With Manny Pacquiao's latest tweet sending UAE boxing fans into further frenzy that they could soon see the Filipino superstar in action on these shores, Steve Luckings looks at three reasons why it could happen, and three reasons why it probably won't.
Why it could happen
1 Because Pacquiao has said it will
The WBO Welterweight champion has taken to Twitter twice in as many days stating that first his next fight will be in the UAE, and the second, posted Monday, asked his 108,000 Twitter followers to choose his next opponent in the UAE. Britons Amir Khan and Kell Brook were on the poll alongside the American Terence Crawford and the Australian Jeff Horn, who it is widely reported was to be Pacquiao's next opponent on April 23. That fight was slated for Australia, although recent reports seem to have thrown that bout into jeopardy.
2 Because Pacquiao’s adviser said it would
Michael Koncz is a well-known member of Pacquiao’s entourage, acting chiefly as a financial adviser. Speaking in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, here to discuss the UAE hosting Pacquiao-Horn, Koncz said: “I’m here with full authority and power. I have been the marriage counsellor for Manny and we have developed a relationship. I’m involved in all aspects of what he does. We have executed the agreement in the morning and 100 per cent the fight will be here in the UAE.”
The Canadian also made what could be perceived as condescending remarks about Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, widely regarded as boxing royalty, who it was reported was in final talks with Duco Events to stage the fight in Brisbane, Australia.
“I was aware Bob was talking in Australia about hosting the fight there, but it is fine with us,” Koncz said. “I told Bob to go ahead but don’t close it. When Bob said it will happen there I asked him, ‘What are you talking about?’ A promoter works for the boxer but the boxer doesn’t work for the promoter.”
3 Because UAE fight fans demand it
For years boxing fans in the UAE have had the carrot of Pacquiao fighting on these shores dangled in front of them only for it to prove yet another false dawn. The list of potential opponents has ranged from Amir Khan to Floyd Mayweather Jr, and yet nothing has ever materialised. Pacquiao’s advisers may have been shrewd in using the UAE as a potential venue to drum up publicity (and money) to promote other fights that have almost exclusively taken place in Las Vegas in recent years, but given the large Philippines contingency in the country – not to mention the hundreds of thousands of fight fans starved of seeing world-class talent in the flesh – maybe, just maybe, their hopes are about to be answered.
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Read more
■ You choose: Manny Pacquiao asks Twitter followers to pick UAE opponent
■ Manny Pacquiao: 'See you in UAE for my next fight'
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Why it won’t happen
1 Sports councils in the dark
An event of this magnitude would certainly require the involvement and approval of either the Abu Dhabi Sports Council or the Dubai Sports Council. Yet sources at each told The National on Sunday the respective organisations were unaware of any such plans. One local firm has been quoted in several news reports as being in on the negotiations, but it is highly unlikely either Top Rank or Duco would ever want (or need) a third party involved.
2 Time and money
For a fight to appeal to the mass pay-per-view television markets of the US, a fight in the UAE would most likely have to take place at around 7am or 8am in the morning here, and on a Sunday, a work day in this country. Gone are the days of expanding the horizons of boxing, a Rumble In the Jungle (Zaire) or a Thrilla in Manilla (Philippines) – a sad indictment of how boxing is largely beholden to the US.
3 We’ve been down this road before
For the same reasons mentioned under ‘Because UAE fight fans deserve it’, too many times fans here have been burnt by the news that a boxer would like to fight here only for the story to go cold. Of course top boxers would like to fight here: the UAE is a hub for international sporting events, the weather is great and Abu Dhabi and Dubai both boast top-drawer venues that could easily accommodate thousands of fans and international media.
Practically every visit to the UAE Amir Khan says how he would like to fight here; Pacquiao's camp has previously told this newspaper that he would like to sate his countrymen's appetite to see him in action. All have proved false dawns. Until an official announcement is made by Top Rank, it is wise to err on the side of caution and not get your hopes up.
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