Manny Pacquiao has set his sight on a mega-fight with Conor McGregor and for a simple reason - the Filipino boxing icon wants a taste of MMA fighting skill, something that the Irishman can certainly provide. Pacquiao, however, can elect to square off with fellow boxing champs Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford.
But at 42 years old and free of the pressure to prove his worth as a world-class fighter in the boxing ring, Pacquiao is more inclined to experiment nowadays. If a fight date with any of Spence or Crawford can be arranged, the Pacman said they will not be the most exciting prospects for him.
The focus is on McGregor, according to Business Mirror, and the Philippine senator explains why: "I want to experience fighting an MMA [mixed martial artist]."
The former eight-division world champion also admitted that a showdown with McGregor, who is widely considered as the most bankable UFC figure, will attract more attention and that promises a giant revenue for both warriors.
McGregor had a boxing bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017 and while he suffered defeat in that match, the huge paycheck more than made up for the disappointment. The Notorious earned an estimated $100 million for a day of work, and possibly Pacquiao will want to equal the earnings made on that blockbuster duel.
He clarified though that his purse will be shared with his fellow Filipinos who were hit hard by the raging coronavirus pandemic. And being charitable is nothing new to Pacquaio as he is known in the Philippines for regularly giving back.
As for his other options on the table, Pacquiao offered that boxing against Spence would be a spectacle but he called attention to the latter's handicap. Spence seemed to have slowed a bit since recovering from a life-threatening car crash a few years back.
The IBF and WBC welterweight champion is undefeated but Pacquiao said Keith Thurman moves faster so it would be easier to defeat the unified titleholder. If no adjustments are made to Spence's fighting style, Pacquiao believes he can easily overwhelm the American with solid blows.
Crawford was lined up to face off with Pacquiao but the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the unifying bout. But according to The Daily Mail, the 33-year-old is looking for another shot at the Filipino boxing legend.
"I want Pacquiao. I want to revisit that fight. That was a fight that should've happened right now," the WBO welterweight champion declared after his recent title defense that ended in his favor.
Crawford meeting Pacquiao atop the ring and scoring a win will further improve his already stellar record of 37 victories with no defeat. And the bonus is he gets to keep Pacquiao's WBA belt.
