LAS VEGAS – While boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao gear up to go head-to-head at the MGM Grand hotel on May 2 for their long-awaited fight, local authorities here are seeking to up the ante on security to keep hundreds of thousands of fans safe.

The Nevada Athletic Commission Chief Francisco Aguilar has convened state, federal and local police, fire, tourism and fight officials to beef up security for the big event, Associated Press reports.

The Athletic Commission will handle all security detail inside the ring, while the hotel and police will be responsible for the arena and the hotel.

Additionally, local police, along with state and federal agencies, will monitor security in local neighborhoods, McCarran Airport and Interstate 15.

Because big boxing matches pose a special challenge to Las Vegas officials, the extra security detail is necessary considering that fight nights haven’t always gone smoothly.

For example, in 1993, “Fan Man” James Miller was pummeled by ringside fans and security after he guided his powered parachute to land next to a Caesars Palace outdoor ring where Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe were boxing. Miller was arrested for the incident.

Three years later, rapper Tupac Shakur was killed in a drive-by shooting following the Mike Tyson/Bruce Seldon fight at the MGM.

In 1997, mayhem broke out after Tyson was disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ear, leading to thousands of people stampeding through the MGM Grand hotel lobby.

Last year, a brawl in the crowd leaving a Mayweather-Marcos Maidana fight, as well as a loud noise that officials blame on a partition falling to the floor, incited a panicked stampede in a food court area outside the arena. Roughly 50 people were treated for minor injuries.

Las Vegas officials will not reveal all the security measures taken to protect the scene and the multitude of celebrities that will be present for the boxing match.

However, officials stated that people without a fight ticket will be cleared out of the shopping area between the arena and casino. Once the fight has concluded, ticket-holders will be directed out of the arena through the closest door to their seat.

Fire officials noted that 300 Clark County firefighters will be on duty or stand-by, while the Nevada Highway Patrol, as well as neighboring Henderson and North Las Vegas police, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, will be on hand to assist the Las Vegas Police Department.

Officials state that the biggest security challenge often occurs after fighting events due to overcrowding at clubs and hotels, noting that the access to alcohol and partying around town could create some turmoil.

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