Blackout in effect for upcoming Tyson bout

Unless tickets sales swell soon, homes, casinos won't see fight

Las Vegans looking to watch Mike Tyson's Jan. 16 fight with Frans Botha on pay-per-view or at a nearby casino are in for a surprise.

There's a blackout in effect and it not only impacts Las Vegas, but, for the first time in memory, all of Clark County.

If the MGM Grand Garden, which is hosting the fight, is not sold out, the blackout apparently will remain in place and the fight will not be available through local cable carriers or at private parties hosted by assorted casinos.

"Quite frankly, we're out to sell the arena out and we don't anticipate lifting the blackout," promoter Dan Goossen said Wednesday. "But if there's a decision to be made, we'll make it next week when we have a better handle on things."

Goossen is hopeful of selling out the 15,000-seat arena, although ticket sales are said to be sluggish. The least expensive ticket is $200 and it's $1,200 for ringside.

"I think we'll see a rush for tickets in these last 10 days," he said. "This is an event and people want to see what's going to happen with Tyson. Right now, I'm not looking at the prospect of not selling the arena out."

If it doesn't sell out and the cable ban stays in place, it will also prevent local casinos from showing the fight via closed circuit at their own private parties. For example, for the second Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield fight in June 1997, 30 Clark County casinos had the fight available for their customers.

It's said at least 15 casinos are ready to host parties for Tyson-Botha, but they'll be prevented from doing so if the blackout isn't lifted. With the blackout ban extended to Mesquite, Laughlin and Primm, casinos in those cities will also be affected.

In addition, locals with satellites will find the Tyson-Botha fight scrambled.

"All the parties are going to be at the MGM," Goossen said. "As it stands, if someone in Clark County wants to see the fight they'll have to buy a ticket and come to the MGM."

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