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28 March 2024

Muhammad Ali tribute in Dubai before Khan vs Pacquiao in 2016

M Akbar Muhammad, president of Akbar Productions LLC during an interview in Dubai. (Allaam Ousman)

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Dubai is being viewed as the next capital of the boxing world by a leading US boxing executive who is planning a tribute to Muhammad Ali and a championship fight featuring Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao in the UAE.

“We are putting together an HBO show live in prime time Dubai later this year featuring at least two world championship fights with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum. During the week of that show, we would do a major tribute to Ali. We expect Pacquiao in March against Amir Khan who is our first preference,” declared M Akbar Muhammad, president of Akbar Productions LLC based in New Jersey, USA.

With a rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao being virtually ruled out, the next mega fight is one between British boxer Amir Khan and former eight-division world champion Pacquiao.

Former two-time world champion Khan wants to be the next opponent for Mayweather who says he will fight one more time in September before hanging up his gloves.

“Khan will make more money fighting Pacquiao than he would Mayweather. But I have an agreement with Arum, Pacquiao’s next fight is here,” said Akbar during an interview in Dubai as they await of Khan’s upcoming fight against Chris Algieri.

“Pacquiao is locked in to fight definitely against a world class opponent. I’d rather have Khan with Pacquiao in March. But it will be a world championship at highest level because I want to make sure that whatever I do, it complements the level of where Dubai functions from right now,” Akbar said.

“For the last several years, people have been saying ‘we are going to do a fight in Dubai’. It has never happened. You had couple of guys doing fights here but nothing on the big level,” said Akbar who came close to enticing Mike Tyson out of retirement and fight against Evander Holyfield in the UAE.

“In 2008, I had the opportunity with a Dubai events management company. We had a deal that time with Evander Holyfield wanting a third fight with Tyson. We working on a contract but unfortunately Tyson pulled out. Since then it never happened because people who were talking about doing it they did not have the connections,” said Akbar who considers himself a producer than promoter.

“What I wanted to do was to get the promoters in the United States and match them with the right combination here and let them promote the fight. I just want to be the executive producer and bring all elements together,” said Akbar who has been understudy to Don King and Bob Arum having been involved with the Ali-Frazier ‘Thrilla in Manila’ in 1975 and Ali-Leon Spinks rematch in 1978.

Asked whether Dubai could hold an event of such magnitude, Muhammad replied: “I think they are ready. I had some interesting meetings. I’ve even met with people that began doing the fights here. I want to be the guy behind the face of the clock, helping the hands move. Let the promoters be upfront. I would utilise the people here who have already done things so that they are not out in the cold.”

“I want to see the best interests for this part of the world because somebody has to protect this interest I want to work from this side to make sure that Pacquiao is coming or if Khan is coming here, that the opponent is worthy of the status of Dubai. It has to be something that is equal to the exposure that Dubai wants,” said Muhammad who has been in Dubai for the past week even watching the ‘Fight of the Century’ at a hotel in Dubai.

“I deliberately didn’t go to Vegas. I came here because I wanted to see with my own eyes what the interest here was like. Every place was sold out. You couldn’t find a place to get in. What I saw on Sunday (May 3) morning, gave me lot more determination. I’ve always had this focus here,” said Akbar who was earlier tasked by an investment group from Abu Dhabi to bring the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight to the UAE.

“If it was up to Pacquiao, his fight with Mayweather would have been in the Emirates. But we had to withdraw the offer since Mayweather was not going to leave Las Vegas because he had an advantage,” said Akbar whose goal it two have fights a year in the UAE.

“Let’s forget about Mayweather being the best ever. Ali is the greatest of all time. Mayweather should stop saying that,” said Akbar during an interview with Emirates 24|7 where he revealed his plans to fete Ali and Pacquiao fighting in March 2016.

“My plan is during the week of fight we are going to have Ali. He is already committed to it. There is a company in US. They own all of the intellectual property rights of Ali. I represent that company,” said Akbar who has been associated with the business of boxing for more than 40 years beginning with the fabled Ali-Foreman ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974.

“Dubai is a major attraction and it is a destination spot. Even from America everybody wants to go to Dubai. Dubai has a very high standard with in the world with sports with world class golf, tennis, horse racing. I want to make sure that the highest level is worthy of what they have accomplished in Dubai,” he said.

Akbar wants to safeguard the interests of the region and promote the beautiful side of boxing by presenting Ali.

“The Western world relates to Ali. We have the face of Islam and for the Muslim world a face that everyone connects to. You couldn’t have a better face for Islam and Muslims that connects for rest of world. We wanted to have a major tribute to Ali because he is the celebrities’ celebrity. We will be bringing all A-1 top celebrities. I think it only hypes everything up,” he said

“His health is fragile but his mind is sharp. He will be involved intricately through social media but for the night of the tribute he will definitely come. That’s a 100 per cent,” promised Akbar who began his career by representing Muhammad Ali in the merchandising and licensing and also was consultant for his manager Herbert Muhammad.

Akbar is confident is that bringing major boxing fights to the regions will greatly benefit the region.

“Boxing commands world stage. I could bring an NBA game here but who cares about it. But a major world championship boxing match, the whole world they focus. So this keeps the exposure building up to fight months before focus will be on Dubai, on Emirates. Remember every fight of consequence in United States is sold all around the world. During a boxing match, exposure is worldwide as it captures the imagination and then Dubai becomes the centre of the world,” he said.

He plans to hold the first event in October or November featuring at least two world championship fights.

“Every event that we bring in is going to be on HBO or Showtime. It’s high standard and those fights are shown all around the world. Look what sport has got. Now it is such an international sport, 30 per cent of the sports fans are boxing fans. Boxing is the most popular sport after football and auto racing,” he pointed out.

We met with Akbar Muhammad in the offices of Dr Walid Yousef, President of MicroSafe Care International in Dubai, who said it was actually a blessing in disguise that the Mayweather-Pacquiao did not happen in the UAE.

"Boxing went to sleep for a while. After the last fight in Las Vegas there was more media buzz about fashion and boxing. Dubai is a big name and a boxing match here should be set up quite nicely, it's time to say 'Live from Dubai'. I would like to see this happening in Dubai. Boxing has always been my passion. I am just trying to give ideas to him (Akbar) regarding this endeavour. Dubai needs a big fight. I hope it becomes a reality soon," said Dr Yousef who feels a Khan-Pacquiao would be a big draw in the region.