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      in Boxing

      Conor McGregor vs Manny Pacquiao in 2021 is ‘inevitable’ with ‘plan’ to face Filipino legend in next fight after UFC 257

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      CONOR McGREGOR boxing Manny Pacquiao in 2021 is ‘inevitable’ with the Irishman planning fight the Filipino legend after Dustin Poirier, according to the duo’s manager.
      McGregor makes his return to action on January 23, in a rematch with Poirier, who he beat in 2014.

      Manny Pacquiao could fight Conor McGregor in 2021 Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao both have the same management Credit: Rex Features

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      But before his UFC comeback was confirmed, the Irishman was in talks to face Pacquiao.
      Those plans will now be on ice until after UFC 257 on Fight Island, but manager Audi Attar, who represents both men, is confident the superstars will be in the ring with each other this year.
      Attar told Dubai Eye 103.8 Sport: “I definitely believe it’s inevitable for 2021.

      “Both fighters want it, that’s the key.
      “You can’t make something happen or orchestrate it or choreograph it – which is the buzzword of this interview – you can’t fake that.
      “If one side wants it and the other doesn’t, it’s not going to happen. But when both fighters want that fight to happen, why wouldn’t it happen?
      “If the fans want to see it – that almost guarantees that it’s going to happen, right? As there’s enough interest to develop something there.”

      McGregor, 32, announced via Twitter in September that he would be boxing Pacquiao, 42, in his next bout.

      Audi Attar pictured with Manny Pacquiao

      But after the UFC approached him to instead return to the cage and for a second fight with Poirier, 31, he turned his attention to MMA once more.
      Now, McGregor has the intention of resuming talks with eight-division champion PacMan once his business on Fight Island is completed.
      Attar said: “The UFC said, ‘Alright, let’s do that rematch’. We said, ‘OK, well let’s do that rematch first then, but then Manny will be the next fight’.
      “And that’s what both fighters want. So, that’s the plan.
      “We’ve been having amazing conversation with stakeholders across the world, including the Middle East.
      “We’ll see where it goes. I’d be shocked if it didn’t happen in 2021.”

      Owen Roddy says people don’t punch like Conor McGregor ahead of Poirier fight More

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      in Soccer

      Watch as UFC icon Khabib leaves football opponent for dead with shock burst of speed in match with Dutch legend Seedorf

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      UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov left his opponent for dead in a football match in Dubai featuring Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf.
      Footage emerged of Khabib knocking the ball past the opposing full-back and running down the wing.

      Khabib Nurmagomedov left his opponent for dead in a football match in Dubai

      Khabib pictured with Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf, centre in blue

      Nurmagomedov then posed for pictures after the game and even tried a cheeky takedown with AC Milan icon Seedorf.
      Khabib, 32, who retired from the UFC last year, is a big football fan and follows Liverpool and Real Madrid.
      Nurmagomedov has enjoyed a friendship with Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
      He revealed he once picked Ronaldo’s brain on how to be an elite sportsman – and even said he preferred football to fighting.

      Khabib told UFC Russia last year: “When I met Cristiano, I had so many questions to ask.
      “I wanted to know how he was able to maintain his desire to be the best for 17 years straight.
      “Since 2003 he has been at the highest level and every time at the end of the season he is in the top-ten players ranking list.
      “Moreover, he was the best for seven or eight years straight in Europe and in the world. He won the Golden Ball five times, won the Champions League five times.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo pictured with UFC legend Khabib Credit: instagram

      “He won everything while he was in Manchester United and Real Madrid. Two world class football leagues. He won everything.
      “I was wondering how he managed to achieve it.
      “As far as I understand it, his internal energy, desire, motivation, discipline, recovery techniques, regime, nutrition – he combines all of it.”
      Interestingly, Ronaldo, 35, told boxer Gennady Golovkin he prefers watching boxing and UFC over football.
      He said: “Playing football is my passion, but I prefer watching other sports on TV.
      “Between watching a football match or a boxing or UFC fight, I choose boxing or UFC.” More

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      in Boxing

      UFC superstar Conor McGregor given green light to fight for world title in BOXING if he beats one ranked WBC contender

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      CONOR McGREGOR would be given the green light to fight for a world title in BOXING as long as he defeats a ranked WBC contender.
      McGregor made his lucrative ring debut in 2017, losing to Floyd Mayweather in ten rounds

      Conor McGregor during his boxing debut with Floyd Mayweather Credit: Rex Features

      Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor pictured in 2017 next to the WBC’s ‘Money’ belt Credit: AP:Associated Press

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      The WBC helped sanction the crossover spectacle, even putting up a ‘Money’ belt for the occasion.
      But with McGregor last year revealing that he envisions winning a title for real in boxing, he has been handed hope of achieving his audacious goal.
      All the Irishman has to do is claim a victory over a contender rated in the top 15 by the WBC, as the sanctioning body will take into account his prior accolades in the UFC.

      WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told SunSport: “I would say, he needs to face and defeat a ranked fighter, then he would be eligible to be ranked and to compete for a title.
      “Because, we have plenty of examples of Muay Thai fighters, who turn professional in international boxing, and they are eligible to fight for the title.
      “We also have amateur superstars like Vasiliy Lomachenko, they come into professional boxing and fight for the title and it’s proven it works.”
      Masterful Ukrainian Lomachenko – who left the amateurs with a 396-1 record – won the WBO belt in only his second pro bout.

      And the WBC have a long history of Thai Boxing champions switching over to the sweet science with great success, like Samart Payakaroon who reigned in both sports.

      Conor McGregor revealed he wants to win a world title in boxing

      Conor McGregor sparring ahead of his UFC return

      With McGregor’s history as the UFC’s top attraction, as well as 19 knockouts in his 22 wins, the southpaw would be equally entitled to a shot at the famous green and gold WBC belt.
      Sulaiman said: “If he is to start boxing and proves with victories in boxing then he should certainly be given the opportunity to fight for a world title.
      “We, in the WBC, consider the amateur career as one of the criteria for rankings.
      “And, for example Muay Thai, in Thailand, we consider that career also when they enter into boxing.
      “So, Conor has a mixed martial arts resume, so if he comes into boxing and wins a fight against a ranked fighter, he would be eligible to be ranked.
      “This is not a rookie entering the sport, he has a long history of combat sports, so it’s a different scenario of what it used to be in the past.”
      McGregor, 32, won early rounds against Mayweather, 43, before tiring as the 50-0 icon took over down the stretch.

      Conor McGregor was beaten in ten rounds by Floyd Mayweather Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman with Floyd Mayweather Credit: Reuters
      Despite defeat, it has not stopped him from calling for a rematch, and even entering talks to face Manny Pacquiao, 42, in the future.
      For now, though, McGregor is focussing on his octagon return, as he rematches Dustin Poirier, 31, on January 23.
      But Sulaiman believes the former two-weight UFC champion has the tools necessary to reach the pinnacle of boxing – but has to prove it against a worthy contender first.
      He said: “What we saw with Mayweather was of course different with the times, the rounds, it is not the same to fight five rounds to then go 12 rounds.
      “But he has ability, he has power, he has status as a fighter.
      “But, to compete and become a world champion in the WBC, he would need to fight in boxing and by merit be ranked. Then, he would be in the position to challenge.
      “I don’t know what weight category he would be, but definitely he would need to get a decisive win against a quality opponent to be considered to be ranked.”

      Owen Roddy says people don’t punch like Conor McGregor ahead of Poirier fight More

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      in Boxing

      UFC superstar Conor McGregor can BEAT Manny Pacquiao in boxing match, says legend Evander Holyfield

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      CONOR MCGREGOR has a ‘chance’ of beating Manny Pacquiao in a boxing match, former undisputed cruiserweight champion Evander Holyfield believes.
      A blockbuster crossover fight between the pair has been mooted for well over a year, with McGregor teasing a 2021 showdown last September.

      Conor McGregor entered the boxing world in the summer of 2017 to face Floyd Mayweather JrCredit: Getty

      Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao are represented by the same managementCredit: Getty

      The Irishman, who boxed Floyd Mayweather in August 2017, has already had his chances of beating the 43-year-old Pacman written off.
      But Holyfield insists the former two-division UFC champ is capable of causing a stunning an upset, telling SunSport: “Well, he’s got longer arms. So he has reach advantage.
      “So he has to keep Pacquiao to the side and throw the punches straight, which is going to be difficult. You’re talking about fighting somebody who has been doing boxing their whole life.
      “McGregor’s strength is grabbing people and turning people and flipping people, where he had more things to think about.”

      Despite believing McGregor can beat Pacquiao, Holyfield, 58, admits The Notorious faces an uphill task to get the better of the former eight-weight world champion.

