The UAE is among the Gulf countries in the running to host the crossover fight between Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao, with the management company driving negotiations saying talks to get the bout signed are developing at pace.
McGregor, one of sport's most high-profile athletes, created major headlines late on Friday when announcing on social media that he was coming out of retirement to face Pacquiao in a boxing match in the Middle East.
The Irishman, a two-division UFC champion, had called time on his fight career in June – the third time he has done so in four years. He last competed in January, defeating Donald Cerrone within 40 seconds of his UFC return in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Pacquiao has not fought since July last year.
On Saturday, the eight-division champion’s camp responded to the McGregor news, with a statement from the Philippine senator’s office reading: “For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year.
“The huge portion of his earnings will proceed to those who are affected nationwide by the pandemic.”
Speaking to The National on Saturday, Paradigm Sports Management, who represent both McGregor and Pacquiao, said there was significant interest from inside and outside the Middle East to host the fight, with the UAE among those in contention.
“It’s certainly an option,” said Azhar Muhammad Saul, senior vice president of strategy and business development at Paradigm. “Of course there’s two or three countries that you’d normally expect here. If you narrow down the scope geographically, it’s the GCC. It’s one of a few markets that are interested.
"We’re deep in negotiations with multiple parties now and we’re confident either at the end of the year or early next year that the super fight will take place.”
Muhammad Saul said the date would be determined by the fight location. Pacquiao, the current WBA (Super) welterweight champion, has for some time been linked with competing in the region, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain previously mooted.
“Realistically we’re looking at a window between the end of December to early January," Muhammad Saul said. "Depending on which location the fight takes place will determine what date it will happen, because different countries have different event obligations, Covid-19 protocols, travel and so on and so forth.
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Manny Pacquiao's win over Keith Thurman - in pictures
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“A fight of this magnitude, we see this as something to give back to the wider population. It’s a gift really. You can think about it in two ways: it’s been a tough year for everybody and to have such a major super fight happening just uplifts everyone. We’re looking at maximising that from an events point of view.”
Muhammad Saul said the fight, which is expected to headline an impressive card, would ideally take place with fans in attendance, but that all those involved in the deal were “cognisant of the world that we’re living in at the moment”.
On how Paradigm’s relationship with both fighters makes an agreement more likely, Muhammad Saul said: “It certainly helps as we acknowledge the appetite from both sides. Both fighters want it. We also work closely with the UFC and had a meeting about this match-up and they are on board as well. Manny’s motivation is to give back to the community - he sees this as a form of giving back to the people.
“Conor’s activity was never in question; he always wanted to fight. The three-fight season was not rhetoric, it was something he was deeply committed to. In light of the pandemic, Conor has spent this period giving back to his community and focusing his time on his businesses and philanthropic endeavors, while staying active and fit.
“Conor’s looking forward to getting back on track with his personal goals and giving the fans of the world a fight for the ages, while seeing in the dawn of better times for all in 2021.”
Audie Attar, Paradigm’s founder and CEO, added: “Like we say, you should stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. It’s a very fluid situation, but we’re deep in negotiations with a number of different parties.
“Our expectation is to get this thing wrapped up quickly so we can start the lead-up and the build-up to it. You saw Conor release some video of him in the ring yesterday, so he’s already in great shape as it is.
“I’ve come to learn that Manny is one of the greatest fighters of all time for a reason: he’s a machine. He’s not only a senator doing the State’s work day-in, day-out for his beloved country, but training is a fundamental part of his life.
“They’ve both been keeping fit, active and healthy so they’ll want to get into camp quite quickly. So I’d say stay tuned.”
McGregor has already been involved in a boxing match, when in 2017 he took on the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr in a money-spinning bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada. Mayweather won by TKO in the 10th round.
Ferrari
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THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
%3Cp%3EMATA%0D%3Cbr%3EArtist%3A%20M.I.A%0D%3Cbr%3ELabel%3A%20Island%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
Results for Stage 2
Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race
Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)
The specs: 2018 Honda City
Price, base: From Dh57,000
Engine: 1.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 118hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.8%22%20edge%20quad-HD%2B%20dynamic%20Amoled%202X%2C%20Infinity-O%2C%203088%20x%201440%2C%20500ppi%2C%20HDR10%2B%2C%20120Hz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204nm%20Qualcomm%20Snapdragon%208%20Gen%202%2C%2064-bit%20octa-core%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F12GB%20RAM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256%2F512GB%2F1TB%20(only%20128GB%20has%20an%208GB%20RAM%20option)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2013%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20quad%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20f%2F2.2%20%2B%20200MP%20wide%20f%2F1.7%20%2B%2010MP%20telephoto%20f%2F4.9%20%2B%2010MP%20telephoto%202.4%3B%203x%2F10x%20optical%20zoom%2C%20Space%20Zoom%20up%20to%20100x%3B%20auto%20HDR%2C%20expert%20RAW%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208K%4024%2F30fps%2C%204K%4060fps%2C%20full-HD%4060fps%2C%20HD%4030fps%2C%20full-HD%20super%20slo-mo%40960fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20f%2F2.2%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205000mAh%2C%20fast%20wireless%20charging%202.0%2C%20Wireless%20PowerShare%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205G%2C%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.2%2C%20NFC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3B%20built-in%20Galaxy%20S%20Pen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESIM%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20single%20nano%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20eSIM%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20nano%20%2B%20eSIM%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20nano%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20cream%2C%20green%2C%20lavender%2C%20phantom%20black%3B%20online%20exclusives%3A%20graphite%2C%20lime%2C%20red%2C%20sky%20blue%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh4%2C949%20for%20256GB%2C%20Dh5%2C449%20for%20512GB%2C%20Dh6%2C449%20for%201TB%3B%20128GB%20unavailable%20in%20the%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
INVESTMENT PLEDGES
Cartlow: $13.4m
Rabbitmart: $14m
Smileneo: $5.8m
Soum: $4m
imVentures: $100m
Plug and Play: $25m
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)
Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)
Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Korean Film Festival 2019 line-up
Innocent Witness, June 26 at 7pm
On Your Wedding Day, June 27 at 7pm
The Great Battle, June 27 at 9pm
The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, June 28 at 4pm
Romang, June 28 at 6pm
Mal Mo E: The Secret Mission, June 28 at 8pm
Underdog, June 29 at 2pm
Nearby Sky, June 29 at 4pm
A Resistance, June 29 at 6pm
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Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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