Venue confirmed for Mayweather-Maidana
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ByEurosport
Published 06/03/2014 at 07:49 GMT
The MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas will host the May 3 fight between 10-time and five-division world champion and current WBC welterweight champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather against Argentine power-puncher and WBA welterweight champion Marcos "El Chino" Maidana.
2013 Floyd Mayweather
Image credit: AFP
The famed Vegas fight venue has staged each of Mayweather’s last eight bouts, dating back to his seminal split decision win over Oscar De La Hoya on Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2007.
The bout had initially appeared set to see British former world champion Amir Khan take on Mayweather, only for the world pound-for-pound king to select Maidana instead.
"We are honored to host another one of Floyd Mayweather's epic championship fights at MGM Grand," said Richard Sturm, president of Sports and Entertainment for MGM Resorts International.
"The MGM Grand Garden Arena has been Floyd's home for many years and he always thrills the fans inside the Arena and those watching worldwide."
The title unification bout is the third of Mayweather’s lucrative six-fight contract with Showtime, with many believing the unbeaten 37-year-old will retire at the end of the deal.
"We are so delighted that Floyd will be fighting at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the 12th time," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "
It is truly Floyd's home away from home and as we always say, when Floyd fights at MGM Grand, it stands for 'Mayweather gets money' because of his ability to sell every seat in the house."
Maidana raced into late contention for the opportunity to end Mayweather’s 45-fight unbeaten streak by ending the spotless record of Mayweather protégé Adrien Broner in December.
"Floyd Mayweather will be coming home once again on May 3 when he faces Marcos Maidana at MGM Grand in Las Vegas," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.
"With 11 of his previous fights being held at MGM Grand, Floyd has become the venue's greatest sports franchise, so it is only fitting that he face one of his toughest challenges here in his adopted hometown of Las Vegas."
Mayweather has fought and won some of his most memorable battles at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, including wins over De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and most recently Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez last September.
This will be Mayweather’s 12th appearance at the venue overall. The Alvarez win shattered gate records, totalling more around £12 million.
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