Conor McGregor has revealed that preliminary talks have been held for a potential boxing match with legend Manny Pacquiao.
McGregor will return to the Octagon on January 18 to take on Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
After a 15-month hiatus from the sport following his devastating defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov, the Irishman is now looking to re-establish himself as one of the best in the business.
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Big Plans
But Notorious also has his eyes on another venture into the boxing ring, and a fight with Manny Pacquiao is very much on the cards, the Dubliner has revealed.
McGregor has announced big fight plans for 2020 and has made drastic changes to his lifestyle and training regime in a bid to get his career headed back in the right direction.
But the former lightweight and featherweight champion still has ambitions outside the Octagon.
McGregor tried his hand at boxing in an exhibition bout with the undefeated Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather, who stopped him in the 10th round.
And he’s now eyeing up a second crossover, with another legendary opponent in his crosshairs.
Speaking to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Notorious said: “I would been open to other boxing bouts.”
“Manny, we’re actually close to signing Manny,”
“There’s been talks about the Manny fight aswell.”
“There was an offer made on that, yeah,”
“Just not yet.”
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‘I’m Damn Good’
When asked if the fight was a possibility, McGregor confirmed “very much so” before going on to drop Paul Malignaggi as another big name he’d like to face in the ring.
“Then the Paulie fight.”
“I’d like to box Paulie as well, why not,”
“That’s a bit of buzz as well”
“Paulie, a boxing bout.”
McGregor went on to confirm he’d be open to boxing more than once. And the controversial superstar vowed to gain a boxing world title in the future.
“I want to box again, I will box again,” he said.
“I want to get a boxing world title,”
“I would box multiple times.”
“I love boxing, I truly love boxing,”
“And I’m damn good.”
Watch the interview below:
Aside from the Mayweather rematch, @TheNotoriousMMA would also be open to boxing @MannyPacquiao and @PaulMalignaggi 🥊 (via @arielhelwani, @ESPNRingside) pic.twitter.com/iQcDeAYKoi
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 13, 2020
Comebacks
Another possible boxing match-up is a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, who recently revealed his latest comeback from retirement.
Money confirmed he’s working with UFC president Dana White to produce something ‘spectacular’ for fans.
But before McGregor can look at getting back into the boxing, he must first focus on getting his first win in over three years.
Should he get past Cowboy, a Khabib rematch and Justin Gaethje match-up are amongst the speculated next steps for the ex-champion.
Could we see the old McGregor come back to conquer the UFC once more?
And if so, will he really go on to chase boxing gold?
(Featured image source: Instagram/ Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao)