Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.
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Manny Pacquiao released a statement on Wednesday revealing that he now handles his own promotional business dealings and that “the fans want” the boxing legend to co-promote any possible fight with MMA star Conor McGregor.
In a public series of verbal confrontations with UFC president Dana White, McGregor has hinted that his next competitive foray will be either a return MMA fight with Dustin Poirier in Ireland or another step into boxing against Pacquiao.
Pacquiao tweeted that he was no longer under contract to Audie Attar’s Paradigm Sports Management, which also has McGregor as a client, and that he would want to co-promote a crossover bout with the Irishman.
Statement from Senator @MannyPacquiao (1 of x): “At the present time, I do not have an existing management contract with @AudieAttar. I have formed my own company, Pac Sports and Entertainment, and am more than willing to give the fans what they want: (MORE)
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) October 1, 2020
Senator @MannyPacquiao statement (2 of 2): An exciting fight with @TheNotoriousMMA under terms and conditions where I am the co-promoter with my company. Thank you and God bless.”
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) October 1, 2020
The statement read: “At the present time, I do not have an existing management contract with Audie Attar. I have formed my own company, Pac Sports and Entertainment, and am more than willing to give the fans what they want: an exciting fight with Conor McGregor under terms and conditions where I am the co-promoter with my company. Thank you and God bless.”
The news comes very soon after Attar had hinted that such a fight would need the blessing of White, since McGregor remains under UFC contract, though Pacquiao’s now ex-manager was confident they had White’s go-ahead.
Welterweight contender Mikey Garcia has said that he, not Conor McGregor, will be the next to fight Pacquiao.
McGregor of course stepped into the boxing ring once before, when he lost to unbeaten star Floyd Mayweather in August 2017. Mayweather also defeated Pacquiao in their long-anticipated showdown in May 2015.
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