Pacquiao vs UFC star McGregor? Roach says fight must be under boxing rules

Manny Pacquiao during ONE Championship: Kings of Destiny at Mall of Asia Arena. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

If ever Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor fight each other, it should be under boxing rules.

This was the condition set by Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s chief trainer, who is receptive to the idea of the eight-division champion tangling with the mixed martial arts superstar.

“It has to be a boxing match of course, in a boxing ring, in a boxing gloves and boxing rules,” Roach said on Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

Roach, who is preparing Pacquiao for his defense of the WBO welterweight crown against Jeff Horn on July 2, sounded certain that Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., McGregor’s choice as opponent, would dominate the Briton in the ring.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao sparred for eight rounds Tuesday, five against Leonardo Doronio and Sonny Katiandagho and another three against Mexican  Adrian Young (23-win, 3-loss, 2-draw, 18 KOs), who arrived Monday.