By Andy Young
Venues across Australia are preparing for a Sunday bonanza as they sign up for the Main Event Pay-Per-View (PPV) event, which sees World Champion Manny Pacquiao take on Australia’s Jeff Horn in Brisbane.
The world title bout is already tracking to be one of the biggest-selling Main Event PPV events in Australian history, with a high number of venues subscribing to show the fight.
Fox Sports Venues national pay-per-view manager, Japhy Duldig, told TheShout: “Currently the fight is tracking above expectations and is heading towards being the biggest Sunday pay-per-view event we have had in Australia. This would put it past the previous best that was Mayweather vs Pacquiao in 2015.
“Brisbane venues have really gotten behind the event with over half of Fox Sports Venues subscribers booking the fight so far. With the buzz in Brisbane at fever-pitch we expect more venues to come on board to support Horn in his quest for a World Title.”
TheShout has spoken to a number of venues showing the fight and all are expecting big crowds on Sunday to help boost their weekend trading and have been planning their F&B offering around the massive event for weeks.
Alex Farquhar of The Caxton in Brisbane, is understandably expecting a huge day at his venue. He told TheShout: "This Sunday is looking to be a truly unique day of trade for us. The ticket sales to the event have been fantastic and there is so much hype around it.
"We are looking forward to an overall great Sunday at The Caxton; I think somewhat reminiscent of a home State Of Origin. Our restaurant bookings are looking fantastic and the bars will be just as busy during the event, with spectators watching the bout on our screens and soaking up the atmosphere, as we will be before and after."
It’s a similar story in Sydney, with Bayfield Hotels deciding to show the fight. Kaine Bayfield, the group’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are showing the fight at both The Light Brigade and Dee Why Hotel and expect close to capacity crowds at both venues. Everyone seems pretty excited about this one. Pacquiao certainly draws in a good crowd and hopefully it is a good fight that goes the distance.”
Alistair Flower of The Settlers Inn Hotel in Port Macquarie is also confident that he will see a busy Sunday after he chose to subscribe to the PPV event.
“Along with many of our UFC fights, these popular boxing fights create huge interest locally and our phone has been literally off the hook,” Flower told TheShout.
“If it's anything like the Mundine v Green fight – we should expect a great afternoon.”
The WBO Welterweight title bout takes place at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, with the undercard due to start from 11am. Any venues still interested in showing the fight should call 1300 301 415.