MMA superstar Conor McGregor wants another shot at a boxing icon despite the disappointment caused by his first try. The Irishman said he is arranging another fight with ring legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. or if the American is not immediately available, he's prepared to challenge Manny Pacquiao.
In fact, the Dublin native is claiming he and Team Pacquiao are now locked in a negotiation that hopefully would lead to a title match. McGregor confirmed that when he fights the Filipino boxing legend, they will clash governed by boxing rules.
He will box with the Pacman on terms familiar with the eight-time world champion because he intends to win and add a ring title to his gallery of MMA victories, The Sun reported.
"I want a boxing world title, it would be a feather in cap, and I am feeling very confident in my boxing abilities," McGregor declared.
It appeared that he is unmindful of the outcome when he and Mayweather atop the ring in 2017. McGregor put up decent boxing skills, but in the end, Mayweather outclassed him via TKO in Round 10. The American left the ring undefeated, which remains true to this day.
Calling on Pacquiao to slug with him is not the first as far as McGregor is concerned. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that months after his showdown with Mayweather, the Notorious One sent words to Pacquiao that he wanted a day on the ring with him.
Nothing came out of that talk, and if the same will happen on the supposed ongoing discussions between the two camps, McGregor is not stopping on Mayweather and Pacquiao. Per the same report, the Irishman is also cooking up a match with Paulie Malignaggi, himself a former world boxing titleholder.
It's unclear, however, if the planned McGregor vs. Malignaggi will be boxing bout or an MMA duel.
Asked on the possibility of the crossover between McGregor and Pacquiao, legendary trainer Freddie Roach said it seemed unlikely that Pacquiao will answer the call. Roach revealed the boxing icon views MMA as street fighting, which is unappealing to the Filipino.
However, Roach admitted that the possibility is there for Pacquiao vs. McGregor, but it will only happen because of the money lure. There is no denying both fighters will collect huge paychecks if the mega-fight pushes through, and that alone provides hope of a yes coming from Pacquiao.
Roach also warned that McGregor needs to be careful of what he wishes for. Through his expert's eyes, he is convinced that the Irishman will be overwhelmed by the Filipino. It is a sure win for Pacquiao, which Roach pegged at a chance of over 99 percent.
