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      Players who swapped football for fighting, including Wayne Bridge, as Wayne Rooney is ‘offered’ Misfits Boxing switch

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      FOOTBALLERS are always encouraged to think about what career path they will take when they hang up their boots.Some choose to go into coaching, others invest in property… and some decide to knock lumps out of one another.
      Wayne Rooney is a huge boxing fan and his considering switching sports
      Rooney was last seen as the boss of Birmingham City
      Marcin Wasilewski is set to begin a career in cage fightingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Wayne Rooney is considering a shock career change, and is in talks to star in Misfits Boxing.
      According to the Mirror, the 38-year-old has held talks with the promoter of KSI’s influencer boxing series, Kalle Sauerland.
      While former Leicester defender Marcin Wasilewski was one ex-pro tipped to swap shin pads for mouth guards.
      The Pole, now 43, retired from football in November 2020 and was expected to enter the world of cage fighting.
      Read more football news
      A bout with ex-Bolton and Hearts defender Blazej Augustyn was even suggested, however he is yet to fight.
      Here, SunSport details the fighting careers of five other footballers who have turned to the ring.
      Rio Ferdinand
      England legend Ferdinand’s football career brought several glittering moments but his boxing days were over before they really started.
      Sponsored by a betting company to step into the ring in September 2017, the former defender was jarringly denied a licence.
      Most read in Football
      The British Boxing Board of Control deemed it ‘not beneficial’ to allow Ferdinand his second career.
      Marcin Wasilewski scores amazing free kick in Leicester training
      And the Manchester United hero quickly called time on his boxing comeback.
      He said: “It is with a heavy heart that I am hanging up my gloves.
      “To not be given the chance to demonstrate my ability to the BBBofC through the standard assessment afforded to others is hard to take.”
      That didn’t stop Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn revealing his desire to stage an Old Trafford showdown between Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.
      Rio Ferdinand won a shedload of trophies as a footballerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The ex-defender was unsuccessful in his attempt at a boxing careerCredit: OnEdition
      Katie Taylor
      Arguably the world’s top female boxer, Taylor is also a former Republic of Ireland international footballer.
      The ex-winger starred for Peamount United in the late 2000s yet missed her side’s FAI Women’s Cup final in 2009 to be crowned Europe’s best amateur fighter.
      Taylor won 11 caps for her country, scoring twice, before choosing to focus on boxing a decade ago.
      Former team-mate Marie Curtin would later tell the Mirror that Taylor ‘would have excelled to the highest level’ had she stayed in football.
      Curtin added: “There were no barriers. Her mindset is so strong and you need leaders like that on your team to win.”
      And Taylor fondly remembers her playing days, even recalling a crunching tackle that was posted on Twitter a couple of years ago.
      I remember it well Derek, it was intentional haha! Thanks for sharing!!— Katie Taylor (@KatieTaylor) January 5, 2018