      He added: “When you to boxing where you’re boxing and using your hands only and not kicking, it is going to be difficult for someone like McGregor.
      “It makes it even more difficult because, as I said, Pacquiao has been doing it all his life and his hand routine is perfect.

      “And regardless anybody gets into a fight with him the only person who’s going to have a better chance to beat him is somebody younger doing the same thing he does, which is boxing.
      “But if you are the same age there’s not much difference because then you’re going to get whooped.
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      “However, anybody who gets in the ring has some chance, I believe. You ain’t getting in the ring if you think you ain’t got a chance. And McGregor has some skills too.
      “He has that heart to fight, heart of a fighter. He can fight so ain’t nobody just going to beat him up in no kind of way. Just like the boxers, he has the mentality of a fighter.
      “Manny, even if he went into a MMA fight he would get kicked but he will get some punches in there and fight, he may get tore up in the end but he is a fighter who is able to do something because of the mentality andhow we fighters think. So, McGregor has a chance.”
      Should McGregor land a mega-money fight with the pride of the Philippines, Holyfield would happily prepare the Dubliner for the bout.

      The Real Deal said: “If I was asked then I would go out to him and say to him, ‘You know what, do this thing.’
      “The thing is that I’m not a ‘coach’. I can give him good advice, but I’d have someone else hold the hand pads – I don’t know how to hold hand pads! – I came up hitting hands pads.
      “So, it’s like Mayweather, he doesn’t know how to hold hand pads like coaches do. But he was a good fighter.
      “There are a lot of things fighters don’t do real well if they were to coach. Because they were great fighters, so it’s kind of different. But it’s easy to give directions and advice, but show someone how to do something is different.”
      McGregor is currently gearing up for his UFC 257 rematch with Dustin Poirier, whom he’ll rematch a week on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
      WBA welterweight champion Pacquiao, meanwhile, currently doesn’t have a fight booked but intends to make two outings this year.

      Joe Rogan says Conor McGregor fighting ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’ Manny Pacquiao is ‘bonkers’ More

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      in Boxing

      Evander Holyfield says he’d coach Conor McGregor for blockbuster Manny Pacquiao boxing match

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      EVANDER HOLYFIELD has revealed he would happily coach UFC superstar Conor McGregor for a blockbuster fight with Manny Pacquiao.
      The UFC’s poster boy revealed last September that a multi-million-pound showdown with the eight-weight world champion was in the works.

      Conor McGregor teased a boxing match with Manny Pacquiao last SeptemberCredit: Getty

      Manny Pacquiao is represented by the same management company as the UFC’s poster boyCredit: AP

      McGregor, 32, entered the boxing world in 2017 to take part in a much-maligned fight with Floyd Mayweather, which he lost via tenth-round TKO.
      And for heavyweight champ Holyfield is open to helping the Irishman prepare for Pacman, telling SunSport: “If I was asked then I would go out to him and say to him, ‘You know what, do this thing.’
      “The thing is that I’m not a ‘coach’. I can give him good advice, but I’d have someone else hold the hand pads – I don’t know how to hold hand pads! – I came up hitting hands pads.
      “So, it’s like Mayweather, he doesn’t know how to hold hand pads like coaches do. But he was a good fighter.

      “There are a lot of things fighters don’t do real well if they were to coach. Because they were great fighters, so it’s kind of different. But it’s easy to give directions and advice, but show someone how to do something is different.”
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      Although Holyfield has a vast amount of knowledge to share with The Notorious, he admits bestowing it all would also have its downsides.
      He added: “The thing is I know boxing, but I realise the more you tell a person what to do it’s going to make him slow because a guy can get confused while in a fight with too much information – in boxing it’s all about reaction, pa pa pa, pa, you don’t get a chance to consciously think for two seconds where you think to yourself, ‘OK, I got to do this. I can keep the feet like that.’

      “Every time you come into a certain distance it’s an instant reaction you have to get your punches out.
      “This is what you have to do. So, what I’m talking about is the person with the advantage – Manny against McGregor – is always the guy who’s been doing it longer.”
      Should the fight come to fruition, Holyfield reckons Pacquiao, 42, would have a lot less to worry about than the UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion.

      Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Evander Holyfield would happily coach Conor McGregor for a fight with Manny PacquiaoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Real Deal said: “Pacquiao won’t have to think much as it’s going to be a boxing match compared to Conor McGregor.
      “The fact of the matter is you’ve got to ask yourself, ‘What was Mayweather’s purpose?’ His purpose was to win, and he won.
      “He realised he could’ve put pressure on in such a fierce pace on Conor McGregor and could have made him give up earlier.
      “There are a lot of things to factor in. You’ve got to have a plan on what you want to do.

