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Las Vegas hotels and restaurants were filled and taxis were hard to find as the Mayweather-Canelo fight Saturday night proved one of Sin City’s biggest economic draws.
Many said they haven't seen buzz around an event like this since Tyson vs. Holyfield over 15 years ago, according to KTNV TV.
Boxing legend Bernard Hopkins told KTNV the line outside went around the corner of the building, "Not since fighting with Tyson have I seen this type of atmosphere."
The fight itself attracted 16,000 to the MGM Grand Garden with the worst seats starting at $1500 and a box office take of $19 million. Thousands of others were on hand in Vegas to place their bets at one of the Strip’s many sportsbooks.
When all was said and done, analysts predicted that Vegas would take in more than $100 million in revenue.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. beat Canelo Alvarez by decision, improving his record to 45-0. Mayweather was a 1-3 favorite coming into Saturday night’s fight but these were the shortest odds on the “Pretty Boy” in years.
Overall, this was a huge weekend for sportsbooks both in Las Vegas and online in terms of volume.
Gambling911.com believes this to be one of the most wagered on events of the year based on initial traffic observations and reports out of Vegas seem to confirm this.
Heavy action was taken in on the big Alabama-Texas A&M game prior to Saturday evening’s fight. Mayweather-Canelo sealed the deal, however.
“The results were good for us,” said Jay Rood, MGM Resorts vice president of race and sports, "Mayweather winning by decision was our best scenario, and the handle was the best I've ever see."
Rood reportedly took in a million dollar wager on Mayweather to win.
For Sunday’s NFL, the books made out early with the public getting slammed by an Indianapolis loss. The most action Sunday was coming in on New Orleans. The Saints-Bucs game was delayed due to lightning as of press time.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
