The Biggest Boxing Events Ever Held in Casinos
Ever since casinos were created, they have been the place where the world’s biggest boxing events are held. Legends of the squared-circle have fought in casinos located everywhere from Las Vegas to New Jersey.
Here are five of the biggest boxing events ever held in casinos. Check the list below to see which of the world’s most known casinos have hosted boxing’s biggest fights.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquaio(MGM Grand Garden Arena)
Out of all of the biggest boxing events ever held in casinos, there were none bigger than Mayweather vs. Pacquaio. For years, the fighter’s teams tried to make this fight and it finally happened in 2015.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena was chosen as the venue for the biggest fight in boxing history. This world-class casino was the perfect venue for the fight, which shattered the PPV record.
To get you ready for the next big fight, you can read this article about gambling payouts and claim your bonus.
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns(Caesars Palace)
During the 1980s, Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns were two of the sport’s biggest stars. The world champions clashed in one of the biggest boxing events held in casinos.
After the fight contracts were signed, the fighters agreed on the fight being set at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Fight fans were not disappointed as Leonard took the decision to become the undisputed welterweight champion of the world.
The two champions fought a rematch, which ended in a controversial split-draw decision.
Shane Mosley vs. Oscar De La Hoya II(MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas)
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is back again on our list of the biggest boxing events ever held in casinos. This time it was the 2003 rematch of the Shane Mosley vs. Oscar De La Hoya.
Mosley won the first fight and in this rematch, Oscar’s middleweight titles were up for grabs in this fight. This time, De La Hoya took the unanimous decision to retain his titles and avenge his previous loss.
Roy Jones Jr. vs. Montell Griffin(Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ)
Next up, we go to New Jersey for one of the biggest boxing events ever held in casinos. In 1997 the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City hosted Roy Jones Jr. vs. Montell Griffin.
This was the era when Roy Jones was the biggest boxing star in the world and was steamrolling opponents. As this fight unfolded, Montell Griffin seemed like another victim.
However, after a knockdown, the official claimed Jones’ strike was illegal and disqualified the champion in a controversial decision. Jones would get his revenge in the immediate rematch.
Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield(MGM Grand Garden Arena)
For the last fight on the list of the biggest boxing events ever held in casinos, we go back to the MGM. This time, the casino hosted the highly-anticipated rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.
Fight fans expected a war, but what they got was one of the craziest endings in history. After getting headbutted, Mike Tyson lost his mind and bit off a piece of Holyfiedl’s ear.
Over 25 years later, this fight remains one of the most controversial in boxing history.
