Dubai: A fresh UAE perspective has emerged to the eagerly awaited super-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao following reports that have been swirling around the internet.
M. Akbar Muhammad, a former Senior Vice President with promoter Bob Arum?s Top Rank Inc., told boxingscene.com that a group of UAE investors are willing to come up with the huge sums of money that will bring the two fighters to the desert ring in 2015.
?The funding is in place, and because of this and the group?s unique and distinctive make-up and backgrounds, it has emerged as the leading and most serious group striving to secure the bout,? he told the website.
?We want to be a part of Mr. Mayweather?s historic march to 50-0, no matter where the fights may take place.
?There?s absolutely no doubt that each fighter, individually, will receive more money than any other boxer has in the past.
?The combined purses are approaching $200 million. And, rest assured, we have the resources to do just that.?
This is not the first time that Muhammad, who began his career in boxing with the great Mumhammad Ali, has been involved in promoting a boxing event in the UAE.
In 2009, he failed to bring a third heavyweight fight between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield to Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi when Tyson, turned down a $10million guarantee.
In 2011, he bragged that “big things” are in the works in the Middle East, not just for big-fight boxing, but for others sports and entertainment as well.
?I?m not ready to make a formal announcement yet. But we are far down the road and an announcement is coming very soon,? he said in the build up to the failed fight.
?Having major events will bring international exposure and be a cultural exchange.
?Middle East concerns in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and other countries in the United Arab Emirates are interested in hosting live fights or even sponsoring them throughout the world, including in the United States and Eastern Europe. The time differences actually work in everyone?s favor.
?These are all long-term deals everyone involved is already excited about.?
Ever since his win at the end of November against American Chris Algieri, Pacman has been talking up the prospect of a fight with Mayweather.
The Filipino icon even took to Instagram to say: “Stop throwing punches on Instagram and let?s get in the ring! #TBE #TheBestExcuses”.