      “And how to make this thing interesting, you know, it’s entertaining. Entertaining to the people is the idea. So, what is entertaining?
      “So if you go out there and if you have the ability to knock out the guy in 30 seconds, or people get chance to see a great entertaining fight with the two.
      “They could knock each other out – they are very tough guys, so either way it’s about the performance itself.
      “Everybody knows that Pacquiao is a good fighter, and everybody knows if Mayweather was good then Pacquiao is as good.
      “He’s as good as Mayweather I believe. It’s pretty much just like a person has a certain gift, your gift is writing, or someone’s gift is speaking, and someone who tries to compete with you the other person is going to find it quite difficult .
      “What is the gift that God gave you? This is the question. It’s something that you’ve known whole your life.”
      McGregor, 32, is currently preparing for his UFC 257 rematch with Dustin Poirier, which takes place a week on Saturday on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
      Pacquiao, meanwhile, currently doesn’t have a fight booked but intends to compete twice this year

      Joe Rogan says Conor McGregor fighting ‘one of the greatest boxers of all time’ Manny Pacquiao is ‘bonkers’ More

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      in Boxing

      Jake Paul told ex-UFC ace Askren is tougher test than Nate Robinson as he can ‘take a punch, see blood & not be afraid’

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      JAKE PAUL has been warned not to underestimate Ben Askren’s boxing ability with the YouTuber set for a dramatic step up in competition.
      Paul is in talks to fight retired UFC welterweight Askren, who is renowned for his grappling and wrestling prowess, in March.

      Jake Paul knocking out ex-NBA star Nate Robinson Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ben Askren retired from the UFC in 2019 Credit: Getty – Contributor

      The social media sensation is riding high following a brutal knockout of former NBA player Nate Robinson in November.
      But ex-UFC champion Anthony Pettis, a friend and training partner of Askren’s, reckons Paul is in for a rude awakening when he shares the ring with a seasoned and experienced fighter.
      Pettis, 33, told SunSport: “Once a guy who can actually take a punch, see blood and not be afraid – that’s a real fighter.
      “A guy that can take damage and keep coming forward. Ben can do that. Ben is one of those guys that can get hit and hit you back.

      “Look at Nate Robinson, it didn’t even look like he had a sparring session before that fight.
      “Once he got hit you could see he wanted no part of it. That changes when you get in with a guy that accepts getting hit and hits you back.
      “Once Jake Paul fights someone like that under the lights, when the pressure is on, that’s when we’ll see.”
      Despite Askren’s career competing at the pinnacle of MMA, some bookmakers and experts – including Daniel Cormier – have tipped him to lose against Paul.

      Ben Askren pictured with training partner Anthony Pettis

      But Pettis – who has just signed for the Professional Fighters League – has urged viral star Paul and anyone else not to count out his team-mate’s underrated hands.
      He said: “I definitely think he’s been underestimated.
      “Ben’s strength is wrestling, his hands are only to get guys to the ground, to maintain that distance to get guys to the ground.
      “We haven’t seen much of Ben’s hands so it makes sense for Jake Paul to call someone out like that instead of going for some of the big guns.
      “But Ben’s an athlete, I’ve trained with him and I know how good he is.
      “I’ve said I’d help Ben get ready for that fight. Ben’s here in Wisconsin and I’ve told him I’ve got sparring for him.
      “I think he fought Damian Maia in his last fight and that’s a hard guy to showcase your skills against.
      “Ben has great boxing, I even think Damian Maia has underrated boxing in mixed martial arts. His hands are very good.”

      Ben Askren is renowned for his wrestling skills Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      YouTuber Jake Paul is 2-0 as a pro boxer Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis plans a move into boxing
      As well as offering to help Askren, 36, face Paul, 23, Pettis himself fancies a crack at the 2-0 boxing upstart.
      But the new PFL arrival will not get lost in the queue of endless challengers wanting to fight the internet phenomenon.
      Pettis does intend to take his skills to the boxing ring one day, and will welcome all comers.
      He explained: “I’ve been so focussed on MMA that I haven’t looked at boxing for potential match-ups.
      “But there’s so many big names in boxing. It would be my boxing debut, but I do have great hands, I spar with some of the best boxers out there.
      “My kicking does take precendence over my boxing, I’ve used it my whole life, but I’d like to challenge myself in that arena, do some kind of a boxing exhibition.
      “Something to make it exciting, something that would make me wake up in the morning and be motivated to train.”

