Vegas rematch tickets on sale

The fight promoter calls the medium-price seating for the fight the best bargain.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Those who have been waiting to get their hands on tickets to the upcoming Kelly Pavlik vs. Jermain Taylor fight can fulfill their desire starting at 10 a.m. today.

The fight will be Feb. 16 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The official Top Rank Web site listed the ticket prices at $100, $200, $300, $400 and $600.

A representative from Ticketmaster confirmed that tickets will be on sale beginning at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations.

Some reports have said tickets can be bought via the MGM Grand Arena, but a spokesperson at the MGM Grand said sales representatives there have no information listed on the fight, and will not begin selling tickets today. Representatives at the MGM Grand could not say when tickets would go on sale at that location.

The Pavlik vs. Taylor fight will be promoted by Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment. The 12-round rumble will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. EST.

Bob Arum, Top Rank’s board chairman, said several factors led to the decision to hold the fight in Las Vegas, rather than in Atlantic City where the previous Pavlik/Taylor fight was held.

“Taylor would not agree to fight in Atlantic City. Rather than argue with him, as we could have done, we figured Las Vegas was a bigger venue and handles bigger fights — and this is a big fight,” Arum said.

The weather was also a key factor. Arum said he did not want to be hampered by bad January weather conditions that may come up in Atlantic City.

According to Arum, the MGM Grand has about 16,000 seats available for spectators, compared with the 12,000 seats available at the previous Pavlik/Taylor meeting — and promoters expect to fill every one of the seats.

“I think we will sell this out, that is what everyone is expecting,” he said. “Everyone wants to come because they want to see Kelly. This is Vegas, and it’s a three-day weekend, and they want to get away from the snow and cold.”

Those looking to buy the more expensive seats, however, had better act fast, Arum said. He said the MGM corporation will likely snatch most of the expensive seats for its “high roller” customers who might like to see the fight and relax in Las Vegas for the weekend.

Arum said buying the most expensive seats is not necessary. He said the $200 and $300 seats are likely the best bargain and said the $100 seats will even give spectators a lot of bang for their bucks.

“Even in the cheapest $100 seat you see perfectly,” he said. “These are very modern arenas so that all the seats are relatively close to the stage.”

Arum said Top Rank has not spoken to any travel agencies about organizing groups of spectators from Youngstown, but that will likely take place in the near future.

jgoodwin@vindy.com