Tomb of Doom

How appropriate that the place where International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao will defend his crown against Jorge Eliecer Julio of Colombia on June 8 is called the "Tomb of Doom."

Pacquiao plans to bury Julio under a barrage of punches at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee.

Millions of fans all over the world are expected to watch the blockbuster card headlined by the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson duel for the world heavyweight title. In the US, Home Box Office (HBO) and Showtime are combining resources to offer a pay per view package of $54.95 a shot.

Tickets for the 21,000-seat facility are selling for $250, $500, $900, $1,400, and $2,400. Additionally, there’s a $20 handling fee for tickets in the $900-$2,400 range and $10 for the $250-$500 bracket. A customer is limited to buy two tickets for $250 and $500 seats and four for $900 to $2,400 seats.

When the National Basketball Association (NBA) team Memphis Grizzlies play at the Pyramid, ticket prices range from $5 to $125. So the most expensive ticket for a Grizzlies game won’t buy the cheapest seat for the June 8 extravaganza.

The Pyramid was completed in 1991 and sits on the banks of the Mississippi River. It’s a replica of the spectacular Egyptian structure. The world’s third largest pyramid juts out to over 300 feet and is taller than the Statue of Liberty and the Taj Mahal.

The giant stainless-steel arena has more than a half million square feet of usable interior space and its base covers 360,000 square feet with a footprint larger than six football fields. The backstage areas include 10 dressing rooms and four locker rooms.

The city of Memphis and Shelby county jointly own the Pyramid which is operated by a private events organizer called Spectator Management Group.

Memphis is often referred to as the "soul of the South" as music is its hallmark. The first American musicians’ union was formed in Memphis in 1873. The city is also called the "home of the blues" and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. Elvis Presley and Isaac Hayes were discovered in Memphis where Stax Records and Sun Studios spearheaded a worldwide music boom in the 1950s. Al Green, Ruby Wilson, and W. C. Handy were other singers who emerged from the "soul of the South."

In 1818, the Tennessee city was named Memphis by John Overton, Gen. James Winchester and Andrew Jackson who acquired it from the Chickasaw tribe. The founding fathers saw the similarity in Memphis which lies on the Nile riverbank in Egypt.

Additionally, Memphis is known as the world’s Pork Barbecue capital. In May every year, the city hosts an international barbecue cooking contest.

Today, the Memphis International Airport ships more air cargo than any other city in the world. Federal Express established its headquarters in Memphis in 1973 and Northwest Airlines opened a hub in 1986 to make the city one of the most economically progressive in the US.

The Pyramid will never be the same again after June 8. Lewis and Tyson will leave their mark in Memphis sports history. Pacquiao, too.

On the topic of fight venues, local promoter Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde, Jr. is wondering what it will take for the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to decide whether or not to lend the Casino Filipino amphitheater in Parañaque for his May 31 card.

Elorde sent in his request to PAGCOR last February. To this day, there is no reply. Casino Filipino is his first option but if it isn’t available, he might just bring the card to the Grand Flash Ballroom at the Elorde Sports Complex in Sucat or the Manila Hotel.

Although the site is still undetermined, Elorde said the card is definitely pushing through. The main event features World Boxing Council (WBC) International lightflyweight champion Juanito Rubillar staking his crown against former World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight titlist Joma Gamboa in a 12-rounder. In the undercard, Archiel Villamor takes on Jerry Pahayahay for the interim Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA) flyweight diadem, WBC International flyweight champion Randy Mangubat faces Diosdado Gabi, and WBC International minimumweight ruler Ernesto Rubillar battles Flash Villacura.

Elorde’s card looks like a winner in the box office. Surely, he deserves at least a response from PAGCOR–whether positive or negative.