IBF, WBO sanction Dubai title fights
Third Force Promotions president Noli Eala yesterday announced the approval of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) for the triple championship bill that will headline a blockbuster six-fight extravaganza at the 10,000-seat, open-air Aviation Arena in Dubai on April 18.
In the main event, IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. stakes his crown against Australia’s Hussein Hussein. The other title bouts feature WBO minimumweight ruler Donnie (Ahas) Nietes versus mandatory challenger Daniel Reyes of Colombia and IBF lightflyweight king Ulises Solis of Mexico versus Juanito Rubillar.
Eala recently returned from a second visit to Dubai where he initiated negotiations with Egay Garcia of the ABS-CBN Filipino Channel for TV coverage outside of the Philippines, Nora Saupan for global satellite transmission and Ernest Godfrey for event-related facilities.
“With the IBF and WBO sanctions, now we move into the bloody part of the preparations,” said Eala. “We’re booking flights and hotel rooms for the visitors we’re expecting. We’re studying packages and offers and we’re confident of getting the best deals because everyone’s excited to participate in this historic event in Dubai sports history.”
Eala said the Millennium Dubai Hotel is a leading candidate to host the visitors.
“The venue is definitely the Aviation Arena,” he went on. “We’ve started reserving hotel rooms. We’re now gathering the names of the visitors for visa and airline ticket purposes. I have also spoken to a satellite provider for our broadcast needs. I have contracted a creatives group for our staging requirements. There are some legal concerns like contracts must be in Arabic, the need for official certification from the Dubai Sports Council approving the event and opening of bank accounts. I am getting a Dubai lawyer to help us and ensure everything is in order.”
Eala said he initially considered bringing a ring from Manila but Godfrey, a staging expert, suggested the canvas that will be used for a mixed martial arts event in Dubai next month.
“I’ve asked our principal matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz for the specs of the ring and I’m informed the minimum dimensions are 20 feet by 20 feet,” said Eala. “If the ring in Dubai meets the standards, we’ll use it instead of bringing in the canvas from Manila.”
Eala said he was told that residents of Australia, Europe and the Americas will not need visas to enter Dubai. “We’re still verifying the requirements because we’ve got visitors coming in from Colombia, Mexico, the US, Australia and the Philippines,” he continued. “We’ll settle these details when I go back to Dubai for a third visit possibly next week.”
Eala said he plans to hold a press conference in Dubai announcing the card a week after the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch. Donaire and Hussein will be invited to fly in for the media launch.
“At the moment, we’re all excited about Manny’s coming fight against Marquez,” he said. “Once that’s finished, we’ll begin to drum up our show in Dubai.”
Eala said he is set to meet with Rubillar’s representatives Bebot Elorde and Sammy Gello-ani this week for the final arrangements of the fight against Solis.
“We’ve been asked for a $5,000 advance,” said Eala. “The fight contract has been signed and I understand it was done in the presence of GAB chairman Eric Buhain. This is Juanito’s biggest chance for a world title. He deserves the shot. We’re happy that Sampson made it happen and Solis agreed to our terms.”
Rubillar is reportedly guaranteed a $25,000 purse.
In the undercard, Sydney-based Filipino knockout artist Ranee Ganoy battles former IBF lightweight champion Julio Diaz of Mexico, Philippine bantamweight titlist Michael Domingo faces a still unnamed opponent and Dubai’s Esai (The Arabian Warrior) Al-Da takes on a surprise Filipino contender in the superlightweight curtain-raiser.
A group of public and private investors led by New Generations, Ltd. is hosting the event with Third Force as the promoter. Over 200,000 OFWs in Dubai and Sharjah, two of the seven emirates, will be the main Filipino market in the Middle East for the live and TV audience.
Source:philstar.com
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