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      Manny Pacquiao vs Errol Spence Jr and Conor McGregor in 2021 is ‘very realistic’ if coronavirus vaccine is rolled out

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      MANNY PACQUIAO has a ‘very realistic’ chance of facing Errol Spence Jr and Conor McGregor in 2021 – so long as a coronavirus vaccine is rolled out.
      Pacquiao is yet to fight since taking Keith Thurman’s WBA welterweight title and unbeaten record in July 2019.

      Manny Pacquiao wants to fight twice in 2021 Credit: Ryan Hafey

      But the Filipino icon – who turns 42 on December 17 – recently announced plans to make up for time with two fights next year.
      And Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, confirmed to SunSport that Spence and McGregor, as well as Terence Crawford, are among possible opponents.
      But the super-fights are reliant on a vaccine paving the way for paying fans to return in full capacity venues.
      Gibbons said: “It is very realistic depending on the Covid-19 situation.

      “As they roll out the vaccine and hopefully get the Covid-19 spread under some control we are hopeful.
      “Senator Pacquiao has never turned any fight down in his life and he sure is not now.
      “The Senator is looking at all options in these very difficult times.”
      Pacquiao was left impressed after Spence, 30, returned for the first time since his horror car crash to dominate Danny Garcia, 32, at the start of December.

      Errol Spence Jr pictured after beating Danny Garcia Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Terence Crawford did have a deal in place to fight Pacquiao in Qatar Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      And we revealed in November that WBO champion Crawford, 33, already had a deal in place to face PacMan in Qatar this year.
      But the coronavirus crisis KO’d the Middle East-backed fight, with Bob Arum’s Top Rank promotion hopeful they can restart talks with Pacquiao.
      Perhaps the most lucrative option for eight-division champion PacMan is UFC star McGregor.
      The 32-year-old Irishman and Pacquiao both confirmed they were in negotiations earlier in the year.
      But McGregor decided to commit his immediate future to the UFC as he returns to the octagon against Dustin Poirier, 31, on January 23.
      Audi Attar, who has a management deal with both McGregor and Pacquiao, however, did confirm the superstars still intend to fight next year.

      Pacquiao is yet to fight since taking Keith Thurman’s WBA welterweight titleCredit: Sean Michael Ham

      Conor McGregor was in talks to face Pacquiao Credit: Reuters
      Attar told The National: “Both fighters want it. There’s no way Conor’s looking past Dustin, so he’s just trying to focus on what he can control.
      “But the fans want it – there’s serious interest from all fans from all around the world – and both fighters want it. It’s hard not to make it happen.
      “Manny Pacquiao sees Conor McGregor as a real threat and a real formidable opponent.
      “And he has his own plans politically; he’s a machine in what he does. Either of them isn’t trying to go fight YouTubers next.
      “At the end of the day, I don’t see why it shouldn’t happen.
      “As we saw in 2020, you can never count anything out any more, but right now the intention is for that to happen in 2021.”

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

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      Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he prefers watching UFC and boxing rather than football as Juventus star trains with Golovkin

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has revealed his preference for watching combat sports over football.
      While playing his beloved game is his ‘passion’, the Juventus star prefers to tune into boxing or UFC when sat in his living room.

      Gennady Golovkin and Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a training session together for a new documentaryCredit: YouTube

      Ronaldo spoke of his preference for watching boxing or MMA over footballCredit: EPA

      After a training session with Gennady Golovkin, Ronaldo spoke of his love for combat sports.
      He is quoted by Marca as saying: “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.”
      The 35-year-old was speaking to middleweight champion Golovkin in a new DAZN documentary, Parallel Worlds.

      In the trailer, the Kazakhstani asked Ronaldo if he could be a boxer.
      The Portuguese superstar chuckled and replied: “‘I don’t think so.”

      He later told GGG: “When you shoot the ball it’s like when you make a punch; the technique, the power.”
      Golovkin, 38, took Ronaldo through a number of drills and shared a conversation on the mental aspects behind their sports.

      And the winger described the ‘maturity’ required by veteran stars across multiple sports to stay at the top of their game.
      Ronaldo stated: “When I was at Manchester United, a coach boxed with me.
      “I think practicing boxing is useful for football because it sharpens your senses and you learn to move.”
      He added: “Last summer, I had a chat with Anthony Joshua.

      People will look at me and say, ‘Cristiano was an incredible player but now he’s slow’. I don’t want that.
      Cristiano Ronaldo

      “At 33 you start to think your legs are going. I want to stay in sport, in football.
      “People will look at me and say, ‘Cristiano was an incredible player but now he’s slow’. I don’t want that.
      “You can change a lot about your body, but the problem isn’t that. It’s depends on your mindset, your motivation and your experience, which I think is the most complex thing.
      “In sport, you can gain maturity. Look at [Roger] Federer in tennis. He’s 37 or 38 years old and he’s still at his peak, and there are some in boxing too.”

      Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s home with huge Christmas tree and Santa Claus as Georgina Rodriguez gets into festive spirit More

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      Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50m contract for boxing fight and claims UFC legend and Dana White are ‘f***ing scared’

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      JAKE PAUL claims have to offered Conor McGregor $50 million to fight him in a boxing match.
      The YouTube star has released a video calling out the Irish star and UFC chief Dana White.

      Jake Paul even had the same sunglasses on that Conor McGregor wears

      Paul, 23, claimed the former featherweight and lightweight UFC champion is ‘scared’ to fight him.
      He recorded the video while sat in his Lamborghini with an Ireland flag draped over his shoulders.
      Alongside him was a huge cheque that appeared to show his $50m [£37.5m] offer for McGregor.
      Paul said: “What the f*** is up you Irish c***? Good morning Conor McGregor.

      “I know you’re probably beating up old dudes in a bar right now or maybe you’re j***ing off as you’re sick of f***ing your wife, I mean, she’s a four [out of ten], Conor you could do a lot better, but happy Monday!
      “My team sent you a $50 million offer this morning, $50 million cash, proof of funds, the biggest fight offer you’ve ever been offered.
      “But you’re scared to fight me Conor. You duck me as you’re scared to fight a YouTuber.
      “You’re 0-1 as a boxer, I’m 2-0 as a boxer. I just came off the eighth biggest pay-per-view event in history.

      Jake Paul claimed Conor McGregor is ‘scared’ to fight him Credit: Getty – Contributor

      The YouTube star posed alongside the huge cheque

      “But you want to fight Dustin Poirier, who has less followers on Instagram than my f***ing dog, that’s a fact.
      “And Dana White, you’re a f***ing pussy, you ugly f***ing bald bitch.
      “You said there’s zero per cent chance of this fight happening but there’s zero percent of you getting some p****.
      “Conor, you’re scared, Dana, you’re scared. Sign the f***ing contract you idiots. Irish b****, f*** these guys.”
      Paul, brother of Logan, sparked out fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gibb in January on his boxing debut.

      Dana White has confirmed that Conor McGregor will NOT face Jake Paul Credit: The Mega Agency
      He then called out McGregor after he knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson in November.
      But White has confirmed there is ‘zero chance’ of the UFC star fighting Paul anytime soon.
      McGregor is in training ahead of his comeback fight against Poirier in January at UFC 257.

      UFC release spine-tingling trailer for Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 2 More

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      UFC legend Mark Hunt threatens to put NRL ace Paul Gallen ‘to sleep’ ahead of boxing fight as rivals trade verbal blows

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      MARK HUNT has vowed to put Paul Gallen ‘to sleep’ when they meet in the boxing ring.
      The UFC legend, 46, will lock horns with the rugby league great, 39, at the Bankwest Stadium on Wednesday.

      Mark Hunt, left, will take on Paul Gallen, right, on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The pair did not not hold back as their war of words continued at the pre-fight press conference.
      Hunt, who ended his UFC career with a record of 13-14-1, plans to brutally knockout his rival.
      He said: “This is fighting. I don’t know where he gets his ideas. He’s talking s*** again.
      “I’ll put your a*** to sleep, that’s what’s going to happen. This is not footy.

      “I’m going to fix you, man. I’m going to fix you good.”
      Gallen, who has a boxing record of 9-0-1 including five knockouts, claimed Hunt is already making excuses.
      He said: “Making excuses already – you haven’t fought for three years, haven’t boxed for 20 years.
      “I’ve got no excuses. I’m going to step into the ring, I’m prepared.

      Mark Hunt has vowed to put Paul Gallen ‘to sleep’ when they fight Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      “You’re just setting those little traps in case you get beat. I’ll win comfortably.”
      Gallen claimed he is planning on sending Hunt into retirement once and for all.
      The former New South Wales star continued: “He’s the biggest name in Australian combat sports, probably for the last 20 years.
      “It’s a huge challenge for myself. A huge step up. I understand that.
      “But I’m ready for it. I’m ready to take whatever Mark’s got and give back even more.
      “He should have stayed in retirement. He won’t come out of it after this.”

      Hunt, who last fought for the UFC in 2018, claimed it was in fact Gallen that was making excuses.
      He said: “I ain’t the one calling injury, ‘Hey Mark, I can’t fight. Why? Because I’m weak a**’.”
      Hunt continued to impersonate Gallen as he said: “‘I ain’t fighting Mark, I can’t fight for you, I pulled my bicep from j***ing off’.”

      Tyson Fury calls in lawyers on BBC to get him taken off Sports Personality of the Year list after ‘asking nicely’ More

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      UFC chief Dana White refuses to step foot into boxing anytime soon because of how ‘screwed up’ and ‘broken’ sport is

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      DANA WHITE has ruled out working in boxing anytime soon after launching a scathing attack on the sport.
      The UFC chief labelled boxing as ‘screwed up’ and ‘broken as it is’ as he laid into the sport.

      UFC president Dana White has hit out at the state of boxing

      Speaking to ESPN SportsCenter, White said: “The reason you’ve never seen me do anything is because that’s how screwed up and broken it is.
      “That’s what a mess it is. Yeah, I’m not doing anything any time soon.”
      White ridiculed the state of boxing after the recent announcement of Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition bout against Logan Paul.
      He told pranksters NELK boys: “When people ask me what’s the state of boxing right now, that’s where it’s at.

      “Didn’t that kid get beat up by the f*****g video game kid from England and now he’s going to fight Floyd Mayweather?”
      White is clearly unimpressed by boxing’s move into YouTubers fighting and the recent exhibition bout between veterans Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr.
      The UFC boss was in talks earlier this year with Mayweather about working together.
      But the discussions did not lead to a partnership and it remains to be seen whether White will reconsider a move into boxing.

      Speaking to Yahoo Sports earlier this year, White said: “Floyd wants to fight.

      “He wants to fight. We’re going to probably … listen, I’m dealing with all the (expletive) that’s going on with 2020 right now.
      “Floyd and I want to work together. We want to do something. We’re going to do something.
      “I just need a little more time to get my (expletive) together.”

      Head of UFC Dana White announces 60 cuts from his fight roster More

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      Conor McGregor ‘on another level’, claims UFC star’s manager as he aims dig at Floyd Mayweather over Logan Paul fight

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      CONOR McGREGOR is ‘on another level’ heading into his UFC return against Dustin Poirier.
      That is according to his manager Audi Attar, who aimed a dig at Floyd Mayweather fighting Logan Paul.

      Conor McGregor is ‘on another level’ heading into his UFC return against Dustin PoirierCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma

      McGregor is preparing to mark his comeback next month as he rematches Poirier – who he beat in 2014 – in a lightweight headliner.
      And Attar promised the Irishman, 32, is mentally and physically better than ever before.
      He told The National: “This is the best Conor I’ve seen ever, and I’ve been with him almost a decade now.
      “It’s the mental fortitude, the emotional intelligence, the self-awareness, the time he’s spending with his kids in between sessions and what that does to him.

      “It’s the reflection of everything that’s happened to us to date – the good, the bad and the ugly – having a level of wherewithal and foresight to understand what we need to do going forward to achieve the goals we have now.
      “I’ve never seen Conor like this. It’s about the challenge, the competition, being the best version of ourselves.
      “Not just the body, but the mind and the soul as well. And that’s fun for me to see.
      “The guy doesn’t have to work a day in his life. He made more money this year not fighting; that’s how good business is.

      “So to see him hungry to compete, hungry to continue to evolve, hungry to prove all the naysayers wrong and hungry to prove who his really is, not only athletically but as a businessman and as a human being, that to me is exciting.
      “That’s a driver for me; it fulfils my purposes.
      “The skill level is on another level. It really is, on all fronts. The chemistry within the team, the coaches and the coordination.”
      As well as plotting to win back the UFC title he has not held since 2017, McGregor is linked with a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao.
      Pacquiao, 41, also has a management deal with Attar’s Paradigm Sports, paving the way for a crossover bout next year.
      McGregor made his boxing debut three years ago, losing to Floyd Mayweather in round ten, but has not been in the ring since.
      Mayweather, 43, retired professionally after the pay-per-view spectacle, but his career as a box office star continues.
      He announced he will face 25-year-old YouTube sensation Logan Paul – who is 0-1 as a pro – next February in a ‘special exhibition’.

      Floyd Mayweather will face YouTuber Logan Paul Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Paul is 0-1 as a pro boxer heading into the ‘special exhibition’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Paul’s brother Jake, 23, is also making a run as a prizefighter and called out McGregor after knocking out retired NBA player Nate Robinson last month.
      But Attar blasted the farcical mismatches involving the new age of boxing newcomers.
      And he insisted McGregor and Pacquiao have no intentions of jumping on the trend, instead wanting to fight each other.
      He said: “Manny Pacquiao sees Conor McGregor as a real threat and a real formidable opponent.
      “And he has his own plans politically; he’s a machine in what he does. Either of them isn’t trying to go fight YouTubers next.
      “At the end of the day, I don’t see why it shouldn’t happen.
      “As we saw in 2020, you can never count anything out any more, but right now the intention is for that to happen in 2021.”

