Boxing champion Pacquiao arrives in Doha

Professional boxer and world champion, Manny Pacquiao has arrived in Doha today for the AIBA World Boxing Championship.

Personally invited by the AIBA World Boxing Championship’s President, Ching-Kuo Wu, Pacquiao will be the first big name to attend the tournament.

Pacquiao tweeted in his official twitter account earlier today, stating that he’s on the way to Doha.

Trip to Qatar. pic.twitter.com/RygJLgPayh

— Manny Pacquiao (@MrMannyPacquiao) October 8, 2015

In his next tweet which appeared approximately 2 hours later, Pacquiao said, “Here in Doha for the Boxing World Championship and for Olympic Qualifiers”.

Here in Doha for the Boxing World Championship and for Olympic Qualifiers. pic.twitter.com/4xW4MDCdmq

— Manny Pacquiao (@MrMannyPacquiao) October 8, 2015

This is the first time he has visited th eMiddle East and he was warmly welcomed by H.E Dr. Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee,Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and President of the Qatar Boxing Federation and Executive Director Local Organizing Committee (LOG), Yousuf Ali Al Kazim.

On arrival Pacquiao firstly visited the beautiful Corniche to take in the city’s dramatic skyline before holding an in depth meeting with Dr. Al Kuwari, Dr. Wu and Mr. Al Kazim.

The 36 year old Pacquiao, is a Philipino boxer who is the first and only eight division world champion, in which he has won ten world titles.

According to Forbes, he is also the second highest paid athlete in the world as of 2015.

Pacquiao became very popular among the non-boxing fans too due to the highly publicized match between Pacquiao and Mayweather earlier this year. Although he lost the match, through the hype that the match created, Pacquiao earned many fans.

“It's amazing to be here in Qatar for the World Boxing Championships. This is my first time in the Middle East, and although I'm here just for a quick visit, I really want to come back and spend more time here", Paquiao said after his first morning in Qatar.

He further added ,"I would love to have my next fight here in Qatar, and my team is now working towards that. Whether it will be against Amir Kahn or Floyd Mayweather, I'll be ready. I would love to have a rematch against Floyd in Qatar!"

The AIBA World Boxing Championship tournament is a ten day event which is being held at the Ali bin Hamed Al-Attiya Arena. Pacquiao will be attending the afternoon session on this Thursday to watch the boxers in the ring.

Click on the links to know more about Pacquiao’s visit and the AIBA tournament