Eddie Hearn has Saul Alvarez and Anthony Joshua in long-term boxing plans for Abu Dhabi

Promoter Eddie Hearn says his new partnership with Abu Dhabi will encompass multiple boxing events in the capital each year, with the sport’s most prominent stars such as Saul “Canelo” Alvarez or Anthony Joshua potentially competing in the capital.

A long-term collaboration was this week announced between Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, which kicks off in November with the world title bout between WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and mandatory challenger Gilbert “Zurdo” Ramirez. Both fighters are undefeated, with Bivol 20-0 and Ramirez 44-0.

The November 5 event at Etihad Arena, the first of a new “Champions Series”, will feature several championship fights, including an IBF junior lightweight bout between champion Joe Cordina and Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov.

Meanwhile, WBC and IBF women’s junior welterweight title-holder Chantelle Cameron will defend against undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill.

Speaking to The National, Matchroom Sport chairman Hearn detailed far-reaching plans for boxing in Abu Dhabi, while also explaining why the emirate represented the ideal place to continue the sport’s expansion.

“We want to build relationships with partners that have a long-term plan,” Hearn said. “There’s the perception, particularly among fighters, that coming into the Middle East means your purses treble. That’s got to stop, because it will stop the regularity of bringing big-time championship fights to the region.

“And, in Abu Dhabi, with what they've done with UFC, NBA, Formula One, there isn't so much that perception that there might be in other countries. There's the NBA, the UFC; it’s a regular pit stop.

November 5