US cities fighting over Pacquiao-Mayweather

By Dino Maragay (philstar.com)
Updated November 26, 2009 03:54 PM


MANILA, Philippines – The biggest fight in boxing has yet to be made, but some key US cities have already waged a virtual tug-of-war to earn the rights to host it.

The proposed showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is such a massive and historic sporting event that a handful of cities want a piece of it.

Even Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum, who earlier vowed to keep mum on the fight details after negotiations reportedly started the other day, can’t help it but reveal the desire by some US cities and sports personalities to host the event.

"A lot of places want to host," Arum was quoted as saying by The Las Vegas
Review Journal.

Arum said among those who have voiced out their interest in the staging fight was Dallas Cowboys
owner Jerry Jones, who offered his newly constructed 80,000-seat stadium in Arlington, Texas. The venue reportedly cost $1.3 billion to build.

New Orleans has also joined the fray, flaunting its Louisiana Superdome, which can seat 70,000 rabid spectators. The city is so eager to clinch the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight’s hosting rights that it is willing to waive taxes for the bout. Read more...