Pacquiao Open to Fighting McGregor

It is not just Floyd Mayweather that wants a piece of UFC superstar Conor McGregor in the ring: Floyd’s rival Manny Pacquiao has now said that he is willing to take on the Irishman, as long as they’re in the ring rather than the cage.

Speaking with Fox Sports (h/t Boxing Scene), Pacquiao was asked about the rumored fight between McGregor and Mayweather and subsequently spoke on his own interest in fighting the UFC star.

"In boxing? In boxing [I would fight McGregor]", Pacquaio said, "but not in [UFC], just boxing."

Pacquiao’s opinion is not a controversial one: McGregor would be woefully outmatched in the ring, but boxers would be in deep trouble if they were to step into the cage with him. While he has not seen McGregor’s boxing training, he knows that they compete in two very different combat sports.

"I didn’t see [footage of McGregor sparring]. But if we are talking about Conor McGregor and boxing, it’s different. Boxing is different than MMA."

Whether or not McGregor stands a chance in the ring, a boxing match between he and Floyd Mayweather has become a distinct possibility. The two have gone back and forth both on social media and privately, and UFC President Dana White even chimed in with a $25 million offer to Mayweather.

As for Pacquiao, he will return in April in a defense of the welterweight title he won in November. He is expected to fight Jeff Horn in Australia on April 23.