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29 March 2024

Manny Pacquiao in Dubai: Pacman says Amir Khan fight 'possible'

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, a hero to Filipinos, seems to have the world at his feet as prepares to embark on a political career after his swansong next year.

As far as popularity stakes goes, 'Pacman' lives up to the tag of 'People's Champion' going by the frenzy he creates wherever he makes an appearance.

 

See you at Yas Marina Circuit on 7 November. #RahmaYAS @ymcofficial

A video posted by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on


This was more evident when he made a stop at Dubai Mall's du shop on Wednesday as hundreds of fans tried to mob him while others chanted "Manny, Manny" to show their love to him.

Ever since his arrival in Dubai on Monday for a basketball tournament, Pacquiao seems to feel at home among his legion of followers.

He also feels on top of the world and described his feelings after viewing Dubai from Burj Khalifa.

"It was a great experience to be on top of the (tallest) building (in the world) and see whole view of Dubai because this is my first time in Dubai," said Pacquiao who has expressed his desire to fight in Dubai.

There is still fire inside his belly after fighting in the ring for more than 20 years but the soft-spoken 36-year-old seems to planning for life after retirement.

"“I’ve already achieved what I want  in my career, I just want to continue and maintain my name at the top of boxing. This will be my last fight in boxing because I am focussing on serving the people in the Philippines. My dream is to serve the people and I hope to achieve that,” declared Pacquiao who plans to run for a seat in the Philippines Senate after his proposed April 9 fight.

To a frequently asked question as to who will be his final opponent, Pacquiao said he has left it to his promoter Bob Arum to decide.

Asked whether he would prefer to fight British boxer Amir Khan whose camp claims they already signed a deal to fight Pacman, he said: "I’ve not talked to Bob Arum yet, but it’s possible. Ofcourse if there is no problem about the negotiation then why not."

Pacquiao admitted a fight with Amir Khan “is part of our plan” just as there were other contenders.

“It’s part of our plan, we have Amir Khan, Danny Garcia, Terrence Crawford or Timothy Bradley. But I don’t know yet, a lot of names have been given to me by my promoter Bob Arum. Not yet. We are yet to finalise anything,” he said when asked whether any contract has been signed.

Pacquiao who lost against Floyd Mayweather in the May 2 'Fight of the Century' is also seeking a rematch with the unbeaten American.

Pacman, who has won 57 of his 65 fights, also wants to go out in a blaze of glory.

“It’s very important to finish my career with victory. That’s important to me," said Pacquiao in Dubai as player-coach of Mahendra Enforcers for the Philippines Basketball Cup 2016 matches to be held at Al Wasl on November 6 and 7.

Kabayan bundle

Surprising thousands of UAE Filipino expats who attended the meet and greet with Manny Pacquiao at du’s Dubai Mall Store on November 4, du introduced its latest Kabayan Bundle.

Tailored specifically to expats from the Philippines, this daily bundle offer from du gives Philippines customers unlimited chat through applications like Viber, WeChat, Line, WhatsApp, and Facebook messenger, free calls and SMSs between all Kabayan Bundle subscribers in the UAE, five flexible minutes and SMSs to the Philippines and UAE, and free surfing on Facebook, Dubizzle, Kabayan Weekly News, Philippines Embassy website.
 
“This offer is aimed at bringing the Filipino community in the UAE closer together. By bringing Pacquiao, one of the Philippine’s heroes to the UAE for the first time, we are sharing much more than our innovative offers – we are sharing unforgettable experiences with our valued customers,” said Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

“As a unique segment of society, we realise that Filipino expats have unique communications requirements, which is why our Kabayan Bundle has been specially tailored for them.”