Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition fight in Dubai has been canceled following the death of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, just 24 hours before he was due to face former sparring partner Don Moore.
The ministry of Presidential affairs in the Gulf state announced 40 days of mourning
Floyd Mayweather was ready to fight Don Moore on the helipad on top of the 700-foot Burj Al Arab hotel
There is no official word yet on when the Mayweather-Moore exhibition will be rescheduled.
Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition fight against Don Moore was postponed 24 hours ahead of schedule following the death of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.
The 73-year-old died on Friday after a long battle with the disease, triggering a transfer of power in the oil-rich Gulf state.
The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced 40 days of mourning, with flags at half-staff from Friday and work suspended in the public and private sectors for the first three days.
And that resulted in the temporary suspension of Mayweather’s fight against his former sparring partner, which was due to take place on the famous helipad atop the 700-foot Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai on Saturday.
The event was scheduled for only 20-40 VIP fans to attend after tickets were purchased as non-fungible tokens at the equivalent cost of £150,000.
Mayweather paid tribute to the late president, saying: ‘I send my condolences to all of the United Arab Emirates. RIP Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.
READ ALSOFloyd Mayweather opponent targets Jake Paul fight in Nigeria after beating legend
Meanwhile, boxing manager Sarah Fina, who was scheduled to fight on the card, posted: ‘The whole show cancelled! The President of the United Arab Emirates passed away today! This is so crazy!
There is no official word yet on when the Mayweather-Moore exhibition will be rescheduled.
The former five-weight world champion had spent this week in Dubai promoting the fight, but will now have to wait for his third exhibition fight since retiring five years ago.
Sheikh Khalifa took office as the UAE’s second president in November 2004, succeeding his father as the 16th ruler of Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest of the federation’s seven emirates. Mayweather headed for Dubai after a short boxing promotional visit to Nigeria.