I made my very first trip to Las Vegas last week with the intent of my vacation being the rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. The two fought to a draw in 2004 despite Manny scoring three knockdowns in the first round. I was certainly excited about the fight but I had no idea what I was about to bear witness to.
The fight was at Mandalay Bay and we had no problem getting to the Events Center. Entering the Events Center itself, however, was an ordeal. My friends and I, all white males, were definitely in the minority and our allegiance was immediately questioned by the throng of Mexican fight fans that had congregated in front of the arena’s entrance ramp. Since all of us chose not to paint our faces or adorn ourselves with flag-capes, they needed to know who we supported in the main event. I threw a fist in the air and bellowed “Marquez!” and just like that we were accepted by the Mexican race. And if the throng before us was Philippine, I certainly would have retorted with a “Manny!” It was all about getting to our seats alive at that point.
We got to our seats but there wasn’t a fight going on as they were setting up for the pay-per-view telecast fights. Seemed about as good a time as any to grab beer. The $8 price tag was enough to dissuade me from drinking for the fight. I know it’s Vegas but entering Sin City doesn’t completely take the frugality out of you. It was $11 for mixed drinks. You got me on the $200 for the ticket, Vegas, but I’ll be damned if you get me at the concession stand too. This also eliminates any thought that the passion from the fans throughout the night was induced by alcohol. No one will keep a buzz going for that kind of money.
My shock over beer prices quickly dissipated when I noticed an anxious man jolting around the souvenir stand and questioning the guy selling programs. The man was Kenny Bayless, the referee for the main event. I recognized Kenny Bayless instantly but even if I didn’t his jacket that read “Kenny Bayless” on the front would have clued me in. I wouldn’t have figured him to be the kind for self-promotion. Kenny Bayless always has control in the ring but it was odd to see him getting so antsy in the lobby and assuming that the Program Guy had what he needed to settle his nerves. Do the referees have to take drug tests?
The undercard was full of Mexican fighters to keep the crowd at a continued frenzy. The David Diaz vs. Ramon Montano fight was pretty boring live and wasn’t a good way to start the evening. The next bout pitted Mexican Abner Mares against the Philippine Diosdado Gabi. Poor Gabi never stood a chance as Mares recorded a 2nd round TKO that could have even been stopped twenty seconds earlier than it was. Mexican fans rejoiced. The final undercard bout saw American Steve Luevano take on Terdsak Jandaeng from Thailand. Jandaeng has the best first name in boxing. The best full name, however, goes to Golden Johnson. Luevano won the crowd early by entering with a Mexican flag. He dominated the fight but got a scare in the end when Terdsak knocked him down. It made for a fun conclusion to one-sided affair.
Patriotism was in full force prior to the main event. The crowd was probably split 60/40 in favor of Marquez but it seemed like even more given the enthusiasm displayed by the Mexican fans. Flags of both countries were waving and chants were ranging from “Me-xi-co” to “Ma-nny” to that “Ole, Ole, Ole” song. The entrances were loud and frenzied. The Philippine fans drowned out the Marquez fans when Pacquiao came to the ring to a live rendition of some song by a Black Eyed Peas member that made even me want to dance around. Marquez was brought to the ring by a mariachi band. Both national anthems played and that may have been when the fans were at their loudest.
The fight was outstanding. Marquez went down in the third round but he looked off balance before he got hit. Replays seemed to show the knockdown was more legitimate than I just led you to believe. Marquez pushed the action in the fight but Pacquiao was certainly the stronger man and had a better chin. These were all things we knew coming into the fight. Marquez seemed to be grinding away and scoring points but every nervous moment for an end to the fight came when Pacquiao was on the attack.
Juan Manuel Marquez celebrated after the fight as did the boisterous Mexican fans. Pacquiao didn’t celebrate so the feeling in the arena was that Marquez won a decision. The scorecards were read and the split decision victory was awarded to Manny Pacquiao. The crowd went wild. Mexican fans were booing and the Philippine fans were going crazy. I had a problem with the reaction of the Pacquiao fans. Sure, be happy your man won, but don’t taunt the Mexican fans. The Philippine fans were distraught when the final bell rang and Manny hadn’t scored a knockout. I’m sure they too thought Marquez won the fight. It’s good to be happy but it’s shady to celebrate a bad decision in other fans’ faces.
I was also upset with the decision. Marquez was +215 on the money lines which made my decision on where to bet my money an easy one. I also placed a prop bet on Marquez winning by decision which carried 3/1 odds. I didn’t lose a lot of money but I stood to win a lot. It doesn’t feel that great when your opportunity to cash in at the Sportsbook is taken away by what appeared to be a bad decision.
To their credit, the Mexican fans stood by their man after the fight as “Mar-quez!” chants continued in the arena, on the way out of the arena, and into the streets. It was reminiscent of Ricky Hatton’s fans in his loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. Boxing fans are a lesser extent of soccer fans. There were flags, faces painted, and sing-song chants. There was even a lack of American fans, just like in soccer.
Fight Night was incredible and without a doubt the highlight of my three day stay in Las Vegas. It was the highlight of everyone’s trip in our group and two of them weren’t even boxing fans. I already want to start making plans for the Shane Mosley-Zab Judah fight in May. My two days gambling in Vegas after the fight, however, put a monkey wrench in funding that trip. I look forward to making another trip to Las Vegas for a fight sometime in the future. Once you gain acceptance from one ethnic group it makes you crave acceptance from another. Ethnic acceptance is my new addiction.
