‘I Don’t Pick a Non-Boxer Opponent’- Manny Pacquiao Seems Disinterested to Face Conor McGregor in the Ring

Boxing ace Manny Pacquiao spoke to The Schmo as he gears up for his boxing return against Errol Spence Jr. ‘Pacman’ returns after a two-year lay-off and is keen to build his status as an all-time great in his comeback. Despite his age, Manny Pacquiao proved that he has what it takes to make a mark in the sport.

While fielding questions on all things boxing, Manny Pacquiao was also asked about a potential bout against Conor McGregor. Chiefly, McGregor and Pacquiao are represented by the same management company and a boxing bout between them was on the cards. While it was a possibility in 2020, given McGregor’s recent form, Manny Pacquiao seems disinterested.

“For me, money will follow but my concern is the defence. How to make the fans happy in every fight. I don’t pick a non-boxer opponent. I want to pick the best so that we can claim that we are the best.”

It seems like the allure of a big-money fight with McGregor isn’t on Pacquiao’s mind as he’s chasing legacy. McGregor is 0-1 as a pro boxer and it might not be fitting for ‘Pacman’ to go from Spence Jr. to McGregor in one fell swoop. Not to mention, Manny Pacquiao is in the final phase of his career and he’s looking to make every bout count.

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Conor McGregor x Manny Pacquiao: Is it the fight to make?

From McGregor’s point of view, there’s very little debate as to whether McGregor vs Pacquiao is the fight to make. He’s already faced Floyd Mayweather and it would be a feather in his hat if he faced the Filipino senator next. Furthermore, Conor McGregor is still the biggest money fight in combat sports by a country mile.

However, as mentioned earlier, Pacquiao is looking to face only the very best boxers at this stage of his career. It is unclear if a massive payday to fight McGregor is enough incentive for him to reroute his trajectory. Time will be the best indicator as to whether this fight will go down in the future.

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