MANNY PACQUIAO accused Conor McGregor of underestimating Dustin Poirier before his stunning UFC 257 knockout loss.
McGregor had previously stopped Poirier in under two minutes of their featherweight fight in 2014.
Manny Pacquiao reckons Conor McGregor underestimated Dustin PoirierCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Dustin Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor at UFC 257Credit: Getty Images – Getty
But in last week’s rematch, the American returned the favour and subjected Notorious to his third UFC defeat.
It also put McGregor’s return to the boxing to face Pacquiao on the shelf with the Irishman compelled to fight for his reputation in the UFC instead.
But PacMan will still have one eye on how his fellow southpaw bounces back from the devastating setback.
Pacquiao, 42, told ABS-CBN News: “Losing is part of the game. In sport there are winners and losers, that’s all.
“It is not about defeat, but about how you accept defeat in your life: how you get over that difficult time in your life.
“McGregor had already beaten his rival before and I think that made him underestimate him.”
McGregor, 32, lost his boxing debut in 2017, as Floyd Mayweather finished the fight in round ten.
But the former UFC champion fancied another lucrative escapade in the ring against boxing royalty.
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He revealed before his return to the octagon that talks were intensifying between himself and Pacquiao, with the pair both managed by Paradigm Sports.
But McGregor can forget all about the Filipino icon for now, after his representative confirmed the eight-division champion is no longer pursuing McGregor.
Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao promotions, told SunSport: “Very unfortunate, it looked like Conor looked past Dustin and got knocked out.
“Maybe he had the Senator on his mind. I think the demand for the fight is not there presently.
“Conor has some business to clean up and handle in the UFC.
“It’s a bummer, it could have been fun for as long as it lasted and know leg kicks would have made a world of difference.”
Justin Gaethje threatens to never fight in the UFC again if Conor McGregor is handed title shot in his next bout
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
