Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Pacquiao Motivates Top Rank to Offer $50.00 Ticket
By Don Smith
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 10 Sep 2016
EDITORS NOTE: Freelance photographer Geoff Ronning and ABNN Editor Don Smith traveled to California to attend a press conference promoting Manny Pacquiao?s ring return and his attempt to win the WBO welterweight title from reigning champion Jessie Vargas. Our complete coverage of the entire presser will be carried in our next column. Both boxers and key members of their teams were present.
Timing is important in the release of news and sometimes holding back information can affect consumer decisions; therefore, when Top Rank (Event Promoter) with pressure from Pacquiao decided to offer a discount ticket to the event that will feature 4 championship bout; we decided to alert the public. The special discount deal was made public by Top Rank Founder and CEO Bob Arum during his welcome remarks to invited members of the press and special guests.
Dateline Beverly Hills California: Boxing Fans, On September 8 in a press conference address held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Top Rank founder and CEO Bob Arum described the upcoming WBO Welterweight title fight between Champion Jessie Vargas and challenger Manny Pacquiao as an historic event. The 84 year old silver tongued barrister explained his use of the term historic by stating that if Pac-Man dethrones Vargas, the eight division world champion will be the first sitting Congressman and Senator to win a world boxing title. Senator Pacquiao serves Sarangani Province in the Philippines.
Arum told a packed ballroom that Pacquiao came to him and asked the promoter to accommodate lower income fight fans a price break and the negotiations began. According to Arum, he said Top Rank would make 100 tickets available at $50.00 each; Manny said no. The dickering went back and forth until the men agreed that 7,000 tickets to the show are available for $50.00 each until the supply is exhausted.
Legend vs. The Champ is produced and distributed live by Top Rank Pay Per View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET on November 5 from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Center. Fans wishing to purchase tickets can charge by phone (866-388-3267) or online: http:/www.unlvtickets.com/. In addition to $50.00; other ticket prices are set at $100.00, $300.00, $500.00, $700.00 and $1,000.00. + applicable service charges.
Boxing Notes: Iron Boy Promotions is offering a program of amateur boxing on Septembe18 as part of the Tardeada Latina Street Festival in Tolleson on Sunday September 18. It is billed as a free event and Iron Boy CEO Roberto Vargas told me the boxing event is a way to show fan appreciation. The Festival (9/17-18) will feature live musical entertainment by Dave Lee Garza & Los Musicales, a Tejano music favorite. Food trucks, craft vendors, and a kids zone will be available. Lunch will be provided for boxers & coaches. For more information, call Tolleson l Parks & Recreation at 623-474-4992; sounds like fun!
The annual presentation of the Arizona Copper Gloves Tournament is scheduled for 10/19-29 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds during the Arizona State Fair. The event is staged in one of the Agricultural Barns; located at 1826 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix, Arizona. There is an admission cost to the fair; but there is no additional cost to watch boxing at the Fairgrounds. Arizona Boxing News & Notes will present a special feature on the event in a future issue including a list of concerts, discount specials and other tidbits for fair goers.
The Annual Gene Lewis Tournament is set for 11-10-12/16 in Mesa, Arizona and for more details call 480-834-1216. The events will set-up 3 rings and all amateur sows need volunteers; call Richard Soto (Chief of USA Boxing Arizona officials) at 602-702-7053 if you can support amateur boxing by lending a hand?.. On Sunday September 11, the world will acknowledge the 15th Anniversary of the tragic 911 tragedy; please join the world with a thoughtful pause of silence on Sunday to mark the historical moment?? Until Next Time!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.
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