Columnist Joe Delaney: Upcoming boxing matches will provide plenty of drama

Joe Delaney

Friday, Sept. 17, 1999 | 9:35 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@vegas.com

De La Hoya vs. Trinidad, Saturday in the Mandalay Bay Events Center, is a joint effort by two of the Strip's new megaresorts, Paris Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay. ... Promotion of the long-awaited welterweight championship bout is also a joint effort by Bob Arum (Top Rank) and Don King Productions. ... Top Rank represents De La Hoya and Don King's company represents Trinidad, making this a contest between Arum and King as well.

De La Hoya wins and Arum continues to control the hot welterweight division; Trinidad wins and King takes over. ... There is drama outside the ring as well. ... Stakes are high -- Arum and King are major players.

The fight actually outshines the upcoming Tyson return against Orlin Norris (Orlin Norris?) and the Lennox Lewis-Evander Holyfield rematch after the controversial decision in the first bout, apparently a concomitant when King Productions is involved and an unexpected result has to be mitigated.

That's entertainment

Check the number of pay-per-view buys, the audiences watching the big screen action and the sports and race books this weekend and you will see that sports -- and sports betting -- are major entertainment areas today. ... Saturday, during the day, check the sports book action on college football, and Sunday it's even heavier on pro football.

Whatever the result, there will be great drama Saturday and Sunday just as there was for two weeks of the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament with Andre Agassi winning his second Grand Slam this year. ... Las Vegans have a special reason to be proud this week.

We can all show our appreciation by attending Agassi's Grand Slam For Children in the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sept. 25 with Elton John, Gloria Estefan, LeAnn Rimes, Luther Vandross and musical director David Foster among those performing. ... More on this Thursday.

Local happenings

There are two important local events, both scheduled for Oct. 3: The annual 30-30 Dinner and Entertainment at the Stardust hotel and a concert by the famed Irish tenor Frank Patterson plus an Irish Dance Troupe in Arizona Charlie's ballroom. ... The latter event will be preceded next week by the Three Irish Tenors, Sept. 25 (Thomas & Mack).

Dave and Lou Pearl have lined up Peter Anthony, the DeCastro Sisters, Sonny King, Sasha Semenoff and Sweet Louie to perform at the 30-30 Dinner; Pearl will emcee. ... Tickets may be purchased through Ken Johann Realty (382-6336). ... More than 800 tickets have been sold as we type this. ... If you are going, don't wait, don't be shut out.

Tickets for the Frank Patterson concert are only $20 and are now available at Arizona Charlie's. ... Patterson has a wonderful CD where he sings technically devised duets with the great John McCormick.

Another puzzlement

Marcel Marceau is to mime what the late Louis Armstrong was to pop singing and jazz trumpet playing -- the master; Marceau is one of the all-time greats in his field. ... We're saddened that this superb artist's performance at Paris Las Vegas this past weekend was such a well-kept secret. ... This is even more surprising when one considers the superior job that was done with the hotel's grand opening.

Back to Frank Patterson, his PBS special will be shown on KLVX Channel 10 on Sunday, 6-8 p.m. ... Highly recommended. ... It's good to see veteran Irish performers also being recognized worldwide.

Casino chip and item collector Pete Rizzo has a special exhibit of his collection at the Summerlin Library through Sept. 30. ... Whilst there this weekend you should stay for Actor Repertory Theatre's production of "Rough Crossing," closing Sunday.

Friday addenda

Master magician Lance Burton reappears in his Monte Carlo hotel theater Tuesday with new prices: $44.95, main level, and $39.95, balcony, 7 and 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. ... We're sorry to note that comedy-magician Nick Lewin will depart the afternoon Maxim Comedy Magic show, also on Tuesday. ... Lewin was in his fifth year and doing good business.

Lewin's media advisory was done with his usual good taste, wishing the Maxim and all concerned the very best. ... He deserves another venue in town. ... Enjoy your weekend whatever you do. ... See you on Thursday.