Eddie Hearn outlines ambitions to make Abu Dhabi ‘a major global boxing destination’

Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn said he wanted to position Abu Dhabi as a globally recognised boxing destination like Las Vegas, New York and London.

The first steps towards these goals occurred on Saturday, the first Champions Series at the Etihad ArenaRussia’s WBA light heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol takes on undefeated Mexican and No. 1 contender Gilberto “Zuldo” Ramirez.

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Stacked cards also include two other world title fights Jessica McCaskill and Chantelle Cameron Take part in an undisputed super featherweight showdown while the IBF super featherweight title fights Shavkat Rakhimov and Zelfa Barrett.

In addition, Olympic champion Galal Yafai and his older brother, former super lightweight world champion Kal Yafai, and Campbell Hatton, son of former two-time heavyweight world champion Ricky Hatton, are also competing in Abu Dhabi.

Hearn has brought major boxing events to the region in the past – most notably two heavyweight world title fights Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia – Believe Saturday’s match will be the start of Abu Dhabi’s journey to establish itself as a major boxing venue.

“People have to get used to going to the area,” Hearn said. “You’re going to see increased participation from the grassroots, and you’re going to see us have plans for another big event in early 2023. We’re planning more races in Abu Dhabi in the future and you’ll see growth from there.

“You have to educate the fans because they’re not used to seeing boxing events come to Abu Dhabi,” Hearn added. “So first of all, you have to get people used to the fact that this is a boxing destination right now. You have Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden in New York, O2 in London: these are all international, when there is a major Fighting fans flock to a venue during events, and that’s where we want Abu Dhabi to be.

“I’m a big believer in the emirate and part of our job is to showcase it, not just as a great destination for live sporting events, but as a resort – and business. Hotels, hospitality, beaches, theme parks, all These. That’s why we had to bring these people to the area to experience an incredible night of boxing, but also experience an incredible destination.”

Bivol v Ramirez kick-off party in Abu Dhabi

Saturday’s event was the first in a strategic partnership between Matchroom Boxing and DCT Abu Dhabi, and Hearn said he was drawn to the capital after seeing the partnership between the UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi flourish. .

The UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi have formed a five-year partnership that brings at least one title fight to the capital each year, most recently at UFC 280, where Islam Makhachev is based. Crowning the new lightweight champion in the main event.

UFC President Dana White applauds Abu Dhabi’s promotion and Abu Dhabi’s DCT for finalizing a new long-term alliance, which includes, white tell Nationalwhich promises to be “a total game-changer for all combat sports.”

“That’s what you want to hear,” Hearn said. “As a business, you want to make sure you have this kind of partner; that kind of partner with which you can build something special and create a legacy in the region. That’s what we’re all about. It takes time, but our goal is Develop Abu Dhabi into a major global boxing destination.

“Fighting fans don’t realise how good the Etihad Arena is and how great the area is there, you can do your weigh-in right outside by the water. There’s a lot of restaurants next to it and then you can look down on level one in the distance Formula circuit. It’s an incredible place and they’re going to see an incredible night of fights and incredible energy on November 5.”

Updated: 11/2/2022 10:55AM