It looks like the biggest details have been sewn up in the negotiations to get Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. into the ring. March 13 is the most likely date and now the venue is the big question. The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Cowboy Stadium in Dallas, Yankee Stadium and The Superdome in New Orleans are all being mentioned. The other idea floated was to erect a temporary 30,000 seat stadium in the middle of the Las Vegas strip. That idea may be impossible now with the March date because of weather risks. This talk is intriguing but not based much in fact. Bob Arum made it clear what the biggest stumbling block is as far as a location is, the state tax man.
During the Miguel Cotto-Pacquiao postfight, Arum lectured a reporter on what states like New York would do to the Filipino's purse. He pointed out that upwards of 45 percent would be withheld when you add in city, state and federal taxes. Arum wants Pacquiao to fight in more tax-friendly states like Nevada, Texas or Florida where there is no state income tax. It would nice for boxing to hold the fight in front of 30,000-50,000 fans but Mayweather will be a big factor. As a Las Vegas resident, he's got to favor a fight at the MGM. .