As part of the boxing segment of our Memory Lane series, we look back at five fights that almost came to fruition in the UAE.
Mike Tyson v Evander Holyfield
When: October 2009
Where: Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi
What: Sulaiman Al Fahim, the chief executive of Hydra Properties, announced in January 2009 that the bout between two heavyweight boxing legends was signed, sealed and delivered, proclaiming it "the biggest ever fight in boxing history" and "a great global event for the UAE capital". It was billed as the third and final instalment of a trilogy between two nemeses and would be held under the night sky in front of 25,000 fans. Arabian Business reported it would be the finale to an evening also featuring two separate world title bouts. Incredibly the magazine also claimed both fighters would receive in excess of US$34 million (Dh124.8m) for participating.
Why Not? Neither boxer seemed to know anything about the proposal. Tyson, then 42, immediately rejected Al Fahim's claims, while the manager of Holyfield, who was 48, dismissed the fight as "just not happening". Holyfield instead beat Francois Botha to take the vacant WBF heavyweight title and Tyson remained retired.
Who: Steve Collins v Roy Jones Jr
When: May 2013
Where: Venue undetermined, Dubai
What: Steve Collins retired in 1997, bringing an end to a 15-fight unbeaten streak and closing out a career record of 36-3-0. Then, in 2013 at age 48, the Irishman sensationally revealed he was returning for a one-off grudge match with Roy Jones Jr. "The one fight I always wanted was Roy Jones and when that didn't happen I retired," Collins said. "But now it's happening. We're going to get it on. I'd love the fight to be in the UK, but there is interest from Dubai, Russia, China. Dubai looks the favourite."
Why Not? A year after Collins's statements, the fight was still no closer with sources suggesting administrators were reluctant to sanction the fight because of the Irishman's age. Roddy Collins, Steve's brother, later told the Irish Examiner: "It's dead and buried and I'm happy with that. It's best to leave it be because Steve will always be the champ and, at 48, it's a non-starter."
Who: Amir Khan v Devon Alexander
When: December 2013
Where: Venue undetermined, Dubai
What: In early 2013, British boxer Amir Khan laid out a pathway to the top that included fighting Devon Alexander for the American's IBF world welterweight title. Khan, an investor and frequent visitor to Dubai, was keen to bring the bout to the city and his manager, Richard Schaefer, travelled to the UAE to meet high-ranking government officials. Schaefer told The National it was his "No 1 priority" to make the fight happen in the emirate. "I am ready 100 per cent to fight Devon Alexander in Dubai," Khan said.
Why Not? Alexander held the title and therefore the power. He refused to fight in Dubai, preferring to tackle Khan on a home canvas and in front of American fans. After almost two years of waiting, the two clashed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the WBC silver welterweight title. Khan won by unanimous decision and is now talking of a fight with Manny Pacquiao in Dubai.
Who: Floyd Mayweather Jr v Manny Pacquiao
When: May 2015
Where: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
What: Considering the self-titled "Fight of the Century" took a decade to come to fruition, it is hardly surprising Dubai and Abu Dhabi were both rumoured to be on the cusp of striking a deal. In May 2014, Dubai-based promoter Prince Amir Shafipour claimed he had the contacts to make the fight happen in the emirate. Six months later, Akbar Muhammad, the chief executive of a US-based promotions company, told boxingscene.com a group from Abu Dhabi had offered Mayweather $110m to participate with "the combined purses offered approaching $200m".
Why Not? It was never going to happen outside of Las Vegas and everybody involved knew it. Yet the more countries that talked about hosting it, the more anticipation grew. Mayweather, the chief decision maker, wanted to fight in his "home" city. So he did. The American beat Pacquiao by an unanimous points decision after a 12 round let-down on May 2.
Who: Eisa Aldah v Cesar Soriano
When: April 2015
Where: World Trade Centre, Dubai
What: In April of this year, Eisa Al Dah, the UAE’s first professional boxer, was scheduled to fight for the first time in three years against Kevin Hanks, an unheralded Brit. A few days before the match and with billboards erected and tickets sold, Hanks withdrew to be replaced by Cesar Soriano, a Mexican of similar anonymity. Crisis averted.
Why Not? On the night of the bout, interrupting the kick-boxing undercard, Aldah walked into the ring in a business suit and announced to the spectators who had turned out to watch him fight that Soriano had endured visa problems and was unable to travel. Aldah then promised one day to return as a world champion. With a record of 8-2-0, the 36-year-old Emirati is still waiting to confirm his next fight.
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