Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao has arrived in Dubai for a PBA game featuring the Mahindra Enforcers against the Alaska Aces.
But it wasn’t basketball that took the spotlight, it was boxing and a possible rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr who beat him last May 2 and is now enjoying his retirement and insists he won’t fight again.
Ashley Hammond of Gulf News reported that it was Pacquiao’s first visit to Dubai and thanked his hosts for the warm welcome especially to the Filipinos in Dubai.
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson also arrived in Dubai on Monday and was there, according to a source, to “support” Pacquiao even though he may not play due to an injury.
Pacquiao revealed that he would like to have his next fight which Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has said will be his last and indicated they are working on it.
Manny said he is “open to a rematch with Mayweather but it depends on the negotiations. I am open to fight anybody” even as he mentioned the names of Amir Khan, Danny Garcia and Terence Crawford.
Khan has said that talks for a showdown with his former gym-mate and sparring partner when they were both being trained by Freddie Roach have been goping really well and indicated an announcement could be made in a couple of weeks.
