The National - News

Dubai marks turning point in world of live sports with Global Titans Fight Series

- JOHN McAULEY

Organisers of a proposed new combat-sports series that aims to launch next month in Dubai say the event marks a “pivotal moment” in the future of live sports and entertainm­ent.

The Global Titans Fight Series, billed as a multi-event production to be staged at notable locations around the world, is scheduled to begin on May 14 on the Burj Al Arab helipad, with retired boxing star Floyd Mayweather slated to headline.

The unbeaten former five-time world champion, 45, takes on fellow American Don Moore.

Entitled “The Showcase in the Skies of Dubai”, the series’ inaugural event features UFC great Anderson Silva and intends to also host a female boxing world title bout.

Organisers say the all-boxing fight night represents the world’s first NFT (non-fungible token) pay-per-view sports event, meaning fans who purchase a NFT will gain access to the live stream and exclusive content.

The ticket – a 3D digital crystal design in the shape of the Burj Al Arab – also serves as a collectibl­e NFT that can be traded. The Dubai show is available through regular pay-per-view and linear TV, and will be broadcast on four continents.

“This is the pivotal moment in time where Web2 transition­s to Web3 in live sports and live entertainm­ent,” Robert Quirke, chief executive of Global Titans co-founders ROQU Media, told The National.

“With introducin­g Web3 or NFTs into live entertainm­ent and the live-streaming industry, it’s so much better for fans and for consumers because they actually get content that they own, and they have assets, which they own. And they’re also given a utility – in this case to watch the live stream.

“When you go to purchase a NFT you physically own that asset, so the fans are getting equity in that event or show. With Dubai, they’re getting their collectibl­e NFT, exclusive video content, images from fight night, which nobody else in the world will have, and lots of other content. I would say that this is very much the turning point where this becomes more prolific in this industry. It’s very, very special stuff.”

Quirke said the introducti­on of NFTs into live sport and entertainm­ent would affect major sports, broadcasti­ng, and live-streaming companies significan­tly. “This is now a highly secure blockchain-driven access system that allows these companies to: one, be more secure with their content, but two, also give their fans and their customers a lot more. The point here is to give choice to the market.”

The Dubai event will be open to attend to only 40 spectators, with Quirke saying the limited number ensures those watching live on the helipad will be provided the best possible experience. The Irishman, who said that numerous celebritie­s from sport and music will be present, added the emirate constitute­d an obvious destinatio­n for the series opener.

“Dubai is a tremendous crossroads of the world and an incredibly diverse, interestin­g, busy location to visit,” Quirke said. “And after the recent Expo [2020], it really created an incredible buzz and atmosphere here. Of course, you have the jewel of the city, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel, which everybody in the world knows or would recognise.

“We wanted to start in a place where it hasn’t been done before, instantly recognisab­le, and where people will look back on in time and say, ‘Wow that was something really special’.”

While Mayweather, undefeated in 50 profession­al bouts, tops the bill against the unbeaten Moore (18-0-1), former UFC middleweig­ht champion Silva faces current UAE Warriors lightweigh­t title-holder Bruno Machado.

Meanwhile, former two-time world champion Badou Jack takes on Egypt’s Hany Atiyo.

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