“PACMAN” FANS WANT TO KNOW WHERE NOW!
San Mateo, CA-Coming off the biggest win of his career, his second straight KO of Erik Morales, pound for pound superstar, Manny Pacquiao will fight on April 28th and the opponent will likely be current WBC featherweight champion, In Jin Chi. However, there has been growing concerns that the only element of Pacquiao’s scheduled fight, the site of the event (Macau, China), may be in jeopardy of being changed or switched. Now, Top Rank has made no specific indications that the fight will not take place in Macau. The following is a list of the top five cities where the Manny Pacquiao and In Jin Chi should take place.
5. MACAU, CHINA
Reason Why: Dubbed the “Las Vegas of Asia,” Macau has grown into one of the biggest gambling cities in the world. Not only has Steve Wynn built a hotel in the arena, but the MGM, Venetian, Four Seasons and Hyatt also plan to build hotels. It only seems fitting that the top two Asian fighters bring boxing back to Macau. The last card on record in this Chinese peninsula was in late 1994 and our own, Pedro Fernandez was on the TV team.
Why Not: Researching possible venues in Macau, only the Macao East Asian Games Dome, which was built in 2005, came up as a possible indoor venue. However, the maximum capacity of the dome is only 7,000 (Pacquiao’s last fight against Morales drew over 18,000). Even with 7,000 available seats, filling up the arena could be a problem. Over 95% of the people who live on the island are Chinese, with only a small percentage of Filipinos, mostly overseas foreign workers. It would be relatively easy for Filipinos in the Philippines to fly to Macau as it is only a short flight. However, Filipino-Americans may find it difficult or too expensive to fly across the Pacific Ocean.
4. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Reason Why: Both fighters have a history of fighting in Los Angeles. Pacquiao’s has fought twice in Los Angeles, his U.S hometown and training campsite. Many remember In Jin Chi’s courageous effort, losing a decision to Erik Morales at the Staples center. Add to that a large population of Filipinos and Koreans, ready to support their fighter. Also, both Pacquiao and Chi’s aggressive styles will attract die hard boxing fans of all types. The proposed bout will take place one week before Oscar De La Hoya fights Floyd Mayweather and the U.S media coverage of the fight would be a tremendous boast to Pacquiao’s career.
Why Not: The availability of the Staples Center could be an issue as the NBA playoffs will occur during that week and both basketball teams (the Lakers & Clippers) could host playoffs games that night. Also, the handlers of Chi may be hesitant to travel to Los Angeles again, as they have canceled fights in the U.S (one in particular against Rocky Juarez in 2005).
3. TOKYO, JAPAN
Reason Why: There has not been a major international fight in Japan since the Mike Tyson era. Therefore a championship bout in Tokyo would draw major attention. Both fighters have fought in Japan before and Chi has defended his belt there too (a controversial decision loss in 2006). Not only does Japan provide numerous venues to stage a big event, but it would almost certainly sell out. Unlike Macau, Pacquiao and Chi are very well known in Japan and a successful promotion would be likely.
Why Not: Japan’s economy has not been the same since the 80’s, but it is unlikely either fighter would command “Mike Tyson” type money. Like Macau, Filipino-Americans would need to make a heavy investment, traveling to Japan. While there are some gambling spots in Tokyo, it is far different than the “Vegas” atmosphere Macau offers in their casino. Basically, if you travel to Tokyo, the only thing worth doing for a Pacquiao fans is going to the fight.
2. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Reason Why: “If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it”. After Manny Pacquiao’s 2003 victory of Marco Antonio Barrera, he and Juan Manuel Marquez nearly filled up the MGM Grand Arena in their encounter and the crowd has growing even since. Although in a business sense it would be wise to match Pacquiao with a Mexican fighter, stylistically Chi and Pacquiao can be an explosive fight. Plus if boxing fans can not get a scalped ticket to Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather, why not go to Vegas and celebrate Cinco De Mayo one week early in a much more exciting bout.
Why Not: Most of the sports world will be focused on Mayweather & De La Hoya on May 5. With Pacquiao-Chi fighting in Las Vegas one week early, they could get lost in the shuffle.
1. SAN FRANCISCO/BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
Reason Why: No, it’s not because the ”Ring Talk” headquarters are located in San Francisco. The Bay Area has one of the largest Filipino populations in the U.S. Daly City, a border city to San Francisco, has one of the highest percentages of Filipinos. With over 1.2 million Asians living in the Bay Area, which holds one of the highest percentages of PPV buyers, it would be difficult NOT to sell out an arena. San Francisco has also had a long history of world championship boxing. Greats like Rocky Marciano, Sandy Sadler, and Gabriel “Flash” Elorde all once fought in San Francisco. The last time there was a championship bout in San Francisco, both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fought on the same card, selling out the 8,000+ seat Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.
Why Not: The arena is the biggest issue against San Francisco. The only viable 15,000+ seat arena is the legendary Cow Palace. However, that arena is falling apart and is not an attractive site to draw or appeal to thousands of fans. (Bay Area experts says it sells out anyway) Other options include the Oakland Oracle Arena, also not at an attractive location. Lastly, the HP Pavilion in San Jose has been a site to many small-scale boxing shows for the past several years.
ONE THING IS FOR SURE…
While the date, opponent, and now site could be changed, one thing remains certain, Pacquiao’s upcoming fight is meant to set up the super fight. In a way Pacquiao deserves a showcase bout, after facing top competition for over three years now. And In Jin Chi is no easy night for anyone. However, with Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez set to do battle in March and Pacquiao likely to fight in April, the stars do align to a September mega-bucks bout with Pacquiao against the winner of Barrera-Marquez. A Pacquiao re-match against Barrera or Marquez will be a career defining fight for either fighter and would be the second biggest fight of 2007 (second only to Mayweather vs. De La Hoya).
