By Tiffany A. Bramwell – Dallas South News Contributor

On Saturday March 13th Arlington, Texas was part of boxing history. Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao vs. Joshua “Grand Master” Clottey had the 3rd largest boxing attendance in U.S. history. The best pound for pound fighter and Top Rank’s top contender converged on North Texas and the entire area showed its Southern Hospitality once again. Pacquiao was the clear favorite and his fans showed once again why he has rock star status.

Two great minds came together when Jerry Jones and Bob Arum and decided to host the fight at Cowboys Stadium. Arum, a legendary boxing promoter, was quoted as saying, “Cowboys Stadium is the perfect venue, because the average person and family can participate in such a fantastic event.”

Party passes were available the day of the fight for $35.  Arum was very vocal in his pursuit to bring the sport of boxing back to its glory days and was adamant in his statement saying, “we must make boxing a great sport and the only way to do so is by hosting events like these in large arenas.”

The next fight of this magnitude will be when Yuri Foreman defends his junior middleweight title against former welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on June 5 at the new Yankee Stadium. Jerry Jones has already proven the capabilities of Cowboys Stadium, by not only hosting football, but basketball, rodeos, monster truck shows, concerts, and now boxing. Jones has made evident the possibilities of events in this venue are limitless.

In addition to having the boxing match at the Stadium, the weigh in for the fighters was held on the East Plaza outside for all to join and see. Michael Buffer, legendary boxing announcer made his way to the weigh in as well, to get the crowed hype with his signature voice.  The fighting actually began Friday evening at the Gaylord Texan and continued through Saturday, which concluded with the main event. This was great because any boxing enthusiasts were able to enjoy as much boxing as they wanted.

The Gaylord Texan was the official host hotel, which also held other events, one of which was a prayer service for Pacquiao, that was open to the public, and once again the fans came to show their support.
Though not quite the star studded “Vegas” event that boxing is accustomed to,  Dallas Cowboy Royalty past and present was in full effect last Saturday night. Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer, Troy Aikman, Charles Haley, Drew Pearson, Jethro Pugh, Rayfield Wright, Michael Irvin, Deon Sanders, Russell Maryland, Marion Barber and Ken Hamlin were all present. Other celebrities included former Welter weight Champion Miguel Cotto, State Senator Royce West, Mario Lopez, and Big Black from the hit MTV show Rob & Big, just to name a few.

Everyone came to watch Pacquiao retain his Welterweight belt, which he did with ease. Clottey maintained a defensive position the majority of the fight, which allowed him to go the distance with Pacquiao and kept him from being knocked out. Clottey did throw and land several key punches in later rounds, but it was clear Pacquiao came to win, and remain champion.

Pacquiao fought so hard he broke his own record of punches thrown in a fight at 1,231 vs his previous 894 punches against Erik Morales. And after such a stellar performance, Pacquiao went across the street to The Ballpark to perform for his adoring fans, singing songs from his 2 Platinum albums…WHO KNEW?! When he returns home to his native Philippines, he will make a run at congress…again proving his loyalty to his fans and country.
From football, to basketball, and now to professional boxing, Jerry Jones and the Dallas metroplex have proven and are proving that everything really is done big in Texas.