Manny Pacquiao is aiming to fight twice next year, but says he will not step back into the ring until April at the earliest.
The eight-division champion, who currently holds the WBA (super) welterweight belt, has not fought since July last year, with his 2020 plans derailed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A sitting senator in the Philippines, Pacquiao's focus has understandably been on his political duties, with the Filipino telling the Daily Tribune in his homeland: "We still have sessions in March so there's no way I am going to fight during that time."
However, he added: “I think I can do two next year.”
Pacquiao’s absence from the ring still has not dampened speculation about when he will return, with a host of prominent names linked.
The Filipino, 42 this week, has been tipped to take on next either WBO champion Terence Crawford or IBF title-holder Errol Spence Jr, with both unbeaten fighters recently calling him out.
Additionally, there have been discussions regarding a crossover fight with UFC star Conor McGregor.
Both fighters are represented by Paradigm Sports Management, who last week told The National they were still working on the bout - with the "strong possibility" the clash could take place in the Middle East.
McGregor, though, is set to make his comeback to the UFC next month, against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, with Abu Dhabi set to host.
Speaking of Pacquiao-McGregor, Paradigm’s founder and CEO, Audie Attar, said: “The fans want it and both fighters want it. It’s hard not to make it happen.
“Manny Pacquiao sees Conor McGregor as a real threat and a real formidable opponent. At the end of the day, I don’t see why it shouldn’t happen. As we saw in 2020, you can never count anything out any more, but right now the intention is for that to happen in 2021.”
On whether the UAE could host, Attar added: “There’s definitely interest from within the region; there’s interest from all over the world: Asia to America to this region.
“Ultimately, you can’t count the region out at all – a case in point is what they've be doing in all combat sports the past two years – the UAE, Saudi Arabia. So you can't rule out the strong possibility of it potentially taking place in this region.”
Pacquiao's most recent fight, his 71st, took place in Las Vegas, when he defeated the previously unbeaten Keith Thurman by split decision.
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
MATCH INFO
Qalandars 109-3 (10ovs)
Salt 30, Malan 24, Trego 23, Jayasuriya 2-14
Bangla Tigers (9.4ovs)
Fletcher 52, Rossouw 31
Bangla Tigers win by six wickets
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nag%20Ashwin%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrabhas%2C%20Saswata%20Chatterjee%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20Amitabh%20Bachchan%2C%20Shobhana%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%E2%98%85%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
