'Will be fighting': Conor McGregor-Manny Pacquiao bombshell stuns fans
Conor McGregor has sent the fight world into overdrive after claiming his next fight would be against legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao and it appears talks are underway.
The Irishman hasn’t fought in the UFC since he defeated Donald Cerrone in his comeback fight earlier in 2020.
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But he has since claimed he has retired from UFC following the bout.
But on Friday, McGregor tweeted he would be fighting the boxing great in “the Middle East”, which caused a stir on social media.
McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar, told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani on Friday that the two sides are in “serious talks” for a boxing match in either December or January — adding more weight to McGregor’s claims on Twitter.
McGregor did take on boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in 2017, one of the highest-grossing fights of all time.
A fight with Pacquiao — the 41-year-old has world titles in eight different weight classes and owns a stellar 62-7-2 overall record — would likely rival that.
Anyway all water under the bridge who gives a fook.
I’m boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
I was pushing hard for the season.
Multiple opponents, multiple dates offered throughout. All to take place back to back.
Then when covid hit and the talk was that I would have to wait for crowds again, I walked away from the situation. I was waiting long enough at that stage.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020
.@TheNotoriousMMA said he's going to fight @MannyPacquiao next 🥊
(via @ESPNRingside) pic.twitter.com/kl0GcXZ90I— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 25, 2020
Pacquiao appears open to McGregor fight
But in a further development, it appears Pacquiao’s corner are also on board after giving McGregor a glowing endorsement.
"The Senator Manny Pacquiao has always been up for new challenges," Manny Pacquiao Promotions president Sean Gibbons said, via ESPN.
"Conor McGregor showed in his fight with Floyd Mayweather he has the skills to fight with the best boxers in the world, and considering that they are both global icons and in the global landscape we live in today would be a tremendous event."
With Ryan Young - Yahoo Sport US
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