      Katie Taylor played a number of times for the Republic of Ireland women’s teamCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      Wayne Bridge
      Hardly the most aggressive left-back of his day, ex-Chelsea man Bridge showed the fire in his belly with a stint in boxing two years ago.
      A Sport Relief clash with Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews saw the defender take on a man nine years his junior.
      The three-round affair started tightly before Bridge unleashed a barrage of blows.
      Matthews hit the deck twice and yet made it to the final bell, at which Bridge won on points.
      The former England international, who has also appeared on I’m A Celeb, retired from football aged 33 in 2014.
      His boxing career ended with that one charity fight and he is now said to refer to himself as a ‘stay-at-home dad’ for the two kids he shares with wife Frankie.
      Wayne Bridge retired from football aged 33 due to an injury nightmareCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He agreed to a charity contest for BBC Sport ReliefCredit: BBC
      Leon McKenzie
      A star forward for the likes of Norwich, Peterborough and Coventry on the pitch, McKenzie would later forge a decent super-middleweight career.
      Having hung up his boots in January 2013, he pulled on the gloves just six months later.
      A debut win over John Mason at Bethnal Green’s historic York Hall set him on a string of nine fights without defeat.
      An English title fight with Jahmaine Smyle saw McKenzie suffer a first defeat before he rounded off an 11-fight career with a nine-round loss to Cello Renda.
      The ex-striker also joined forces with former England cricketer Steve Harmison for a talkSPORT podcast on sports stars’ post-retirement plans.
      He said: “For a while I was trying to hold on to ‘former professional boxer and footballer’. That was my identity. I’ve accepted my position now.”
      Leon McKenzie helped Norwich win promotion to the Premier League in 2004Credit: PA:Press Association
      The 42-year-old put together an impressive 11-fight boxing careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Curtis Woodhouse
      Few footballers have made the switch to boxing as convincingly as Woodhouse.
      Birmingham paid £1million to sign the midfielder from Sheffield United in 2001 before spells with Peterborough, Hull and more.
      Disenchanted with the game, he quit aged 26 to spark a long career in the ring.
      An assault conviction halted Woodhouse’s rise but he soon began teaming both of his sports.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Over 31 fights, he claimed 24 wins and went 12 rounds with Frankie Gavin for the WBO Intercontinental welterweight belt in 2011.
      The Driffield Destroyer won English and British level titles before retiring in 2017, and can now be found managing non-league Gainsborough Trinity.
      Birmingham once paid a seven-figure fee to sign Curtis WoodhouseCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The midfielder teamed a non-league career with a number of boxing boutsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Woodhouse lost six stone in weight when returning from a spell away from the ring More

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      Carl Froch makes new prediction for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua after Gypsy King’s scare against Francis Ngannou

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      CARL FROCH revealed he has changed his opinion on Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua. Froch was critical of Fury’s last performance against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who was making his boxing debut.
      Tyson Fury has been criticised by Carl FrochCredit: Getty
      Anthony Joshua hopes to fight Fury in 2024Credit: AFP
      Ngannou even scored a knockdown only to be controversially beaten by split-decision.
      Fury now faces Oleksandr Usyk next while Joshua, 34, returns on March 8 against Ngannou, 37, in Riyadh.
      Victory for the British pair could see the two finally fight this year – and Froch has revealed his prediction.
      He told talkSPORT: “I make Tyson Fury the favourite but not as huge a favourite as I did six months ago before he fought Ngannou.”
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      Froch continued: “If AJ fights Fury next, I think Fury wins. I think he turns up better prepared than when he fights Ngannou.
      “And if AJ fights Oleksandr Usyk, then we know what happens. He can’t beat Usyk.
      “He was close in the second fight but when it got close, Usyk was able to step it up and take over. He always fights within himself.”
      Fury, 35, was due to fight Usyk, 37, on February 17 but he was forced out after suffering a horror cut in sparring just two weeks out from the bout.
      Most read in Boxing

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      The historic first four-belt unification bout has since been postponed to May 18 but Froch questioned Fury’s form heading into it.
      He said: “The big problem is, he’s getting hit a lot more now, and when you start getting hit at that weight, you have problems.
      Tyson Fury’s promoter blasts ‘pathetic’ critics of Gypsy King and says experts ‘should know better’
      “He can’t do it at 35 years old. Now, he’s sitting flat-footed, getting hit with more shots.
      “He’s getting on to 36 years old, he’s getting bigger and heavier.”
      Carl Froch backs Fury to beat JoshuaCredit: AP More

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      I’ve worked as a cutman for over 1,000 fights but one was so brutal I almost PASSED OUT… they bled from head to toe

