Tag: Pacquiao next fight

Manny Pacquiao targeting Conor McGregor, Errol Spence Jr.

Manny Pacquiao, 42, confirmed that he wants to fight MMA star Conor McGregor and possibly Errol Spence Jr. or Terence Crawford.

Manny Pacquiao has hinted at a plan for this year, which might be the last of his career.

The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer wants to fight MMA star Conor McGregor and possibly Errol Spence Jr. or Terence Crawford, according to a report published by the Filipino outlet BusinessMirror.

Pacquiao, 42, hasn’t fought since he outpointed Keith Thurman to win a welterweight title in August 2019.

“They’re my options, but right now I want to experience fighting an MMA (mixed martial artist),” said Pacquiao, referring to McGregor. “I will also donate a big portion of my income to Filipino COVID-19 victims.”

Pacquiao would be an underdog against Spence, a fellow 147-pound titleholder. However, he evidently saw at least one vulnerability in the Dallas fighter’s victory over Danny Garcia last month, his first fight since a horrific car accident in 2019.

“Spence is slower than Thurman but it’s going to be a good fight,” Pacquiao said.

Said Sean Gibbons, MP Promotions President: “I think Spence lost a step from the accident. It’s a difficult fight but I think, yes [Pacquiao would defeat Spence].”

McGregor, scheduled to face Dustin Poirier in UFC 257 on Jan. 23, has fought once as a boxer. He was stopped by Floyd Mayweather in the 10th round in 2017.

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Manny Pacquiao targeting Conor McGregor, Errol Spence Jr.

Manny Pacquiao, 42, confirmed that he wants to fight MMA star Conor McGregor and possibly Errol Spence Jr. or Terence Crawford.

Manny Pacquiao has hinted at a plan for this year, which might be the last of his career.

The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer wants to fight MMA star Conor McGregor and possibly Errol Spence Jr. or Terence Crawford, according to a report published by the Filipino outlet BusinessMirror.

Pacquiao, 42, hasn’t fought since he outpointed Keith Thurman to win a welterweight title in August 2019.

“They’re my options, but right now I want to experience fighting an MMA (mixed martial artist),” said Pacquiao, referring to McGregor. “I will also donate a big portion of my income to Filipino COVID-19 victims.”

Pacquiao would be an underdog against Spence, a fellow 147-pound titleholder. However, he evidently saw at least one vulnerability in the Dallas fighter’s victory over Danny Garcia last month, his first fight since a horrific car accident in 2019.

“Spence is slower than Thurman but it’s going to be a good fight,” Pacquiao said.

Said Sean Gibbons, MP Promotions President: “I think Spence lost a step from the accident. It’s a difficult fight but I think, yes [Pacquiao would defeat Spence].”

McGregor, scheduled to face Dustin Poirier in UFC 257 on Jan. 23, has fought once as a boxer. He was stopped by Floyd Mayweather in the 10th round in 2017.

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Manny Pacquiao says he could fight twice next year … but against whom?

Manny Pacquiao said he could fight twice next year even though he turns 42 on Thursday.

Manny Pacquiao’s focus is on his work as a senator in the Philippines, including the ongoing battle against the coronavirus pandemic. He hasn’t forgotten about boxing, though.

The welterweight titleholder – who turns 42 on Thursday – told the Filipino newspaper Daily Tribune that he could fight twice next year.

‘We still have sessions in March so there’s no way I am going to fight during that time,’ Pacquiao said. “I think I can do two [fights] next year.”

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) last fought in July of last year, when he defeated Keith Thurman by a split decision to win the WBA 147-pound belt.

Who’s next on his list? The future Hall of Famer has some high-level suitors for obvious reasons – exposure, money.

Fellow titleholder Terence Crawford, who is coming off a fourth-round knockout of Kell Brook in Nov. 14, has said repeatedly that he wants to face Pacquiao. The same for another beltholder, Errol Spence Jr., who outpointed Danny Garcia on Dec. 5.

Crawford said he and Pacquiao were near a deal to fight in the Middle East this year but the plans gave way to COVID-19.

“I already said who I want [next],” Crawford said. “I want Pacquiao. I want to revisit that fight. That was a fight that should’ve happened right now. But being that the pandemic happened, and they weren’t going to allow fans in the Middle East, they had to put a hold to that.

