Floyd Mayweather's exhibition match on Burj Al Arab helipad postponed

Main event of inaugural Global Titans Fight Series 'postponed until further notice' after death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa

Floyd Mayweather, left, and Anderson Silva while promoting the Global Titans Fight Series. AFP

Saturday’s exhibition boxing event headlined by Floyd Mayweather, scheduled for the Burj Al Arab helipad in Dubai, has been postponed following the death of UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa.

Mayweather, the former five-weight world champion, was to face former sparring partner Don Moore in the main event on the inaugural Global Titans Fight Series card. The fight night, entitled “The Showcase in the Skies of Dubai”, comprised four boxing bouts in all, including UFC great Anderson Silva against current UAE Warriors lightweight champion Bruno Machado.

A statement from Global Titans released late on Friday read: “We are deeply saddened by the announcement that His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has passed away earlier this afternoon.

Sheikh Khalifa laid to rest

“Out of deepest respect and due to the unforeseen circumstances, the Global Titans Dubai event which was scheduled to take place on May 14th at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel has been postponed until further notice, with a new date to be announced very soon. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and reassure fans that this spectacular event will be staged in the future.

"From all of the staff and partners at Global Titans Fight Series, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the wonderful people of the United Arab Emirates during this difficult time.”

On Friday, Mayweather posted a message on his Instagram that read: “Sending my condolences to the entire UAE. RIP Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.”

The retired boxing star, whose professional career reads 50-0, had been planning to wear the colours of the UAE flag inside the ring on Saturday night.