• Undefeated light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, left, is putting his title on the line against Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez at Etihad Arena on November 5. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Undefeated light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, left, is putting his title on the line against Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez at Etihad Arena on November 5. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Left to right: Dmitry Bivol, Eddie Hearn, Zurdo Ramirez, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry and Eric Gomez in front of the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
    Left to right: Dmitry Bivol, Eddie Hearn, Zurdo Ramirez, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry and Eric Gomez in front of the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
  • Russia'a Dmitry Bivol with his WBA light heavyweight belt in Abu Dhabi.
    Russia'a Dmitry Bivol with his WBA light heavyweight belt in Abu Dhabi.
  • Left to right: Dmitry Bivol, Eddie Hearn, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry and Zurdo Ramirez.
    Left to right: Dmitry Bivol, Eddie Hearn, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry and Zurdo Ramirez.
  • The press conference on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, for Dmitry Bivol v Gilberto Ramirez at the Etihad Arena.
    The press conference on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, for Dmitry Bivol v Gilberto Ramirez at the Etihad Arena.
  • Left to right: Eddie Hearn, Dmitry Bivol, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Zurdo Ramirez and Eric Gomez during the press conference.
    Left to right: Eddie Hearn, Dmitry Bivol, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Zurdo Ramirez and Eric Gomez during the press conference.
  • Undefeated light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol with Eddie Hearn.
    Undefeated light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol with Eddie Hearn.
  • Left to right: Eddie Hearn, Dmitry Bivol, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Gilberto Ramirez, in front of the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
    Left to right: Eddie Hearn, Dmitry Bivol, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Gilberto Ramirez, in front of the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
  • Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry and Mexico's Zurdo Ramirez during the press conference.
    Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry and Mexico's Zurdo Ramirez during the press conference.
  • Undefeated light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol.
    Undefeated light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol.
  • Promoter Eddie Hearn during the press conference in Abu Dhabi.
    Promoter Eddie Hearn during the press conference in Abu Dhabi.

Eddie Hearn outlines ambitions to make Abu Dhabi a 'major global destination for boxing'


  • English
  • Arabic

Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn has stated his ambitions to position Abu Dhabi as a globally recognised boxing destination alongside the likes of Las Vegas, New York and London.

The first step towards achieving those goals takes place on Saturday with the first Champion Series event at Etihad Arena, where Russia's WBA light-heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol takes on the unbeaten Mexican, and No 1 contender, Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez.

The stacked card also includes two more world title fights as Jessica McCaskill and Chantelle Cameron compete in an undisputed super-lightweight clash, while the IBF super-featherweight title is on the line between Shavkat Rakhimov and Zelfa Barrett.

Additionally, Olympic champion Galal Yafai and his older brother, the former super-flyweight world champion, Kal Yafai compete in Abu Dhabi, as does Campbell Hatton – the son of former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton.

Hearn, who has brought major boxing events to the region in the past – most notably the two heavyweight world title fights involving Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia – believes Saturday's event will be the start for Abu Dhabi's own journey to establishing itself as a major boxing location.

“People have to get used to going to the region,” Hearn said. “You’re going to see participation grow at grassroots level, and you’re going to see us put plans in place for another big event early in 2023. We’re planning more fights in the future in Abu Dhabi and you’ll see the growth from there.

“You have to educate the fans as they’re not used to seeing boxing events come to Abu Dhabi,” Hearn added. “So firstly, you have to get people used to the fact that this is now a boxing destination. You’ve got Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden in New York, the O2 in London: these are all venues that, internationally, fight fans will flock to when there’s a major event and that’s what we want for Abu Dhabi.

“I’m a big believer in the emirate and part of our job is to showcase it, not just as an incredible destination for live sporting events, but as a holiday destination – and for business too. The hotels, the hospitality, the beaches, the theme parks, all these things. That’s why we must bring these people to the region to experience an incredible night of boxing, but also experience an incredible destination.”

