Dubai in frame to host Pacquiao, Mayweather fight

  • Share via facebook
  • Tweet this
  • Bookmark and Share
Manny Pacquiao prays in the ring before taking on Miguel Cotto during their WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Getty Images)

Manny Pacquiao prays in the ring before taking on Miguel Cotto during their WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Getty Images)

Dubai is in the frame to host boxing's mega showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, the Filipino's trainer has said.

Freddie Roach said he believed Dubai was the best option for the fight "moneywise", AFP reported.

He claimed that a group from Dubai was willing to pay huge sums so that the title fight can be staged in the UAE.

"Dallas would be the best place to put on that fight in the US because you could get 100,000 people in Cowboys Stadium but Dubai is the best moneywise. There were negotiations with people from Dubai. I met with a group of people who were negotiating with (Pacquiao's financial adviser) Michael Koncz," Roach said in comments published by AFP.

He said a May 5 bout against Mayweather remained a possibility but that a later date in Dubai or Dallas or Dubai would be a better option.

Mayweather called out Pacquiao on Tuesday, writing on his social networking site Twitter to "Step up punk."

Roach scoffed at Mayweather's challenge to fight on May 5 in Las Vegas but said he welcomes the undefeated US boxer's willingness to step in the ring with his Filipino fighter.

Mayweather and Pacquiao, 33, previously saw a fight derailed by the US fighter's demands about blood testing, with both boxers accusing the other of running scared.

Join the Discussion

Disclaimer:The view expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by Arabian Business, its employees, sponsors or its advertisers.

Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules

Posted by: Waheed Bastaki

Dubai is concider to be one of the best city in terms of urban compitiveness and service oriented culture.

These types of events can help others to discover the culture and the way of life of middle eastern people and feel the hospitaly of Dubaian towards others and strangers.
Dubai is a safe place, you don't risk any trouble when you walk late at night in the city, it can be a good and diffrent experience to visitors

Dubai, is a jewel of the Arabian, famous for splendid architecture, top quality spas and health retreats, and with plentiful places to visit. Dubai is a strategic crossroads between East and West, Russia and the Middle East. Dubai is one of the few parts of the country (UAE) that currently boasts dynamic economic growth.

Dubai attracts tourists from all over the world thanks to fine health resorts network, lengthy coastline of sandy beaches, and well developed Hotels and tourism infrastructure. During the winter time the population doubles.

Posted by: John Doe

I don?t think this will materialize at all..boxing is not just about the sport, it also needs to have a sense of place like what Vegas has..mayweather is all fame and money so with that your bet is as good as mine..

Posted by: John Smith

Where ever it is held the timing would need to fit US network peak timings. That would mean a fight in the UAE would have to be at about 8am in the morning. Can't realistically see it happening here.

Posted by: Marcelo

Pacman is best boxer of all time and he will knock out this big mouthed Mayweather in a fight !
Pacman has shown that Filipinos are best in everything!

Posted by: procan

Traditional boxing is so over, you want to watch a true fight of Gladiators try UFC mixed martial arts now there is a show!GSP George St. Pierre greatest pound for pound fighting machine on the planet bar none.

Posted by: Mick

Well, Marcelo....I don't think that having the best pound for pound fighter in the world means that filipinos are the best at everything. Football? Cricket? Hockey? Baseball? Track and Field? ......Ballroom Dancing?I am not sure what you mean by everything.
Mayweather has always had a big mouth, so I hope I get the chance to see Pacquiao drop him in the first round.

Posted by: Expat 123

The best in everything.. LOL. Mayweather will destroy him.

Posted by: Raynald O. Juarez

This fight will never happen, Mayweather is making all kind of excuse and still saying his the best but can never prove it, All the people he fight takes a distance and says his the best, but with Pacquuiao it takes only a few rounds. Take the case of Hatton it takes him a lot of rounds, while Pacman takes only 2 rounds, Mayweather talk too much, but he is afraid of Pacman and with share of pot he wants to take it all, he is a guy who wants fame, but he is greedy.

Posted by: kapow

expat 123, wanna bet on that?

Posted by: Expat 123

Mayweather would crush him, would last 2 rounds max.

All comments are subject to approval before appearingTerms and conditions

Further reading

Features & Analysis

Manchester City: The Blue Moon finally rises

How Sheikh Mansour's millions helped Manchester City win on and...

(AFP/Getty Images)

In UAE, horses are big business as well as passion

As the oil-rich Gulf economies boom, the hobbies of its wealthy...

Sports in the patriarchal society of Saudi Arabia has long been reserved as an activity for men. (AFP/Getty Images)

Saudi women push for right to play sports

Liberal Saudis consider women who participate in sports to be...

5
Most Discussed
  • 142
    Etisalat warns customers of phone call scam

    I just got a call from this number +971507896582 stating that I won 500000AED and that i should check the back of my sim card for some numbers and call... more

    Friday, 25 May 2012 3:04 PM - haja
  • 39
    Saudi Arabia bans use of Western calendar

    Given that the start of the new month is determined by the moon sighting, isn't this going to make organising meetings for the following month a bit tricky... more

    Thursday, 24 May 2012 1:24 PM - Mark Renton
  • 20
    UAE officials warn against marrying foreigners

    I am a UAE national married to an Iranian and her unwavering allegiance is toward Iran and she does not espouse any Arab cause, the same applies with my... more

    Friday, 25 May 2012 11:54 PM - Yasser
  • 8
    English football mulls champagne prize ban

    Taking religion based decisions in such matters is wrong. It sends wrong signals and sets up bad precedence. What next? Will they stop serving beef in... more

    Friday, 25 May 2012 12:15 PM - Skand Bhargava
  • 3
    Dubai banks eye mortgages for foreign buyers

    There are so many promises with no substance out there that even none savvy buyers will think twice before taking risks on Dubai Real estate market. Too... more

    Friday, 25 May 2012 9:19 PM - Bob
  • 142
    Etisalat warns customers of phone call scam

    I just got a call from this number +971507896582 stating that I won 500000AED and that i should check the back of my sim card for some numbers and call... more

    Friday, 25 May 2012 3:04 PM - haja
  • 39
    Saudi Arabia bans use of Western calendar

    Given that the start of the new month is determined by the moon sighting, isn't this going to make organising meetings for the following month a bit tricky... more

    Thursday, 24 May 2012 1:24 PM - Mark Renton
  • 25
    Nakheel targets 'young and trendy' for Palm project

    Palm Jumeirah = Disneyland. Is this the kind of community to invest in for a home ???? or a hotel ? It baffles me why people would invest in an apartment... more

    Wednesday, 23 May 2012 4:13 PM - Paul
  • 20
    UAE officials warn against marrying foreigners

    I am a UAE national married to an Iranian and her unwavering allegiance is toward Iran and she does not espouse any Arab cause, the same applies with my... more

    Friday, 25 May 2012 11:54 PM - Yasser
  • 19
    Iran eyes Google legal action over Gulf naming

    Instead of clinging to anything that reminisces you of your obliterated past, why don't you spend sometime fixing your disgraceful and humiliating present... more

    Tuesday, 22 May 2012 9:30 PM - Fahd