By the time Manny Pacquiao’s trainers hoisted him on their shoulders to celebrate his defeat of Miguel Cotto, the chant had begun: “We want Floyd!” Those watching the WBO world welterweight title fight, whether live in Las Vegas, on TV in Pacquiao’s Philippines, or at Khaladiya Mall in Abu Dhabi, had to be thinking the same thing. For Pacquiao, there is one last man to fight: the undefeated WBC champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. And only the UAE has the panache, vision, and resources to do justice to such an epic.
No, the UAE has never hosted a title bout. To reach the lucrative US pay-per-view market, any fight in the UAE would have to be held in the morning. There are plenty of naysayers who cite these and other reasons why it shouldn’t happen here. There’s one reason why it should: it would be the most anticipated fight in a generation. If there’s any bout that should live up to its billing, it would be this one. The UAE has a habit of proving its doubters wrong. Host this bout and do so again.
With a victory, Pacquiao and Mayweather would have an opportunity to cement themselves in sporting lore; the UAE would do so just by giving them that chance. Next to “The Rumble in the Jungle” and “The Thrilla in Manila”, would be “The Dust-Up in the Desert”: Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather Jr, live in the UAE.
Yes, boxing is brutal. But it is also a pure and ancient ballet; between two fighters, yes, but also between a man and his own limits, between suffering and the ability to endure it, and ultimately between good and evil. As Sonny Liston once said: “A boxing match is like a cowboy movie. There’s got to be good guys and there’s got to be bad guys.” That’s one more reason to host the duel here: all great Westerns take place in the desert.
It’s easy to spot the good guy in this contest. Manny Pacquiao, like many Filipinos, makes his living far from home. Even in the bloodiest of pursuits he is kind to his opponents. He is committed not just to being a champion in the ring, but also to being a champion outside of it and for those who have none. His humility and dedication are emblematic of what makes Filipinos such valuable residents everywhere they live and work. Let’s give them and the world something to celebrate, a fight for the ages. Let’s get ready to rumble.
