Dubai backed to surpass Vegas as ‘fight capital of the world’ with icons like Floyd Mayweather tempted by desert dollars
DUBAI is backed to surpass Las Vegas as the ‘fight capital of the world’ – with stars of past and present tempted by the desert dollars.
The Middle East has emerged as genuine contenders in the boxing business in recent years, offering high purses with no expense sparred.
Anthony Joshua, 32, in 2019 took his must-win rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr, also 32, to the Saudi desert where he won on points.
But just over 600 miles down the road as the glamorous tourist destination of Dubai is threatening to hog the limelight.
Newly-formed promotion Probellum host back-to-back shows here this week at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis stadium.
World champions and Olympic medalist are in action, before strongman rivals Hafthor Bjornsson, 33, and Eddie Hall, 34, settle their score on Saturday.
With something for everyone, Hall of Fame promoter Richard Schaefer warned there are new players in town.
Schaefer told SunSport: “I have no doubt, no doubt, that Dubai will become the fight capital of the world.
“Sometimes people say, ‘Oh, this is promoter talk’. But I don’t have a hidden agenda, I’m not on the payroll of Dubai or Las Vegas.
“I’m going to say it how I feel and I genuinely feel like Dubai has an opportunity to become the fight capital of the world.”
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Former WBA light-welterweight champion Regis Prograis, 33, has boxed under the Vegas lights and across the pond in London.
But he returns to the ring against Irishman Tyrone McKenna, 32, doing so with the belief a new dawn for boxing is on the horizon.
Prograis said: “This could be a mecca for boxing.
“First off, it’s very nice out here, I told my people I’m fighting in Dubai and they just want to come out here.
“A lot of people who have the funds, they want to come to Dubai, it’s an amazing place.
“There’s also a lot of people from different cultures out here from around the world.
“I hope Dubai could be a place to rival Las Vegas or New York and bring a lot of big fights out here.”
But for its potential, for Dubai to compete with the traditional homes of boxing, the biggest and best bouts must be brought over.
Prograis added: “You need need to put the right fight on, that’s the main thing.
“You put the right fighters on, pay them enough – and in Dubai they shouldn’t no trouble paying people out here – they got a lot of money.
“You put the right fights on over here and then the people will come. You get the big-name fighters out here, then the people will follow.”
Badou Jack, 38 is a former two-weight world champion, formerly promoted by Floyd Mayweather, 45.
Jack has fought and promoted in Dubai before and admits the eight hour time difference to America is a sticking point.
He explained: “The main thing is the pay-per-view. Most big fights, the pay-per-view numbers come from the US.
“So to have big fights there, to break pay-per-view records, it’s kind of hard because most people are watching boxing from the US.
“But I definitely think the more big fights, the more happening over there, it’s going to get bigger and bigger.”
Prograis – who felt he was robbed of a win over Josh Taylor in 2019 – also hailed Dubai as a middle ground for fighters from the UK and US.
Jack agreed: “It’s closer to the UK – but it is an even playing field, definitely.”
He also added: “Dubai is also in the middle of the whole world, so everybody can come there, it’s not too far away from anywhere.
“It’s close to Europe, Africa, Asia, the US is a little bit more of a way.
“But they have that lifestyle there which is like a mix of the West and the East.
“It’s luxurious over there too – it’s like the Las Vegas of the Middle East.”
IBF flyweight world champion Sunny Edwards, 26, headlines for Probellum on Saturday night against Muhammad Waseem, 34.
But it is not just current titles holders looking to cash in on Dubai’s ever increasing fight night popularity.
Boxing icon Mayweather, 45, in December announced plans to return in an exhibition bout held on a hotel HELIPAD 700ft in the air.
Talks are still ongoing as close friend Jack said: “Floyd is a big name all over the world and people love him over there.
“Money talks and he’s the king of money – ‘Money Mayweather’. He actually fought in Japan also, so I think he’ll go wherever the money is.”
Schaefer has worked with Mayweather on several occasions, having co-founded Golden Boy Promotions with his old rival Oscar De La Hoya.
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So what else attracts boxing royalty like Mayweather over to Dubai?
Schaefer said: “The beauty of Dubai, the luxury of Dubai. What Dubai offers appeals to Floyd.
“Floyd likes to be in the hippest places around the world, and Dubai is one of the hippest places in the world.”