Dubai: ‘Marvellous' Marvin Hagler is the latest high-profile name from the world of boxing — after Evander Holyfield and Freddie Roach — to support Dubai's quest to host the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight.
Speaking exclusively to Gulf News from his home in Milan, Italy, the former undisputed middleweight champion of the world, said: "Boxing has been around for many years and has an established audience, but it's always good to seek a new audience. This could help reawaken the sport if it [the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight] were to be hosted in new markets like Dubai," he said.
Number one spot
"Boxing fans from all over the world remember the ‘Thriller in Manila' and the ‘Rumble in the Jungle' because those fights shocked the world and gave boxing its place at the number one spot in sport at that moment in time."
Dispelling talk of a time-zone disconnect between the emirate and the US' primetime pay-per-view market, Hagler, who fought 67 bouts, won 62, 52 by KO, with three losses and two draws, added: "A fight of this nature would be a great deal because the world would be watching no matter what time it is."
"I can't say if money or the time-zone factor will count Dubai out of the equation but regardless I would have thought Dubai has a good chance. You know the name of the game, whoever has the money can host the fight. So ultimately it depends on who can financially host it," he said.
With the fight rumoured to be worth up to $150 million (Dh551 million) and the promoter needing up to $50 million (Dh183.6 million) in their bank account just to get the contract signed, the only people who can bring the fight to Dubai will be the government, according to Emirati boxer Eisa Al Dah.
Roach revealed recently that a group from the emirate has been in negotiations to bring the fight to Dubai. They are apparently in a race with Dallas to stage the fight at an unconfirmed date later this year.
