McGregor says he was ‘close’ to signing fight with Manny Pacquiao

UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighter Conor McGregor gestures during a news conference in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. McGregor announced that he will fight an undisclosed opponent with the event expected to happen in Las Vegas, USA, in January 2020. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

MANILA, Philippines — Conor McGregor’s first dabble in boxing did not end well after he was stopped in the 10th round by Floyd Mayweather three years ago.

But the MMA star doesn’t want that to be his only appearance inside the ring.

https://sports.inquirer.net/276074/breaking-sports-mma-mixed-martial-arts-conor-mcgregor-manny-pacquiao-boxing

In an interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Show, McGregor bared his plans for at least three boxing fights, which include a rematch with Mayweather and a showdown with Manny Pacquiao, as well as his aspirations to win a boxing world title.

“I’d like to rematch Floyd. I mean, he’s flirting with it and they want all this. And he can go and pick someone else, it’s not gonna be the same. It’s not. I’ve done phenomenal in that bout,” McGregor said.

“But also, I would be open to other boxing bouts. You know, Manny. We’re actually close to signing Manny. There’s been talks about the Manny fight as well. There was an offer made on that. Just not yet,” added the former two-division champion in the UFC, who is also interested in fighting former boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi.

https://sports.inquirer.net/235765/pacquiao-willing-fight-mcgregor

It’s not the first time a potential crossover clash between McGregor and Pacquiao came up after the two warriors had been reportedly engaged in “initial” talks about a fight in December 2017.

For now, boxing can wait with McGregor just four days away from his return to the Octagon against Donald Cerrone in the main event of UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas after a 15-month layoff.