Dubai promoter wants to stage Pacquiao fight

MANILA, Philippines – A Dubai-based boxing promoter is reportedly eyeing to hold a fight featuring Manny Pacquiao in the rich emirate.

In a report by Allaam Ousman of Emirates 24|7, “Prince” Amir Shafypour, promoter and managing director at Golden Cage Promotions and Events, said he’s even had talks with Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach to make this possible.

As for Pacquiao’s opponent, Shafypour said they’re not limiting themselves to Floyd Mayweather Jr., despite the American being the most logical choice for the Filipino icon.

"We are confident of hosting a fight featuring Pacquiao with or without Mayweather," Shafypour stressed.

Pacquiao is fresh from dismantling American Chris Algieri in Macau over the weekend, flooring the challenger a whopping six times on his way to one-sided victory. Talks about facing Mayweather again hit their peak, with Pacquiao being the most vocal about it.

More than 13,000 fans trooped to the Cotai Arena inside The Venetian Macao to watch Pacquiao batter Algieri for 12 rounds. Shafypour said a Pacquiao fight will do better in Dubai – the most populous city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates – which boasts a significant Filipino population.

"We are interested in Pacquiao because there are hundreds of Filipino expatriates not only in the UAE but also around the Gulf who would fill the stadium to see their world champion," Shafypour said.

The Dubai promoter isn’t without competition, as Top Rank chief Bob Arum – whose firm handles Pacquiao – brought up the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas as a possible venue for Pacquiao-Mayweather if it materializes.

Las Vegas is likewise an option, and it is expected that Mayweather, a resident of the world’s gambling capital, would insist on the fight to be held there.

Shafypour, for his part, is optimistic on Dubai’s chances of landing a Pacquiao bout.

"It would be a sellout and fans in this region deserve to see Pacquiao fight before he hangs up his gloves," he added. – Dino Maragay