ABU DHABI // Boxing fans who are signed up to du TV will be able to watch "the fight of the century" live, and for free.
Subscribers with local carrier du will be able to watch the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr take on 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao free-of-charge when the two meet next week in what is being billed as one of the biggest boxing matches of all time.
“It’s free and it’s at no extra cost,” said a du spokesperson on Tuesday.
The company said its subscribers can watch the fight - which airs live at 5am on Sunday - on du TV and online using their smartphones or tablets.
“Live from the MGM Grand, the blow-by-blow action is mainly available on pay-per-view to millions of viewers around the world. Not so for du home customers as they can watch the uninterrupted action with any du television package, just by tuning into channel 500 or by using the du View application,” the company said.
After making the announcement, du customers and boxing fans took to Twitter in support of the company’s move, but also drew out some complaints from those who subscribe with the company’s competitors.
“While du’s gesture is a perfect example of putting the customer first, as an Etisalat customer I’m frustrated by losing out twice,” said Saadiayat Island resident Alex Malouf, 35.
“Firstly, on the ability to take up watching the fight for free. Secondly, by not having the ability to choose my broadband provider.”
Despite not being directly offered the deal, he said he still be able to catch the fight for free with a friend who is a du customer.
“I’ll be cheering on Manny,” he said.
Etisalat subscriber and Abu Dhabi resident Kim Estrada Sullano, 33, said he can also catch the fight for free, as a number of his friends subscribe with the du.
“Manny will win, or it might be a draw,” he predicted.
Etisalat announced on its website it will be showing the fight live on pay per view for Dh125, with replays throughout the same day.
TV network OSN will also be airing the fight live from Las Vegas along with three replays for Dh125.
esamoglou@thenational.ae
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The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
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• Managing and using data effectively will become a competitive advantage
• Digitisation will require continued adjustment of operating models
• Banks will expand their role in the customer life through ecosystems
• The structure of the sector will change
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Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”
Favourite film: “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”
Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”
Sweet Tooth
Creator: Jim Mickle
Starring: Christian Convery, Nonso Anozie, Adeel Akhtar, Stefania LaVie Owen
Rating: 2.5/5
