LAS VEGAS (AP) – Tickets are at such a premium to see Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao’s long-awaited matchup that all of those seated at ringside will be the recognizable, the rich – and the very lucky.
There should be no lack of celebrities. TV cameras will likely find Mayweather’s sidekick Justin Bieber, actor Jamie Foxx, who will sing the national anthem, and other artists in town for appearances at Vegas nightclubs for fight weekend – including Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Nicki Minaj.
But even in Las Vegas where VIPs and high-rolling gamblers, the “whales” as they’re often called, are routinely “comped” with free hotel rooms and tickets, don’t assume most of the 16,800 or so ticket-holders got a free ride.
The fight will be one of the most exclusive boxing events the destination has ever hosted. Only 500 tickets were offered to the public, and they sold in seconds.
Even two U.S. senators who had their boxing fan hearts set on seeing the matchup won’t be ringside.