UAE Golden Visa holder Badou Jack “The Ripper”, MMA and boxing legend Anderson “The Spider” Silva, and UAE Warriors champion Bruno “Caveira” Machado – who will all fight on Saturday – shared how the Mayweather-Moore led showcase event will boost the business of sport in the nation
Undefeated boxing legend Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr has dedicated the upcoming Abu Dhabi Unity Boxing Event and his exhibition fight against Don “Dangerous” Moore to the UAE.
The highly anticipated event will be held at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on Saturday, May 21. Tickets are now on sale to watch the fight on pay per view or at the venue.
The event, which was initially scheduled for Saturday, May 14, was called off following the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the second President of the UAE and 16th ruler of Abu Dhabi, at the age of 73 on Friday, May 13.
The Abu Dhabi Unity Boxing Event – which will also see MMA legend Anderson “The Spider” Silva take on UAE Warriors champion Bruno “Caveira” Machado – has now been reconfirmed for May 21 at Yas Island.
Mayweather said: “I would like to dedicate this fight to the UAE.
“This fight was supposed to happen in February, then in March, then in April, and now will finally take place in May. It’s been a long time coming. I want to say thank you to everyone in the UAE, and to all the fighters, who have been patient. We have an unbelievable line-up of fighters and I appreciate them all. Let’s give the people what they want to see.”
Speaking exclusively to Arabian Business, Moore added: “With Floyd and his accolades, and the things that he’s done for the sport coming here to the UAE to showcase his might and skill – there’s no doubt that he is going to inspire many more young people to put on gloves and get into the ring. Kids will begin to dream.
“When we collaborate for events like this, it not only creates an opportunity for me – which I’m grateful for – but also boosts the whole sports industry within the region.”
Mayweather-Moore clash to elevate the business of sport in the UAE
Boxing legends Anderson Silva, Badou Jack, and Bruno Machado also opened up about the massive impact that the Abu Dhabi Unity Boxing Event will have on the region’s sports industry.
Bruno Machado who has been in the UAE since 2013 told Arabian Business that he has witnessed the “amazing growth” of the sporting industry in nation over the past nine years.
“A lot of things within combat sports have changed in the UAE. The interest in live combat sports has grown, as people like to train more, and other people like to watch more,” Machado explained.
“This has not only helped business boom within the events industry with a lot of boxing displayed here in the UAE, but has also helped local gyms grow as more people come in to train. This latest event – with the best names in the boxing world – will only see the fighting industry grow more in the UAE.”
Anderson “The Spider” Silva added: “This will open the doors to many more such events in the future. The Mayweather team has worked really hard to make this excellent event possible, and I’m really happy to be a part of this.”
UAE Golden Visa holder Badou Jack “The Ripper” told Arabian Business: “You got the biggest name in the world of boxing, Floyd Mayweather, and the longest reigning champion in the history of the UFC, Anderson Silva, as well as me, in the same venue. This is going to elevate the sport and will make way for great business here in the future.”
The Abu Dhabi Unity Boxing event will also witness the WBC Silver Belt title fight between Belgian boxing champ Delfine Persoon and undefeated champion Elhem Mekhaled.
Gambian-Swedish professional boxer and world champion in two weight classes Badou Jack will take on Egyptian hurricane Hany Atiyo at the event.
Doors open at 8pm on Saturday, 21 May, for the event that has been brought together by Visit Abu Dhabi, and will be delivered by Mayweather Promotions, the World Boxing Council (WBC), FrontRow, TMT, M Premiere, and ITP Live.
Article Written by: Anup Oommen on May 20, 2022
