5 of the most important fights in Las Vegas history —VIDEO

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr. are set to square off in the “Fight of the Century” on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden arena for the world welterweight unification title showdown.

The bill has been anticipated as the most expensive fight in history, and is definitely the most hyped in recent years. While it may go in the books as the Fight of the Century (only 15 years into the century), Las Vegas has seen its fair share of memorable fights.

Gerry Cooney, Oscar De La Hoya and Mike Tyson have all passed through the Strip at some point or another, but here are five of the most notable fights that have happened in Las Vegas:

1. “Sugar” Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns, 1981

The fight known as “The Showdown” took place in front of 23,618 people at Caesars Palace on September 16, 1981. After starting as expected, by the fifth round Leonard was dealing with a rapidly swelling eye. After battling back and fourth, Hearns took over and won rounds nine through twelve. Leonard’s trainer, Angelo Dundee, told Leonard toward the end, “You’re blowing it, son! You’re blowing it!” It must have encouraged him, because he unleashed a powerful combination on Hearns prompting the fight to end and “Sugar” Ray was awarded the championship.

2. Thomas Hearns vs. Marvin Hagler, 1985

Billed as “The War,” this well-known fight between Hearns and Hagler took place at Caesars Palace on April 15, 1985. Boxing magazine “The Ring” considered the first round to be the greatest round in history with non-stop action from both men. Hearns’ legs became an issue for him in the second round, and by the third round it was all over. The eight-minute fight ended with Hagler blood soaked and Hearns being carried off semi-conscious.

3. Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo, 2005

The fight regarded as the best fight of 2005 took place on May 7 at Mandalay Bay. The fight lasted until the tenth round, when “El Terrible” Castillo knocked down “Chico” Corrales twice. Corrales, on the ground, beat the count and later countered with what Castillo called “a perfect right hand.” Corrales trapped Castillo against the ropes and unleashed a fury of punches, ending the fight.

4. Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Meldrick Taylor, 1990

“Thunder and Lightning” between J.C. “The Great Mexican Champion” Chavez and Meldrick “TNT” Taylor, who were polar opposites in the ring, happened at the Las Vegas Hilton, now the Westgate, on March 17, 1990. Taylor’s fancy footwork gave him an early advantage, but Chavez took it back with powerful punches. Taylor came into the later rounds with a broken and bleeding face — far worse off than Chavez. Taylor was dazed but in the final round, he held a lead. With 25 seconds left, Chavez trapped Taylor in a corner and without a response from Taylor, Chavez won by TKO.

5. Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe, 1992

“The Real Deal” and “Big Daddy” faced off in one of the greatest heavyweight matches of all time at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 13, 1992. Bowe was bigger, stronger and faster than Holyfield and while Bowe landed 53 percent of 249 punches, Holyfield only landed 39 percent of 161. Holyfield powered through the tenth round, where many expected an end, and came back as an aggressor in the round 12. Bowe, however, was able to handle him and took the heavyweight championship title.