Bring the Super Fight to the Superdome
The pending showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. will be the biggest event in boxing history if and when it happens. Rumors continue to circulate regarding all of the possibilities surrounding the promotion. Although locations such as Las Vegas and Dallas have been mentioned as possibilities, the most interesting location in the mix to host this historic fight would be the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Unlike any other destination on the map, the “Crescent City” offers a unique sports, entertainment and cultural experience while painting a portrait of America’s ultimate comeback story. After considering all of the available options perhaps the Louisiana Superdome will be the venue of choice for this incarnation of the “Carnival of Champions”.
The Superdome has been the site of many significant sporting events such as six Super Bowls, four Final Fours, world championship boxing matches, over 30 years of the Sugar Bowl, three BCS national championships and of course New Orleans Saints football. With a capacity of over 70,000 seats, bringing Mayweather vs. Pacquiao to the Superdome could generate the largest gate of all time by far. Ticket sales for a fight in a stadium that large could at least triple the number sold by many of the venues currently hosting championship fights.
Modern boxing as we know it cut it’s teeth in the Gulf Coast region. The evolution from bare-knuckles into padded gloves transpired in the Deep South. New Orleans has a rich boxing history that includes many historic fights such as Corbett-Sullivan, Ali-Spinks, Leonard-Duran, and Hearns-Benitez. However, the last significant title fight in the “Big Easy” took place in 2000 when Roy Jones, Jr. defended his light-heavyweight title against Eric Harding. Outside of fighters such as Jones and Bernard Hopkins training with fitness expert, Mackie Shilstone, there really hasn’t been any buzz when it comes to the New Orleans boxing scene in recent years.
One significant reason for the recent absence could be attributed to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast and the rest of the world was not sure that New Orleans would survive. Financial woes are commonplace throughout the country at this time but imagine trying to recover from the near-elimination of a city’s economy. The financial impact of this fight on the local economy and tourism industry would be tremendous and much appreciated. Although the impact of the storm is still visible throughout the region, the resilience of the city can be clearly witnessed as it ascends from the effects of the greatest natural disaster to ever hit the United States. New Orleans needs this not only for the financial impact but to show the global community that the city never went down for the count and is ready to compete.
Even in the midst of a resurrection, New Orleans is still more than capable of handling an event of this magnitude. Hotel and travel accommodations are more than adequate, the food is fantastic and the good times are like no other place on the planet. Recent sporting events such as the 2008 NBA All Star game have proven to be a success and the Super Bowl, BCS Championship and Final Four all will be returning in the next few years. The calendar of New Orleans not only establishes it to be a great sports city, it also shows the capability to handle being a year-round event city. Between Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Voodoo Fest and the Essense Festival, it is difficult to find a time where there isn’t something going on in the “Crescent City”.
So to everyone at Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions…give New Orleans a chance. You will not regret it. Take the biggest event in boxing history and make it even bigger. New Orleans has a resume of hosting successful upper-tier sporting events that rivals most any city in the country and Mayweather vs. Pacquiao will be no exception. The flood waters are gone, the “Big Easy” is back, the Saints are undefeated and the city of New Orleans is hungry for this global championship event. We are ready and waiting for your “Krewe of Champions” to parade up Poydras Street into the back door of the ‘Dome to deliver the greatest pugilistic party of all time! “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”
