McGregor tweets he's going to fight Pacquiao in a boxing match

ESPN

Published at 08:34 am September 26th, 2020

Conor McGregor

The McGregor-Pacquiao boxing match would take place in late December or early January, said manager Audie Attar, who represents both fighters and Middle East is one of a few locations being discussed to host the fight

UFC star Conor McGregor is in serious talks to fight boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, but the bout isn't a done deal yet, McGregor's manager, Audie Attar, told ESPN on Friday.

McGregor said Friday on Twitter that he is "boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East."

The McGregor-Pacquiao boxing match would take place in late December or early January, said Attar, who represents both fighters. The Middle East is one of a few locations being discussed to host the fight, he added.

Attar recently told ESPN he had talks with the UFC about McGregor's future. On Friday, he said McGregor fighting Pacquiao in a boxing match was, in fact, one of the topics discussed; according to Attar, the UFC was on board with the idea.

Anyway all water under the bridge who gives a fook.
I’m boxing Manny Pacquiao next in the Middle East.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020

It will be a true honour to have faced two of the greatest boxers of the modern era, afraid of a fight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020

In 2017, the UFC co-promoted a McGregor boxing match versus Floyd Mayweather Jr. along with Mayweather Promotions, Showtime and McGregor Sports & Entertainment. That fight ended up being one of the highest-grossing combat sports events of all time.

A specific weight for this proposed bout hasn't been determined, per Attar, but he said he was confident the fight would take place in the coming months.

Following the Pacquiao fight, Attar said the plan was for McGregor to return to the UFC in 2021.

McGregor, who also expressed frustration with his lack of activity this year, hasn't fought since his 40-second TKO win over Donald Cerrone in January.

BREAKING: The camp of boxing champ and incumbent senator Manny Pacquiao confirmed on Saturday that he will fight Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor next year. https://t.co/mAtrVIMv7F
— GMA News (@gmanews) September 26, 2020

JUST IN: Senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year, his office confirms. It says details are still being finalized, but a huge portion of Pacquiao's earnings will be used to help the country's COVID-19 response | @eimorpsantos pic.twitter.com/9cgHwKN1gG
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) September 26, 2020