Dubai: British heavyweight boxer Danny Williams has confirmed his attendance at the World Championships for Arab Boxing at Dubai's Festival City from January 21 to 22, squaring up to fellow VIP guest Mike Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
The two fought in 2004, when Williams pulled off one of boxing's biggest upsets, defeating Tyson by fourth round knock-out in Louisville, Kentucky. But, instead of a long-awaited rematch, both fighters will be in attendance purely to inspire and promote Arab youth in the sport that made them kings.
The event features 12 fights, three for amateurs and nine for professional male and female contestants.
According to the game's regulations, competitors may use both hands & feet to attack counterparts. Points to be awarded as per types of strikes.
The championship has already attracted top boxing champions from the USA, Iraq, Switzerland, Russia, Netherlands, France, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Surinam, Kuwait, Palestine, Spain, Colombia, Portugal, Turkey, Mauritania and hosts UAE.
In a statement to announce Williams' attendance, the organising committee also denied Tyson's appearance fee was anywhere near what had been reported in some sections of the media.
The Associated Press had earlier announced the figure was somewhere in the region of $160,000 (Dh587,728).
