By Brent Bosker

Boxing fans to fill Sask. bars for ‘fight of the century’

May 2, 2015 | 3:53 PM

It’s being called the boxing fight of the century and the hype surrounding the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao match in Las Vegas is being felt in Saskatchewan.

“Probably one of the biggest fights in the last 10 years. I think even a lot of people that are not interested in boxing will be tuning into this one,” Nelson Boxing Club owner Michelle Nelson said.

“It’s great for boxing,” she said, adding members and their families will be getting together at the club to watch the fight on several big screens.

The fight will also have bars booming across the province.

Boston Pizza, Movado’s, and JT’s Pub are showing the fight in Prince Albert.

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Sports on Tap, Shark Club, The Canadian Brewhouse and the Red Zone Sports Bar are among the bars showing the fight in Saskatoon. All are expecting full houses come Saturday night.

“We’re bringing in as much extra seating as we possibly can,” Red Zone manager Tanner Plaxton said.

He said their VIP rooms have been booked since the fight was announced, adding their remaining tables will be first-come, first-serve.

It will be the same for the Great Canadian Brewhouse and Shark Club. However as of Friday afternoon, the Shark Club had a few reservations remaining.

Sarah Cooper with Sports on Tap said they don’t take reservations and expect to fill up fast with the Kentucky Derby also happening Saturday.

“We will be completely full. I’m expecting it to be the busiest shift I have ever worked.” 

The fight is expected to be the most expensive in pay-per-view history. Bars showing the fight will be charging $10 to $20 a head to offset the cost. 

The majority said the cover charge was higher than what they normally charge for a UFC pay-per-view fight.

Fight facts:

-According to Forbes, the fight is projected to draw three million pay-per-view customers, generating a record $300 million or more in revenue.

-Nevada bookies expect to handle between $60-80 million bets.

-Mayweather’s defeat of Oscar De La Hoya in 2007 has the buy record of 2.48 million households, while his 2013 showdown with Canelo Alvarez has the revenue record of $152 million.

-Mayweather is likely to earn at least $180 million from the bout while Pacquiao is expected to come away with more than $120 million.

-The MGM Grand in Las Vegas is expected to pack in close to 16,500 fans for the fight generating $74 million in gate revenue.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @brentbosker