Dubai in frame to host Pacquiao, Mayweather fight

Saturday, 14 January 2012 11:30 AM

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.

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Posted by: Waheed Bastaki Thursday, 19 January 2012 10:11 AM[UAE] - UAE

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.

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Posted by: John Doe Sunday, 15 January 2012 1:52 PM[UAE] - UAE

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..

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Posted by: John Smith Sunday, 15 January 2012 1:51 PM[UAE] - UAE

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.

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Posted by: Marcelo Sunday, 15 January 2012 1:50 PM[UAE] - UAE

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 Sunday, 15 January 2012 7:21 PM[UAE] - canada

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 Sunday, 15 January 2012 4:17 PM[UAE] - UAE

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 Sunday, 15 January 2012 4:15 PM[UAE] - USA

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

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Posted by: Raynald O. Juarez Sunday, 15 January 2012 9:18 AM[UAE] - U.A.E.

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 Thursday, 19 January 2012 6:28 PM[UAE] - Congo

expat 123, wanna bet on that?

Posted by: Expat 123 Sunday, 15 January 2012 4:15 PM[UAE] - USA

Mayweather would crush him, would last 2 rounds max.

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