Eddie Hearn has described this weekend’s inaugural “Champions Series” event in Abu Dhabi as an “important moment” for boxing, with plans to build on Saturday night with a number of shows in the capital next year – and discussions having already taken place for Anthony Joshua to headline.
Abu Dhabi will on Saturday stage its first major-level boxing event, with a stacked card at Etihad Arena featuring three world title fights. The night is headlined by the WBA light-heavyweight clash between champion Dmitry Bivol and No 1 mandatory challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
The event marks the first in the multiyear agreement announced in August between Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.
On Wednesday, Hearn told The National that discussions had begun regarding what comes after Saturday, saying: “Obviously the focus is don’t take our eye off the ball for Saturday. But we’re already in talks for the next one.
“Get this event successfully over the line and then we can move into 2023 with a better strategy moving forward. That’s what we want to establish: that annual schedule.
“I think that comprises two big events and two huge events, to keep the interest moving. What you can’t do is one on [Saturday] and come back in a year. You’re wasting the momentum. You lose everything you built on.
“So really, for us, we’d like to come back February, March or April, another one in summer, two in the back end of the year as well. And then you can keep the momentum going for the sport.
“There’s a lot of boxes to tick. We must stay relentless, and we must keep that aggression in terms of building the sport here.”
Hearn, who expects more than 10,000 fans inside the arena on Saturday, had previously told The National that the new partnership with Abu Dhabi would bring the sport’s most prominent stars to compete in the capital, such as Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Anthony Joshua or Katie Taylor.
Joshua, the former world heavyweight champion, will be in attendance on Saturday, while Alvarez, the current undisputed super-middleweight champion, may also be there.
“If you’re a long-term player, if you have a long-term strategy, then there’s plenty of time to bring 'Canelo' Alvarez [to fight] here, plenty of time to bring Anthony Joshua here,” Hearn said. “These guys are aware, they understand now that Abu Dhabi are players in the international boxing market. Fans are starting to be aware; they’ll become more aware on Saturday.
“And I’m just glad the DCT have a long-term vision for boxing. Because there is so much to do here, in terms of the appetite, the infrastructure, the budget for huge, world-class events.
"If we get it right here, which I believe we will, this is going to be a very important moment for boxing on Saturday. And it’ll just be the start for us.”
On Joshua, Hearn said: “We’re already discussing the possibility of him fighting here; 'Canelo' Alvarez against Dmitry Bivol. You will continue to see the biggest names on our roster performing in Abu Dhabi.”
Joshua, a former two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, has not competed since his rematch defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in August, with the Briton’s return to the ring, expected to be next year, yet to be confirmed.
Joshua has suggested fellow Brit Dillian Whyte as a possible next opponent, while also citing Sweden’s Otto Wallin and Croat Filip Hrgovic. Meanwhile, former WBC champion Deontay Wilder is said to be under serious consideration for Joshua later next year.
Asked about that fight possibly landing in Abu Dhabi, Hearn said: “Certainly, they’re the kind of fights, as we build the sport here, we are all looking to bring to this region.
“An Anthony Joshua fight is one thing, and then Joshua against a Wilder, a Joshua against a [Tyson] Fury, are all fights that, when the moment is right to bring a fight of that magnitude here – and it won’t be long – we’ll be aggressively pursuing with the DCT.”
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Europe's top EV producers
- Norway (63% of cars registered in 2021)
- Iceland (33%)
- Netherlands (20%)
- Sweden (19%)
- Austria (14%)
- Germany (14%)
- Denmark (13%)
- Switzerland (13%)
- United Kingdom (12%)
- Luxembourg (10%)
Source: VCOe
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
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Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
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6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
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Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
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Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
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Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
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Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan
Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri
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Videographer: Jear Velasquez
Photography: Romeo Perez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Models: Meti and Clinton at MMG
Video assistant: Zanong Maget
Social media: Fatima Al Mahmoud
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Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
The view from The National
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
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About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
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Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds: Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')
Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)
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Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
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