Hagler backs Dubai to host Pacquiao-Mayweather bout

Another high-profile name from the boxing world is backing the United Arab Emirates as the venue of the prospective bout between Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani congressman Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

 

In an interview with news site Gulf News, "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler said having new markets like Dubai host the bout could help "reawaken" the sport.

 

“Boxing fans from all over the world remember the ‘Thriller in Manila' and the ‘Rumble in the Jungle' because those fights shocked the world and gave boxing its place at the number one spot in sport at that moment in time,” he told Gulf News.

 

Earlier, UAE-based boxer Eisa Al Dah urged Dubai authorities to lobby to host the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.

 

He said that with the fight rumored to be worth up to $150 million and the promoter needing $50 million to get the contract signed, the only people who can bring the fight to Dubai is the government.

 

The Gulf News report also noted Pacquiao's coach Freddie Roach recently revealed a group from the emirate has been in negotiations to bring the fight to Dubai.

 

It said the Dubai group is apparently in a race with Dallas to stage the fight at an unconfirmed date later this year.

 

Hagler downplayed the potential problem of a time-zone difference between the UAE and the US' primetime pay-per-view market.

 

"A fight of this nature would be a great deal because the world would be watching no matter what time it is," he said.

 

"I can't say if money or the time zone factor will count Dubai out of the equation but regardless I would have thought Dubai has a good chance. You know the name of the game, whoever has the money can host the fight. So ultimately it depends on who can financially host it," he added. — RSJ, GMA News