Pacquiao-McGregor fight could happen in 2021

FILE – Manny Pacquiao reacts after defeating Keith Thurman by split decision in a welterweight title fight Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

It’s only a matter of time before a potential showdown between boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor comes to fruition.

There has been ample talk from both camps about a crossover boxing bout between Pacquiao and McGregor—a fight expected to be a surefire hit.

And it gained more traction just last week after Pacquiao signed with Paradigm Sports Management, the same company that also manages McGregor.

“Bottomline, there is a possibility that they will have a fight together,” said Arnold Vegafria, Pacquiao’s business manager, on Tuesday in a press conference. “Definitely not this year, but we want to do it in the last part of his career.

Vegafria also said a Pacquiao-McGregor clash will likely happen next year.

In 2017, McGregor appeared in his first boxing fight and lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. by TKO in the 10th round. The match ranked as the second-highest grossing fight ever.

A megafight against McGregor could be Pacquiao’s farewell match after a legendary career that saw him become the sport’s only eight-division champion.