Hey Big Spender

Houston trial lawyer pays highest ticket price for Mayweather fight, offers rides on corporate jet

Trial lawyer Tony "The Shark" Buzbee is known for setting records — paying the highest price ever for a River Oaks mansion, paying mega bucks for Super Bowl tickets and winning record-setting lawsuits. This week, he sets another record by paying the highest price in Texas for tickets to Saturday night's Mayweather-Pacquiao fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Ticket agent Patrick Ryan of The Ticket Experience secured two center ring tickets for multi-millionaire Buzbee, price tag $37,000 each. CNBC reports that tickets on the resale market for the welterweight bout are reaching Super Bowl prices. Buzbee's tickets are the priciest that Ryan has ever sold. That lofty figure caught the attention of ESPN's Darren Rovell, who tweeted about Buzbee's purchase.

"We were quoted $350,000 per ticket for ringside seats," Ryan said. "That would also require a full background check of the people using them. But that seemed like a bit of a gamble as the fight could last seconds. I steered Tony towards higher level seats (row 12) dead center with the ring that had a good angle on the action. Many floor seats end up being obstructed."

Buzbee will be boarding his cushy Challenger 600 jet for the quick trip to Vegas, staying just long enough for the fight and post-fight partying before heading back to Houston. In a jet that big, there are seven extra seats and Buzbee is considering having a few fight-enthusiasts along for the ride. As Ryan explains, "Those who have done him the biggest favors will get first crack at one of the open seats."

Buzbee is lead attorney for fellow Texas A&M grad former Gov. Rick Perry's defense in his abuse-of-power criminal case.

Tony Buzbee set another record when paying $14 million for this River Oaks mansion.

Houston Association of Realtors

Tony Buzbee set another record when paying $14 million for this River Oaks mansion.

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Interfaith Blessings

A brand new name sets the tone for Houston nonprofit's gala

Photo by Hung L. Truong

Henry Florsheim, Rep Gene Wu, Miya Shay, Charlene Chuang, Sheroo Mukhtiar, Nihala Zakaria, and Shaukat Zakaria.

The annual IM Houston Tapestry Gala, aptly themed "A Brand New Day," marked a bold new chapter for the organization formerly known as Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, now under the leadership of Sheroo Mukhtiar.

Rather than opening with fanfare, the night began with intentional calm: Mellow music courtesy of Divisi Strings, a gallery of art created by youth in the IM Houston Refugee Program, and a parked Meals on Wheels truck.

The organization's impact was made visible — up close and personal. Event chairs Miya Shay and Rep. Gene Wu and Nihala and Shaukat Zakaria had something to do with that.

Emcee Ernie Manouse of Houston Public Media guided the evening, inviting Sonya Vial of presenting sponsor Shell USA, Inc. to reflect on IM Houston's renewed mission. Then came a moment of unity both intimate and profound: children from Houston’s Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Baháʼí, and Buddhist communities offered interfaith blessings, closing together with a moving invocation.

A tribute to former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner honored his legacy with a reverent pause before the spotlight turned to powerhouse vocalist Christina Wells. Her version of “Hallelujah” stunned the room into silence, before IM Houston board chair Henry Florsheim and newly appointed Mukhtiar expressed gratitude and outlined a future focused on sustainability, compassion, and shared belief.

Wells returned with “A Million Dreams,” just ahead of the Spirit of Respect Award presented to the Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle for his decades of faith-led service. Pipa virtuoso Changlu Wu debuted an original composition in honor of 2025 Tapestry Honoree Charlene Chuang, introduced by Dr. Kathy C. Flanagan.

More than 500 supporters attended the gala, helping to raise $650,000 to unite diverse faiths in service and understanding.

Showing up were Gerald Seidl, Phillip Berkowitz, Vitallii Tarasiuk, Astrid Marklund, Catarina Gonzalez, Susan Boggio, Nadia Tajalli, Shahin Tavackoli, Karen Labat, David Leebron and Sun Y. Ping, Gracie and Bob Cavnar, Gordan Quan, Lily and Charles Foster, Sandra Smith-Cooper, Brigitte Kalai, Farida Abjani, Doe and Henry Florsheim, Lisa Helfman and Lee Haverman, Susanne and Randall Evans, Kristyn and Francis Page Jr., Philamena Baird, Paula Sutton and Bill Gross, Ann and Ron Kaesermann, Mandy Kao, Christina Zhou, Terri Wang, Alice Mao, and Robert Sakowitz.

Photo by Hung L. Truong

Henry Florsheim, Rep Gene Wu, Miya Shay, Charlene Chuang, Sheroo Mukhtiar, Nihala Zakaria, and Shaukat Zakaria.