“Everything was 95 percent done. We had the venue. The money was almost there. It wasn’t quite there. That was the only thing we were waiting on.”

Another possibility is MMA star Conor McGregor, who would generate big pay-per-view numbers even though he isn’t in Pacquiao’s class as a boxer. In other words, it would be easy money for Pacquiao.

Audie Attar, Pacquiao’s manager, said that fight is attractive.

“He wants to fight Manny. Manny’s come out and said he wants to fight Conor,” Attar told Bloomberg. “As I’ve stated publicly before, we’ve had conversations. That is a fight that we’re definitely going to make because both fighters want it, and there seems to be interest from the fans all around the world.”

McGregor has fought once as a boxer, losing by knockout to Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

Welterweight contender Mikey Garcia, who like Pacquiao is a small 147-pounder, also was a prime candidate to face the Filipino icon before the pandemic took hold.

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Manny Pacquiao says he could fight twice next year … but against whom?

Manny Pacquiao said he could fight twice next year even though he turns 42 on Thursday.

Manny Pacquiao’s focus is on his work as a senator in the Philippines, including the ongoing battle against the coronavirus pandemic. He hasn’t forgotten about boxing, though.

The welterweight titleholder – who turns 42 on Thursday – told the Filipino newspaper Daily Tribune that he could fight twice next year.

‘We still have sessions in March so there’s no way I am going to fight during that time,’ Pacquiao said. “I think I can do two [fights] next year.”

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) last fought in July of last year, when he defeated Keith Thurman by a split decision to win the WBA 147-pound belt.

Who’s next on his list? The future Hall of Famer has some high-level suitors for obvious reasons – exposure, money.

Fellow titleholder Terence Crawford, who is coming off a fourth-round knockout of Kell Brook in Nov. 14, has said repeatedly that he wants to face Pacquiao. The same for another beltholder, Errol Spence Jr., who outpointed Danny Garcia on Dec. 5.

Crawford said he and Pacquiao were near a deal to fight in the Middle East this year but the plans gave way to COVID-19.

“I already said who I want [next],” Crawford said. “I want Pacquiao. I want to revisit that fight. That was a fight that should’ve happened right now. But being that the pandemic happened, and they weren’t going to allow fans in the Middle East, they had to put a hold to that.

“Everything was 95 percent done. We had the venue. The money was almost there. It wasn’t quite there. That was the only thing we were waiting on.”

Another possibility is MMA star Conor McGregor, who would generate big pay-per-view numbers even though he isn’t in Pacquiao’s class as a boxer. In other words, it would be easy money for Pacquiao.

Audie Attar, Pacquiao’s manager, said that fight is attractive.

“He wants to fight Manny. Manny’s come out and said he wants to fight Conor,” Attar told Bloomberg. “As I’ve stated publicly before, we’ve had conversations. That is a fight that we’re definitely going to make because both fighters want it, and there seems to be interest from the fans all around the world.”

McGregor has fought once as a boxer, losing by knockout to Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

Welterweight contender Mikey Garcia, who like Pacquiao is a small 147-pounder, also was a prime candidate to face the Filipino icon before the pandemic took hold.

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Conor McGregor vs. Manny Pacquiao will ‘definitely’ happen, shared manager says

The shared manager of Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor said they will “definitely” fight one another.

Conor McGregor has an MMA fight to focus on, but is a return to boxing inevitable?

First up is Dustin Poirier, whom McGregor has signed on to rematch in the UFC 257 main event on Jan. 23. After that, though, it might not be a guarantee that his follow-up fight will take place inside the octagon.

McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar of Paradigm Sports Management, is steadfast in his belief that McGregor will fight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. Why? Because Attar also represents Pacquiao – and he knows both of his clients want the fight.

“Conor has a fight Jan. 23 against Dustin Poirier,” Attar said in an interview with Bloomberg. “He’s gonna be handling business against Dustin first, but Conor’s come out and said he wants to fight Manny. Manny’s come out and said he wants to fight Conor. As I’ve stated publicly before, we’ve had conversations.

“That is a fight that we’re definitely going to make because both fighters want it, and there seems to be interest from the fans all around the world.”

Dana White may have something to say about that since McGregor is under contract with the UFC. The UFC president hasn’t expressed any interest publicly in working on a boxing match between McGregor and Pacquiao. White even threatened to sue Pacquiao and Paradigm in September after McGregor, who was retired at the time, teased a potential showdown.

