MACAO : The Venetian Macao delivered one of its biggest action-packed weekends of the year this past weekend,led by Clash in Cotai II, which saw Fighter of the Decade Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO, boxing’s only eight-division world championfightWorld Boxing Organization (WBO) junior weltrweight champion CHRIS ALGIERI.
The two were the headline draw in a weekend that started with Cantopop quartet Big Four playing to a packed Venetian Theatre Friday evening. They were followed by Mandopop superstar David Taowho also sang to anenthusiasticVenetian Theatre audience Saturday night.
“Thisincredible weekendwas a clear example of Sands China’s multi-tiered entertainment strategy in action,” said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sands China Ltd.“Our goal is tohelpdiversify Macao tourism through our integrated resorts, and we’ve targeted this entertainment strategy toward developing Macao into a major entertainment hub in Asia and a world centre of tourism and leisure.”
The Venetian Macao’s latest superstar sports event, Clash in Cotai II attracted more than 13,200 ticketholders to fill up the sold-out Cotai Arena Sunday morning. The multi-bout card reached an international television audience spanning more than 80 countries, including to the U.S. via HBO Pay-Per-View and in China on CCTV5.Clash in Cotai II is the seventh boxing card brought to Macao through the collaboration of Sands China and Top Rank, which beganwith the April 2013 Fists of Gold, featuring Olympic champion Zou Shiming’s debut as a pro boxer.
A host of international celebrities attendedClash in Cotai II, including mega superstars Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Also watching the action in the arena were celebrities Stephen Baldwin, Ja Rule, Jermaine Jackson, Jessica Jung, Shannon Lee,Melody Thornton, Jessica C, Byron Mann, Phillip Ng, Ren Quan, Collin Chou, Ma Qinghua, Vanness Wu, Daniel Wu,Hacken Lee, Alex Thomas, Dave Chappelle, Andy On,Timmy Hung, Jimmy Hung, Edmond Leung, Norm Nixon, Janet Chau, Cung Le and Edison Chan.
Boxing fans without a ticket for Clash in Cotai IIwere still able to take advantage of another exciting way toenjoythe showdown live at The Venetian Macao. Every minute of the main event and undercard fights were broadcast via live closed-circuit feedto two high-energy venues– the Milan Ballroom and the Bellini Lounge.
But ahead of Sunday morning’s excitement, Cantopop stars Big Four kicked off the weekend Friday night with their concert WOW An Evening Date with Big Four at The Venetian Theatre.Composed of friends Dicky Cheung,Andy Hui,William Soand Edmond Leung, Big Four thrilled their audience of fans with an enthusiastic performance. The song “Everyone Lucky”started things off, before some of their greatest hits, like “Big Four,”“Powerless to Help,”“The Pain of Men,” and “Man Should Not Make Woman Cry” kept fans asking for more.
The following night was the turn of renowned Taiwanese singer and songwriter David Tao to take the stage and deliver aBlissful Moment With David Tao.Tao got his concert underway by singing“Rain,”and kept his delighted audience going with some of his popular songs like“Who Do You Love” and “I Love You.” He also shared some of his freshest work, performing “Say Goodbye”from his new album “Hello Goodbye.”
Also on Saturday night was a Clash in Cotai IIpre-fight party at Bellini Lounge hosted by legendary hip hop star Ja Rule. The party went on until the early hours with revelers enjoying the special guest appearance of DJ Skee.
Sands China has already announced its next boxing event with Top Rank, Fist of Power II, which takes place December 16th at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai,exclusively sponsored by The Venetian Macao.