LAS Vegas - Ringside seats were coveted by celebrities for the showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, for both the chance to watch the fight, and to be seen by millions across the globe.

A-listers and high-rollers made up the vast majority of a 16,800 sell-out crowd, making the fight more akin to a nightout at the Oscars than two men attempting to pound the other to the canvas, AFP reported.

Celebrities in the first row at the MGM Grand Garden Arena included actors/directors Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Ben Affleck, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Pop stars Justin Bieber, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Nicky Minaj and Rihanna were also sighted.

Also spotted: American Sniper actor Bradley Cooper and Jake Gyllenhaal, who stars in boxing biopic, Southpaw.

Basketball star Michael Jordan created a stir as he arrived for the fight.

Rapper P. Diddy and actor Mark Wahlberg reportedly laid down $250,000 on the fight, with Wahlberg rooting for Pacquiao and Diddy for Mayweather.