Before the so-called “Fight of the Century” was drubbed by critics as the snooze of the century, the MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas was already pumping up a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch with advertisers and investors, sources said. But now that plan’s on hold.
The proposed rematch of the welterweights was going to be timed to the opening of the MGM Grand’s new $375 million, 20,000-seat arena in May 2016. The first big event at the venue will be a concert by an unspecified artist, and the Mayweather-Pacquiao matchup would have come next.
But now Vegas insiders say that the hotel giant’s backing away from the idea because the fight — while pulling in unprecedented millions — underwhelmed fans and was a logistical nightmare.
Also, while loser Pacquiao’s already calling for a rematch, Mayweather, who earned $180 million in winnings, had said he would hang up his gloves after one more fight in September. (Some wonder whether “Money” Mayweather will really be able to stay away from another big MGM payday in the boxing spotlight — on Tuesday, Mayweather told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith he would be open to a rematch.)
“MGM had delusions of grandeur,” said a Vegas insider of the hotel’s pushing a rematch before the fight fizzled. “Now they’re backing off, unless the purse would be $300 or $400 million.”
A rep for MGM told us execs were “delighted” with the weekend’s success, but denied having talked up any rematch. “We aren’t involved in those discussions and haven’t spoken with investors.”
Meanwhile, Pacquiao earned about $130 million for the fight, but sources said the Filipino pocketed $8 million more in endorsement deals from brands such as Nike and Butterfinger. As part of the haul, he received $2 million just to snap selfies on Samsung phones, sources said,
Samsung paid $18 million at the 2014 Academy Awards that included Ellen DeGeneres snapping her famed selfie while hosting the show with Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Spacey, Lupita Nyong’o and Meryl Streep in the audience.