Launch party for Bivol v Ramirez in Abu Dhabi

  • Guests attend the launch party at the W Hotel on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi for Saturday's 'Champion Series' boxing event, headlined by Dimitry Bivol v Gilberto Ramirez. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
    Guests attend the launch party at the W Hotel on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi for Saturday's 'Champion Series' boxing event, headlined by Dimitry Bivol v Gilberto Ramirez. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dimitry Bivol and Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn attend the launch party.
    Dimitry Bivol and Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn attend the launch party.
  • Gilberto Ramirez attends the launch party.
    Gilberto Ramirez attends the launch party.
  • Dimitry Bivol poses for photos after arriving for the launch party.
    Dimitry Bivol poses for photos after arriving for the launch party.
  • A large billboard promoting the boxing event is displayed at the launch party.
    A large billboard promoting the boxing event is displayed at the launch party.
  • A DJ plays music as guests sit at tables during the launch party.
    A DJ plays music as guests sit at tables during the launch party.
  • Guests, including Gilberto Ramirez, attend the launch party.
    Guests, including Gilberto Ramirez, attend the launch party.

Saturday's event is the first in a strategic partnership between Matchroom Boxing and DCT Abu Dhabi, and Hearn said he was drawn to the capital after watching the partnership between the UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi flourish.

The UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi have been engaged in a five-year partnership that has brought at least one title fight to the capital every year, most recently UFC 280 where Islam Makhachev was crowned the new lightweight champion in the main event.

UFC president Dana White has been glowing in his praise of Abu Dhabi as the promotion and DCT Abu Dhabi finalise a new long-term alliance, which, White told The National, promises to be a “total game-changer for all of combat sports".

Eddie Hearn with Dimitry Bivol at a launch party in Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National
Eddie Hearn with Dimitry Bivol at a launch party in Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National

“That’s what you want to hear," Hearn said. "As a business you want to make sure you have those kinds of partners; the kind of partners you can build something special with and create a legacy in the region. That’s really what we’re all about. It’s going to take time, but our goal is to develop Abu Dhabi as a major global destination for boxing.

“Fight fans don’t realise how good the Etihad Arena is and how great that area is down there, where you can have the weigh-in outside right by the water. You’ve also got plenty of restaurants on the side and then can look over and see the Formula One circuit in the distance. It’s an incredible place and they’re going to see, on November 5, an incredible fight night and incredible energy.”

Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

The distance learning plan

Spring break will be from March 8 - 19

Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm

Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19

Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning

Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

RESULTS

6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
Winner: Miller’s House, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

UAE and Russia in numbers

UAE-Russia ties stretch back 48 years

Trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh12.5 bn in 2018

More than 3,000 Russian companies are registered in the UAE

Around 40,000 Russians live in the UAE

The number of Russian tourists travelling to the UAE will increase to 12 percent to reach 1.6 million in 2023

FIGHT%20CARD
%3Cp%3EAnthony%20Joshua%20v%20Otto%20Wallin%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDeontay%20Wilder%20v%20Joseph%20Parker%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDmitry%20Bivol%20v%20Lyndon%20Arthur%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20light%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDaniel%20Dubois%20v%20Jarrell%20Miller%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFilip%20Hrgovic%20v%20Mark%20de%20Mori%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EArslanbek%20Makhmudov%20v%20Agit%20Kabayel%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFrank%20Sanchez%20v%20Junior%20Fa%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJai%20Opetaia%20v%20Ellis%20Zorro%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20cruiserweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

 


 

