'If we can get Pacquiao, why not McGregor'

Jeff Horn's manager says they are very serious about getting Conor McGregor Down Under for a blockbuster bout.

News emerged on the weekend that the Queensland government was targeting UFC star McGregor to fight Horn after his next bout.

Horn, who won the title off Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao back in July, will make a voluntary defence against WBO Inter-Continental champion Gary Corcoran (17-1, 7 KOs) in Brisbane on December 13.

But it's the fight after that has everyone intrigued.

The Corcoran fight will be the first leg of a two-fight deal with Brisbane City Council and Queensland government, with Pacquiao and unified super lightweight world champion Terrence Crawford two of the top targets.

However, McGregor, who lost to the undefeated Floyd Mayweather in his first boxing bout back in August, is also on the Horn camp's radar.

The Aussie's manager Dean Lonergan recently opened up about the possibility of McGregor coming to Australia.

"They said we couldn't get Manny Pacquiao here," Lonergan told News Corp. "It turns into one of the great days of Australian sport.

"If we can get Pacquiao v Horn, why can't we get Conor McGregor? We'd give him a chance at the WBO welterweight title.

"And, to be honest, I think we can make the money stack up. I've got a rough idea of what he got."

"Obviously he's not going to get Floyd Mayweather money, but I tell you what, there wouldn't be too many fights, if any, other than Mayweather that would offer the same money I think we can put up down here."

Horn's trainer Glenn Rushton has said he would prefer any fight with McGregor to be a voluntary world title defence for Horn, but the Irishman doesn't have a top 15 ranking that he needs for that to happen.

"It's come out a little bit out of let field, but who knows, it's possible," Rushton said.

"if the opportunity presents itself, we would certainly consider doing that fight and show the world that we can do a better job than Mayweather.

"There's no way Jeff is going to stand there and be pummelled for the first two or three rounds (like Mayweather) I can assure you."

However according to Yahoo Sports US combat expert Kevin Iole, McGregor is planning a return to the Octagon rather than staying in the boxing ring.

"McGregor remains focused on MMA, sources say, even though a representative for ex-world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao sent out a feeler to McGregor about doing a fight," writes Iole.

"Top Rank president Todd duBoef said he knew Pacquiao had expressed interest in fighting McGregor before the Mayweather fight was finalised. However, duBoef said he knew nothing of any recent contact between representatives of Pacquiao and those of McGregor.

"The interest in boxers wanting to fight McGregor is indicative of his massive drawing power.

"But he has a title to defend and two intriguing UFC opponents to pick from. A McGregor-Tony Ferguson fight for the undisputed UFC lightweight title or a rubber match with Nate Diaz would be massive events in MMA.

"Either one would be awesome and far better than any boxing match McGregor could possibly take."

with AAP