Grand is $100 for preferred viewing and $60 for regular seating. Tickets are available at any MGM Grand ticket office outlets at the Concierge desk and the K? Theatre box office. Tickets also are available by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (702) 474-4000.
