Organisers target October for Floyd Mayweather's exhibition bout at Burj Al Arab

Organisers of the Global Titans exhibition boxing event in Dubai, which was to feature Floyd Mayweather as its headline act, are aiming to reschedule the fight night in October.

The inaugural Global Titans Fight Series show, titled “The Showcase in the Skies of Dubai”, was originally set for last Saturday on the Burj Al Arab helipad, but was postponed following the death of Sheikh Khalifa on Friday.

On Tuesday, multiple outlets reported the event had been rescheduled for this Saturday, after Mayweather and UFC great Anderson Silva, who also features on the four-fight boxing card, posted the news on Instagram.

However, organisers told The National on Wednesday that they are now targeting October given their desire to “respect the official mourning period”.

They added that, with the event being held outdoors, a new date after the summer was preferred “so we are considerate to the fighters and workers”.

Mayweather, a former five-weight world champion who retired unbeaten from professional boxing, was slated to face former sparring partner Don Moore at the top of the bill. Mayweather, 45, called time on a Hall of Fame career in 2017, with his pro record at 50-0.

Former UFC middleweight champion Silva, meanwhile, was expected to take on current UAE Warriors lightweight belt-holder Bruno Machado. Machado is a long-time Abu Dhabi resident.

On Friday, following the news of Sheikh Khalifa’s death, Mayweather posted on social media his condolences “to the entire UAE”. The American had been planning to wear the colours of the UAE flag inside the ring at Global Titans Dubai.

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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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The Bio

Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them

Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.

Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results

During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks

Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy

Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it