Just as Las Vegas has established itself as the place for nightclubs, entertainment, 4- and 5-star dining and upscale shopping, it is now re-establishing itself as the Boxing Capital of the World. For a time, we had played second fiddle to some impostors around the country as we watched those venues present championship fights, but no longer and here's proof.
"Sugar Shane" Mosley will climb the mountain once again as he looks to become the welterweight champion of the world for the second time when he faces International Boxing Federation (IBF) 147-pound champion Kermit Cintron. The highly anticipated battle takes place Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and will air live on HBO World Championship Boxing at 6:45 p.m. PST.
Tickets to "Sugar and Spice!" as the pair of combatants are called, are priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50. Good luck trying to get $50 or even $100 tickets. I don't know how many tickets are printed, but my guess is that very few are in the $50 and $100 range. Forgive me, but when it comes to tickets for shows or any events, I hate getting ripped off. Tickets are available at any Mandalay Bay box office and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Macy's stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone call the Mandalay Bay box office at (702) 632-7580 or Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Seems they've got all the bases covered.
None other than Oscar De La Hoya, who also has a fight coming up, says, "As a fan of the sport, I can't wait to see this fight. This is a perfect clash of speed versus power and given the fact both Mosley and Cintron have a tendency to abandon their game plans and go to war, I'm anticipating fireworks."
Mosley, 35, is looking forward to the fight saying, "I'm excited to have the opportunity to win back the welterweight title and I respect Cintron for stepping to the plate when a lot of fighters wouldn't. On February 10 we're going to leave it all in the ring and I expect to come out as a champion once again." Mosley's career (43-4, 37 KOs, 1 No Contest) has been epitomized by a willingness to face the best - anytime, anywhere. From the lightweight to junior middleweight divisions, his commitment to excellence has been unquestionable. Mosley is a future Hall of Fame fighter who has won world championships in the lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight divisions. The only man in history to defeat De La Hoya twice,.
Cintron also is determined to win this exciting battle and said, "Shane Mosley is a great fighter but his time has passed. I'm the champion now and I will remain champion February 10." Cintron (27-1, 25 KOs), a native of Puerto Rico who now makes his home in Reading, Pa., is one of the hardest punchers, pound-for-pound, in boxing. Fresh from his punishing victory over Mark Suarez in October, the 27-year-old Cintron is trained by the legendary Emanuel Steward. His last seven wins have resulted in vicious knockouts and he hopes to make it eight straight in February. Should be quite a fight and no, I'm not betting on it.
The other big bout coming up in a few months features everybody's favorite, Oscar De La Hoya going at it with Floyd Mayweather. The fight between six-division world champion De La Hoya and unbeaten, four-division world champion Mayweather will be Saturday, May 5, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets for this event will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m. Tickets are priced at $2,000, $1,500, $1,000, $750, $350 and $150 and will be available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Ticket sales at $2000, $1,500, $1,000 and $750 are limited to six (6) per person and ticket sales at $350 and $150 are limited to two (2) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Should be a lot of interest in this one.
'IDOL' STAR HONORED
Despite the latest controversy surrounding Paula Abdul regarding her "strange behavior," the Nevada Ballet Theatre is standing behind its decision to honor Abdul as its 2007 "Woman of the Year" at its star-studded gala this Saturday, Jan. 27, at Wynn Las Vegas. Considered to be q premiere social event in Las Vegas, Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black & White Ball is the organization's largest fundraiser.
"We are delighted to honor Ms. Abdul as our 'Woman of the Year' for the 2007 Black & White Ball," says Nevada Ballet Theatre co-founder Nancy Houssels. "Everyone knows Paula as the judge of the popular show 'American Idol.' But they may not be aware of her extensive work with children through her cheerleading camps and scholarship programs. Her warm personality and talent have touched every aspect of the arts and entertainment world. Paula exemplifies the qualities we look for in an honoree."
This event draws more than 700 people annually, including Las Vegas residents Tony and Jill Curtis, Robert and Vera Goulet and Phyllis McGuire. Among last year's celebrities were Smokey Robinson and wife Frances, Paula Abdul and Supremes Star Mary Wilson.
Celebrities who have attended the Black & White Ball in the past include Walter Cronkite, Tippy Hedren, Shirley MacLaine, Ben Vereen, Liza Minnelli, Dom Deluise, Dick Van Dyke and Joan Collins. A first-class affair and it raises funds for a wonderful organization that is helping put Las Vegas on the world cultural map.
WALK WITH A HEART
Here's another event that I support wholeheartedly and one in which I hope you all participate. It's called Walk with the Heart of a Child and is set for Saturday, Feb. 10, at Fashion Show Mall and supports the Nevada-based Children's Heart Foundation. Community members and businesses who want to support this important cause can register their teams at www.chfn.org.
Walk with the Heart of a Child, a premiere 3K walk event, is a way for the community to open their hearts and help Children's Heart Foundation continue to improve the lives of the hundreds children who suffer from heart problems. The walk begins at 7:15 a.m. and registration begins at 6 a.m. Registration fees are $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For more information or a registration form, call (702) 967-3522.
The mission of the Children's Heart Foundation is to improve the care and quality of life for children in Nevada who are born with or develop heart problems. The foundation has four main goals: to provide a carefree camp experience for children with heart conditions; to educate healthcare professionals and the general public on pediatric cardiology issues; to lend support to families as they deal with the emotional and financial toll exacted by a child's heart problems; and to support research efforts in the field of pediatric cardiology. For more information on Children's Heart Foundation, please call (702) 967-3522 or visit www.chfn.org.
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com.
If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@cox.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.
