Manny Pacquiao’s return to professional boxing could take place in Abu Dhabi this summer as part of the next major boxing event to be staged in the capital.
The eight-division champion, who retired in August 2021, is understood to be in talks to take on British welterweight Conor Benn, with Abu Dhabi on June 3 an option.
The National understands promoters Matchroom Boxing are working towards a June event in the emirate following their hugely successful debut at Etihad Arena in November.
That card, headlined by Dmitry Bivol’s WBA light-heavyweight title defence against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, marked the first event in a long-term agreement signed last year between Matchroom and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. ESPN were the first to report the Pacquiao-Benn negotiations.
Now 44, Pacquiao is widely regarded one of the greatest boxers of all-time. The Filipino, (62-8-2, 39 KOs), has not fought competitively since his unanimous decision defeat to Yordenis Ugas 19 months ago, which came following a two-year hiatus. Pacquiao, already a senator in the Philippines, then embarked on an unsuccessful run for president of his homeland.
Speaking to ESPN on Wednesday, MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons said of Pacquiao: "He retired for a minute to run for president of the Philippines, where he took a respectful third place.
“And after that he felt that his retirement was due to running for president, and now that [he was unsuccessful] he wants to fight again and feels like he can do it at the highest level.
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"Manny is an all-time great and he feels like he still has a lot of fight left in him and he still wants to compete at the highest level. And this fight [against Benn] was presented to him by [Matchroom Sport chairman] Eddie Hearn, and he agreed. Ball is in Eddie Hearn's court. Pacquiao ready to go."
Benn, meanwhile, has not fought since last April, when he defeated Chris van Heerden by second-round TKO. The Englishman, son of former world champion Nigel Benn, was slated to face Chris Eubank Jr in October but the bout was scrapped after Benn failed two drug tests.
The unbeaten welterweight, 26, has since been restored to the WBC rankings - the organisation cleared Benn of intentionally doping - but he remains prohibited from competing in the UK by the British Boxing Board of Control. His professional record stands at 21-0 (14 KOs).
Hearn told ESPN: "We are in the process of selecting Conor Benn's next opponent and have been in active talks with Manny Pacquiao's team. We have had multiple site offers to stage the event and are looking to make an official announcement on Conor's next fight as early as next week."
The National understands a clash between Benn and Eubank Jr could be a possibility for Abu Dhabi instead. Also on Wednesday, Hearn told The Times that a Benn bout with Pacquiao or Eubank Jr was likely to take place in the Middle East or the United States at the beginning of June.
Pacquiao, who has long been touted for a fight in the UAE, was last seen in action in December, when he took part in an exhibition bout in Seoul with South Korean celebrity kickboxer DK Yoo.
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Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
On racial profiling at airports
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIGHT CARD
Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) v Ahmed Saeb (IRQ)
Women’s bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (SWE) v Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (JOR) v Vitalii Stoian (UKR)
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) v Ali Dyusenov (UZB)
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) v Delfin Nawen (PHI)
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) v Mohamed El Mokadem (EGY)
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Ramadan Noaman (EGY)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Reydon Romero (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Juho Valamaa (FIN)
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) v Austin Arnett (USA)
Super heavyweight
Roman Wehbe (LEB) v Maciej Sosnowski (POL)
The specs
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Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
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Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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