Coca-Cola and Tecate beer will offer mail-in rebate coupons worth $20 each toward the cost of the pay-per-view telecast, and Cazadores tequila will offer a $10 rebate. The fight, which is sold out, is being shown on HBO PPV with a suggested retail price of $54.95.

"We know these are tough times economically," Schaefer said Thursday. "With the help of these rebates, which we think is unprecedented in pay per view, more fans will be able to afford to see this great event."

Rebate coupons can be found on six-packs of Coke's Full Throttle energy drink and 18-packs of Tecate beer. Multiple coupons can be combined.

Schaefer also said he expects between 30,000 and 40,000 people to watch the fight at closed circuit locations at specific MGM Mirage properties. Closed circuit seats are $60.

"We knew this would be popular with the fans, but it's even more popular than we imagined," Schaefer said. "Even with the (troubled) economy, we're getting a great response."

• LATEST ODDS -- Early money is coming in on De La Hoya at MGM Mirage sports book properties.

De La Hoya is a minus-210 favorite after opening at minus-155. The takeback on Pacquiao is plus-195 after he opened at plus-135.

Odds for the Nov. 22 junior welterweight bout between Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi remain the same as when they opened, with Hatton a minus-250 favorite and Malignaggi at plus-210.

• SILVER NUGGET UPDATE -- Richard Steele is out and Roy Englebrecht might be in as promoter for boxing cards at the Silver Nugget in North Las Vegas.

Englebrecht, a veteran California promoter, has received a proposal from Jeff Fine, the Silver Nugget's owner, as well as Margate Entertainment.

"We're interested and we're talking, but no deal's done," Englebrecht said. "I just got the proposal (Thursday) from Jeff, and I had a few questions."

Englebrecht envisions a card every other month rather than the original plan with Steele to have monthly shows.

"This would be a local, high-energy upscale club show using Las Vegas fighters and some from Southern California," Englebrecht said. "I think six shows a year makes more sense."

Steele last week withdrew his request to promote a Nov. 25 show at the Silver Nugget. Tom Ficara of Margate said boxing probably will return to the Silver Nugget in early 2009.

• ORLEANS CARD -- Crown Boxing has announced a Nov. 21 card at The Orleans that will feature heavyweight Nicolai Firtha along with cruiserweights Patrick Liles and Gustova Enriquez meeting for the WBO and NABO titles.

Tickets for the six-bout card are priced at $50 and $25 and are on sale at the Orleans box office.

• ELITE AMATEUR CARD -- Elite Boxing will host an amateur fight card Saturday at its facility at 6670 S. Tenaya Way. Twenty-five bouts are scheduled, featuring some of the West Coast's top amateur fighters.

The first bell is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available by calling 838-8008.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.