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Arum - Dubai 'set to host huge boxing show' in November - Loma/Walters and more
Dubai to host a huge boxing show in November, confirms Bob Arum.
Dubai is set to host to a huge night of championship boxing after Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum revealed plans are in motion for a show to take place in November.
The influential American promoter plans to stage three world title fights on a card that would feature a total of seven bouts.
The vastly experienced promoter also hopes to stage a huge bout between former amateur great, and Top Rank fighter, Vasyl Lomachenko and the hugely entertaining Jamaican Nicholas Walters.
Walter has emerged of one of the hottest talents in the sport since crushing Nonito Donaire in six rounds, while Lomachenko made history by winning a world title in just his second professional bout.
Arum had originally hoped that Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao could also feature on the first Dubai card. But after damaging his shoulder in preparation for his clash with Floyd Mayweather, and subsequently undergoing surgery, the eight-weight world champion is unlikely to fight until 2016.
While Pacquiao's injury rules him out of the Dubai show, another Filipino great could have the chance to regain a world title in the emirate. Arum hopes to match five-division world champion Donaire against WBA super bantamweight champion Scott Quigg.
Donaire will be in action on July 18 against Anthony Settoul in Macau, a region of China that staged several world title clashes, thanks in large to Arum.
We have already done eight shows in Macau and it really has become a great destination for big fights, explained the promoter, who first began working in boxing back in 1965.
Arum has tasked long-time friend and former Top Rank vice president M.Akbar Muhammad with bringing big-time boxing to Dubai and confirmed that the November show is likely to take place at the Hamdan Sports Complex.
Potential Fight Card:
WBA international welterweight title
Sadam Ali vs Tim Bradley/Jessie Vargas
WBA and WBO world featherweight titles
Vasyl Lomachenko vs Nicholas Walters
WBA super bantamweight title
Scott Quigg vs Nonito Donaire
WBO super-middleweight title
Gilberto Rodriguez vs Arthur Abraham/Robert Stieglitz
WBO world light flyweight title
Donnie Nietes vs TBC
Thoughts?
Dubai is set to host to a huge night of championship boxing after Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum revealed plans are in motion for a show to take place in November.
The influential American promoter plans to stage three world title fights on a card that would feature a total of seven bouts.
"We want to hold a spectacular show in Dubai as it is a city that so far has been untapped when it comes to boxing, Arum told 7DAYS.
Ideally we will look to stage an event every three months but to start with we are looking at a date in November."
Ideally we will look to stage an event every three months but to start with we are looking at a date in November."
The show will feature at least three world title fights and we should be able to reveal the full card very soon. But the winner of Tim Bradley and Jessie Vargas [which takes place on June 27] will definitely feature.
We are also in talks to stage a fight for the WBO super middleweight title which Arthur Abraham will defend in July against Robert Stieglitz.
We are also in talks to stage a fight for the WBO super middleweight title which Arthur Abraham will defend in July against Robert Stieglitz.
Walter has emerged of one of the hottest talents in the sport since crushing Nonito Donaire in six rounds, while Lomachenko made history by winning a world title in just his second professional bout.
Arum had originally hoped that Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao could also feature on the first Dubai card. But after damaging his shoulder in preparation for his clash with Floyd Mayweather, and subsequently undergoing surgery, the eight-weight world champion is unlikely to fight until 2016.
"Manny has already agreed to fight in Dubai, said Arum. His advisors have visited the region and were overwhelmed to hear of the support he has from the Filipino community."
"We heard how every restaurant, cinema and hotel was packed with Pacquiao supporters when he fought Mayweather so we know a show with Manny in Dubai would be huge."
"It will take a lot of rehab but his team are very optimistic that he will be able to return from the injury. I will be going to the Philippines soon to check on his progress but we hope he will be ready to go next year."
Donaire will be in action on July 18 against Anthony Settoul in Macau, a region of China that staged several world title clashes, thanks in large to Arum.
We have already done eight shows in Macau and it really has become a great destination for big fights, explained the promoter, who first began working in boxing back in 1965.
"I always look to explore new regions and feel we can do something similar in Dubai to what we have achieved in Macau. I know there is a lot of interest in the Middle East and I've been intrigued with Dubai ever since visiting the city when my good friend Sol Kerzner opened the Atlantis hotel."
"That's why I am confident that we will be able to host shows every three months and that the biggest names in boxing will feature on the fight cards."
"That's why I am confident that we will be able to host shows every three months and that the biggest names in boxing will feature on the fight cards."
Potential Fight Card:
WBA international welterweight title
Sadam Ali vs Tim Bradley/Jessie Vargas
WBA and WBO world featherweight titles
Vasyl Lomachenko vs Nicholas Walters
WBA super bantamweight title
Scott Quigg vs Nonito Donaire
WBO super-middleweight title
Gilberto Rodriguez vs Arthur Abraham/Robert Stieglitz
WBO world light flyweight title
Donnie Nietes vs TBC
Thoughts?
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