      Manny Pacquiao with McGregor’s manager Audi Attar

      Conor McGregor shows off rapid hand speed in training drill ahead of UFC return against Dustin Poirier More

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      UFC chief Dana White ridicules ‘state of boxing’ after Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul announce ‘super exhibition fight’

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      DANA WHITE ridiculed the ‘state of boxing’ after Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul announced their ‘super exhibition fight’.
      Mayweather confirmed the sensational news that he will fight YouTuber Paul in February 2021.

      Floyd Mayweather pictured with UFC boss Dana White Credit: Splash News

      Logan Paul will face Mayweather in a ‘super exhibition fight’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      UFC president Dana White – who was in talks with the American legend over a comeback fight – was left in hysterics over the farcical mismatch.
      He told pranksters NELK boys: “When people ask me what’s the state of boxing right now, that’s where it’s at.
      “Didn’t that kid get beat up by the f*****g video game kid from England and now he’s going to fight Floyd Mayweather?”
      Paul’s one and only professional bout was a split-decision loss to his social media rival KSI – real name Olajide William Olatunji.

      But he will return to the ring against Mayweather, who retired in 2017 after beating ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, which White helped promote.
      Describing the unprecedented event, Mayweather wrote on Instagram: “Super Exhibition Feb. 20, 2021 !!!! Early Bird Special On Sale NOW!!!!
      “More Details Soon.”
      According to the Fanmio website, early bird pricing is at $24.99 (£18.62) for the first million tickets sold.

      It then rises to $39.99 (£29.80), and then to $59.99 (£44.71) starting December 29.
      It will then increase to $69.99 (£52.16) for the final days of build up, starting February 11.
      It is not yet clear which British broadcaster will air the exhibition.
      BT Box Office picked up the rights to Mike Tyson’s comeback against Roy Jones Jr.
      Snoop Dogg provided celebrity commentary for the pay-per-view spectacle in the US, and he has offered his services to Mayweather.

      Paul’s one and only professional bout was a split-decision loss to his social media rival KSICredit: Getty – Contributor

      Mayweather came out of retirement in 2018 for an exhibition bout against featherweight kickboxer Tenshin NasukawaCredit: AFP
      Paul, 25, weighed in at 14st 2lb for his fight against KSI, 27, which he ended up losing after a two point deduction.
      Whereas Mayweather tipped the scales at 10st 6lb, meaning he can expect to give away a massive FOUR STONE to the internet phenomenon.
      The 43-year-old came out of retirement in 2018 for an exhibition bout against featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in Japan.
      Mayweather waked away from Tokyo £7million richer after just one round’s work.
      He did announce last month that he will return to the Far East next year, but appears to be focussing on Paul beforehand.

      Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul confirmed for February 20 More

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      Floyd Mayweather reveals he didn’t knock Conor McGregor out early to make sure mega-money rematch happens

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER insists he decided against knocking out Conor McGregor early so the pair could have a money-spinning rematch.
      The 43-year-old American came out of retirement to beat the UFC star in ten rounds in 2017 before hanging up his gloves again.

      Floyd Mayweather claims he avoided beating Conor McGregor earlyCredit: AFP or licensors

      McGregor started well, winning some of the opening rounds before the exhausted ring novice was picked apart by Mayweather, who barley shed a sweat until the finish.
      Mayweather – who claimed he only did push ups and sit ups as training for the fight – is adamant he could have ended the bout whenever he pleased.
      But with the possibility of a lucrative rematch taking place afterwards, the multi-millionaire decided to keep the fight competitive.
      He told Drink Champs: “I took it serious, but I wanted to have some fun in the fight and I wanted to entertain the people.

      “You have to give the people a show, so I gave the people a show.
      “If I wanted to go out there and f*** him up and blaze him right out the gate, I could’ve did that. But my thing is this, if I would’ve did that, then it wouldn’t be probably a part two.”
      After Mayweather’s Las Vegas win, he returned a year later in an exhibition bout against Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in Tokyo.
      The American legend then announced in 2019 he was “coming out of retirement in 2020” to work with UFC boss Dana White.

      Mayweather revealed he has no intentions of facing boxers, believing he has nothing left to prove against anyone in the sport, and suggested only crossover bouts against UFC stars like McGregor or Khabib Nurmagomedov will bring him back to the ring.
      Next year, Mayweather is set to compete at an MMA event at the Tokyo Dome called Mega 20201. However, it is not known in what capacity he is fighting – boxing or MMA.

      Mayweather claimed he barely trained before beating McGregorCredit: Alamy Live News More