DUBAI // A sponsor of the British boxer Amir Khan would like to arrange a fight in Dubai but is concerned that the global financial crisis may make it difficult and that the city is unproven as a venue for the sport.
Reeyaz Moosa, the chief executive of Moosa Group Enterprises, which is based in Dubai, said he would meet Khan's representatives after the boxer's fight in London -tomorrow.
"Depending on the financial situation, not just in Dubai but all over the world, with the credit crunch, we are hoping to bring him out here," Mr Moosa said. "I personally think Dubai has potential as a boxing venue and as his Dubai sponsor of course this is something we would love to see happen. We had Amir out here for a week promoting my company and when he came out he was very popular with the public."
The London fight against Oisin Fagan, a US-based Irish boxer, is crucial for Khan after his surprising 54-second knockout by Breidis Prescott in Manchester three months ago. The 21-year-old Khan, who was lightweight silver medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, needs a victory to put him back on track.
Khan was in Dubai in October to promote the launch of the Tejarah Executive, a commercial tower in Ajman run by Mr Moosa.
While in the emirate he spoke of his desire to fight here.
"It's a great place," he said. "It's where everything is happening. It would be brilliant to fight here and it is definitely something we are working on. I would love it and I am sure my fans would love to come here to watch me."
But Mr Moosa, a long-term friend of Khan's father, said there were no suitable opponents in the country.
"If Khan does fight here, it will not be with a UAE fighter. At the moment we have only got Eisa -Aldah. If we were to bring a fight out here the only way would be to fly someone out in order to get Sky TV and the media involved. That's the only way the promoter would make his money. To arrange a big fight like that will take a lot of logistics. We would have to look at promoters and big sponsors here. And we would have to look at a suitable venue. That's critical."
The other issue would be whether Dubai had enough passion for the sport.
"I've never seen a proper boxing match go on here. Will people pay the same prices for tickets as people in the UK or Vegas? Would trying to get, for example, Dh10,000 (US$2,725) or Dh5,000 for a ticket be possible? Would people turn up? These are all things that would need to be considered," Mr Moosa said.
Another crucial factor is the Bolton boxer's performance in London tomorrow. Khan is now with new trainer Freddie Roach, who also works with a Filipino boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao, and Mr Moosa is confident he will do well.
"I haven't spoken to Amir but I've spoken to his father and Freddie Roach and he's been training hard," he said. "He's planned and he's a lot wiser after being in LA so they're hoping he will win. When you lose a fight you learn from the mistake and that is very much Amir's mentality."
Khan is also in negotiations with Dubai Sports City to open a boxing academy in the emirate.
loatway@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
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Company%20Profile
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Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
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Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
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The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Scoreline:
Manchester City 1
Jesus 4'
Brighton 0
Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Kill%20
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eco%20Way%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Kroshnyi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electric%20vehicles%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bootstrapped%20with%20undisclosed%20funding.%20Looking%20to%20raise%20funds%20from%20outside%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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