It’s impossible to discuss the sport of boxing without thinking about the role Las Vegas played in its evolution. Some of the most legendary fights of all time were staged here: Larry Homes vs. Ken Norton in 1978; Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns in 1981; Thomas Hearns vs. Marvin Hagler in 1985; Riddick Bowe vs. Evander Holyfield in 1992; Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Meldrick Taylor in 1990; George Foreman vs. Ron Lyle in 1976 … The list just seems endless. More than any sport, boxing helped to really bring Vegas to prominence as a sports mecca. One of the sport’s best fighters of all time, Floyd Mayweather Jr., calls this city home, and that’s not by accident.
And as Las Vegas begins to fully reemerge as the Entertainment Capital of the World, its position in sports has never been stronger—we now have the NHL, NFL, the UFC, the WNBA, Minor League Baseball and an American professional soccer team, and the possibility of getting an MLB franchise looms large. Boxing, long our city’s biggest sports draw, seems poised to return stronger than ever.
For a full appreciation of our city’s rich history in the sweet science, visit the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts and its newest exhibition, Leather Throwers: Celebrating the World of Boxing Through Art. Every piece in this stunning show—paintings, sculpture and drawings—has been donated by Las Vegas art collectors like Teresa and Lorenzo Fertitta, Michelle and Lawrence Epstein, Dana White, Hauser and Wirth, and Top Rank, and every piece looks at the story of boxing through political, social and visual lenses. In addition to the works of art, Leather Throwers features photographs, objects and historical memorabilia commemorating great boxing moments.
Artists featured in the show include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Diane Arbus, LeRoy Neiman (his black-and-white drawing, “Boxing at the Ritz (Black Tie Boxing)” is particularly striking), Jeffrey Gibson (his three punching bags, adorned in beads, blankets and fringe are worth the visit alone), Douglas Gordon, Damien Hirst, Annie Leibovitz, Vik Muniz, Ed Ruscha (the exhibit’s name comes from the title of a Ruscha drawing), Claes Oldenburg, Irving Penn and Gary Simmons.
Fighters featured in the works include Muhammad Ali (who’s easily the most prominent pugilist in the exhibit), Jersey Joe Walcott and many others.
“Las Vegas has long been anchored on the excitement and passion around sports and entertainment,” said Tarissa Tiberti, executive director of MGM Resorts Art & Culture. “This exciting exhibit celebrating one of sport’s most dramatic disciplines wouldn’t be possible without the Las Vegas collectors who are not only invested in the sport of boxing but are also betting on our city’s strong return.”
The exhibit can be viewed 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Monday until Aug. 22.
Bellagio, 702.693.7871
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