Initially, it took a while for Jessica McCaskill to believe the opportunity that had been presented.
That, on November 5 at Etihad Arena, the undisputed welterweight champion would form a significant part of the inaugural Champion Series event in Abu Dhabi, where she'd face Chantelle Cameron to become the undisputed No 1 at super-lightweight, too.
Not only was big-time boxing launching in the capital – the WBA light-heavyweight title fight between Dmitry Bivol and Gilberto Ramirez headlines – but it included the most high-prolife women’s bout to be held in the region. Understandably, it took a while to sink in.
“It’s pretty massive,” McCaskill smiles as she talks to The National from her Saadiyat Island hotel. “When the conversation first started about this fight happening, you don’t set yourself up for failure, so you’re like, ‘OK it sounds cool, but is it really going to happen?’
“It’s just seems really unreal. You just have to wait until you get your airplane ticket and then it’s good to go. And then everything just started going like clockwork and we’re here.”
Air ticket issued, and redeemed a full month ago, McCaskill has been based since in the UAE as she prepares for another shot at history.
The American, already a former WBA and WBC super-lightweight belt-holder, became undisputed world welterweight champion two years ago, when she defeated one of the biggest stars in women’s boxing in Cecilia Braekhus. McCaskill, 38, has since made three defences of the four major titles – the most recent two wins by stoppage.
Now 12-2 as a professional, the Chicago-born athlete is ranked by ESPN as the No 4 pound-for-pound women’s boxer on the planet.
“I’m always one to look for different historic opportunities,” McCaskill says. “Like we were the first to fight in Wintrust Arena back home in Chicago, first to headline in different places. It’s my path: to be a part of those big historic moments.
“I’m in an area right now where I have the opportunity to put my thumb print on history.”
Saturday offers that, and plenty of it. Cameron, undefeated in all 16 bouts as a pro, resides as the WBC and IBF super-lightweight champion, with the vacant WBA and WBO straps also on the line.
Although there are currently four undisputed world champions in women’s boxing – McCaskill at welterweight, Franchon Crews-Dezurn at super-middleweight, Claressa Shields at middleweight, Katie Taylor at lightweight – Shields is the only boxer in history, female or male, to hold all four of the sport's main titles in two weight classes simultaneously.
Matching that feat adds more fuel to McCaskill’s fire.
“That also felt very unreal,” she says. “You wait until BoxRec lists out all the belts to make sure … ‘this is on paper, somebody screenshot this so we have record and proof'. Being able to become double-undisputed is amazing.
“And now I have to try and get another one; Claressa has set the bar so high. People like to play favourites when it comes to their rankings or pound-for-pound, but you can’t deny being a two-time undisputed world champion.”
McCaskill recognises, rightly although sometimes she does not get the credit, that she sits among the best in the world.
“I definitely feel like I’ve earned my spot," she says. "I’ve taken out people who were undefeated and undisputed and that’s not an easy task. Being able to do that makes me special.”
Defeating Cameron would file under "special", as well. There is history there: according to McCaskill, her and trainer Rick Ramos offered Cameron a fight before the former landed the WBC super-lightweight belt in 2018, but the latter turned it down.
Then, when McCaskill became champion and a draw, Cameron returned to ask for the matchup. But McCaskill moved instead for the WBA title before jumping up to 147 lbs. In her mind, she was already on the road to undisputed.
Dmitry Bivol v Gilberto Ramirez fight launch - in pictures
“She wasn’t on my radar, she wasn’t in the path of what we were trying to accomplish,” McCaskill says. “And then it’s just come full circle. She’s made a name for herself after I vacated the WBC at 140 [lbs], she got that belt. So now I’m like, ‘OK it’s time for me to go back and get it’.”
Not only get it, McCaskill says, but make a statement. For her, her legacy, Ramos and the team in training that she says have made all possible.
“It’s very important because sometimes making those statements, you just need to shut everybody up a little bit,” McCaskill laughs. “The statement is the stoppage and that’s what they'll see."
She promises fireworks on Saturday, since "usually all female fights are bangers". But also a showcase of her pace, pressure and, ultimately, her power.
“It doesn’t go 10 rounds," McCaskill says, smiling one last time. "It doesn’t make it out of the 10 rounds. We got a flight to catch the next morning – got to go back to Chicago.”
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
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'Cheb%20Khaled'
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LIVING IN...
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.
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
More on animal trafficking
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
HOW%20TO%20ACTIVATE%20THE%20GEMINI%20SHORTCUT%20ON%20CHROME%20CANARY
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
T20 World Cup Qualifier A, Muscat
Friday, February 18: 10am - Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm - Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am - Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm - UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am - Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm - Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm – semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm – final
UAE squad: Ahmed Raza (captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)
British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Results:
6.30pm: Maiden | US$45,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Tabarak, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $175,000 (Turf) | 3,200m
Winner: Dubhe, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Estihdaaf, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
8.15pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Nordic Lights, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 | $450,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm: Handicap | $175,000 (T) | 1,200m
Winner: Mazzini, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
10pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,400m.
Winner: Mubtasim, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
