UFC

MANNY PACQUIAO has confirmed he will fight Conor McGregor – but only if he acts as co-promoter.
The stars are in talks for a blockbuster event which is believed to be targeted for December or January.

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Manny Pacquiao confirmed he wants to fight Conor McGregor Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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McGregor and Pacquiao are in talks to fight Credit: AP:Associated Press

McGregor’s manager Audie Attar this year linked up with Filipino icon PacMan.
But the WBA welterweight champion revealed that as yet he has no current contractual obligation with Attar’s Paradigm Sports company.
And he insisted he will only agree terms to fight McGregor, 32, if he can co-promote the event.
Pacquiao, 41, said in a statement: “At the present time, I do not have an existing management contract with Paradigm Sports Management. 

“I have formed my own company, Pac Sports and Entertainment, and am more than willing to give the fans what they want: An exciting fight with Conor McGregor under terms and conditions where I am the co-promoter with my company.
“Thank you and God bless.”
McGregor – who retired in June – made the announcement that he would come back to fight Pacquiao in the Middle East on Twitter.
Attar had said the UFC were involved in talks for the Irishman – who lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 – to lace up the gloves again.

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McGregor is training to lace up the gloves against Pacquiao Credit: Twitter / @TheNotoriousMMA

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And they hoped he could return to the octagon next year to face the winner between Khabib Nurmagomedov, 32, and Justin Gaethje, 31, who fight this month at UFC 254.
But McGregor publicly blasted the UFC and even shared private messages with Dana White, claiming he was ‘held back’ from competing.
White – who said he had ‘no idea’ about McGregor’s plans to box Pacquiao – then revealed Saudi Arabian chiefs were not aware of the fight and even ordered the Irishman to remove a social media post publicising the fight.
The UFC president told Barstool Sports: “I don’t know if you just saw, but the Saudi’s went after Conor.

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How McGregor and Pacquiao stack up ahead of their proposed fight
“They basically said, it’s a lie that fight is happening and you better take that down in the next 15 minutes or we’re going to sue you.
“He took it down. You don’t see the poster anymore about him and Manny.”
SunSport understands a deal is almost in place for McGregor to face Pacquiao.
A date and venue appears to be the only obstacle left to finalise.

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CONOR McGREGOR deleted a poster announcing a fight with Manny Pacquiao and was accused of lying about the event.
Both the Irishman and Pacquiao confirmed they are in talks for a boxing match, which McGregor claimed would take place in the Middle East.

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Conor McGregor deleted this fight poster on Instagram

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But Ali Abdelaziz, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager, said a Saudi Arabian contact forced The Notorious to take down a post on Instagram.
The mocked up poster, which says McGregor, 32, will fight Pacquiao, 41, in Saudi, has now been deleted.
Abdelaziz tweeted: “Is funny how’s this Liar posted a photo him and Pacman Fighting in Saudi Arabia ?
“I was talking right now with my friend from Saudi Arabia and he told me Conor and his team got 3 hours to take this post down and guess what he did like a little b**ch It was all fake zero Truth.”

UFC president Dana White, who insisted he had ‘no idea’ about talks progressing for McGregor to face Pacquiao, backed up Abdelaziz’s claim.
White told Barstool Sports: “I don’t know if you just saw, but the Saudi’s went after Conor.
“They basically said, it’s a lie that fight is happening and you better take that down in the next 15 minutes or we’re going to sue you.
“He took it down. You don’t see the poster anymore about him and Manny.”

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Audie Attar, who manages both McGregor and Pacquiao, has said the UFC are on board in the talks for the pair to fight.
But Abdelaziz believes it has little chance of taking place in the Middle East, with Nurmagomedov, 32, more likely to box Floyd Mayweather, 43.
He wrote: “When your team called Middle East you guys got shutdown in Saudi Arabia , nobody in Abu Dhabi is going to do business with you.
“If any fight will happen , it would be Khabib VS Mayweather in the Middle East.
“Human are not perfect , but you are the last m******r people from Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi would do business with.”

