Floyd Mayweather insists he is retired. Manny Pacquiao faces a long road back from shoulder surgery.
There is a vacancy on top of the welterweight division this week, and Timothy Bradley might be the most worthy candidate to fill it.
A victory over Brandon Rios on November 7 would boost Bradley’s candidacy for unofficial 147-pound (66.7kg) supremacy. Just don’t expect the WBO champion to campaign for any honours he can’t win in the ring.
“I don’t like to say that I feel like I’m the best welterweight in the world,” Bradley said Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles while announcing his next bout. “I feel like I’m one of them, but I would like to beat all the guys in the division before I say that. I haven’t faced everybody, but I know that I can fight these guys. I know I can beat all the guys in the welterweight division.”
Bradley (32-1-1, 12 KOs) will defend his title against Rios at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on an HBO telecast. The undercard will be headlined by vaunted featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko in his sixth professional fight against little-known Mexican featherweight Romulo Koasicha.
The main event is another chance for Bradley to show off his combination of technical skill and scrapping instincts against Rios (33-2-1, 24 KOs), who has never shied away from a good brawl. Bradley has enlisted veteran trainer Teddy Atlas to prepare him for Rios, seeking a fresh start and new information after parting ways with longtime trainer Joel Diaz.
“I’m trying to learn how to fight different ways, and how to do things the right way,” Bradley said. “Teddy is showing me some things I never knew about boxing before, and I’ve been in this game a long time.”
Both Bradley and Rios have recent losses to Pacquiao on their records, but Bradley hasn’t lost to any other opponent willing to face him during his 11-year pro career. He has been a champion at 140 or 147 pounds in every year since 2008, winning title fights in England, Canada, Michigan, Las Vegas and his native Southern California.
Mayweather retired without ever accepting the chance to fight Bradley, who is promoted by Bob Arum, Mayweather’s former promoter turned foe. Bradley became the WBO welterweight champion when Mayweather decided not to pay a sanctioning fee for the honour.
Similar promotional divides separate much of the welterweight division, but Bradley still dreams of a shot at other top 147-pounders, including Keith Thurman, Kell Brook, Amir Khan and Shawn Porter, to name a few.
“There’s a lot of guys on the other side that I would like to face, but politics won’t allow me to face them,” Bradley said. “Someday it’ll happen, if I stick around long enough in the business. I’d like to beat all the top guys out there and say I’m the best one out there.”
Bradley’s next fight is perhaps even more important to Rios, who hasn’t been in the ring since stopping Mike Alvarado in January to avenge his only other career defeat in the decisive bout of their memorable trilogy.
Rios has been frustrated by his inactivity, with a potential fight against Brook falling apart. He was relieved when the long negotiations for a bout with Bradley finally ended.
“I feel like my back is against the wall now,” Rios said. “They think I’m done. Maybe a shot fighter, that I’ve taken too many punches. I’m not done yet. I’d see on TV that everybody was fighting but me. I take out my frustration in the gym, but I was mad. I got to spend time with my kids, but I need to be in the ring.”
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Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
The Orwell Prize for Political Writing
Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include:
- Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
- Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez
- Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
- Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness'
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg and Rachel McAdams
Rating: 3/5
New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
