By Mark Vester
During a recent interview with the Las Vegas Review Journal, promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank said that Las Vegas was the best choice to host the anticipated welterweight war between WBA champion Miguel Cotto (32-0, 26KOs) and challenger Antonio Margarito (36-5, 26KOs). The fight takes place on July 26 at the MGM Grand. HBO pay-per-view will televise.
"Las Vegas makes sense because the fans of both fighters enjoy coming to Las Vegas and will want to go there instead of New York or Atlantic City," Arum said. "The hotel rooms are cheaper, and for Margarito's (West Coast) fans, it's an easy trip. Plus, Cotto has established himself on the East Coast."
"We thought Cotto could boost the West Coast numbers by coming out to Las Vegas. These were complicated negotiations. But the very first meeting we had with him, Cotto said he wanted to fight in Las Vegas."
Arum expects the MGM Grand, which can seat 16,270 for boxing, to sell out very quickly. He also expects the fight to perform well on pay-per-view. Cotto's best number to date has been around 350,000 or so for last November's defense against Shane Mosley. Arum says the bout with Margarito should do at least 400,000, or more.
New York and Atlantic City were in the running to host the fight, but Las Vegas pulled away after the Nevada State Athletic Commission allowed the fighters to use 8-ounce gloves.
"That was the key," Arum said. "Once the commission agreed to the change, that's what made it happen."
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