White’s been down this road with McGregor before. He allowed the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion to try his hand at boxing in August 2017 when he took on Floyd Mayweather in “The Money Fight.” McGregor surprised many with his performance in the early going but ultimately was dominated until he lost by 10th-round TKO.

Pacquiao, who lost a 2015 decision to Mayweather, hasn’t fought since his split decision win over Keith Thurman in July of last year.

McGregor returned to MMA this past January at UFC 246, where he TKO’d Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds. His plans for a 2020 “season” were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, leading to his retirement.

McGregor’s UFC 257 clash with Poirier is a rematch of their September 2014 fight won by McGregor.

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Conor McGregor vs. Manny Pacquiao will ‘definitely’ happen, shared manager says

The shared manager of Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor said they will “definitely” fight one another.

Conor McGregor has an MMA fight to focus on, but is a return to boxing inevitable?

First up is Dustin Poirier, whom McGregor has signed on to rematch in the UFC 257 main event on Jan. 23. After that, though, it might not be a guarantee that his follow-up fight will take place inside the octagon.

McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar of Paradigm Sports Management, is steadfast in his belief that McGregor will fight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. Why? Because Attar also represents Pacquiao – and he knows both of his clients want the fight.

“Conor has a fight Jan. 23 against Dustin Poirier,” Attar said in an interview with Bloomberg. “He’s gonna be handling business against Dustin first, but Conor’s come out and said he wants to fight Manny. Manny’s come out and said he wants to fight Conor. As I’ve stated publicly before, we’ve had conversations.

“That is a fight that we’re definitely going to make because both fighters want it, and there seems to be interest from the fans all around the world.”

Dana White may have something to say about that since McGregor is under contract with the UFC. The UFC president hasn’t expressed any interest publicly in working on a boxing match between McGregor and Pacquiao. White even threatened to sue Pacquiao and Paradigm in September after McGregor, who was retired at the time, teased a potential showdown.

White’s been down this road with McGregor before. He allowed the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion to try his hand at boxing in August 2017 when he took on Floyd Mayweather in “The Money Fight.” McGregor surprised many with his performance in the early going but ultimately was dominated until he lost by 10th-round TKO.

Pacquiao, who lost a 2015 decision to Mayweather, hasn’t fought since his split decision win over Keith Thurman in July of last year.

McGregor returned to MMA this past January at UFC 246, where he TKO’d Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds. His plans for a 2020 “season” were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, leading to his retirement.

McGregor’s UFC 257 clash with Poirier is a rematch of their September 2014 fight won by McGregor.

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Manny Pacquiao would dominate Conor McGregor: Joe Rogan

UFC commentator Joe Rogan said that Manny Pacquiao would dominate Conor McGregor in a boxing match.

Joe Rogan stated the obvious on his podcast.

The UFC commentator said that MMA star Conor McGregor would not fare well in a boxing match against eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao even though the Filipino icon turned 42 on Dec. 17.

The two have expressed an interest in fighting one another but it’s not about competition. It’s about money, just as McGregor’s 2017 mismatch against Floyd Mayweather was.

“You’re talking about one of the greatest boxers of all time against a guy with one professional boxing match,” Rogan said.

Rogan was reminded by podcast guest Tony Hinchcliffe that McGregor had some early success against Mayweather before he was stopped in the 10th round. The host corrected Hinchcliffe.

“Let me tell you something,” Rogan said. “The reason it was close is because Mayweather let [McGregor] blow his wad. … Mayweather had to figure out Conor’s timing.

“Conor is not a professional boxer. Because he’s not a professional boxer, he’s not as efficient, and he’s going to get tired easier. [Mayweather’s] style is take the minimum amount of damage, find your openings and then establish your game and dominate.

“Conor is a freak. He’s an explosive guy. He’s so fast, and there’s no remedy for that, other than getting [him] tired. What Mayweather was doing was boxing with him, but preserving [energy].

“[He was] being safe, realized that Conor can punch, but drag him into deep water. That’s what a guy like Mayweather will do.”

And it’s what a guy like Pacquiao would do.

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Manny Pacquiao would dominate Conor McGregor: Joe Rogan

UFC commentator Joe Rogan said that Manny Pacquiao would dominate Conor McGregor in a boxing match.

