Manny Pacquaio is a legend of the boxing world. The Filipino senator is the only eight-division champion in the history of the sport and won 13 separate titles. He is into his fourth decade of fighting after starting when he was 16. ‘The Pacman’ has a record of 62 wins and seven losses.
In sum, he is by the most famous Asian boxer on the planet and a generational talent. Alongside Floyd Mayweather, he was the most famous combat sports athlete of his era. Pacquaio is still fighting and recently moved management to Paradigm Sports Management.
Run by Audie Attar, this is one of the biggest management companies in the world. While they have many boxing and MMA clients, their most famous by far is a certain Conor McGregor. Now the Irishman has signaled his interest in a boxing match with the legendary Pacquaio.
Happy Birthday @TheNotoriousMMA 👊🏼
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) July 16, 2020
Birthday Wishes
This all started when Pacquaio simply wished McGregor a happy birthday. ‘The Notorious’ just turned 32 but still took the time to respond to the boxing icon. In short, he said: “Thank you Emmanuel 170.” While this is obviously quite cryptic, the logical conclusion is that is the weight he wants to fight the Filipino at.
McGregor has fought three times at 170lbs in the UFC, winning twice and losing once. In short, he likes the division because he doesn’t have to cut much weight. However, Pacquaio has spent most of his career at welterweight in boxing, which is effectively the equivalent of lightweight in MMA.
In sum, this would have to be a catchweight bout if the 170lb demand was legitimate. Of course, it’s all pure speculation. But stranger things have happened in 2020 than Conor McGregor boxing Manny Pacquaio. Who do you think would win this potential fight?
Boxing Match
In January 2020, McGregor spoke to ESPN about his interest in fighting for a boxing title. He famously fought Floyd Mayweather back in 2017. ‘Money’ won that fight by TKO but it was incredibly lucrative for both men. No wonder the Irishman would like to get back in the boxing ring. He confirmed his interest in a rematch with Mayweather but also said he would like to fight the likes of Pacquaio.
“But also I would be open to other boxing bouts,” McGregor said. “Manny, we were actually close to signing [a fight with] Manny. There’s been talks about a Manny fight as well. There was an offer made on that. Just not yet.”
Firm Interest
The Irishman insists that his desire to box is genuine. His first foray into combat sports as a youngster was amateur boxing. He regularly returns to his old stomping grounds of Crumlin Boxing in Dublin. In short, his desire to fight is still there and there are interesting opponents for him.
“Very much so,” he said about his interest in boxing. “And the Paulie [Malignaggi] fight. I’d like to box Paulie as well. I already knocked him out but that’s a bit of buzz as well. Paulie and a boxing bout. I want to box again, I will box again. I will get a boxing world title. I’d box multiple times, I love boxing and I’m damn good.”
