BoxRec

It seems that madison square gardens is rarely used for big fights now and most happen in Vegas. For the people have been to big fights in both new york and vegas which do you think is better? I have only been to the garden to see cotto-mosley and thought the atmosphere was brilliant plus there was a huge crowd of 18000. It seems that when fights do happen in the garden they sell well, klitschko-ibragimov was sold out i think, cotto-judah about 20,000, jones-trinidad about 14000.
The Pacquiao fight last night i think i read had about 9000, do you think this would of sold better in new york? Its a shame the garden isnt used as much as it has so much history and used to be the mecca of boxing.

Good question. I've been to numerous cards in both places, and which one you prefer, I would submit depends on what you are looking for. My analysis:

Vegas

Pros:

The biggest and the best fights are there. There is a reason ODLH and most of the moneymakers fight there. When there is a big fight on, the atmosphere can be unbelievable (Mayweather v Hatton and ODLH, the first two MAB v Morales fights (i didn't see the third live), RJJ going for the heavyweight belt).

When Vegas "catches fire" with a fight, everyone, in every taxi and every bar is talking about it. The weigh in is an occasion in itself, and because the town is compact, you feel that you are part of it.

You are in a town whose sole purpose is to party.

Cons:

Unless its a megafight, they don't catch fire. I've been at plenty of big fights that were nowhere near sold out (e.g. Corales v Castillo I) or sold a bunch of tix late and cheap to give a full house atmosphere (Calzaghe v Hopkins).

The Brits can ruin it.

The crowd are not that boxing savvy.

MSG

Pros:

Its the mecca of boxing, you feel privileged to be there. The fans do know their stuff, you meet a lot of old timers, there are some legendary boxing bars to drink in beforehand.

You are in the world's greatest city.

Cons:

Don't get the biggest fights anymore, and because there is a multitude of things to do in NYC, the fight never really takes over the town.

In conclusion:

If you want a few days where the boxing is the centerpoint, and you want to kick the arse out of it and go mad, Vegas.

If you want to go to a place that will not be fight focused, but is a great time, New York.

Hope this helps. Contrary views appreciated.

i tried vegas for the klitschko v williams scrap in 2004 and thoroughly enjoyed myself, would dearly love to go to a fight at msg, i think it might just be my next project..