Mandalay Bay will host closed circuit viewing in conjunction with the upcoming “The Battle of East and West” between MANNY “Pac Man” PACQUIAOand RICKY “The Hitman” HATTON. The championship bout, scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, will be produced and distributed by HBO-Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The Mirage, TI, Monte Carlo, Circus Circus, Luxor and New York-New York also will host a limited number of closed circuit seats..
Tickets for the closed circuit telecast are priced at $50, not including handling fees. All seats are general admission and are now on sale at each individual property’s box office outlets or by phone with a major credit card at (866) 799-7711. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.
Two of boxing’s biggest stars will meet in the ring for what could be the year’s biggest boxing event. Five-division world champion MANNY “Pac Man” PACQUIAO and IBO and Ring Magazine World Junior Welterweight champion RICKY “The Hitman” HATTON will fight for Hatton’s World Junior Welterweight titles Saturday, May 2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Pacquiao vs. Hatton – “The Battle of East and West,” a 12-round bout for Hatton’s IBO and Ring Magazine World Junior Welterweight titles, is promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, in association with MP Promotions and Hatton Promotions, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines.
HBO Sports’ acclaimed reality franchise “24/7” will return with the premiere of the four-part series PACQUIAO/HATTON 24/7 on Saturday, April 11 at 9.30 p.m. ET/PT.
Cestus Fighters Gomez, Luna Jr and DuBois to Fight on ESPN FNF Under Card March 20 in Laredo Texas
On March 20, 2009 , the Laredo Entertainment Center in Laredo, Texas , will be packed with boxing fans as ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” boxing series invades the beautiful gateway city for a night of unforgettable fights. The event is promoted by Banner Promotions and features Mexican warrior Fernando Beltran Jr., Russian banger Ruslan Provodnikov, tough Ji Hoon Kim and undefeated, former 2008 United States Olympian, Demetrius Andrade. What further makes the card a must-see for fans from Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico , is the addition of three of Cestus Managements fighters Rodolfo “ BABY COBRA” Gomez, Robert “NIGHTHAWK” Luna Jr., and James “QUICK DRAW” DuBois.
Gomez and Luna have already wowed boxing aficionados and showcased their immense talent to Laredo fans by producing electrifying performances before the local contingent which caused an immediate buzz. James DuBois is a known Texas boxing star with an all action style that is always entertaining to fight fans. With all three as part of the non-televised portion of the under card, the live audience in attendance is sure to experience a great night of explosive fights.
Gina Iacovou, Cestus Management’s CEO , said, “This is a great card and great event for Laredo as the fans there really know their boxing. By Banner Promotions bringing ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, the fans are guaranteed an awesome evening of boxing. Also, the local fans will be able to enjoy their own fighters like Rodolfo ( BABY COBRA) Gomez, Robert (“NIGHTHAWK”) Luna Jr. and James (“QUICK DRAW”) DuBois, so I’m sure that this fight card will be one that will not be forgotten in Laredo.
Mike Michael, who is the Founder of Cestus Management, said, “We (Cestus) are very happy to be involved in an ESPN Friday Night Fights undercard and would like to thank Art Pelullo and his team at Banner Promotions for their support. Michael continued, “this night of boxing in Laredo is going to be hardcore. Just look at the fight line up as you have Fernando Beltran Jr. in the main event and a fully loaded undercard with Ruslan Provodnikov, Ji Hoon Kim and the up-and-coming former U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade. Add in the Cestus fighters “BABY COBRA” Gomez, “NIGHHAWK” Luna Jr. and “QUICK DRAW” DuBois and the action will be nonstop.”
For ticket information contact the Laredo Entertainment Center ticket office, located at 6700 Arena Boulevard , Laredo , Texas ; Ticket prices start at just $7, plus facility fee.
Cestus Management Makers of Champions represents fighters of distinction from across the world. For further information about the company, its fighters, media or otherwise please visit www.cestusmanagement.com.
WARD ON: BUTE VS ZUNIGA
Oakland, CA (March 13) – “I’ll be watching tonight’s fight intently between Lucian Bute and Fulgencio Zuniga. I believe the champion will retain his title. This is the fight I would love to get. It would be a great match. The challenge would be a great one and it is exactly the direction I would like to go in my career. He’s the champion trying to keep his title and I am a young lion trying to take it…”
“I only want the big television fights, and where I can get 16,000 of my hometown fans in attendance. I’m very interested in taking on the winner of Bute vs. Zuniga or (Jermain) Taylor vs. (Carl) Froch but tonight I am routing for Bute.”