Pacquiao fever grips Dubai; Amir Khan challenges Pacman from India

Manny Pacquiao fever is set to grip Dubai this week with the eagerly awaited arrival of the Filipino boxing legend for the Philipinnes Basketball Association (PBA) PBC 2016.

Pacquiao will be the star attraction at the PBC 2016 where he will lead Mahindra Enforcers as player-coach in the event organised by the Clique Events CO, the Official Overseas Game Organiser of PBA in UAE, in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, and du as the main presenter.

The Mahindra Enforcers, Alaska Aces and Barangay Ginebra, considered among the best basketball teams in the Philippines, are expected to draw huge crowds of Filipino basketball enthusiasts on November 6 and 7 at Al Wasl Sports Club.

On his first official visit to the UAE, Pacquiao is making a stop to meet fans at du Shop in Dubai Mall on Wednesday November 4 at 4pm.

Pacquiao’s fans will have an opportunity to interact with the eight-division world champion who featured in the May 2 'Fight of the Century' with unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather.

Lucky fans will be able to meet and greet their boxing hero, in addition to also receiving autographed t-shirts, signed boxing gloves, as well as specially framed photographs with the champion himself at Dubai Mall.

"The Filipino community make up a huge portion of our valued customer base, and by bringing their champion to them we are also bringing them a little bit of home. We look forward to seeing everyone’s faces light up as they meet Pacquiao on November 4 at the du Shop in Dubai Mall,” said Hala Badri, Executive Vice-President, Brand and Communication, du.

The Filipino ring icon will also inaugurate a GO Sports Store at the Mall of the Emirates on Thursday November 5 situated on the third floor.

Talks

Meanwhile, British boxer Amir Khan who is considered to be the front-runner to face the Filipino superstar in his final fight next year, once again threw the gauntlet at Pacman.

"Talks are going really well. They (Pacquiao's team) are speaking to my team, I have just left it to my team. I fight anybody who is brought in front of me. If it's Manny Pacquiao, it's Manny Pacquiao if not then somebody else. But we are still waiting for response on what's going to happen. That's why I took a little break and came to India just to get away from all that because negotiating for a fight is not easy," Khan was quoted as saying in Indian media.

Khan, a Britisher of Pakistani origin, is on his maiden trip to India to announce the launch of his chain of academies in India, is also keen to promote Indo-Pak sporting relations.

"As a Pakistani I want to say I feel safe here and I want to promote sports here. I go to Pakistan a lot too. Both are beautiful places. And I'd like to see more people travelling to and fro. There is a lot of peace in this country. We have to send the right message. I think it is sport that can get people out of poverty," says Khan.

The trip, he said, is also a break from the frenzy surrounding, a speculated showdown with his former stable mate Pacquiao.


 

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