Virgen: Places in Newport Beach-Costa Mesa to watch the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight

Roy Englebrecht is a bit distraught about the upcoming big fight, Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

I called up the longtime boxing promoter about great places to watch the fight in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa and he told me about his plans to show the fight via pay-per-view, but those got nixed.

He wanted to show the fight on a 40-foot projection screen in the Hangar at the OC Fair and Event Center, but because the OC Marathon takes place on Sunday that was a no-go. He said he looked into the Honda Center, but that spot has it’s own “Main Event,” with the New Kids On The Block in concert on Saturday night.

It was a bit of a knockout blow to Englebrecht, who said he will watch the fight at his home in Newport Beach with friends.

Overall, that is the best place for fight fans to watch the fight. House parties for a fight viewing on TV can be the best, with a taco bar, and/or BBQ, and a DJ playing music afterward.

“Going to Hooters [in Costa Mesa] or Rudy’s [Pub and Grill in Newport Beach], it’s too crazy,” Englebrecht said. “I want to hear the sound and commentary. You can get that at home with a few friends.”

Englebrecht said he would’ve charged $50 per person if he would’ve secured the Hangar.

Many fight fans and analysts say this fight has come too late. Yet the hype surrounding the bout will still attract many viewers, most likely record numbers.

“To me it’s a huge fight because of the amount of hype on ESPN and all the channels, which normally don’t give that much time to boxing,” said Englebrecht, who is in charge of Fight Club OC in the Hangar, with its next fights coming June 11. “I’m happy as a club promoter because it’s exposing boxing. It will help my business.”

Englebrecht said the ticket prices at MGM “are in another planet.” He said he’s been asked to help sell tickets for $10,000.

Tickets for closed circuit locations, on MGM properties in Vegas, are sold out.

“It’s going to be a very interesting Saturday in Vegas based on ticket pricing,” Englebrecht said. “There will be very unique happenings in Vegas for tickets.”

Our very own high school sports reporter Matt Szabo will be in Las Vegas, hoping to land a spot at a viewing party.

In Newport Beach, Englebrecht said Rudy’s will be a great spot to watch the fight because of the party atmosphere.

Admission at Rudy’s is $25 pre-sale, $30 at the door. If you want a VIP table for a group that comes with bottle service and one “free” bottle of vodka, that’s $600.

“We are expecting to be packed,” said Kristina Calvillo, a bartender at Rudy’s. “We’ll be closing the bar at 5 p.m. [on Saturday] and re-opening at 5:30. We also have the Kentucky Derby. It should be a pretty busy day.”

When I called Sharkeez on the peninsula, the guy who answered would not give me his name, only saying he was “Max, the security guy.”

Max says the place opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday and they are showing the fight.

“We’re not [releasing information] about the [cover charge],” he said. “It’s first-come first-serve. Isn’t it the most gigantic fight in history?

Tucked away on 17th Street in Costa Mesa is The Harp Inn. The Irish Pub will charge $20 per person with entry for the event starting at 6 p.m. The actual bout should start around 8 p.m., but good luck getting in at that time.

At the Hooters in Costa Mesa you can reserve a seat now for $20. It is also $20 on the day of starting at 5:30 p.m. but Hooters doesn’t guarantee a seat at that time.

At Wingnuts in Costa Mesa, the fight will not be shown.

“We can’t charge at the door because we’re a restaurant,” said Leslie Williams, a bartender at Wingnuts.

She said there will be specials for take-out orders on Saturday.

Most places must pay at least $5,000 to show the fight, which is $100 for viewers at home.

The fight also won’t be shown at the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Santa Ana on Bristol Street. Buffalo Wild Wings will be showing the fight at its Irvine, Mission Viejo and Carson locations.

The Buffalo Wild Wings in Irvine is sold out for reservations for the fight. It’s a $20 cover charge if you’re feeling lucky to get a spot on Saturday.

Yes, it’s a big fight.

Gavin Moore, the manager at Silky Sullivans in Fountain Valley, which is near our new office, said they won’t show the fight.

“You have people here that want to eat,” Moore said. “The owners have had bad experiences [with fight viewing parties]. From past experiences, it’s not worth it.”

At Classic Q in Newport Beach, the fight will be shown for a $25 cover charge at the door, $40 pre-sale.

“We have sold tickets, about 15 to 100,” said Ronnie, a manager at Classic Q.

At Corner Office in Costa Mesa, the cover charge for the fight is $25 based on a first-come, first-serve basis.”

As for my pick for the fight, I’ll go with Mayweather.

Englebrecht can’t help but root for Pacquiao. He worked with the boxer in the past as part of Golden Boy Promotions.

“I know Manny,” Englebrecht said. “He’s been very kind to me.”

Englebrecht’s greatest memory with Pacquiao was in 2003, when the Filipino boxer beat Marco Antonio Barrera in the Alamodome.

“Manny just beat him up in that ring,” said Englebrecht, who is excited about Saturday’s fight. “With Floyd, it’s about when you are undefeated and now you want to have a legacy of the greatest to be undefeated and you didn’t dodge anyone. Mayweather has that incentive. But that’s why we have Saturday night. There is still the fight.”