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MIKEY GARCIA claims he will face Manny Pacquiao next – NOT Conor McGregor.
It comes after former UFC champion McGregor and Filipino icon Pacquiao confirmed they are in talks to fight in the Middle East.

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Mikey Garcia says he will be the next to face Manny Pacquiao Credit: Getty – Contributor

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Pacquiao is in talks to fight UFC star Conor McGregor Credit: Getty Images – Getty

But four-weight champion Garcia, 32, is ‘100 per cent’ confident he will be the one to box PacMan next, with The Notorious coming afterwards.
He told FightHype: “I saw the tweets by McGregor.
“I haven’t seen some from Pacquiao. Are there any responses from Pacquiao yet, or no?
“I’ve only seen what McGregor tweeted out, that his next fight is Manny Pacquiao in the Middle East.

“Well, I think he might be right, he might be right, I’m pretty confident his next fight is Manny Pacquiao.
“But Manny Pacquiao’s next fight is not with Conor McGregor. Manny Pacquiao’s next fight is with me. McGregor still has to take a number.
“McGregor’s next fight might be most likely Manny Pacquiao.
“But before that Manny Pacquiao has to fight me first – and that’s 100 per cent. That’s gonna happen. Watch.”

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How McGregor and Pacquiao stack up ahead of their proposed fight

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UK promoter Eddie Hearn had revealed plans for Garcia to challenge WBA welterweight champion Pacquiao, 41, in Saudi Arabia.
But talks are underway for the eight-division champion to take on McGregor – who lost his boxing debut against Mayweather in 2017 – in December or January.
Pacquiao’s assistant Jayke Joson revealed Pacquiao will donate a ‘huge portion’ of his purse to those affected by the coronavirus pandemic in his native Philippines.
A statement read: “For the sake of all the Filipino COVID-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year.
“The huge portion of his earnings will proceed to those who are affected nationwide by the pandemic.”

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McGregor is set to face Pacquiao in either December or January

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CONOR McGREGOR called Daniel Cormier a ‘fat fool’ – as the UFC legend says he will fight in the UFC next and NOT Manny Pacquiao.
McGregor had leaked private messages with UFC president Dana White, where he can be seen demanding several fights.

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Conor McGregor is training to box Manny Pacquiao Credit: Twitter / @TheNotoriousMMA

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Daniel Cormier thinks McGregor will fight in the UFC next Credit: Getty Images – Getty

But Cormier, 41, questioned why the Irishman did not fill in for Khabib Nurmagomedov, 32, who pulled out of fighting Tony Ferguson, 36, in May.
McGregor, 32, responded: “I asked for May you fat fool, what you saying?
“I fought in January and tried to go again but was purposely held back to be an alternate for a July fight.
“Wait 7 whole f***ing months and “maybe” I’d get to fight? Are you stupid? What are you saying mate? I asked for May vs ANYONE!”

It comes after McGregor announced he would be boxing Manny Pacquiao, 41, in the Middle East.
Cormier again risked the wrath of The Notorious – who lost his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather in 2017 – after DC said he could not beat PacMan.
Cormier told ESPN: “I think that he’ll build a great fight with Manny.
“I think it will be interesting, I think it will be intriguing to see whether or not he can compete at that level.

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Pacquiao is in talks to fight McGregor in the Middle East Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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“Do I think he can? No, I think it’s a dangerous fight for him because Manny is so powerful.
“(McGregor) and Floyd fought at a very leisurely pace early, I don’t think Pacquiao has that ability, he’s going to go out there and try and knock his head off.”
The former heavyweight champion also predicted McGregor would come to terms with the UFC, cancelling the bout against Pacquiao, and will next fight in the octagon.
Cormier continued: “I think he’ll fight mixed martial arts, I do.
“I believe they’ll get it worked out. He’s such a good mixed martial artist, he’s such a great fighter.
“I think he’ll that fight where he’s going to find the most success and I think that’s in mixed martial arts.”

