A headline fight between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr represents the frontrunner for Matchroom Boxing’s return to Abu Dhabi this summer – although Manny Pacquiao remains in the frame for a comeback bout in the capital.
Promoters Matchroom, who last year signed a long-term agreement with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), are putting together plans for a June 3 show at Etihad Arena, as a follow-up to their successful debut in the emirate in November.
That event, the first in the "Champion Series", was headlined by WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol’s victory against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
An encounter featuring Benn and Eubank Jr is in the offing for Matchroom’s second Abu Dhabi event, as is a bout between Benn and Pacquiao. The latter, boxing’s only eight-division champion, retired from the sport in August 2021, but has been in negotiations regarding a return against Benn.
Speaking to The National, Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith said at present Benn-Eubank Jr was in pole position for June 3. The pair were slated to fight at O2 Arena in England in October, only for the bout to be cancelled 24 hours beforehand after Benn tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in August.
“We’ve got a date now from the DCT and Etihad Arena that works - June 3 - and we’re just going through the process,” Smith said. “We’ve got multiple options, whether we look at Dmitry Bivol again.
“But the main focus for us right now is Conor Benn. There’s a lot of talk about the Manny Pacquiao fight, but a big fight we’re looking at as well is the Chris Eubank Jr fight, which sold out the O2 in a matter of minutes. So that’s the focus for us to try and get over the line.”
Asked which fight was more likely at this stage, Smith added: “I think [Benn-Eubank Jr] is the frontrunner we’re working on. There’s a lot of talk about the Pacquiao fight as well in the background across social media, but [Benn-Eubank Jr] is something we’re focusing quite heavily on at the minute, trying to see if can make that one happen. A lot of work going into that currently.”
Smith said he hoped to announce Benn’s next bout within the next week. The unbeaten welterweight, the son of former two-weight world champion Nigel Benn, was last month cleared by the WBC of intentionally doping and subsequently restored to their rankings.
However, Benn is currently prohibited by the British Boxing Board of Control from competing in the UK. In recent weeks, Benn has repeatedly protested his innocence.
“The one thing about Conor Benn right now is he will fight anyone,” Smith said. “That’s why we‘re talking about all the names that have been mentioned. Whether it’s Manny Pacquiao, [retired former welterweight champion] Kell Brook, Chris Eubank Jr. He will literally go in with anyone; he wants the biggest fight possible.
“He’s obviously had some time out of the ring now that he’s focused on getting a massive fight. And they’re very excited by the prospect of coming to Abu Dhabi.”
Smith said Benn, 21-0 as a professional, was understandably keen to put the past five months of turmoil behind him.
“One hundred per cent,” Smith said. “The focus always was to clear his name. He could’ve boxed a week after the situation happened if he wanted to, in another territory.
“But it was always his focus to put the work in to clear his name with his team. That’s been a four- or five-month process, probably one of the hardest processes he’ll ever go through in his life.
“So, as I said, the focus is completely set now on moving forward, continuing the journey he was on. And taking the biggest fight possible, because he believes in his ability.
“He’s 26 years old and has a huge future ahead of him. He’s stayed in the gym throughout, has been training very hard, and we’re looking forward to seeing him back in the ring.”
Smith said Matchroom are convinced Benn-Eubank Jr in Abu Dhabi would generate “massive” interest given it would appeal to both the local and expat market, as well as attract visitors from outside the UAE – particularly the UK.
Eubank Jr, 32-3 as a pro, is the son of the former two-division world champion, and long-time rival to Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank.
“The key obviously for the travelling fans is to make sure we can get the fight up and running and out there as soon as possible, so people can start making their plans,” Smith said.
Filipino Pacquiao, meanwhile, retired from boxing following his unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas 19 months ago - the bout followed a two-year hiatus. He then ran, unsuccessfully, for the presidency of the Philippines.
On Wednesday, MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons told ESPN that Pacquiao, 44, “wants to fight again and feels he can do it at the highest level. And this [Benn] fight was presented to him by [Matchroom Sport chairman] Eddie Hearn, and he agreed. Ball is in Eddie Hearn’s court. Pacquiao ready to go”.
On Friday, Smith told The National: “Let’s be honest, Manny Pacquiao is probably one of the biggest names in the past 20 or 30 years in professional boxing. And still very relevant as well.
“And in great shape also. People talk about his age, but Manny Pacquiao has never stopped training. You see him in the gym, he looks as good as ever.
“And sometimes, with some of these fighters, a bit like when Vladimir Klitschko fought Anthony Joshua [in 2017], he was 41 years old and that gave us one of the best nights we ever saw in the boxing ring. And although he’s retired, Conor hasn’t been in with fighters anywhere near the level of Manny Pacquiao, so we have to be realistic.
“So I think he can still cause him problems. People at certain points in Conor’s career wrote him off that he didn’t have the ability. This is the kind of fight we get to see if Conor can go to the top. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t Manny Pacquiao of 10-15 years ago, but it’s still a hugely talented fighter who’s still got a lot left to give the sport.”
As for the talks between Matchroom and Pacquiao’s team, Smith said: “Look, they really want the fight. His management team are talking to us every single hour of the day. It’s something we’ve been discussing for a while now, and I think it’s something that we can make very quickly.
“As I say, there’s a number of options to look at and all have got their strengths. And Pacquiao is definitely up there as well.”
Smith said Matchroom are targeting two events in Abu Dhabi this year having proven what they could offer with their inaugural "Champion Series" show last November.
“Now the focus for us is to keep building and deliver this event in June,” Smith said. “Hopefully then deliver another event later in the year.
“We’ve had good conversations with the [Abu Dhabi] Sports Council as well as with the DCT around the broader growth of boxing in the market. We’re working on a longer-term, broader plan of how we grow boxing and how we bring new eyeballs into the sport. And that’s very exciting. That’s how we’re going to build momentum for the sport.”
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
The%20new%20Turing%20Test
%3Cp%3EThe%20Coffee%20Test%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EA%20machine%20is%20required%20to%20enter%20an%20average%20American%20home%20and%20figure%20out%20how%20to%20make%20coffee%3A%20find%20the%20coffee%20machine%2C%20find%20the%20coffee%2C%20add%20water%2C%20find%20a%20mug%20and%20brew%20the%20coffee%20by%20pushing%20the%20proper%20buttons.%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EProposed%20by%20Steve%20Wozniak%2C%20Apple%20co-founder%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Eriksen 80')
Inter Milan 0
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was first created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Klipit%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venkat%20Reddy%2C%20Mohammed%20Al%20Bulooki%2C%20Bilal%20Merchant%2C%20Asif%20Ahmed%2C%20Ovais%20Merchant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Digital%20receipts%2C%20finance%2C%20blockchain%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%244%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Privately%2Fself-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Match info
What: Fifa Club World Cup play-off
Who: Al Ain v Team Wellington
Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: Wednesday, kick off 7.30pm
