Boxing stars who spend time living and training Dubai have commented on the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
On February 28, the US and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Khamenei and targeting nuclear and military sites for regime change. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones on Israel and Gulf states, escalating regionally with over 600 deaths.
Iranian strikes damaged Dubai’s airport, hotels like the iconic Burj Al Arab and other landmarks, closing airspace and stranding thousands, including on cruise ships. Tourism, aviation, and business were also affected, tarnishing Dubai’s safe-haven status amid economic disruptions as the city faces $100 million daily revenue loss in aviation alone, per reports.
Iranian strikes have killed three people and injured 58 in the UAE, and US President Donald Trump predicts a weeks-long war.
British fighter Jazza Dickens maintains that Dubai still “feels incredibly safe.”
The 5-foot-5 southpaw is a veteran of 41 fights, campaigns at super featherweight, and returns to the ring March 14 for a super featherweight fight atop Frank Warren’s St Patrick’s Weekend event at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.
His “only worry”, he said, was if he were “unable to leave for” the fight, considering the recent grounding of flights.
He later added, though, that for much of life in Dubai it is a case of “business as usual.”
Flights were grounded for 48 to 60 hours in Dubai, with over 9,500 flights canceled across the region. However, planes are expected to be airborne again late March 2.
Dickens’s compatriot, Darren Till, a former UFC striker enjoying a second career as a Misfits boxer, said: “Life is practically normal here for me. Not saying no one is on edge because that would be a lie. But the UAE have done a fantastic job of making sure it’s as safe as it possibly can be.
“But, again… it’s war so how safe can you be anywhere in the world, if it happens to start.”
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