Joe Rogan stated the obvious on his podcast.

The UFC commentator said that MMA star Conor McGregor would not fare well in a boxing match against eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao even though the Filipino icon turned 42 on Dec. 17.

The two have expressed an interest in fighting one another but it’s not about competition. It’s about money, just as McGregor’s 2017 mismatch against Floyd Mayweather was.

“You’re talking about one of the greatest boxers of all time against a guy with one professional boxing match,” Rogan said.

Rogan was reminded by podcast guest Tony Hinchcliffe that McGregor had some early success against Mayweather before he was stopped in the 10th round. The host corrected Hinchcliffe.

“Let me tell you something,” Rogan said. “The reason it was close is because Mayweather let [McGregor] blow his wad. … Mayweather had to figure out Conor’s timing.

“Conor is not a professional boxer. Because he’s not a professional boxer, he’s not as efficient, and he’s going to get tired easier. [Mayweather’s] style is take the minimum amount of damage, find your openings and then establish your game and dominate.

“Conor is a freak. He’s an explosive guy. He’s so fast, and there’s no remedy for that, other than getting [him] tired. What Mayweather was doing was boxing with him, but preserving [energy].

“[He was] being safe, realized that Conor can punch, but drag him into deep water. That’s what a guy like Mayweather will do.”

And it’s what a guy like Pacquiao would do.

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Manny Pacquiao vs. Conor McGregor a step closer to reality

Manny Pacquiao signed with the management firm Paradigm Sports, which has McGregor as a client, meaning they could be closer to a showdown.

Manny Pacquiao might’ve moved a step close to fighting Conor McGregor.

The Filipino icon signed with the management firm Paradigm Sports, which already has McGregor as a client. He had announced in February that he agreed to a deal with the Irvine, Calif., company but evidently hadn’t signed a contract.

Pacquiao revealed the news on Twitter.

“Excited to have officially partnered with @ParadigmSports. Grateful for the support of my family, team, and fans as I continue my professional boxing journey. Big Things coming! Stay tuned!” he said.

McGregor retweeted the message on his account.

The MMA star, who fought Floyd Mayweather in 2017, tweeted last month that he would be fighting Pacquiao in the Middle East, although he didn’t say when or where.

An aide to Pacquiao responded by saying that the future Hall of Famer would indeed fight McGregor, with the bulk of proceeds going toward coronavirus relief in the Philippines. And Pacquiao himself later said he is open to the fight, although he wants to co-promote it.

McGregor is expected to face MMA rival Dustin Poirier before he meets Pacquiao, which means the latter fight almost certainly would take place next year.

Pacquiao, 42, last fought in July of last year, when he outpointed Keith Thurman to win a welterweight title. Contender Mikey Garcia, like Pacquiao a small 147-pounder, was thought to be a leading candidate to face him next.

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Manny Pacquiao vs. Conor McGregor a step closer to reality

Manny Pacquiao signed with the management firm Paradigm Sports, which has McGregor as a client, meaning they could be closer to a showdown.

Manny Pacquiao might’ve moved a step close to fighting Conor McGregor.

The Filipino icon signed with the management firm Paradigm Sports, which already has McGregor as a client. He had announced in February that he agreed to a deal with the Irvine, Calif., company but evidently hadn’t signed a contract.

Pacquiao revealed the news on Twitter.

“Excited to have officially partnered with @ParadigmSports. Grateful for the support of my family, team, and fans as I continue my professional boxing journey. Big Things coming! Stay tuned!” he said.

McGregor retweeted the message on his account.

The MMA star, who fought Floyd Mayweather in 2017, tweeted last month that he would be fighting Pacquiao in the Middle East, although he didn’t say when or where.

An aide to Pacquiao responded by saying that the future Hall of Famer would indeed fight McGregor, with the bulk of proceeds going toward coronavirus relief in the Philippines. And Pacquiao himself later said he is open to the fight, although he wants to co-promote it.

McGregor is expected to face MMA rival Dustin Poirier before he meets Pacquiao, which means the latter fight almost certainly would take place next year.

Pacquiao, 42, last fought in July of last year, when he outpointed Keith Thurman to win a welterweight title. Contender Mikey Garcia, like Pacquiao a small 147-pounder, was thought to be a leading candidate to face him next.

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