Notes from Vegas
Posted: 26 Nov 2009, 19:24
Hello all, I thought I’d share some observations from around the Pac-Cotto fight in Vegas a couple of weeks ago.
As part of the deal to base our two week holiday around a big fight (again) I had to take my missus to Hawaii after the fight so I’ve only just arrived back.
Jim Watt was on the same BA flight from London as us on the Thursday afternoon. He is (as I’ve previously read but not really believed) remarkably engaging, friendly and charismatic. To a light hearted remark that Haye won the fight easy: “Hey I’m happy he won. And Sky are bloody delighted”.
On the Friday morning we walked to the MGM to sample the atmosphere and double check when the weigh in was to take place. Arriving at the Grand Garden arena at 11am, a handful of fans of both fighters were already in line. I asked an official when it was due to kick off, to which he replied 3pm, and suggested that to arrive earlier than 2.30 would be a waste of time. This was music to my girlfriend’s ears so we went off to grab some lunch and some other stuff. On arriving back at 2.10 I was infuriatingly told the weigh in was packed out and that the fire Marshall had ordered no more fans be let in. Instead I had to watch it on the big screens of the huge ‘sports book’ area. It probably sounds naff but even there the atmosphere was tremendous, with lots of cheering on both sides. I couldn’t wait for the fight.
I was dragged around the Caesars Palace mall and found myself in Niketown. Half the effing shop was full of Pacman merchandise! I ended up buying 5 Manny T shirts (‘Pacman knows’), partly because at US$28 they were decent value, partly because I realised I’d packed too little stuff and I suppose they make decent work out stuff. The shop assistant asked if I was attending the fight then suggested I was ‘legit’ given how much Manny stuff I had just bought! Ugh!
On the Friday night we’d gone to see a show at the MGM and just passed by the Garden arena again. It was empty except for two middle aged women taking photos of each other with their fight tickets on the stairs. We made some small talk and one of the women claimed that Manny had given them their 4 tickets. I didn’t really believe them until she showed me photo’s of Manny sitting in a chair underneath one of these girls. Turns out she cuts Manny’s hair back in the Philippines. They both said Manny was an absolute diamond of a man. At this stage my girlfriend hadn’t decided who to root for but this put her firmly in Team Pacman.
Despite the dire undercard, the atmosphere was incredible. It wasn’t until it became obvious (maybe round 6/7) that Manny was too strong that the tense atmosphere was quashed as the Puerto Rican fans quietened down. I couldn’t believe what a warrior Pac is, just pure seek and destory.
We were in pretty good seats as it was but as the fight finished I sneaked right up to ringside. One of Manny’s entourage allowed me and a couple of other fans to hold and take a photo with one of his Ring belts. It was the 130lb belt he won from JM Marquez. In fact it still had Marquez’s name on it. Maybe that is how it works.
As part of the deal to base our two week holiday around a big fight (again) I had to take my missus to Hawaii after the fight so I’ve only just arrived back.
Jim Watt was on the same BA flight from London as us on the Thursday afternoon. He is (as I’ve previously read but not really believed) remarkably engaging, friendly and charismatic. To a light hearted remark that Haye won the fight easy: “Hey I’m happy he won. And Sky are bloody delighted”.
On the Friday morning we walked to the MGM to sample the atmosphere and double check when the weigh in was to take place. Arriving at the Grand Garden arena at 11am, a handful of fans of both fighters were already in line. I asked an official when it was due to kick off, to which he replied 3pm, and suggested that to arrive earlier than 2.30 would be a waste of time. This was music to my girlfriend’s ears so we went off to grab some lunch and some other stuff. On arriving back at 2.10 I was infuriatingly told the weigh in was packed out and that the fire Marshall had ordered no more fans be let in. Instead I had to watch it on the big screens of the huge ‘sports book’ area. It probably sounds naff but even there the atmosphere was tremendous, with lots of cheering on both sides. I couldn’t wait for the fight.
I was dragged around the Caesars Palace mall and found myself in Niketown. Half the effing shop was full of Pacman merchandise! I ended up buying 5 Manny T shirts (‘Pacman knows’), partly because at US$28 they were decent value, partly because I realised I’d packed too little stuff and I suppose they make decent work out stuff. The shop assistant asked if I was attending the fight then suggested I was ‘legit’ given how much Manny stuff I had just bought! Ugh!
On the Friday night we’d gone to see a show at the MGM and just passed by the Garden arena again. It was empty except for two middle aged women taking photos of each other with their fight tickets on the stairs. We made some small talk and one of the women claimed that Manny had given them their 4 tickets. I didn’t really believe them until she showed me photo’s of Manny sitting in a chair underneath one of these girls. Turns out she cuts Manny’s hair back in the Philippines. They both said Manny was an absolute diamond of a man. At this stage my girlfriend hadn’t decided who to root for but this put her firmly in Team Pacman.
Despite the dire undercard, the atmosphere was incredible. It wasn’t until it became obvious (maybe round 6/7) that Manny was too strong that the tense atmosphere was quashed as the Puerto Rican fans quietened down. I couldn’t believe what a warrior Pac is, just pure seek and destory.
We were in pretty good seats as it was but as the fight finished I sneaked right up to ringside. One of Manny’s entourage allowed me and a couple of other fans to hold and take a photo with one of his Ring belts. It was the 130lb belt he won from JM Marquez. In fact it still had Marquez’s name on it. Maybe that is how it works.
how did you find Vegas as a holiday?