'Will be fighting': Conor McGregor-Manny Pacquiao bombshell stuns fans

Name: Conor McGregor in ‘serious talks’ to fight Manny Pacquiao
Duration: 27 s
Description: Conor McGregor is apparently narrowing in on his next fight — one that could take place in the ring in the next few months.

riley morgan

Sports Reporter

Sun, 27 Sept 2020, 3:40 am·2-min read

Conor McGregor (pictured left) with the Irish flag and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao (pictured right) with his belt thanking fans. — Conor McGregor (pictured left) has claimed his next fight will be against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao (pictured right). (Getty Images)

Conor McGregor has sent the fight world into overdrive after claiming his next fight would be against legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao and it appears talks are underway.

The Irishman hasn’t fought in the UFC since he defeated Donald Cerrone in his comeback fight earlier in 2020.

'MOST PAIN EVER': X-Ray uncovers fighter's horror injury

'TERRIFIED': Tyson's scary workout nearly destroys trainer

But he has since claimed he has retired from UFC following the bout.

But on Friday, McGregor tweeted he would be fighting the boxing great in “the Middle East”, which caused a stir on social media.

McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar, told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani on Friday that the two sides are in “serious talks” for a boxing match in either December or January — adding more weight to McGregor’s claims on Twitter.

McGregor did take on boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in 2017, one of the highest-grossing fights of all time.

A fight with Pacquiao — the 41-year-old has world titles in eight different weight classes and owns a stellar 62-7-2 overall record — would likely rival that.

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

I was pushing hard for the season.
Multiple opponents, multiple dates offered throughout. All to take place back to back.
Then when covid hit and the talk was that I would have to wait for crowds again, I walked away from the situation. I was waiting long enough at that stage.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 25, 2020

.@TheNotoriousMMA said he's going to fight @MannyPacquiao next 🥊

(via @ESPNRingside) pic.twitter.com/kl0GcXZ90I
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 25, 2020

Pacquiao appears open to McGregor fight

But in a further development, it appears Pacquiao’s corner are also on board after giving McGregor a glowing endorsement.

"The Senator Manny Pacquiao has always been up for new challenges," Manny Pacquiao Promotions president Sean Gibbons said, via ESPN.

"Conor McGregor showed in his fight with Floyd Mayweather he has the skills to fight with the best boxers in the world, and considering that they are both global icons and in the global landscape we live in today would be a tremendous event."

With Ryan Young - Yahoo Sport US

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.