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      JACOB “STITCH” DURAN has lost count of the amount of fights he has worked over his career – but there is one he could never forget. Duran has cornered a who’s who in both boxing and MMA, spanning over four decades, so little can faze or shock the 72-year-old legend.
      Jay Hieron vs Jonathan Goule was the ‘bloodiest’ fight in MMA history
      Hieron was left covered from head to toe in blood
      Stitch Duran worked the cut for Hieron
      It was the bloodiest fight Stitch ever worked
      Stitch aiding Hieron’s gruesome gash
      But, in 2005, he worked in what at the time was described by UFC commentator Joe Rogan as the “bloodiest round in mixed martial arts history.”
      Jay Hieron was taking on Jonathan Goule in a welterweight bout when, in round two, he took a brutal knee to the forehead.
      Immediately, Hieron was drenched in blood and Duran knew he had a job on his hands.
      Duran recalls almost PASSING OUT from the sheer smell alone as Hieron was covered from head to toe in claret.
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      He told SunSport: “Jay Hieron got that one cut in the vein where you laugh and it popped out and he bled like a pig, to the point where both fighters had blood from the top of their head to the bottom of their feet. 
      “As I was cleaning Jay up, there was so much blood I literally got nauseated. The smell of that iron, that had to be the bloodiest fight. 
      “And Jay Hieron is so proud of it, the mat is up in Randy Couture’s gym in Las Vegas. So we’re intertwined in his history.”
      Despite Duran’s best efforts, the bleeding was so severe the fight was called off a minute into round three with Goule winning by stoppage.
      Most read in BoxingThe one that got away DESPITE working with the best of the best, the most notable name Stitch never cornered was Floyd Mayweather.

      Instead, Mayweather famously had the late Rafael Garcia – who died in 2017 – work his cuts and more importantly his hands.
      But Stitch did have the chance to join Mayweather’s team, telling us: “I walk into the gym with a friend of mine, barber shop type of thing and he’s going through guys wrapping his hands, as he does have problems. 
      “Well this one guy is wrapping his hands and I’m telling my friend right off the bat, ‘Too tight.’ Floyd is shaking his hands and the other guy is wrapping his other hand. 
      “Finally, they finish and Floyd and James Prince – his manager at the time – they walk into the dressing room and as he’s walking out Floyd is cutting the wraps off his hands. 
      “At that point I could have said, ‘Hey Floyd, I’ll wrap your hands.’ But out of respect for that cutman, I said nothing. 
      “Then of course, later on Rafael got the opportunity and the assignment and I’m glad he got the assignment because Rafael was a super, super, super guy. 
      “He never really got the credit that was due to him until Floyd gave him the opportunity. So everything worked out.” 

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      It marked the only ever time Duran – who estimates he has worked over 1,000 fights – was taken aback by an incident.
      He said: “That was the only time I ever really smelt the blood. There was that much blood to the point, I could smell the iron in it. 
      Legendary cutman Stitch Duran ready to join Tyson Fury’s camp to protect horror cut in rescheduled Tyson Fury fight
      “But it’s not usually an issue when it comes to smelling blood. At this point I ain’t got no time to be freaking out.” 
      Duran had a military background before moving into the sport of kickboxing, where he coached and promoted.
      From there, he made the life-changing decision to work fighters’ cuts and wrap their hands.
      No cornerman has had a bigger impact across the sports, with Duran working with the likes of Wladimir Klistchko and Tyson Fury.
      He has even featured in Hollywood movies, most notably in the Rocky series and Creed spin-offs.
      But away from the lights, camera and action, Duran has one of the crucial jobs in the ring.
      He said: “It’s definitely a pressure point. People ask me, ‘What does it take to be a good cutman?’ And I always say, ‘Composure.’
      “During those points you’ve got to keep your composure and give that fighter every positive airwave. 
      “He looks at you, and you look at him and you’ve just got to know what you’re doing a coach can be in the back but we’re in the front and centre.” 
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Stitch Duran is the most iconic cutman in boxing historyCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul ‘BLOCKED from fighting MMA star by UFC’ after claims YouTube star ‘doesn’t make money’

