NoteBook & Photos: Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez Fight Week, MGM Sold Out!

Posted on 12/07/2012

By: William Holmes

The following is a special edition of the Boxing Insider notebook covering the miscellaneous news in regard to the upcoming Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight.

Fight is Sold Out

Bob Arum announced today that the MGM Grand Garden Arena and its 16,000-plus seats have completely sold out, producing a live gate in excess of $10.5 million.

“Manny and Juan Manuel may have unfinished business in the ring, but as far as the live box office, it’s business as usual – another sellout,” said Arum. “I encourage boxing fans in Las Vegas to go to their favorite MGM Resort International property to purchase their closed-circuit seats today because the projections are looking like a sell out there too.”

Top Rank Launches Pacquiao-Marquez Digital Marketing Blitz

Tourists in Times Square can expect a blitz of boxing, as promoter Top Rank puts the screens of the NASDAQ and Reuters buildings to work to tout the upcoming Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez Pay-Per-View. An unprecedented live, hour-long Pacquiao training session aired during rush hour on Friday, November 30th. Ads were also appearing on various web sites, including the wall Street Journal. These sites will be promoting the show with a countdown clock.

Top Rank will also be airing Pacquiao-Marquez 4 commercials four times an hour on the screens in Times Square. They will also show live weigh-in coverage.

Fight Week Calendar of Events

Those in Las Vegas can experience a multitude of events in correlation to the upcoming fight. Some events listed below are media only, but many are open to the public. The remaining events are as follows:

Thursday, December 6

9:00 a.m. Media Center Opens
Location: Studio A&B; MGM Grand
10:00 a.m. Trainer Roundtables
Location: Studio A&B; MGM Grand
11:30 a.m. Undercard Final Press Conference
Location: Studio A&B; MGM Grand
11:30 a.m. – Press Conference Begins
12:30 p.m. – Media Lunch

Friday, December 7

9:00 a.m. Media Center Opens
Location: Studio A&B; MGM Grand
Noon Official Weigh-In Doors Open
Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena
2:30 p.m. Official Weigh-In Begins – Open to the public!
Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena
5:00 p.m. 24/7 Pacquiao/Márquez 4 Finale Screening
Location: Studio A&B; MGM Grand

Saturday, December 8
9:00 a.m. Media Center Opens
Location: Studio A&B; MGM Grand
3:00 p.m. MGM Grand Garden Arena Doors Open
3:15 p.m. First Fight Begins
4:00 p.m. Live Free-view Telecast Begins (4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
6:00 p.m. HBO Pay-Per-View® Telecast Begins
Following Fight Post-Fight Press Conference Location: Studios A & B; MGM Grand

Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Pacquiao Cracks Celebrity Lineup for Nuts

Bill King of the Sports Business Journal reports that Manny Pacquiao is in a new commercial for Wonderful Pistachios’ nuts. In the commercial Manny Pacquiao is rhythmically peppering a green speed bag to music, and when he unleashes his left hand the bag explodes spraying hundreds of pistachio nuts into the air. Pacquiao joins Snoop, snooki, and the Simpsons in a stable of pop culture figures to appear in Wonderful Pistachios’ 3 year old “Get Crackin” ad campaign.

The one-year endorsement deal will pay Pacquiao in the mid-six figures, according to a sports marketing source. Paramount Farms executives would not discuss financial terms.

This is Pacquiao’s third deal from outside the usual lineup of brands that cast athletes in commercials. He appeared in a national spot for Hewlett-Packard’s tablet computer 18 months ago and in Hennessy’s “What’s Your Wild Rabbit” campaign earlier this year. Hennessy has renewed Pacquiao for 2013.

“The Get Crackin’ campaign is one of those places that you should want to be right now if you’re in the sports world,” said Lucia McKelvey, Pacquiao’s deal agent at boxing promoter Top Rank. “It’s fun. It’s great, visually. And they’ll have a huge media buy. It’s a great fit for Manny.”

Congresswoman-Elect Tulsi Gabbard Welcomes Manny Pacquiao’s Continued Support

On December 3rd Congresswoman-Elect Tulsi Gabbard presented World Boxing Champion and Philippines Congressman Manny Pacquiao with a flag that was flown over the Hawaii State Capitol, along with an honorary certificate.

“We have many tough challenges that our respective countries are facing, and our commitment to working together is a symbol of the unity that is necessary in order for our country and global community to move forward,” Gabbard said during an appearance at Wild Card Boxing Club, Pacquiao’s training facility in Hollywood, California.

“I was proud to support Tulsi during her campaign because she stands for the people and will fight for their interests,” Pacquiao said. Pacquiao appeared in print and radio ads for Gabbard during the weeks leading up to the August primary.

“I was impressed with her record of service and her deep ties to the Filipino community,” Pacquiao said. “I wasn’t surprised by her landslide victories, because she’s also a fighter. I am convinced she will make Hawai’i proud.”

Pacquiao-Marquez 4 Closed Circuit Tickets On Sale

Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez 4 is projected be a sellout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena but Top Rank announced that the pay-per-view portion of the card will be available in Las Vegas via closed-circuit at the following MGM Resorts International properties: ARIA, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York-New York and Circus Circus. Tickets are currently priced at $50 and are on sale. Tickets will be available at each individual property’s box office outlet.

Pacquiao and Marquez to be Interviewed on ESPN Friday Night Fights

Interviews with Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, 50 Cent, Yuriorkis Gamboa, and 2012 U.S. Olympian Jose Ramirez will be conducted on a special edition of ESPN Boxing: Friday Night Fights on December 6th. The main event will be between Ray Beltran (26-6) and Ji-Hoon “Volcano” Kim (24-7) in the lightweight division at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN 2. ESPN 2 will include interviews with Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao as they prepare for their bout. ESPN Deportes will include live interviews with 50 Cent, Yuriorkis Gamboa, and 2012 U.S. Olympian Jose Ramirez.

Official Manny Pacquiao Blog

Top Rank is also hosting the official Manny Pacquiao blog. You can follow Pacquiao’s thoughts on his training camps and his upcoming fight at http://www.toprank.com/news/boxing-promotions-pacquiao-blog-iii

PPV in The UK

Boxing’s most contentious rivalry is set to end with a knockout this Saturday night, live on Primetime (Channel 498 on Sky & Virgin On Demand). Pacquiao vs. Marquez is live on Primetime for £14.95 this Sunday morning at 2am. To order visit www.primetimelive.co.uk or call 0871 200 4444.

ESPN’S Comprehensive Multi-Platform Coverage of Pacquiao-Marquez 4

Schedule of Pacquiao-Marquez 4 Coverage Across ESPN Platforms:

Thur, Dec 6
3:20 and 4:20
Live Pacquiao-Marquez Interviews
SportsCenter

7 p.m.
24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez 4
Episode 2

ESPN Classic
7:30 p.m.
24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez 4
Episode 3

ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes
8 p.m.
Pacquiao vs. Marquez II

ESPN Classic
10 p.m.
ESPN Boxing: Friday Night Fights Special Edition

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN
Fri, Dec 7
12 a.m.
Pacquiao vs. Marquez III

ESPN Classic
1 a.m.
24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez 4
Episode 2

ESPN Classic
1:30 a.m.
24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez 4
Episode 3

ESPN Classic
4 a.m.
24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez 4
Episode 1

ESPN Deportes
4:30 a.m.