Manny Pacquiao
Boxer Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines during a news conference in Las Vegas Reuters

Money talks, even for multi-titled boxing champions who swear they will never deal with a particular boxing promoter. UAE fight promoter Prince Amir Shafipur wants to prove that right by promising on Friday that he would make possible what Muhammad Ali has been calling for. That is the Dream Match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather which the prince vowed to bring to Dubai in 2015.

The prince made the announcement before 5,000 fans at the inauguration of the Global Fighting Championship (GFC) at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The Gulf News quoted Prince Amir as saying, "I will honestly and truthfully tell you that is anyone can convince them to fight, and to fight in Dubai, I can ... I have a lot of worldwide connections, with managers, promoters, fighters and people in the business, who speak the same language that Mayweather and Pacquiao are speaking."

The royal said that he is working with a major boxing promoter in the U.S. with connections to both pound-for-pound king contenders and has the capacity to push the match through. "It's not a boast, it's a commitment," Prince Amir said.

The fight promoter said he is aware of attempts by different people to make the fight happen, but various issues have stood between the two welterweight champions ranging from blood tests to promoters involved. "I know many people have failed to bring them to the ring, for many reasons, but I believe that we have the formula to make it happen. And then the whole boxing scene will explode," the UAE prince promised.

Besides, Dubai, the inaugural GFC series that Prince Amir has organised will also have bouts in Turkey, Holland and Morocco. The winner of each venue will fight for the grant prize of $1 million in the Grand Prix final to be held in Australia.

The prince said that the UAE has the best horse race, golf and tennis events taking place, all it needs is a fight event that will amaze everyone, "and that event is Pacquiao vs Mayweather - and we are going to make it happen."