Muhammad Ali – still celebrated as the world’s greatest boxer – fought two exhibition bouts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai 42 years ago this week.
In 1982, the three-time world heavyweight champion embarked on a UAE tour that included three exhibition matches against American Jimmy Ellis and rising West German boxer Reiner Hartmann, held at an improvised boxing ring at Al Nasr Leisureland.
Although rumours suggested Ali – then just shy of his 41st birthday – needed money, he told United Press International that the real purpose was to raise funds to build mosques in the US.
“We are building the first in Chicago. It has already cost us $5 million, and we need $2.5 million more,” Ali said. "I will be doing these exhibitions to raise monies to help spread Islam, and this is my dream – to help spread the faith in America."
The tour was promoted with posters along Dubai Creek Road and radio adverts urging fans to see The Greatest “right before your eyes". Things, however, did not go entirely to plan.
The first night’s action took place at 8pm on December 1, 1982, at Sheikh Zayed Sports Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Ticket prices ranged from Dh30 to Dh200, with pre-fight entertainment provided by “the hilarious comedian Jagdeep", according to one poster. Indian Bollywood stars such as Rishi Kapoor and Sarika Thakur were invited, and Ali charmed the media pre-fight with a famous line: “The other night I turned off the light ... and was in bed before the room was dark.”
Although later, Ali, who would be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984, admitted: “I’m too old. My boxing reflexes and other actions have all gone. I can’t box in a real fight anymore.”
The second event took place on December 3, under the stars at Al Nasr’s Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Ali’s boxing skills were reportedly visible but only in flashes. He fought three rounds each with Hartmann and Ellis. While both men caught him more than they should have, he landed enough combinations to win both bouts.
The turnout, however, fell short of expectations. His final night, scheduled two days later at the same venue, was cancelled due to poor ticket sales. A snippet in The New York Times attributed the cancellation to “poor crowd response and sluggish ticket sales in the two previous appearances".
Ali returned to the UAE four years later for a promotional appearance. This time, there was no boxing, but he still found ways to entertain. During a roundtable interview with local media, Ali performed magic tricks, a favourite routine in his later years – balancing a silver ball on a handkerchief before making the handkerchief disappear.
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Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
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UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
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Result
Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2
Man City: Jesus (39), David Silva (41)
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Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
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All or Nothing
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
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Torque: 985Nm
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
