Trips to Vegas - advice and trips

[Poncey]

Stay on the strip, whatever you do. I was off it for Cotto Margarito (10 yards from where Tupac was killed actually) and it sucked. Taxis don't wanna come near you so you have to walk everywhere. Plus alot of "interesting people" hang off the strip. Not good. Paris, NY NY and PH tend to have good deals. I stayed at the Trumpt Tower in March. 5 star 2 bed apartments for $100 a night. Plus you get a bath like Scarface and a phone in the crapper. It's a good central location.

If you haven't been before, I'd recommend using Jon.

Jon, I may come to this. I'm in Hawaii the weekend after so might stay there and get a transfer. Could do with some advice on that.

Oh, and I have experience of upper tier, upper lower tier, lower tier and ringside at the MGM. Go for lower tier everytime.

There's no point spending all that money and then watching two ants cuddle.

[slapbangwhallop]

Stay on the strip, whatever you do. I was off it for Cotto Margarito (10 yards from where Tupac was killed actually) and it sucked. Taxis don't wanna come near you so you have to walk everywhere. Plus alot of "interesting people" hang off the strip. Not good. Paris, NY NY and PH tend to have good deals. I stayed at the Trumpt Tower in March. 5 star 2 bed apartments for $100 a night. Plus you get a bath like Scarface and a phone in the crapper. It's a good central location.

If you haven't been before, I'd recommend using Jon.

Jon, I may come to this. I'm in Hawaii the weekend after so might stay there and get a transfer. Could do with some advice on that.

Oh, and I have experience of upper tier, upper lower tier, lower tier and ringside at the MGM. Go for lower tier everytime.

There's no point spending all that money and then watching two ants cuddle.

from experience what sort of money would you anticipate to pay for each section?

[Poncey]

Based upon Top Rank's structure of previous big fights:

$1000 ringside
$750 lower tier
$500 upper lower tier
$250 upper tier
$50 I can see my house from here tier

But this really is different so I'd expect that to go up. Jon would know best as he gets his info direct from Bill Kaplan.

I'd also recommend staying in the MGM Grand. I met Duran, Trinidad (as Jon says, he was a neighbour of ours), Lewis, Klitschkos, Mosley, Roach, Mayweathers, Hearns, Steward, JuanMa etc

Mirage hire stars to walk around the place and generate interest in the fight.

[rhino222]

Plus alot of "interesting people" hang off the strip

personally i would have been delighted to see steve davis hanging around just off the strip, he was a good snooker player in his day....

[slapbangwhallop]

Based upon Top Rank's structure of previous big fights:

$1000 ringside
$750 lower tier
$500 upper lower tier
$250 upper tier
$50 I can see my house from here tier

But this really is different so I'd expect that to go up. Jon would know best as he gets his info direct from Bill Kaplan.

I'd also recommend staying in the MGM Grand. I met Duran, Trinidad (as Jon says, he was a neighbour of ours), Lewis, Klitschkos, Mosley, Roach, Mayweathers, Hearns, Steward, JuanMa etc

Mirage hire stars to walk around the place and generate interest in the fight.

Is there much difference between the MGM Grand and the MGM Grand Signature??

[Poncey]

They aren't in the same place. But the condos are supposed to be okay. Think it has a golf course too. Might be wrong though.

[jamesmcdonnell]

They are in the same place, you are wrong.

The signature is at the back of the MGM grand, very nice, stayed there last year. Very quiet though, you go there if you want a bit of luxury and good service, but there's not much going on there.

[Poncey]

Signature isn't in the same location as MGM Grand. It's to the side and back off of the strip.

[Shirow]

It's the same complex just different entrance. They are new fancy schmancy all-suite towers. There's no casino there and the entrance from inside is just next to the Grand Garden Arena so it's actuallly a shorter walk from your room than if staying at the MGM Grand itself.
The rooms are mini apartements with & lounge/diner kitchen so if you're staying for a while or bringing sand to the beach (Mrs or girlfriend) there are worth a go and not too pricey.

[Wales]

When do you anticipate to have trips and prices up Shirow?

[Loynesy]

I've been to 25+ plus fight nights in Vegas, at all sorts of price levels, depending on (a) what the fight was (b) who I was with and (c) my personal financial situation at the time.

