ABU DHABI // The “fight of the century” which saw Floyd Mayweather Jr defeat Manny Pacquiao by a unanimous decision in 12 rounds drew mixed reactions from boxing fans in the capital.
As they streamed out of the cinema at the World Trade Centre mall, which was showing the fight live, sadness and disappointment gripped Filipino who witnessed the defeat of their national hero.
“Yes, it’s a sad day for us,” said Dan Godinez, a Filipino engineer in Abu Dhabi. “But Pacquiao will still be a boxing icon, our national hero. He is not only a great boxer but is a congressman known for his heart for the poor.”
Mayweather, 38, the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association welterweight champion, remained undefeated with a 48-0 record.
Pacquiao, 36, is now 57-6-2 with 38 knockouts
The welterweight showdown was broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The first of the fans arrived at the mall before 5am on Sunday to grab their tickets at Novo Cinemas and watch minor bouts before the main fight, which started at 7.54am.
“I thought it was a great fight. I thought both Pacquiao and Mayweather did a good job,” said Louis Burrell, 37, a teacher in Abu Dhabi who has lived here for four years.
“Congratulations to Pacquiao for going in and fighting, but because we’re Americans, we’re rooting for the home team – Floyd “Money” Mayweather, who dominated the fight from a defence stance. He landed more counter-shots and power shots, his typical fight.”
Mayweather is known for his brilliant defence and astute ring management.
Rashid Al Ali, 32, an Emirati security engineer, was another jubilant Mayweather fan.
“Mayweather is an undefeated champion, but Pacquiao proved he was not an easy opponent and put up a good fight,” he said. “It was a close fight, but Mayweather was a smarter fighter.”
Another Emirati, Mohammed Al Messabi, said he was a Pacquiao fan, but knew Mayweather would win.
“I love the way Pacquiao fights as he never runs away,” said the 27-year-old networking and telecoms engineer. “But Mayweather is a smarter fighter.”
Wassim Amari, 29, a petroleum engineer from France, was unimpressed by the judges’ decision.
Two ringside judges scored the fight 116-112, while the third had it 118-110, all in favour of Mayweather.
“It was such a stupid decision,” he said. “Pacquiao dominated the ring and all Mayweather did was to run around the ring. He was running away all the time, it’s so unfair. People are saying Mayweather is the best. He isn’t.”
Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, is known for his speed, footwork and combination punching.
Francis Ocampo, 60, a former airport employee from the Philippines who has lived in the UAE for 15 years, agreed.
“Mayweather wasn’t fighting. He should not be proud of his win,” Mr Ocampo said. “Pacquiao deserved to win this fight of the century.”
“It’s unfair,” said Lina Khadra, 35, a Lebanese expat who was born and raised in the UAE. “Manny put up a good fight and was a better fighter. He’s the best.”
Her husband, Wissam, 45, disagreed.
“It was a very fair game and Mayweather also performed well.
But Mr Burrell said fans should study boxing to understand the sport.
“If you watch and understand boxing, you understand strategy and Mayweather didn’t fight an offensive battle,” he said. “Mohammed Ali had this quote: ‘Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee’. Mayweather always had this movement around the ring.”
rruiz@thenational.ae
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
Ukraine
Capital: Kiev
Population: 44.13 million
Armed conflict in Donbass
Russia-backed fighters control territory
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Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
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Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
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