Planet Hollywood hotel to host Pacquiao vs. Valero title fight

By ALEX P. VIDAL / PNS
July 12, 2008

LAS VEGAS, Nevada  –  Top Rank Promotions has picked Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino as the venue for the November 15 first defense of World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao versus Edwin Valero of Venezuela scheduled for 12 rounds.

This was learned after Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) executive director Keith Keizer confirmed the rich promotional outfit owned by Bob Arum has filed an application at its office to stage the multi-million championship fight.

This will belie the reports earlier that Valero (24-0, 24 KOs), will face Pacquiao (47-3, 35 KOs) in Houston, Texas after the NSAC “had refused” to grant a license to 26-year-old southpaw from Bolero Alto, Merida, Venezuela.

Valero had been suspended by the New York boxing commission when he failed in a medical examination conducted after he met a vehicular incident in 2004. He had been fighting in Japan under the tutelage of prominent Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda.

Although he is currently the World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight titlist, Valero has agreed to fight Pacquiao in the 135 lbs “provided that it is a world championship.”

Pacquiao, 29, will arrive here for the fight of his protégé, North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super bantamweight king Bernabe Concepcion who will face Adam “El Toriro” Carrera in a 10-round non-title tiff underneath the Miguel Cotto versus Antonio Margarito world welterweight tussle at the MGM Grand.

Meanwhile, Top Rank has hired a crack physician to review Valero’s medical records which will be forwarded and assessed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission Medical Advisory Board (NSACMAB).

Located on Las Vegas Boulevard South right in the middle of the strip, the hotel, dubbed as “The House that Fame Built”, is a Sheraton Resort and is the hottest new resort in Las Vegas. This beautiful Vegas resort features more than 2,500 uniquely comfortable and chicly designed rooms and suites with breathtaking views of Las Vegas.