From the number of times I've been, its clear I love the place, so a few tips/words of warning:

1. Getting a ticket for this fight at near face value will be tough (obviously if you pay tout prices, you are fine). This is probably going to be a tougher ticket than PBF - ODLH. I got a face value $1000 ticket for that one off ticketmaster - but literally just a single seat the second they went on sale. Getting anything cheaper or in a bigger group will need better planning - see 2 below.

2. Since that fight, one of my boxing buddies now works for one of the companies that always sponsors big fights (Cerveza con attitude....). We can get tickets at face value in groups of up to 6, as inded we did for Hatton v Pac and Marquez v Money. These contacts are invaluable.

3. I've not bought from Shirow, but always found him helpful on general ticket queries and I know that good people from here swear by him. Sure, you will pay a premium (but nothing near a tout's rate) but at least you will see the fight. Not a plug for him, but he is good.

4. I think most people (even Shirow and EPNG) are massively underestimating the ticket prices for this one, I'm expecting a new record gate for a fight. If it is in Vegas - and frankly, I can't see how Dallas or anywhere else could pay the site fee, we could see the first 2500 ringside seat in Vegas with a minimum of 500 (apart from the crappy 40 seats that I think Em mentioned).

5. Where to stay? Depends on who you are with, what you want to pay and what vibe you want. I've stayed at the MGM for big fight weekends, but ironically, despite being a boxing nut, find it a little too boxing intensive - and full of blokes. If you want cheap and on the strip, stay at Circus Circus, Trop or Excalibar, but bear in mind they are utter sh-tholes and you've no chance of taking a bird back there. At the other end, Wynn, Bellagio and Venetian are other-worldly, but cost coin. On a boys trip, I always stay in a good room at the Hard Rock or the Palms. With the missus, either Bellagio, or one of the boutique on-strip hotels: MGM Signature (which James, defineitly is part of the MGM - you certainly dont need to leave the MGM to walk there), the Four Seasons (very plush, but wasted in MArch) or The Hotel at Mandalay Bay.

If you can get tix, just go for it, its a great experience.

I won't be there - my wife is due to give birth to our first on April 1st. She is very understanding (in fact she did say that we'll go for a the re-match in September if it happens...), but I certainly can't risk missing the birth for it.

Any specific questions just respond or PM me - as I say, over the last 13 years I've been as both a pauper and (almost) high roller, and everything else in between.

Best

Loynesy

[MacTavish]

Stayed at the mandalay bay - awsome! Was for a stag rather than boxing but did bump in Audley Harrison playing the tables in the casino there!

[Dirk Kelly]

We've always used Jon when we go however if you have nerves of steel and not bothered about the undercard you can get tickets from touts. One of our party waited at ODLH vs. FLoyd until half way through the undercard and get a $1000 ticket for $750. A couple of lads I chatted to after got theirs for dirt cheap $$$ since touts have to get something for them. On the other hand you risk missing the fight if touts don't have any!

I'm always suprised at big fights on the number of empty seats there are in the arena esp. at ringside.

[slapbangwhallop]

Tickets for the events are estimated to cost between $US500 to $US2500 for a ringside seat, the most expensive for any fight, surpassing $US2400 for Tyson's 2002 clash with Lewis.

[Poncey]

sligo, I use this pass for a night on the jars. It's pretty much the best night out in Vegas.
http://www.wantickets.com/affiliates/Ev ... e_id=76888

You have to pick it up from the t-shirt shop next to the clubs. This appears to be dodgy. It isn't. I promise.

Last time it was so good Dirk made a sexual explosion on the floor, which Oakenfold slipped up on.

Was a mess.

Oh, and Mayweather's after party should be at Tryst at the Wynn. Him and Roger have a hard on for that place.

[Wax On]

I go to Vegas every year. Never to watch a fight though so far, just to play poker and get right amongst it.

Some tips from my experience;

Lap Dancing bars. A limo driver gets $70 per head for taking people to most strip clubs. The best one I've been to is Saphire and we got a free limo, beers on route, and the limo driver paid our cover charge into the club ($30) out of his commission as well as slipping us a few free drink tokens. All we had to pay was $20 and for a couple of drinks and obviously for lap dances. If there are 2 or 3 of you or more, never pay for a cab, just ask a limo parked up outside the hotel to take you, or I have a number for a limo driver who will take you anywhere you want. If anyone wants it just PM me.

