The Times-Picayune has learned that the Superdome is out of the running to host the March 13 megafight between welterweights Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Noted political pundit James Carville led the effort to bring the bout to the Crescent City, but a scheduling conflict with the New Orleans Arena (the Hornets host the Denver Nuggets on March 12) and a cardiologist convention (which left the city with a dearth of hotel rooms that weekend) scuttled the plans. Carville had planned to make the fight a multi-day extravaganza with charitable events, musical acts and other entertainment.
Pacquiao and Mayweather are considered the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world and tentatively have agreed to a bout that some experts have called the "Fight of the Century."
Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) stopped Miguel Cotto in 12 rounds last month, and Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) defeated Juan Manuel Marquez in September by unanimous decision after an 18-month layoff.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas is considered the favorite to host the event. The fight, and where it will take place, is expected to be officially announced Jan. 11 in New York.
Carville, however, didn't rule our pursuing a potential Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch in the fall.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
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