By Jake Donovan
Tecate Beer has long been a valuable friend to the sport of boxing, particularly those looking for relief from exorbitant – and increasing – pay-per-view prices.
As it pertains to the November 22 headliner between Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri, the Mexico-based beer company has truly stepped up its game.
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum announced a variety of promotions being offered by Tecate for the upcoming PPV event during Thursday’s press session in New York City, the final stop of a 27,000-mile, bi-continental press tour.
“Tecate has always been a proud sponsor of our events,” Arum stated in his obligatory praise of the company before revealing the good news. “What they're doing = they're running a promotion. A lucky fan will win a free VIP trip to travel to Macau to watch the fight live.
“Additionally, lucky winners will be awarded hotel rooms, and will be able to enjoy the fight on screen in a private ballroom.”
As for those who plan to stay home and order the fight on pay-per-view, Tecate will offer a rebate of up to $30. Participants are required to show proof-of-purchase of an 18-pack (or larger) of Tecate or Tecate Light in order to be eligible for the mail-in rebate.
Several of Pacquiao’s fights through the years have come with considerable discounts from Tecate, including both fights with Tim Bradley, as well as his third and fourth fights with longtime rival Juan Manuel Marquez.
The aforementioned promotions offered for the upcoming fight by far trumps the generous gift offered by Tecate for Pacquiao’s first visit to Macau for his comeback bout versus Brandon Rios last November. Winning fans were awarded a “fight party kit,” which also included a redemption code to for a free live (and legal) stream of the pay-per-view event, in which Pacquiao won a wide decision.
Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38KOs) is coming off of a 12-round points win over Tim Bradley, avenging a controversial loss in June ’12 and regaining his welterweight title in the process.
Algieri (20-0, 8KOs) landed the coveted assignment on the strength of his upset points win over Ruslan Provodnikov in June. The win also acquired the unbeaten New Yorker a 140 lb. title, which will not be at stake in this fight.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
