Jack ready to take on Crossed in ‘Las Vegas of Middle East’

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Former two-weight world champion Badou Jack was full of praise for Dubai as he prepares to return to action on Friday's huge event in the emirate — which also includes fellow boxing superstars Muhammad Waseem, Rocky Fielding and Ohara Davies.

It is promoted by Ahmed A Seddiqi for D4G Promotions, and will be broadcast on ESPN+ in the USA in association with Top Rank, on ESPN Knockout in Latin America, and on IFL TV for the rest of the world.

Jack returns to action against Samuel Crossed.

Speaking during a press conference, Jack said: "I'm very happy to be fighting here in Dubai. I've been coming here for about five or six years and I actually lived here for a while. So this is going to be the first of many fights in Dubai.

"This is the Las Vegas of the Middle East. Hopefully we can keep bringing big fights here and keep building and building the sport. My plan is to become a three-division world champion, and I feel I can put in a great performance at this weight.

"My whole camp has been in Dubai and we've had a great time. I've trained hard like I always do, and I'm going to get the win."

Waseem will lock horns with Rober Barrera in a flyweight world title eliminator.

Waseem said: "I have been to Dubai many times and had some good fights, and I have big expectations for this fight on Friday. I've worked very hard and I will prove myself as one of the best fighters in the division.

"I've dedicated a lot of time to my training and I am more than ready for Friday. I've had some great sparring and a great camp, and have worked very hard to get the victory."

Barrera said: "I'm happy to be here in Dubai and I am ready. I have studied my opponent and I know what he is good at, and not good at, and I am going to take advantage of that.

"I'm going to keep my plans to myself as I'm not a big talker, but I will show my skills in the ring. I've been training a lot and I am ready, and I have already proved I am ready for a world title shot. I am going to bring it all, and I hope he is too. I didn't come this far to bring nothing."

In other bouts, Fielding faces Emmanuel Danso and Davies takes on Nicholas Mwangi.

Davies was originally due to face Ismael Barroso, but visa issues for Barroso means he has had to pull out of the fight, with Mwangi taking his place.

Fielding said: "I'm delighted to be back. Last September I realised I wanted to fight again, so I came out to Dubai and while I've been training here this is the perfect time to come back.

"I've been back and forth and sometimes training here and then over with Jamie Moore in Manchester too, so I am fully focused on getting the victory on Friday.

"We'll get Friday out of the way and then I want to get back active and kick on. First things first though, it's all about this fight with Danso."

Promoter Ahmed A Seddiqi of D4G Promotions said: "It is a pleasure to have such big names coming here to fight, especially as there are many other big promoters launching their own shows coming up in the region.

"It is going to be a very special night of boxing. Of course Dubai is the 'Las Vegas of the Middle East,' and having these massive events is itself a huge achievement for the country. We have worldwide names on the main card, and then rising stars that are based here in Dubai in action on the undercard, so it is helping to massively build the sport."