Best Fast Food restaraunt ever. In and Out burger, one block away from the MGM. Some yank told me it was his favourite thing about Vegas and the food there is awesome and cheap, and fairly healthy as things go, if you're on a budget.

MGM grand is the best hotel I've stayed in. Although at fight time, I was there for Mayorga and DLH, and Trinidad Wright, it' full of Mexicans, who although are a good laugh, scare away any ladies round the pool and the casino They're brilliant for a bit of banter and a few beer round the lazy river though!

If anyone is interested in clubbing at some of the best places in Vegas, then I met a guy playing poker a couple of years back who has his own VIP hosting business. He basically can walk you into any club for the same you'd pay if you queued an hour - which isn't uncommon at most places if you just show up on spec.

If there a few of you, try splashing out and getting table service. Me and my mates all chipped in $100 dollars and bought a bottle of Vodka (and a free Jaigermeister) and table service at Jet in the Mirage. Amazing club, packed with good looking girls and my mate who was a VIP host tipped the bouncer to the VIP section $20 to go and grab girls all night to come and have a drink with us. We had more liquor than we could ever drink, and an endless supply of good looking women being brough to our table to help us drink it and meet 4 Englishmen. Was like taking candy from a baby Bearing in mind a drink is $8 a time in most clubs, we didn't actually spend that much more than we probably would have done just paying into the club normally.

Again if anyone wants my mate's number or e-mail address, he'll hook you up with whatever you want all weekend! Just PM me.

[Boxingmad]

From http://www.fightnews.com

The proposed March 13 Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather superfight could end up in an NFL football stadium instead of Las Vegas, the normal home of megafights. The new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans and the Georgia Dome in Atlanta are in the running. It has been agreed that the fight will be for Pacman’s WBO welterweight title and both fighters will wear 8-ounce gloves from the manufacturer of their choice.

[British_Heavyweight]

I'm really considering going to this - where's the best place online to keep an eye out for tickets??

[slapbangwhallop]

I'm really considering going to this - where's the best place online to keep an eye out for tickets??

Emerson and Loynsey - thanks for all your efforts on this thread. Much appriciated.

[Poncey]

I'm really considering going to this - where's the best place online to keep an eye out for tickets??

This forum. Either Shirow, Loynsey or myself will broadcast when we know.

I'm hearing $2500 for ringside too.

[Poncey]

sligo, I forgot to mention that if you still write I have GBPs PR if you wanna see if you can get a press pass nearer the time.

Chances are you'll only get press conference. But a BJ is better than no sex.

[slapbangwhallop]

sligo, I forgot to mention that if you still write I have GBPs PR if you wanna see if you can get a press pass nearer the time.

Chances are you'll only get press conference. But a BJ is better than no sex.

(this is my work/daytime account)

Yeah, still writing a bit and have something on the front page of Boxing Scene at the moment.

If I got passes to the weigh in/conference I'd be happy. I usually focus on Irish boxers - and as Manny now has two Paddies in his stable I could try and work something down that route.

[Poncey]

Check with Terry. As long as he gives the tumbs up I'll pass it on. I don't wanna step on his lemon drizzle cake.

Chances are Marley or Reno will have passes for the fight, but they tend to give out the conference ones like candy.

[adamheight]

Stay on the strip, whatever you do. I was off it for Cotto Margarito (10 yards from where Tupac was killed actually) and it sucked. Taxis don't wanna come near you so you have to walk everywhere. Plus alot of "interesting people" hang off the strip. Not good. Paris, NY NY and PH tend to have good deals. I stayed at the Trumpt Tower in March. 5 star 2 bed apartments for $100 a night. Plus you get a bath like Scarface and a phone in the crapper. It's a good central location.

If you haven't been before, I'd recommend using Jon.

Jon, I may come to this. I'm in Hawaii the weekend after so might stay there and get a transfer. Could do with some advice on that.

Oh, and I have experience of upper tier, upper lower tier, lower tier and ringside at the MGM. Go for lower tier everytime.

There's no point spending all that money and then watching two ants cuddle.

wow ringside at mgm...which fight? would have been awesome

[Loynesy]

I was in the row behind Tiger Woods for Mayweather v Hatton.....