Floyd Mayweather said he will fight again in the UAE later this year after headlining “Abu Dhabi Unity Boxing” at Etihad Arena in the capital on Saturday night.
The former five-weight world champion, who retired undefeated in 2017 following 50 professional bouts, headlined the bill with an eight-round exhibition fight against former sparring partner Don Moore.
The card had originally been scheduled for the inaugural Global Titans event in Dubai last weekend, but was on Friday moved to Abu Dhabi.
Clearly enjoying his time inside the ring, Mayweather was by far the more active of the two, often talking to Moore as he unleashed flurries of punches. The American, 45, also interacted with the crowd during rounds, much to their delight.
However, given it was an exhibition, no scores or winner was announced.
Speaking afterwards inside the ring, Mayweather thanked the UAE for hosting the event, saying he had “waited 26 years for this”.
Mayweather then promised to compete again in the Emirates before the end of the year, although he stopped short of saying against whom, adding: “It’s a secret. I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag right now, but we have an opponent. And we had to choose a place. And the place I choose is the UAE.”
Not long before Mayweather took to the ring, UFC great Anderson Silva got the better of UAE Warriors lightweight champion Bruno Machado – and fellow Brazilian - in another eight-round bout.
Silva, the former UFC middleweight champion and considered by many one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all-time, knocked down Machado right at the end of the fifth round, connecting with a crushing right hook to floor the Abu Dhabi resident following a flurry of punches on the ropes.
To his credit, Machado recovered well to see out the contest, with no scores or winner again announced.
“First of all, I need to say thank you to everybody who came to watch the show,” said Silva, in his third boxing bout since leaving the UFC in 2020. “Everything changed at the last moment, but everyone here worked really hard to make this show.
“This is my second home, and to fight Bruno, a hero in Abu Dhabi, who’s an amazing fighter… he accepted the fight at the last minute.”
As for what’s next, Silva said: “I talked with my jiu-jitsu coach and maybe I'll fight in a jiu-jitsu tournament [here in Abu Dhabi].
The card’s only female bout, the bill’s sole title fight, was won by Belgian Delfine Persoon. The former WBC female lightweight champion defeated a gutsy Elhem Mekhaled to claim the vacant WBC silver belt, prevailing against the previously unbeaten Frenchwoman via unanimous decision. Persoon, now 47-3 in his pro career, came through the back-and-forth, 10-round encounter 97-94, 97-93, 96-94.
In the night’s opening bout, former two-time world champion – and Dubai resident - Badou Jack knocked out Egyptian opponent Hany Atiyo, in only 46 seconds.
Asked immediately afterwards how he was feeling, Jack responded: ‘I haven’t broken a sweat.”
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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