By Rick Reeno
On Saturday, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer began the long flight to Dubai, where he plans to meet with investors who are interested in staging an event that will feature IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander (25-1, 14KOs) defending his title against Amir Khan (28-3, 19KOs). The target date is December 7th.
Over the last few years, there have been numerous failed discussions to stage big boxing events in Dubai. In almost every scenario, the investors never pull the trigger or don't actually possess the necessary funds.
Schaefer is also very skeptical when he receives offers to stage events in Dubai, but he indicates the people that he is dealing with are legit.
"I wouldn't be traveling all the way to Dubai unless this was serious. I'm going to see if we can stage this in Dubai. I will be having some high level meetings and we'll see. It is not Devon's first choice to fight in Dubai, because he is the world champion. I can appreciate and understand that. But Team Alexander told me if the money is right they will fight anywhere in the world. So that's why I'm going, to see if the money will such that it would justify to do the fight in Dubai," Schaefer told BoxingScene.com.
Another obstacle to work out is the televising time. Dubai is 11 hours ahead of the West Coast and 8 hours ahead of the East Coast. Depending on the financial package, there is the possibility of staging the fight at a time where it matches up with normal start of most Showtime televised events. The other option is staging it where the fight takes place at a reasonable time in Dubai and Showtime televises the show on a delayed basis.
"I think that as well comes down to the money. If Dubai wants to have it at prime time Dubai and the money is such that it would justify prime time Dubai - then it would be prime time Dubai and delayed here.....or [the other option is] showing it live here or the other possibility is showing it prime time U.S. That is what I'm working on next week, to evaluate that," Schaefer said.