Pacquiao to meet, greet fans in Dubai

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao will meet overseas contract workers while in Dubai, where he is scheduled to play for the Mahindra Enforcers in a PBA game on Friday.

Pacquiao arrived in Dubai Monday evening with a huge entourage. Based on reports, a Rolls Royce Phantom picked the boxer and his wife at the airport.

In the entire United Arab Emirates, over 700,000 Filipinos reside. (Related story on Page 16)

Arriving with Pacquiao are team members of Mahindra, which will play the Alaska Aces at the Al Wasl Club on Friday at 7 p.m. (close to midnight in Manila).

“I feel so happy to be here in Dubai. Thank you for the warm welcome,” said Pacquiao upon his arrival.

According to Gulf News, the boxing icon talked about his next fight, and tickled his fans in Dubai when he said he wants to fight there.

“Of course I would like to have my next fight in Dubai. We are working on that,” said Pacquiao.

His arrival in Dubai has been greatly anticipated by Filipinos, who are eager to see their boxing idol in the flesh.

Pacquiao is running for senator in the May 9, 2016 Philippine elections, and he can use his visit to the UAE to meet and greet his countrymen.

He will be at the du Store at Dubai Mall 4 p.m. of Wednesday and at the Go Sport at Mall of the Emirates at 6 p.m. Thursday. On Friday he plays basketball.

“I am in here for the next few days, I will go around and see the beauty of Dubai, meet the Filipino people and play basketball,” he said.

Briefly, the 36-year-old Pacquiao spoke of his next fight, tentatively scheduled April 9 in Las Vegas.

The opponent has yet to be named but it’s British star Amir Khan who reportedly enjoys the inside track. There are others to choose from.

Pacquiao was asked about a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“I don’t know yet but I am open to a re-match with him but it depends on the negotiation. I am open to fight anybody, there’s Amir Khan, the re-match with Floyd,” he said.

“But there’s also Danny Garcia and Terrence Crawford on the radar,” Pacquiao added.