A Dallas, Texas angle to Saturday night?s Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley world title fight has slowly emerged.
Former Dallas resident, M. Akbar Muhammad, who used to be the Senior Vice President at promoter Bob Arum?s Top Rank, Inc., has been working his magic and connections in the international sports marketing industry and is looking into international sponsorship rights to the future Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. superfight and other big fights soon in numerous countries in the Middle East.
Muhammad, 60, who began his career in boxing with Muhammad Ali, said big things are in the works in the Middle East for boxing, other sports, and entertainment.
?I?m not ready to make a formal announcement yet,? said Muhammad from his home just outside New York City as he prepared to depart for the United Arab Emirates. ?But we are far down the road and an announcement is coming very soon,? he added.
Muhammad believes the Middle East is potentially a giant market for boxing. ?Having major events will bring international exposure and be a cultural exchange,? said Muhammad.
Muhammad has managed five world champions including Fort Worth?s Donald Curry and two Olympic Gold Medalists.
?I would like to sponsor a Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather fight in the Middle East very soon.
?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,? said Muhammad.
Muhammad has extensive experience working in the Middle East, especially at Dubai Events Management Corp. He fell just short of bringing a third fight between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield to the Middle East two years when Tyson turned down a ten million dollar guarantee.
?In addition to sponsoring live fights, we are working with a specialized production group to create fund raising concerts and other events that will benefit various charities within the host nation. Events as part of a boxing weekend will add considerable value to the sponsors and media involved,? he said.
