DUBAI // Oscar De La Hoya says so much emphasis has been placed on the huge sums involved in next month’s fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao that it has overshadowed what could potentially happen in the ring.
Dubbed the “Fight of the Century”, the bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is expected to shatter all of boxing’s financial records to gross more than US$400 million (Dh1.47 billion).
It has been speculated that the pay-per-view buys will reach four million, trumping the previous high by almost 1.6 million, which would potentially generate $360m alone. As part of their contracts, Mayweather Jr and Pacquiao will both bank a portion of those takings, reported to be 55-60 per cent.
Meanwhile, with gate receipts set to surpass $70m, the fighters will likely take home well in excess of $100m each. The purse is to be split 60-40 in Mayweather’s favour.
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Given the money-spinning numbers, a large portion of the focus has been on the boxers’ bank balances rather than what will transpire when the bell finally rings on May 2. De La Hoya, a six-division world champion and now a successful promoter, expressed his disappointment in that, although having promoted Mayweather’s fights between 2007 and 2014, he understands why so much attention has centred on the figures and not the fighters.
“That’s just the Mayweather era,” said De La Hoya on the sidelines of the Icons Cup, a two-day golf exhibition in Dubai. “It’s business, which I hate because boxing lost its value of being called a true world champion, caring about the history and the pride and the honour of fighting the very best and fighting for that pride. It’s more of a business now.
“Especially this fight being billed as the richest fight in boxing history. Personally, I am not too fond of that type of build-up. I’d rather people talking about how great it’s going to be for boxing. Forget about the business. If it’s a great fight the business just follows you, it comes right behind you, it happens.”
De La Hoya is one of five boxers to have shared the ring with both Mayweather and Pacquiao. His split-decision defeat to the former, in 2007, still holds the record for pay-per-view buys, at 2.4 million.
The Mexican-American, who now runs Golden Boy Promotions, criticised the recent ticket fiasco but said he still believes fans will get what they paid for come May 2. Tickets did not go on sale until Wednesday.
He also hinted at the possibility of a rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao, although he has previously called for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, whom he promotes, to be given another shot at the American. Alvarez lost on points to Mayweather Jr in September 2013.
“At the end of the day people are going to see a great fight, it’ll be great for boxing,” De La Hoya said. “It’s going to be one of those fights where people are going to want to see more and hopefully we’ll see a second and a third.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
MATCH INFO
Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)
Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
