(Macao, January 23, 2013) – The Venetian® Macao is bringing an exciting night of boxing to the CotaiArena™ in April, featuring the professional debut of Zou Shiming. The two-time Olympic Gold Medallist and three-time World Amateur Champion signed with legendary Hall of Fame boxing promoter Bob Arum’s Top Rank® at a press conference in Beijing Wednesday.
“Sands China is committed to bringing world-class sporting events to Macao, to develop the city’s reputation as a world centre of tourism and leisure,” said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sands China Ltd, who was at Wednesday’ press conference in Beijing. “Sands China is pursuing a multi-tiered entertainment strategy, and will feature mixed martial arts, boxing and Muay Thai events over the next 12 months. We are pleased to be working with the world’s foremost boxing organization and look forward to bringing Asia’s premier athletes to Macao.
”Over the last 40 years, the roster of Arum’s Top Rank reads as a who’s who of boxing’s greatest fighters, including Muhammad Ali, Oscar De La Hoya, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather Jr., among others. It currently represents 50 of the world's best fighters, including 12 world champions, among whom is Manny Pacquiao, often called the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
Zou’s upcoming CotaiArena fight is sure to attract boxing fans from all over the region, giving them a closer look at one of the sport’s most promising rising talents. Zou is the mainland’s most successful boxer, with three world titles and back-to-back gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Quick and agile, his fighting style proves difficult for his opponents to counter, successfully keeping their attacks at bay.
April’s Top Rank event at The Venetian Macao is another way Sands China is implementing its entertainment strategy, part of its effort to help diversify Macao’s tourism economy through the varied offerings of its integrated resort city on Cotai. It recently hosted the highly-successful greater China debut of Ultimate Fighting Championship in November, and has held numerous sporting events with some of the world’s most well-known athletes - from basketball greats Kobe Bryant and Scottie Pippen to tennis legends Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, and golf sensations like Rory McElroy and Lee Westwood.
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Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination.
The 15,000-seat CotaiArena™ is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.
The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.
The 650-seat Sands Macao Hotel theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.
With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.