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      SEAN STRICKLAND has claimed the UFC blocked him from accepting Jake Paul’s $1million offer to spar. Strickland, a controversial and outspoken figure in MMA, was slammed after giving streamer Sneako a beating during a sparring session.
      Jake Paul called out Sean Strickland to a $1m sparring sessionCredit: Getty
      Strickland was quick to hit back at Jake PaulCredit: Getty
      YouTuber-turned boxer Paul was quick to hit out at the former UFC middleweight champion Strickland.
      He posted on X, formerly Twitter: “You’re embarrassing for trying to stop Sneako like that you weren’t even able to drop someone with no experience while going all out.
      “You’re a horrid boxer that only picks on inexperienced people.. I’ll fly you to (Puerto Rico) and we can fight on camera… if you win I’ll give you $1 million (half your net worth).
      “But if you get dropped you have to get Betr tattooed on you.”
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      Strickland accepted the offer and a back and forth online ensued between the pair.
      But the American then took to his own YouTube channel to say UFC chief Hunter Campbell was against the idea and aimed a dig at Paul.
      Strickland said: “I will fight this man. You let Conor McGregor fight (Floyd) Mayweather, this is an easier fight, easier money, can I do that?
      “And then Hunter explained to me that [Paul] sells no fights. When they have fights, they give away tickets. He doesn’t make money.
      Most read in Boxing
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      “His target audience is children — they don’t buy pay-per-views. So, a little depressing.
      “Because I thought to myself, ‘You know what? I’ll take a payday beating up this f***ing man, that sounds easy enough.’
      Jake Paul sends $1MILLION offer to ‘bully’ Sean Strickland for live sparring session… with bizarre tattoo on the cards
      “But sadly, Jake Paul is an influencer. He sells to children. Children don’t buy pay-per-views.
      “So, I dunno man, get some adults to follow you and we will fight.”
      Strickland has gained a reputation for ruthless sparring sessions and has even bragged about wanting to “KILL” opponents in the cage.
      And despite pouring cold water on a prizefight with Paul, he challenged him to what appeared to be a brawl on the Las Vegas strip.

      Strickland said: “So here’s the thing, Jake Paul, you clearly know I can’t fight you.
      “You know this. The UFC knows this. We all know this, that you and me cannot fight.
      “But what we can do, is you can get in your fancy plane, you can fly your ass to Vegas, and we can have a little pow-wow.
      “I’ll do it for free. I don’t need a check, I don’t need to live stream it. I will do it for free, sir.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Strickland stunned Israel Adesanya in September to win the UFC title but recently lost it to Dricus du Plessis via controversial split-decision.
      Paul meanwhile has beaten four former UFC stars during his career and returns on March 2 in Puerto Rico against 17-2 boxer Ryan Bourland. More

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      Francis Ngannou set to make MMA return with PFL in summer despite Tyson Fury calling for boxing rematch

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU could have both an MMA return and rematch with Tyson Fury to look forward to. Ngannou last year walked out on the UFC to sign for rivals the Professional Fighters League.
      Francis Ngannou left the UFC for PFLCredit: @francis_ngannou
      But the PFL permitted his switch to boxing for a crossover clash against Fury in Saudi Arabia.
      And Ngannou almost caused the mother of all upsets by scoring a shock knockdown – only to lose a controversial split-decision.
      But still, the ex-UFC champion earned himself another blockbuster bout this time against Anthony Joshua on March 8 in Saudi.
      PFL CEO Peter Murray has backed Ngannou all the way in the fight – and expects to see him in the cage again by summer time.
      READ MORE IN MMA
      Murray told BBC Sport: “We’ll have another event in the second half of the year, this summer likely, and we expect Francis to return to MMA in the PFL Smartcage.
      “And we’re very excited for Francis and his upcoming bout against Anthony Joshua.
      “I would not rule out Francis Ngannou in this fight, don’t underestimate him.”
      Fury, 35, was forced out of his scheduled February 17 title unification with Oleksandr Usyk, 37, after suffering a horror cut in sparring.
      Most read in Boxing
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      The heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed decider has since been rescheduled to May 18 in Riaydh.
      And Fury was quick to talk down retirement as he named Joshua, 34, and Ngannou, 37, in his future plans.
      Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou shake hands in first meeting since Saudi showdown last year
      He said: “I’m hearing talk of people saying that I should retire or I’m gonna retire soon, or whatever. I ain’t retiring anywhere.
      “I’ve got two fights with Usyk, for the undisputed twice. Then I’m gonna fight AJ at least once.
      “Maybe twice if there’s a rematch, if he wants one after the first battering I give him. And then I’m gonna fight Ngannou again.  
      “And that’s just to start. So there’s five little fights for you to whet your appetite with. I ain’t going nowhere. Nowhere.
      “I’m 35-year-old in the prime of my life.” 
      Tyson Fury wants to rematch Francis NgannouCredit: Reuters More