      Logan Paul calls out own brother Jake Paul for boxing fight More

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      in Boxing

      Conor McGregor explains how his boxing has improved since Floyd Mayweather fight ahead of possible Manny Pacquiao bout

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      CONOR McGREGOR claims his boxing technique has improved since fighting Floyd Mayweather.
      The Irishman will return to action at UFC 257 on January 23 when he takes on old rival Dustin Poirier.

      Conor McGregor explained how his boxing technique has improvedCredit: Rex Features

      McGregor returned to his first ever boxing coaches at the Crumlin amateur club, with former Olympian Phil SutcliffeCredit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma

      But he will ‘definitely’ fight boxing veteran Manny Pacquiao later this year, according to the man who manages the pair.
      The UFC superstar made his ring debut in 2017, losing in ten rounds to all-time great Mayweather.
      In the open workout before the fight, McGregor was ridiculed for his unusual warm up in the ring before hitting various bags for 12 rounds at the UFC’s Performance Institute in Las Vegas.
      McGregor returned to his first ever boxing coaches at the Crumlin amateur club, with former Olympian Phil Sutcliffe, for the first time ever, cornering the 32-year-old in the octagon.

      Before he beat Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds, McGregor was filmed back at the UFC’s PI.
      There the southpaw revealed he is sitting down on his punches to generate more power, opposed to his more unconventional karate-style strikes displayed three years ago.
      McGregor said: “I actually look at the Mayweather [fight], the shots on the bag and the way I was punching and I actually can’t even watch that.
      “I shiver when I see the way I was throwing my punches back then. I just wasn’t sitting right on them, just floating through the air.

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      McGregor was beaten by Floyd Mayweather on his boxing debutCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “Now I’m getting into positions and sitting in. Got to go through everything to learn, to truly learn. Experience is the best teacher of all.”
      McGregor neglected to bring in a boxing coach before his loss to Mayweather, 43, with striking trainer Owen Roddy instead leading the camp alongside John Kavanagh.
      They will now instead work alongside those who first taught McGregor how to box.
      WBA welterweight championPacquiao plans to fight twice in 2021 – despite being 42 years old.
      Pacquiao, who boasts a 62-7 record, has been tipped to fight McGregor and Terence Crawford.
      He told the Daily Tribute: “I think I can do two fights next year.”

      Manny Pacquiao is in talks to fight McGregor in the Middle East

      McGregor is already training to box PacquiaoCredit: Twitter / @TheNotoriousMMA

      The countdown to Conor McGregor v Dustin Poirier has begun with Dana White tribute video More

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      in Boxing

      Ex-UFC star Paige VanZant promises ‘blood’ ahead of brutal Bare Knuckle boxing debut at BKFC 16 against Britain Hart

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      PAIGE VANZANT has promised ‘blood’ when she debuts with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
      The former UFC star will make her brutal transition on February 5 as she faces Britain Hart in Florida.

      Paige VanZant has promised ‘blood’ when she debuts with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

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      VanZant, 26, confirmed the fight on Instagram and wrote: “February 5th. There will be blood. @bareknucklefc link in bio.”
      Hart, 30, has boxed 11 times as a professional, with a record of 4-4-3.
      She made her BKBFC debut in 2018 but was beaten, since earning a losing record of 1-2.

      BKBFC president David Feldman told MMAFighting: “Britain’s a real tough girl – she’s skilled, but she’s not the best technical boxer in the world
      “Paige isn’t going to have to chase her down.
      “It’s going to be competitive, but I think it’s going to be a good opponent choice for Paige on her first event.
      “[Paige is] getting paid very well, and I don’t think we could have thrown her somebody that never fought bare-knuckle before, or at least someone that had a pretty well-established record.

      “I don’t think the fans would have liked that. We’re going to give the fans what they want.”

      VanZant will kick off her bare-knuckle career two days before the Super Bowl, which is currently scheduled for February 7 at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
      As a result, the promotion are hoping to steal some attention from the NFL finale coverage before the fight.
      VanZant signed for BKBFC after her UFC contract expired, as she walked away with an 8-5 MMA record.

      Paige VanZant flashes her bum in red bikini in stunning pool picture ahead of Bare Knuckle boxing debut More