Manny Pacquiao’s coach doesn’t see Conor McGregor as a threat in a boxing ring…
As 2017 grows to a close, we’re still not sure if Conor McGregor’s next fight will be inside an octagon, a boxing ring, or somehow involving the Irish Mafia. One thing we do know for sure, however, is Manny Pacquiao’s team do not see Conor as much of a threat in a boxing match.
Last month, Manny Pacquiao joined the ranks of fighters lobbying for the big time paycheque which comes with facing Conor. On Thanksgiving, Pacquiao posted an Instagram photo of McGregor and wished the Irishman good health. Many took this as Pacquiao throwing his name in the hat for potential future opponents.
The idea has struck a chord at the very least with Dana White, who promises to sue Pacquiao if he continues on with what he has been doing.
When asked about Pacquiao reaching out to McGregor’s team, here is what the UFC President had to say:
“That would be weird because he’s under contract with us,” White said after UFC Fresno.
“If that’s true, I will be suing Manny Pacquiao and whoever’s representing him, so I’m assuming that’s not true.”
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Conor McGregor’s Boxing Future
Although Dana White insisted after McGregor vs Mayweather that Conor would be returning to MMA permanently, his tune may have changed somewhat. The money Conor would stand to make from facing Pacquiao or in a rematch with Floyd Mayweather eclipses what he would potentially make by facing Tony Ferguson. The matter gets complicated further when it is considered that the UFC plans on getting into boxing promotion.
On the surface, while it seems as though a Pacquiao vs McGregor fight is nearly impossible to organize, that is exactly what was said about the Mayweather vs McGregor bout as well.
Edson Barboza Takes Shot at Conor
Meanwhile back in the UFC lightweight division, where McGregor is still the official champion, top contender Edson Barboza is not fazed by news Conor might not defend the title next.
Here is what the Brazilian lightweight had to say:
“I’m training a lot. I know my time is now. I’m ready to be a UFC champion, you’ll see.
“I’m number three in the rankings and I see Tony Ferguson as the actual champion. I always make this very clear. It doesn’t matter whether or not Conor McGregor comes back.
“I don’t know if he is coming back or not and I don’t care. All I hope for is that whoever wins my fight with Khabib, becomes the next one to fight Ferguson for the belt.”
Barboza is scheduled to take on Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 219. Unfortunately for him, rumors are that Khabib has been hitting the tiramisu hard and is walking around heavier than usual. As is often the case, however, there are also rumors that just the opposite is true and Khabib is at around 170lbs at the moment.
Freddie Roach Takes Shot at Conor
Legendary boxing coach, Freddie Roach, recently expressed that he doesn’t feel Conor would be much of a match-up for Pacquiao. Roach, who made his MMA cornering debut for George St. Pierre recently, had this to say regarding a potential Pacquiao McGregor match-up
“Well Manny always told he doesn’t like that sport because it’s more like a street fight,” he told reporters.
“But it’s a very winnable fight and there’s a lot of money in that fight. It’s kind of like ripping off the world, it wouldn’t be a fair fight. Unless Manny fought by their rules too, that would be a fair fight.
“But if you’re going to do boxing rules, the boxer is going to win 99-and-a-half percent of the time. And I don’t think it’s much of a fight. I’m not a big fan of his.
“He’s not that great a boxer, in my mind. And I think we all saw that.”
