The National’s Ahmed Rizvi spoke to Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday in Dubai, ahead of the superstar Filipino boxer’s Philippines Basketball Association game on Friday night. He made an appearance at the du store in Dubai Mall, where he was mobbed by thousands of his fans. Amid the din, he took a couple of minutes out to talk about his farewell bout and his political aspirations.
Swansong
Pacquiao, 36, has decided to make one final appearance in the ring, on April 9 next year in Las Vegas, before hanging up his gloves and a report in the British newspaper Daily Mail yesterday claimed he "has agreed terms in every last detail" for a fight against Amir Khan. The Pac-Man, however, denied it.
Nothing signed
“Nothing has been finalised because I didn’t talk to Bob Arum yet, but it is possible. It is part of our plans. We have Amir Khan, we have [Danny] Garcia, we have [Terrence] Crawford.
So it is not a confirmed deal? No contract signed?
Not yet. We are yet to finalise anything.
Who would you like as an opponent for your farewell fight?
I don’t know because there are a lot of names given to me by my promoter Bob Arum. One of them is Amir Khan.
Do you want to fight Amir Khan?
Of course. If there is no problem with the negotiations, then why not.
What’s left to achieve in your career?
I have already achieved what I wanted to achieve in my career. I just want to continue and maintain my name at the top of boxing. So, I want to finish my career with a win. That’s important to me.
Plans for life after boxing
This will be my last fight in boxing because I am now focused on serving the people in the Philippines. So no acting or singing or boxing after this last fight. My dream is to serve the people and I hope to achieve that.”
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World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
Inside%20Out%202
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Hales' batting career
Tests 11; Runs 573; 100s 0; 50s 5; Avg 27.38; Best 94
ODIs 58; Runs 1,957; 100s 5; 50s 11; Avg 36.24; Best 171
T20s 52; Runs 1,456; 100s 1; 50s 7; Avg 31.65; Best 116 not out
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
RESULTS
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The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
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The%20Specs
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