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      My grandad is the most famous boxer ever but I used to keep it a secret.. now I’m making my own way in a different sport

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      BIAGGIO ALI WALSH is the grandson to the most iconic fighter of all time – but it is not something he ever wanted people to know. The former college football prospect grew up doing his best to avoid anyone finding out he was related to the legendary Muhammad Ali.
      Biaggio Ali Walsh is the grandson of Muhammad Ali
      Ali pictured with a young BiaggioCredit: biaggioaliwalsh
      It was only after his family ties were revealed in the press that Biaggio’s cover was blown forever.
      He told SunSport: “When I was younger, a lot of people didn’t know who I was, we kept it a secret, me and my family.
      “The only people who really knew where my closest friends who are still my closest friends today that would come over to the house and they would see all this Muhammad Ali stuff.
      “When I was playing football, Max Preps came out with something and to this day I still don’t know how they found out who I was related to.
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      “I guess word spread like wildfire, I don’t know. But since high school everyone knew that I was Ali’s grandson and now I’m participating in a combat sports it’s only getting worse.”
      Biaggio set his sights on completely distancing himself from the family trade, despite auntie Laila being a boxing champion and brother Nico also turning professional.
      He dreamed of playing in the NFL after getting a scholarship to play in California but by 2019 he hung up his boots and instead picked up the gloves.
      But not the boxing gloves that gave his family so much legacy – as Biaggio instead began training in MMA and by 2022 he had his first fight.
      Most read in Boxing
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      Now a 7-1 amateur, the American makes his pro debut in Saudi Arabia on February 24 on the PFL vs Bellator card.
      It comes almost 50 years on from Ali’s infamous hybrid fight against Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki in Tokyo.
      Muhammad Ali’s grandson Biaggio reveals decision to turn professional in MMA ahead of PFL vs Bellator
      Biaggio, 25, said: “I think it’s cool that an Ali would be fighting in MMA.
      “I think it was in 76’ my grandfather did a cross-martial arts thing with a wrestler.
      “So like that’s kind of how MMA started, the boxer versus the wrestler, jiu jitsu versus karate, taekwondo against the judo guy.
      “It was kind of like what martial arts is the best and that was going on in the 70s when my grandfather did a cross fight with a wrestler.
      “So yeah, I think it’s cool to say like, ‘The Alis are a boxing family but Biaggio does MMA.’”
      Biaggio was signed to the Professional Fighters League in 2022 and won all five of his bouts by knockout.
      And from the get-go – while still an amateur – Biaggio had the eyes of the world on him having carried his famous fighting name into the cage.
      It is the same pressure he has dealt with from the moment his family roots were revealed – so nothing will be new when he returns this time as a pro.
      He said: “It doesn’t feel different. I’m always going to have a target on my back even when I was playing football I had a target on my back.
      “Especially when I was running to the touch down and they were behind me and they could see that big target on my back! And it’s only really going to get worse, really.
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      “The media interviews are going to pile up, the haters are going to get much worse, the online comments, it’s all going to get completely worse. So I’m ready for it, come on. I don’t care.”
      Biaggio Ali Walsh is set to make his MMA debutCredit: Getty More

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      I’m a 6ft 8in MMA champion… but I’m ready to help Oleksandr Usyk in sparring for Tyson Fury fight