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JON JONES is in rumoured talks to make his boxing debut on the undercard of Conor McGregor vs Manny Pacquiao.
It is claimed Jones is negotiating a deal to fight British heavyweight Chi Lewis-Parry, who is unbeaten in his nine bouts in the cage.

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Jon Jones is in talks to make his boxing debut on the undercard of Conor McGregor vs Manny PacquiaoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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British heavyweight Chi Lewis-Parry is in talks to box Jones Credit: EPA

The pair – who have a storied past – would both be boxing for the first time.
Siju Roseje, Lewis-Parry’s manager, said: “Chi is quite rightly rising quickly up the ranks in terms of the opponents he’s facing because his undefeated record and convincing victories speak for themselves.
“It’s a very exciting prospect that a fight with Jon Jones in the company of Conor McGregor is on the table.
“We hope the British public will continue to get behind Lewis-Parry as he is fast approaching the big time.”

McGregor, 32, and Pacquiao, 41, both confirmed they are close to agreeing a deal to fight in the Middle East.
The lucrative super-fight is targeted for December or January.
SunSport understands Jones, 33, and Lewis-Parry, 37, would be the co-headliner, with talks still ongoing.
Lewis-Parry, a 6ft 10in kickboxing veteran, is a former training partner of ex-UFC champion Daniel Cormier, 41.

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McGregor and Pacquiao confirmed they are close to agreeing a deal to fight in the Middle EastCredit: Rex Features

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The lucrative super-fight is targeted for December or JanuaryCredit: EPA

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The Brit powerhouse helped DC prepare to fight Jones in 2016, which fuelled a rivalry between them.
Lewis-Parry even confronted the light-heavyweight legend at a BodyPower health and fitness event in Birmingham last year.
Jones vacated the light-heavyweight belt in August to move up and challenge heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, 38.
But he had threatened to switch to boxing earlier in the year following a public fall out with the UFC.
Jones was forced to deny claims made by UFC president Dana White, who said the American wanted £25million to move up and face Francis Ngannou, 34.
At the time, he tweeted: “I’d probably make more in my first boxing match than my next three UFC fights combined.”

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CONOR McGREGOR revealed he is back sparring for his boxing return against Manny Pacquiao – after being warned he is facing a hiding.
Both the Irishman and Pacquiao revealed they are in talks to fight in the Middle East.

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Conor McGregor is back sparring for his boxing return against Manny PacquiaoCredit: Twitter / @TheNotoriousMMA

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McGregor will return to boxing for the Pacquiao fight Credit: Twitter / @TheNotoriousMMA

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McGregor during a strength and conditioning session Credit: Twitter / @TheNotoriousMMA

Ahead of his second pro boxing bout, McGregor, 32, shared pictures of what appears to be a sparring as well as a strength and conditioning session.
He captioned the post: “A good days work today on the program.”
McGregor made his boxing debut in 2017, losing to Floyd Mayweather, 43, in the second richest fight of all time.
And his return to the ring is targeted for December or January.

Pacquiao’s long-time trainer Freddie Roach reacted to the news by insisting the Filipino icon would beat McGregor easier than he did against Ricky Hatton.
Hatton was brutally knocked out by PacMan in round two of their 2008 world title fight.
McGregor responded to Roach’s comments in an Instagram post, where he revealed regret for not breaking the rules against Mayweather by using an MMA strike on the American legend.

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How McGregor and Pacquiao stack up ahead of their proposed fight

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He wrote: “I’m upset I fully followed the rules for that fight to be honest.
“Floyd deserved a volley at the least. A shoulder even, break the face.
“Manny not so much tho I don’t think, but I will see how the build up goes and wait to hear what bitter old Freddie Roach has to say and then make a decision.”
The UFC are believed to be on board in the negotiations for McGregor to box Pacquiao.
With Khabib Nurmagomedov, 31, facing Justin Gaethje in a unification next month, they hope The Notorious can return next year to face the winner.
McGregor’s head coach John Kavanagh was asked why the former UFC champion would be boxing 41-year-old Pacquiao next.
Kavanagh responded: “HUGE pay day, incredible experience in with another legend, athletically focused…plus it’ll be fun.”

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