The Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, is an unmissable venue whenever one makes the drive to the strip to attend a pre-fight boxing press conference, or cover a combat sports event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena or T-Mobile Arena.
It's a black, eye-catching venue that can fit 65,000 people for NFL games — or 72,000 or more for concerts and special events.
Though it is predominantly an NFL venue, and has hosted BTS, Rolling Stones, and Beyonce, it is yet to showcase a big fight.
That is not for lack of rumor.
Before Conor McGregor fought Donald Corrone in 2020 he said he had his eye on competing at the Allegiant Stadium — as it was something no fighter had yet done.
When Premier Boxing Champions and Showtime Sports were discussing suitable sites for the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia mega-fight on April 22, the Allegiant Stadium was in the running — alongside MGM Grand and T-Mobile.
Ultimately, the T-Mobile Arena's aggressive pursuit of that fight led to the bout landing there.
Yet the Allegiant Stadium remains a viable option for big fights in the years ahead which begs the question — which boxing match could win the race for the first match held at the Raiders?
ProBox TV listed five likely candidates:
- Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. David Benavidez — According to a ProBox TV source with knowledge of the situation, this fight is the third in PBC's "tentative" plan for Canelo's three-fight deal. The source stressed that it depends entirely how upcoming fight play out — for example, on how Canelo fares against the Charlo twins, and how Benavidez foils Demetrius Andrade. But if it all goes to plan, then these two boxers could wage war on a Mexican holiday like Mexican Independence Day in 2024. Where better to host such a festival of combat sports than the Raiders Stadium?
- Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia 2 — ProBox TV understands that, alongside MGM Grand and T-Mobile, Allegiant Stadium was in play to host the first fight on April 22. A lot needs to go right for Garcia to warrant a rematch, but should he bounce back, in style, against fighters like Rolando Romero and/or Jose Zepeda, then he may gain enough momentum to earn a second fight against Tank. Raiders owner Mark Davis wants to bring a big fight to his venue. He failed in a bid to get the first fight and may not want the second fight to slip through his fingers.
- Deontay Wilder vs. Anthony Joshua 2 — No, these two heavyweights haven't even fought once yet. But a 6-foot-7 American against a 6-foot-6 Brit, both of whom have dynamite in their fists, it should always have been a Las Vegas fight. While the first fight, if it happens, seems like it's heading for Saudi Arabia, should it create enough drama to warrant a do-over, then Vegas — and the Raiders Stadium — would be a fitting venue.
- Terence Crawford vs. Canelo/Jermell Charlo winner — After his thumping victory against welterweight rival Errol Spence Jr., to secure one of the greatest performances of all-time, Terence Crawford is now *the* guy. His ability to draw both at the gate and the box office may skyrocket after his latest win, and he appears to be targeting another legacy fight — against Jermell Charlo, or even against Canelo. Either option could bring enough butts into seats at a 65,000 capacity ground.
- Conor McGregor vs. Jake Paul — Yes, in boxing, a promotion involving Conor McGregor and Jake Paul would be so nasty that it would transcend combat sports and permeate other parts of culture. Conor McGregor is a proven draw in Las Vegas with the UFC, has spoken about the Allegiant Stadium before, and even has experience in boxing. Jake Paul has more experience in boxing but his star may well be dwindling. This is the kind of fight Paul has always coveted, and he may look to rekindle it in the coming years.
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