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      OLEKSANDR USYK has been offered sparring by 6ft 8in MMA champion Renan Ferreira to help prepare for the giant Gypsy King. Usyk was due to fight Tyson Fury in the first ever four-belt heavyweight unification on February 17 in Saudi Arabia.
      MMA star Renan Ferreira is ready to help Oleksandr Usyk in sparringCredit: Getty
      Usyk’s fight with Tyson Fury has been postponedCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But the historic undisputed title decider has been moved to May 18 after Fury received over ten stitches for a sparring injury.
      Usyk had drafted in a squad of humongous heavyweights to replicate Fury’s hard-to-come-by 6ft 9in frame.
      But he could add one more to his arsenal after Brazilian MMA star Ferreira – who stands a huge 6ft 8in – proposed his services.
      He told SunSport: “Absolutely, it would be a great opportunity to learn, an honour really to share the ring with Usyk and learn from all the accolades he has. 
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “And hopefully be able to help him with some of the things I have to offer.” 
      Ferreira last year won the Professional Fighters League season, scooping the heavyweight belt and $1million cash prize.
      And he returns on February 24 in Riyadh against former Bellator champ Ryan Bader.
      Last year, the PFL took over Bellator and to kick off their merger, rivalling title holders will battle for bragging rights.
      Most read in Boxing
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      But on the line for Ferreira, 34, and Bader, 40, will be the chance to welcome Francis Ngannou back to the cage.
      Ngannou, 37, last year put his MMA career on hold to cross over to the boxing ring to fight Fury, 35.
      New footage appears to show moment Tyson Fury was cut by an ELBOW causing Oleksandr Usyk fight to be scrapped
      He astonishingly scored a shock knockdown but was controversially beaten by split-decision.
      Fury snubbed a rematch to instead focus on Usyk, 37, so Ngannou instead signed to fight Anthony Joshua, 34, on March 8.
      But Ferreira is waiting in the wings and would even face Ngannou in the boxing ring.
      He said: “I’ve always been a massive fan of boxing and that martial art.
      “It’s definitely something I would like to do in my career, test myself in a boxing ring. And to do that against Francis, I think it would be awesome.” 
      Francis Ngannou knocked down Tyson FuryCredit: GETTY More

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      Manny Pacquiao officially OUT OF RETIREMENT and ready to face Conor McGregor in blockbuster Saudi showdown

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      MANNY PACQUIAO is officially out of retirement – and he’s targeting a big-name opponent for his ring return.The former eight-weight world champion hung up his gloves in September 2021 a month after losing his WBA welterweight title fight with Yordenis Ugas.
      Manny Pacquiao retired from boxing a month after losing to Yordenis UgasCredit: GETTY
      Pacman returned to the ring in December 2022 for an exhibition against DK YooCredit: GETTY
      The former eight-weight champ is out of retirement, according to his managerCredit: GETTY
      Pacquiao, however, took part in an exhibition bout against South Korean DK Yoo in December 2022 and is set to face Muay Thai legend Buakaw in a second in April.
      The 45-year-old recently teased a rematch with long-time rival Floyd Mayweather, which his manager Sean Gibbons has added fuel to by claiming the pride of the Philippines is no longer a retired fighter.
      He told Boxing Scene: “Technically, he’s out of retirement.”
      Pacquiao, according to Gibbons, plans to stick around for one more year and is targeting some of the biggest names in the sport.
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      He continued: “He would love to fight Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia. He’s got about a year left.
      “He just wants to fight. Manny feels that he’s in tremendous shape.
      “He’s training for this exhibition but hopefully that will lead to something bigger and better.”
      A lucrative showdown with former UFC champion Conor McGregor has been on the cards for the best part of three years but has yet to materialise.
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      Pacman was on the receiving end of a callout from the MMA mogul last December, with The Notorious challenging him to a lucrative showdown in Saudi Arabia.
      And a crossover clash with the UFC’s poster boy is something Gibbons insists Pacquiao is more than up for.
      “I do [see a pro return for Pacquiao],” he said. “One of the fights that people talked about for a long time was Manny Pacquiao versus Conor McGregor.
      “That’s something that will be sensational in Saudi Arabia, let’s go. It will be a good place to do it. It’s really simple.
      “His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, [the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia], loves big events.
      “And he’s putting on the best events.
      “It’s a very intriguing and fun fight bringing two of the biggest names together in combat sports.”
      McGregor, 35, hasn’t fought since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021 but will be welcomed back to the octagon by Michael Chandler later this year.
      Manny Pacquiao is open to fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor this yearCredit: GETTY
      Conor McGregor is set to face Michael Chandler in his UFC this yearCredit: UFC More