EVEN IF PAGARA BROTHERS' FIGHT WAS POSTPONED, OUR TRIP TO DUBAI PUSHED THROUGH
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Jun 2015
DUBAI, UAE - Originally scheduled for June 12, 2015, the boxing brothers Jason and Albert Pagara were set to fight against separate Mexican foes in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. But due to some unavoidable reasons, their fights were rescheduled to August.
It would have been a big boxing blockbuster in this bustling Emirate for there are hundreds of thousands of Filipinos here working to earn precious dirhams for their families back in the Philippines.
Albert was set to defend his International Boxing Federation intercontinental superbantamweight title. Jason was slated to stake his World Boxing Organization international lightwelterweight crown. Albert's planned challenger was Rafaelito Reyes while Jason was scheduled to face Luigi Montiel.
My flight was booked as early as the first week of May to avail of lower fares. The hotel at the World Trade Center, the venue of the fight was also paid. The UAE visa was already secured.
Last May 2, I visited ALA Gym and met the Pagara Brothers. According to boxing patriarch Antonio L. Aldeguer they already booked flights and hotels for their boxers, trainers and staff.
But by twist of fate, I received an email message from ALA Gym telling me that the fight was postponed to August 7. They said the main promoter was not ALA Promotions and they had no hand in the contracts of the fighters.
August 7 is very near to the 15th Maasin City Charter Day which is August 10 and City Fiesta 2015 which is August 15. The activities of the twin celebrations will start on July 31. I have to be present on these events because this is my last year to celebrate as city mayor, this being my last term.
So I have no other choice but to proceed with my travel to Dubai together with my wife Chona and sister Mabel. We stayed there from June 10-13, 2015.
We learned that football and cricket are the most popular sports in Dubai. Two popular world class tennis tournaments are played in Dubai annually, the Dubai Tennis Championships and The Legends Rock Dubai tennis tournaments.
It also hosted the popular Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament and the Dubai World Championship, and they attracted famous golfers from around the world.
The thoroughbred horse race Dubai World Cup is held annually at the Meydan Racecourse. Another famous world sport in Dubai is the traditional rugby union tournament Dubai Sevens, part of the Sevens World Series. Dubai hosted the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens.
Auto racing is also very popular sport with the Dubai Autodrome hosting many auto racing events year round. Fun Ride Sports focus on world class cycling events.
Genesis "Azukal" Servania, "King" Arthur Villanueva and Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista won in the "Pinoy Pride XXVII ? Duel in Dubai" at the Dubai World Trade Center.
Without oil, Dubai thrives in tourism and they invested millions in sports to promote the Emirate and attract more visitors.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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