Pacquiao back in Vegas to defend WBO Welterweight Title

The last time Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao fought in Las Vegas was in November 2009. It was against Miguel Cotto, which he won by TKO in the 12th round. His last two fights, both in 2010, were held at the luxurious state-of-the-art $1.2 billion Dallas Cowboys Stadium. It was against Joshua Clottey in March and his last fight, against Antonio Margarito, in November which he both won in unanimous decision.

This time around he will fight “Sugar” Shane Mosley, a former three-division world champion at the 147-pound division which is also known as the Welterweight Division.



“I’m ready and I’m excited to fight,” said Pacquiao. “If you train hard, then you have nothing to worry of course about the fight.”

Manny Pacquiao will defend his WBO (World Boxing Organization) Welterweight Belt against American Shane Mosley on Saturday, May 7th. This will be his 20th fight in the United States and 11 of these fights were held in the Las Vegas, also known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”.

The upcoming Pacquiao vs Mosley fight is sanctioned by the NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) and promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions.

Yesterday, Pacman with his entourage arrived at the Mandalay Bay Hotel close to midnight. Manny hosted a dinner to his entire team at his spacious three-bedroom suite on the 60th floor. They feasted on assorted Filipino dishes.

His encounter with Shane Mosley will mark his seventh time in the MGM Grand Arena. He holds a record of 4-1-1 at the luxurious hotel.

Pacquiao’s debut fight in the MGM Grand was against Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in June 2001. His following fights were against Juan Manuel Marquez (May 2004) and Erik Morales (March 2005) which he lost and scored a draw respectively. His other victories inside the 16,800-seating capacity venue were against Oscar de la Hoya (December 2008) and Ricky Hatton (May 2009).

Before Manny Pacquiao leave for Las Vegas, he sparred four rounds against Shawn Porter, marking his 142nd sparring round for the preparation on his upcoming mega-fight versus Shane Mosley.

Pacquiao and Mosley will be welcomed by Bob Arum, the CEO of Top Rank Promotions, on Tuesday afternoon at the front lobby and Porte Cochere of the MGM Grand for the fighters’ grand arrival, traditionally held days before the fight.

On Tuesday morning, Manny Pacquiao and his team are going to the track for jogging and exercise to shake off any rusts formed during the four hours long travel inside the well-designed bus that has Manny Pacquiao’s face outside it, to help promote the upcoming Mosley vs Pacquiao fight.

Mayweather vs Ortiz on September 17, 2011 and Pacquiao vs Marquez on November 12, 2011