As the drama builds upon the rumored boxing match pitting MMA superstar Conor McGregor against Manny Pacquiao, the Irishman was told to be careful with that he wishes for. McGregor has been making noise on the likelihood of facing either Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr., and a compatriot gave him a bit of advice - the Pacman poses more danger.
The opinion was offered by Ireland's boxing hero Michael Conlan, commenting on the mounting speculations that painted a boxing return for the UFC fighter. McGregor first boxed versus Mayweather in August 2017, and while he lost the immense pay realized on that bout convinced to get another shot.
If McGregor will climb to a boxing ring anew, he indicated that two men will be on top of his list, and he's ready to face Pacquiao or Mayweather anytime this year.
Following his triumphant UFC return last January, The Notorious announced that negotiations between him and the Filipino boxing legend are now underway. The possibility of the two sporting heroes facing off was fired up even more after a management partnership was formed last week between the two camps.
According to The Irish Sun, while money is a huge factor for the rumored to push through, McGregor is also looking forward to score a win and own a boxing title.
"For me, an aspiration of mine now also is to win a boxing world title. I think that would be a phenomenal feather in the cap. Something I look to achieve in the future and something I will achieve," the Irishman was reported as saying.
On hearing the possibility of a McGregor vs. Pacquiao, Conlan said picking a fight with a boxer that boasts of eight world titles in different divisions is an ambitious undertaking for Team McGregor. He added that it's obviously getting a huge paycheck is a key motivator for the UFC icon.
"A fight with Manny Pacquiao will generate a lot of money," Conlan told the World Boxing News in an exclusive interview.
However, Conlan also warned his countryman not to make the mistake of treating a fight with Pacquiao lightly.
"Manny Pacquiao is still as dangerous as ever. Especially for someone who is not really a boxer. If he was to fight Pacquiao I wouldn't favor him, but I'd wish him all the best," the Irish boxer said.
The advice was offered likely in consideration of Pacquiao's last two showings that saw the boxing legend winning over capable and younger opponents. In his last fight, for instance, Pacquiao scored a unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Keith Thurman, who was even knocked down in the early stage of the match held in July 2019.
When asked if he would agree to be on the undercard of a McGregor vs. Pacquiao, Conlan said he will opt out as it will be a McGregor show, which will make his appearance irrelevant.
