Arum, Lewis and Jones Jr rally behind Bahrain meet

Some of the major figures in boxing have offered support to a summit scheduled to take place for the first time in Bahrain this year, including Bob Arum, Frank Warren, Lennox Lewis and Roy Jones Jr. The dates, in autumn, are to be finalised.

Organised by MTK Global and KHK Sports, a Bahrain-based media project led by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the industry’s leaders will come together to discuss the sport’s future at a conference. A welterweight unification bout between Manny Pacquiao (WBA-belt holder) and Terence Crawford (WBO) has also been mooted during the summit.

Top Rank founder-promoter Arum said: ““We are very enthusiastic about putting events in Bahrain and making the country a worldwide tourist destination.” Calling it “great news for our sport”, Warren, the head of Queensberry Promotions who serve as heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s UK promoter, said “this will create fantastic opportunities for boxers. We look forward to working with everyone on this exciting new venture.”

While former four-division world champion Jones Jr backed the summit, threetime heavyweight champion Lewis added: “I can’t wait to see boxing in Bahrain – big things.”

On Tuesday, Arum confirmed negotiations about the Pacquiao-Crawford fight. He told YouTube channel iFL TV: “Through our friends at MTK, we are in serious talks with Bahrain for doing major fights there. Let’s see what happens. Everything is likely; everyone wants to do these big events ... but I think, with Bahrain, we’ve got a good shot at getting it done.”