WHY%20AAYAN%20IS%20'PERFECT%20EXAMPLE'
%3Cp%3EDavid%20White%20might%20be%20new%20to%20the%20country%2C%20but%20he%20has%20clearly%20already%20built%20up%20an%20affinity%20with%20the%20place.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20the%20UAE%20shocked%20Pakistan%20in%20the%20semi-final%20of%20the%20Under%2019%20Asia%20Cup%20last%20month%2C%20White%20was%20hugged%20on%20the%20field%20by%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20the%20team%E2%80%99s%20captain.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWhite%20suggests%20that%20was%20more%20a%20sign%20of%20Aayan%E2%80%99s%20amiability%20than%20anything%20else.%20But%20he%20believes%20the%20young%20all-rounder%2C%20who%20was%20part%20of%20the%20winning%20Gulf%20Giants%20team%20last%20year%2C%20is%20just%20the%20sort%20of%20player%20the%20country%20should%20be%20seeking%20to%20produce%20via%20the%20ILT20.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20is%20a%20delightful%20young%20man%2C%E2%80%9D%20White%20said.%20%E2%80%9CHe%20played%20in%20the%20competition%20last%20year%20at%2017%2C%20and%20look%20at%20his%20development%20from%20there%20till%20now%2C%20and%20where%20he%20is%20representing%20the%20UAE.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20was%20influential%20in%20the%20U19%20team%20which%20beat%20Pakistan.%20He%20is%20the%20perfect%20example%20of%20what%20we%20are%20all%20trying%20to%20achieve%20here.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20about%20the%20development%20of%20players%20who%20are%20going%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE%20and%20go%20on%20to%20help%20make%20UAE%20a%20force%20in%20world%20cricket.%E2%80%9D%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Opening Premier League fixtures, August 14
  • Brentford v Arsenal
  • Burnley v Brighton
  • Chelsea v Crystal Palace
  • Everton v Southampton
  • Leicester City v Wolves
  • Manchester United v Leeds United
  • Newcastle United v West Ham United
  • Norwich City v Liverpool
  • Tottenham v Manchester City
  • Watford v Aston Villa

Racecard:
2.30pm: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoun Emirates Breeders Society Challenge; Conditions (PA); Dh40,000; 1,600m
3pm: Handicap; Dh80,000; 1,800m
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Mile Prep Rated Conditions; Dh110,000; 1,600m
4pm: Handicap; Dh95,000; 1,950m
4.30pm: Maiden; Dh65,000; 1,400m
5pm: Handicap; Dh85,000; 1,200m

THE DETAILS

Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5

List of alleged parties
  • May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
  • 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
  • Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson 
  • Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
  • Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters 
  • Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
  • Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party 
Karwaan

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar

Rating: 4/5

BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETamer%20Ruggli%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadine%20Labaki%2C%20Fanny%20Ardant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
%3Cp%3EFirst%20ODI%20-%20Sunday%2C%20June%204%20%0D%3Cbr%3ESecond%20ODI%20-%20Tuesday%2C%20June%206%20%0D%3Cbr%3EThird%20ODI%20-%20Friday%2C%20June%209%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMatches%20at%20Sharjah%20Cricket%20Stadium.%20All%20games%20start%20at%204.30pm%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMuhammad%20Waseem%20(captain)%2C%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20Adithya%20Shetty%2C%20Ali%20Naseer%2C%20Ansh%20Tandon%2C%20Aryansh%20Sharma%2C%20Asif%20Khan%2C%20Basil%20Hameed%2C%20Ethan%20D%E2%80%99Souza%2C%20Fahad%20Nawaz%2C%20Jonathan%20Figy%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Lovepreet%20Singh%2C%20Matiullah%2C%20Mohammed%20Faraazuddin%2C%20Muhammad%20Jawadullah%2C%20Rameez%20Shahzad%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Sanchit%20Sharma%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SUCCESSION%20SEASON%204%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJesse%20Armstrong%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Brian%20Cox%2C%20Jeremy%20Strong%2C%20Kieran%20Culkin%2C%20Sarah%20Snook%2C%20Nicholas%20Braun%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20366hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E550Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESix-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh360%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
If%20you%20go
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20regular%20flights%20from%20Dubai%20to%20Kathmandu.%20Fares%20with%20Air%20Arabia%20and%20flydubai%20start%20at%20Dh1%2C265.%3Cbr%3EIn%20Kathmandu%2C%20rooms%20at%20the%20Oasis%20Kathmandu%20Hotel%20start%20at%20Dh195%20and%20Dh120%20at%20Hotel%20Ganesh%20Himal.%3Cbr%3EThird%20Rock%20Adventures%20offers%20professionally%20run%20group%20and%20individual%20treks%20and%20tours%20using%20highly%20experienced%20guides%20throughout%20Nepal%2C%20Bhutan%20and%20other%20parts%20of%20the%20Himalayas.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: November 02, 2022, 1:16 PM