<P> Many of boxing's biggest fights were held at Madison Square Garden, including the Roberto Durán--Ken Buchanan affair, and the first Muhammad Ali--Joe Frazier bout . Before promoters such as Don King and Bob Arum moved boxing to Las Vegas, Nevada Madison Square Garden was considered the mecca of boxing . The original 181⁄2' × 181⁄2' (5.6 m × 5.6 m) ring, which was brought from the second and third generation of the Garden, was officially retired on September 19, 2007, and donated to the International Boxing Hall of Fame after 82 years of service . A 20' × 20' (6 m × 6 m) ring replaced it beginning on October 6 of that same year . </P> <P> Madison Square Garden hosts more high - profile concert events than any other venue in New York City . It has been the venue for George Harrison's The Concert for Bangladesh, The Concert for New York City following the September 11 attacks, John Lennon's final concert appearance (during an Elton John concert on Thanksgiving Night, 1974) before his murder in 1980, and Elvis Presley, who gave four sold out performances in 1972, his first and last ever in New York City . Parliament - Funkadelic headlined numerous sold out shows in 1977 and 1978 . Led Zeppelin's 3 night stand in July 1973 was recorded and released as both a film and album titled The Song Remains The Same . The Police played their final show of their reunion tour at the Garden in 2008 . </P> <P> At one point, Elton John held the all - time record for greatest number of appearances at the Garden with 64 shows . In a 2009 press release, John was quoted as saying "Madison Square Garden is my favorite venue in the whole world . I chose to have my 60th birthday concert there, because of all the incredible memories I've had playing the venue ." Billy Joel, who broke the record, stated "Madison Square Garden is the center of the universe as far as I'm concerned . It has the best acoustics, the best audiences, the best reputation, and the best history of great artists who have played there . It is the iconic, holy temple of rock and roll for most touring acts and, being a New Yorker, it holds a special significance to me ." </P> <P> Madonna performed at this venue a total of 31 concerts, the first two being during her 1985 Virgin Tour, on June 10 and 11, and the most recent being the two - nights stay during her Rebel Heart Tour on September 16 and 17, 2015 . </P>

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